2026 NDSBA Winter Summit

Save the Date! February 5-6, 2026 | Bismarck State College – National Energy Center of Excellence

Our annual Negotiations Seminar is getting a fresh new identity. Starting in February 2026, it will be known as the NDSBA Winter Summit -- a premier event designed to bring together school board members, business managers, and administrators for learning, collaboration, and strategic planning.

The Winter Summit broadens the focus beyond negotiations to the issues driving board leadership and a strong K-12 workforce -- while still offering breakout sessions on negotiations basics and practical pointers.

 Here is the tentative session lineup (with more topics to be announced):

• Governance Fundamental: roles vs. responsibilities, chain of command, healthy board norms, focusing on improving student outcomes
• Workforce & HR: hot topics panel, recruiting/retention, leave/accommodations, culture
• Superintendent Evaluation: process, instruments, and goal-aligned reviews
• District Budgeting & Finance: sustainable budgeting, forecasting, community communication
• Certified Staff Nonrenewal: timelines, notices, documentation, due process
• School Elections: training and 2026 updates
• Advocating for Public Education: messages that mobilize your community
• Four-Day School Week: what to consider and how to manage the process
• Negotiations Basics & Practical Pointers: legal requirements, proposals, timelines, pitfalls to avoid

The 2026 NDSBA Winter Summit: Governance and Workforce is coming February 5 - 6, 2026, at Bismarck State College’s National Energy Center of Excellence, 1200 Schafer Street, Bismarck.

Save the date and join us for this new chapter in professional growth. And watch for more details and registration information coming soon!