The Chair of the School Board of Lee County, Sam Fisher, Board Members Melisa Giovannelli, Bill Ribble, Debbie Jordan, Vanessa Chaviano, and Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin recently joined more than 420 school board members, superintendents, and education leaders at the FSBA/FADSS Annual Summer Conference. The conference provided three days of leadership development, networking, and training.
“Attending the joint conference of the Florida School Boards Association and the Florida Association of District School Superintendents was an invaluable opportunity to strengthen our leadership, share innovative ideas, and collaborate with colleagues from across the state,” said School Board Chair Sam Fisher. “These three days of professional development and networking ensure we remain focused on student success and equipped to make informed decisions for our community.”
The theme of the conference, Lights, Camera, Leadership, featured Matt Lehrman, Managing Director, Social Prosperity Partners. School board members and superintendents gained valuable tools in transforming tension into productive dialogue during the "From Conflict to Conversation" keynote session which emphasized that disagreement, when approached intentionally, can drive progress. The conference closed with the keynote address, “Strategic Planning: Shaping the Future with Purpose and Vision,” presented by former FSBA President Tim Weisheyer.
“This conference empowers our members to think bigger and lead smarter, said Andrea Messina, CEO of the Florida School Board Association. “School board members gain strategic insight, shared innovation, and real-world solutions. It is more than a professional gathering. It is a catalyst for stronger governance and better outcomes for students across Florida."
The conference also featured a legislative session review presented by Dr. Danielle Thomas, FSBA Director of Advocacy & Legislative Services, and focused on the biggest education topics of the 2025 Legislative Session, including school safety and school start times. In addition, the associations also conducted their annual business meetings.