Breaking the Spell of High Conflict
Conflict, whether political or personal, can escalate and become toxic, as we keep seeing in the news, on social media, in politics, and in our communities. For school board members and education leaders, who sit at the intersection of education, governance, and public discourse, understanding how conflict transforms into “high conflict” has never been more important. At this level, known as "high conflict," we start sorting the world into good and evil, us and them. Things suddenly become very clear. Our brains behave differently. We tend to exaggerate the differences between ourselves and the other political party or racial or religious group (or sibling or co-worker), without realizing we are doing it. We believe the other side cannot change, even when it can. Eventually, everyone suffers, to varying degrees. To try to understand how people get bewitched by high conflict — and how they get out — Amanda spent four years following a politician in California, a former gang leader in Chicago, a divided synagogue in New York City, and other conflict survivors all over the world. She discovered that the secret is not to get out of conflict; conflict itself is essential, and it can be healthy and good, as well as essential to democracy and local governance. The key is to get out of high conflict. From the stories and the science of conflict, Amanda has identified the "fire-starter" forces that tend to cause high conflict — as well as the practical but counterintuitive rules of "good conflict." Her work offers surprising and ultimately hopeful lessons for leaders, advocates, and board members seeking to bridge divides, build trust, and lead productively in polarized times.
Presenter:
- Amanda Ripley - New York Times bestselling author, Washington Post contributing columnist, and the co-founder of Good Conflict
NSBA’s Federal Advocacy 101
Join leaders from the National School Boards Association (NSBA), the BGR Group, and Foresight Law + Policy for an in-depth exploration of NSBA’s 2026 advocacy strategy. This session will highlight key initiatives and provide actionable insights into the national efforts to advance education funding, policy, and local governance priorities.
The session will cover NSBA’s 2026 priorities, including recent engagements on Capitol Hill and in the courts. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the current federal agency policy and regulatory landscape and its influence on education and governance. Additionally, the discussion will address the congressional legislative environment and offer practical messaging strategies to enhance advocacy efforts during Hill Day, equipping attendees with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate an evolving policy landscape and drive meaningful change in education funding and local governance.
Presenters:
- Dr. Phelton Moss - Managing Director of Government Relations, NSBA
Bridging the Aisle for America’s Students: A Bipartisan Conversation on K-12 Priorities
In a time when division often dominates the headlines, education remains one of the few areas where shared values can still unite policymakers. This closed-door, bipartisan conversation will bring together congressional staffers from both sides of the aisle to discuss the pressing K-12 issues that impact every school district in America. From full funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to ensuring safe, equitable, and high-quality learning environments for all students, this dialogue will highlight areas of collaboration that transcend politics. School board members will gain firsthand insight into how Congress works behind the scenes to advance bipartisan solutions — and how local voices can inform federal education policy.
Join us for an honest, off-the-record exchange designed to rebuild bridges, share strategies, and reaffirm a common goal: ensuring every child has access to a great public education, regardless of zip code or political climate.
Panelists will be announced soon.
Building Foundations: How the School Environment Drives Student Health and Learning
The school building has profound impacts on student health, thinking, and performance, yet it remains an overlooked foundation of student success. That's a mistake. Decades of scientific research have shown that how we design, operate, and maintain our school buildings affects brain, heart, reproductive, and immune health. Fortunately, the healthy buildings strategies needed to capture these benefits are readily achievable and affordable. The cost of inaction is high.
Presenter:
- Dr. Joeseph G. Allen - Professor, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Director of Harvard’s Healthy Buildings Program; and Co-author of Healthy Buildings: How Indoor Spaces Can Make You Sick—or Keep You Well