2026 Southern Region Leadership Conference

In today’s complex and often polarized educational landscape, school boards are increasingly called to make high-stakes decisions under pressure, making how boards navigate disagreement more important than ever. This session draws on Arkansas data examining school board voting patterns, including split votes, failed motions, and the issues most likely to produce division. Grounded in real-world practice, the session then moves beyond the data to focus on what effective board members can do in the moment. Attendees will leave with practical, actionable strategies to lead through disagreement in ways that strengthen governance, improve decision quality, and keep student success at the center.