From Oct. 28-30, NSBA’s Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) hosted nearly 1,000 school board members in Las Vegas for its 2024 Annual Conference. Attendees, who represented 39 states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Canada, gathered to network, learn, and receive the necessary tools to effect change as impactful education leaders.

Preconference sessions included a special welcome for first-time attendees and a session on avoiding the common pitfalls of school board leadership, including conflicts of interest, transparency issues, and breaches of confidentiality.

During an experiential learning opportunity, attendees visited the Clark County School District’s Family Support Center — a 2024 Magna Award winner — where they saw firsthand how students and families can access services tailored to meet their diverse needs, including pediatric care, employment services, adult English classes, and college counseling. A second experiential learning opportunity took attendees to Las Vegas’ Western High School to see how authentic, real-world projects are shaping students' 21st century skills and deepening engagement through innovative, student-centered approaches.

This year’s conference opened with a land acknowledgment led by Nakina Mills (Oglala Sioux), a tribal education specialist for the National Indian Education Association. Land acknowledgments recognize and display respect for Native American homelands.

Conference attendees could choose from over 20 breakout sessions, including sessions on leveraging funding to create better student outcomes; strengthening educational and community ties through community schools; closing achievement gaps; emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence; nurturing new arrival students; creating space for student voice; creating school turnaround strategies; and more.

Keynotes featured Rocío Inclán, senior director of the National Education Association’s Center for Racial and Social Justice; AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith; and stars of the beloved sitcom “Living Single” — Kim Coles, Kim Fields, and Erika Alexander.

Smith underscored the importance of public servants and the role of school board members in shaping the future of education. He noted the impact of AmeriCorps members in urban and rural school districts providing tutoring, mentoring, and support services to students and teachers.

In a surprise announcement, Smith presented CUBE Steering Committee Chair Gill Garrett with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for contributing more than 34,500 volunteer service hours throughout his more than eight years as a school board member. Garrett’s career of service began as an AmeriCorps member in 1997, teaching students through an afterschool program in Michigan’s Pontiac School District. Garrett is a current member of the Pontiac School District School Board.

Two annual CUBE awards also were presented during the three-day conference. The selection committee presented Indiana’s South Bend Community School Corporation with the CUBE Annual Award for Urban School Board Excellence. The award recognizes school boards demonstrating excellence in governance, academic improvement, educational equity, and community engagement.

The annual Benjamin Elijah Mays Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to William Turner, president of Indiana’s Washington Township School Board. The Mays Award is named for the late Morehouse College president, scholar, minister, civil rights advisor, and member of the Atlanta Board of Education.

A highlight video of the conference is available below.