ACSA’s annual Superintendents’ Symposium is the premier professional development event for the state’s top education leaders.

This year’s theme, "From Crisis to Opportunity: A Time for Bold Caring Leadership," spoke to the intensity of concern behind the state’s past and proposed budget cuts, while also offering a preview of emerging trends in education.

Among several presentations on the politics of school funding, ACSA Legislative Advocate Adonai Mack was joined by Kevin Gordon, president of School Innovations and Advocacy, and Ron Bennett, president and CEO of School Services Inc. in a panel discussion on the fiscal challenges facing education.

The panel noted that despite the governor’s promise to "protect education," his proposed 2010-11 budget would cut education funding by $201 per student.

ACSA Executive Director Bob Wells and Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell gave a special session in which they discussed their perspectives on the current state of education. O’Connell praised the work of ACSA during his term in office, calling the association a "first class operation in Sacramento."

Dennis Byas, superintendent of San Lorenzo USD and chair of the 2010 Superintendents’ Symposium Planning Committee, welcomed attendees to the Jan. 27-29 event at the Monterey Conference Center.

ACSA President Chuck Weis, superintendent of Santa Clara County Schools, addressed a general session with an update on the progress of ACSA’s Assessment and Accountability Task Force. He suggested district leaders take advantage of the online offerings of ACSA, such as the Web site and ACSA Online Community.

During a breakfast session, women superintendents shared experiences on their unique challenges leading a district. The women shared stories of the people who mentored them and how they, in turn, are mentoring others. The Women’s Leadership Breakfast is part of ACSA’s Women’s Leadership Network.

Mark Milliron, newly named director with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, gave a rousing keynote presentation on the integration of technology into the world of teaching and learning, including discussion of blended learning, social networking and mobile devices. He spoke about how each generation in the workplace relates to technology, but he also noted the importance of the human equation.

"Human skills are what get people jobs and what keep those jobs," Milliron said. "Shouldn’t they be more a part of the education conversation?"

Doug Reeves, founder of the Leading and Learning Center, delivered a keynote presentation on the challenges facing school district leaders in a time of massive budget cuts.

"We have got to be engaged in critical thinking more than ever," he said. "But we can’t do 21st century learning with 14th century assessments."

Doug Whittaker of Digital Edge discussed ways to close the achievement gap using technology tools such as the Interwrite MOBI pad, which were provided to each superintendent attending special sessions by eInstruction. Digital Edge is providing free follow-up professional development for all recipients of MOBI pads.

ACSA Legislative Advocate Laura Preston and attorney Melanie Peterson, a partner at Fagen Friedman and Fulfrost, gave attendees an intriguing look at the growing charter school movement and how to respond when they receive a charter petition in their district.

Jennifer Walters, superintendent of Escondido UESD, will chair the 2011 Superintendents’ Symposium Planning Committee. She invited attendees to return for next year’s event, which will again be packed with crucial information for those charged with leading school districts.