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LISC Program
Presented in partnership by 
  

Lead with Impact. Communicate with Purpose.

Today’s education landscape is more complex than ever. From safety concerns to community trust to shifting expectations, effective communication is essential. 

The Leadership in School Communication (LISC) program is a one-of-a-kind professional development series designed to equip district leaders and school communications professionals to deliver clear, consistent messaging that builds trust, drives engagement and improves readiness for high-stakes moments.

Presented in partnership by the National School Public Relations Association and AASA, The School Superintendents Association. Special thanks to program sponsor Finalsite. Finalsite


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◆ Program Overview and Outcomes

Four modules. One results-driven blueprint. From October through April, LISC brings district leaders and communications professionals together to solve real challenges and turn strategy into action. Each session delivers practical tools you can put to work immediately. Each module includes a practical reference guide; enroll à la carte or register for the full series for a complete, connected experience. Core areas of focus include:

➢ Engaging every voice to transform community culture
➢ Districtwide approaches to misinformation and rumor response
➢ A shared vision for coordinated, districtwide communication
➢ Board onboarding that builds trust, roles, and teamwork

LISC is built for districts of every size and setup.

Enroll your way: One registration covers the full series for district communication and leadership teams to learn together. A la carte registration by module is also available. Individual module registration also allows for both team and/or individual participation.  Participate in the series or in individual modules as a:

👩🏽‍💼➕👩‍💼 Two person superintendent + communications leader team
👩‍💼👩🏽‍💼🧑🏻‍💼 Full communications team (with or without a superintendent)
👩‍💼  👨‍💼 Individual communications professional or individual superintendent

Keep the same lineup for the entire series or invite designated attendees for select sessions. Through a series of dynamic modules, participants will:

✅ Gain strategies to anticipate challenges before they become crises
✅ Strengthen relationships with families, staff and community partners
✅ Explore emerging trends shaping education and public engagement
✅ Walk away with reference guides and tools you can put to work immediately
 
All sessions will be recorded and available for participants to watch on-demand for a flexible learning experience.

Highlights of the program include:

👨‍🏫 Experienced Presenters: Presented in partnership by NSPRA and AASA, The School Superintendents Association, seasoned education and public relations experts will provide participants with proven practices and strategies to elevate their communication efforts.

📚 Engaging Modules: Each of the program's modules will focus on a timely topic designed to help superintendents and school communicators navigate the ever-changing and complex education landscape.

💡 Transformative Insights: Dive deep into how to best align communication efforts to support your district's overall strategic plan and day-to-day operations.

"The program's collaborative sessions are invaluable to school communication - superintendent teams!" 

—  LISC Program Alumnus

Registration Information

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 What You'll Learn

Click the arrows below to learn more about each module.

Can't attend a module live? Each session will be recorded and available for participants to catch up on-demand for a flexible learning experience.

In this interactive virtual session, learn how school leaders can build stronger connections by ensuring every voice in the community is heard and valued. Participants will explore practical strategies for creating open lines of communication, encouraging participation from all stakeholder groups, and fostering a culture of trust and transparency. Through real-world examples and lessons learned, this session will highlight how inclusive engagement can strengthen relationships and support student success. Join us for a conversation that puts people – and listening – at the heart of school communication.

In today’s fast-moving information landscape, rumors and inaccuracies can spread quickly, impacting trust, morale and decision-making. In this session, learn strategies to proactively address misinformation. Through this real-world case study, you'll discover how a district effectively uses clear messaging, community connection and a focus on transparency to stay ahead of the noise. Participants will walk away with practical approaches for monitoring conversations, correcting false narratives and strengthening communication systems by working as a united front. Join us to learn how this powerful collaboration helps a district stay focused on what matters most: students and staff.

When school leaders and communicators work in sync, good communication becomes great. In this module, learn how a strong communications partnership has helped school leaders build trust, stay aligned and lead with clarity, especially when navigating complex or high-profile topics. With an emphasis on mutual support and shared vision, module speakers will offer practical insights for deepening board relationships, amplifying team strengths and keeping the focus where it belongs: on students and community.

Every time a new member joins the board, the entire dynamic shifts, bringing fresh perspectives, priorities and challenges. In this session, hear how a superintendent - communications director duo created a proactive, relationship-driven onboarding process that sets the tone for trust, collaboration and shared purpose. From communication protocols to culture-building conversations, their approach helps ensure every board transition strengthens, not stalls, district momentum. Walk away with practical ideas for supporting your board’s growth and your leadership team's success.

Registration Information

Optional in-person add-on module (separate registration)
Go deeper on media response with the "Ready for the Headlines: Media Response for Sensitive Staff Situations" add-on module. This in-person, pre-conference session is offered twice so your team can choose the date that fits:

  • AASA 2026 National Conference on Education: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026  |  Nashville, Tenn. Learn more and register.
  • NSPRA 2026: Saturday, July 18, 2026  |  New Orleans, La. Registration coming soon.

Add-on modules are not included in LISC full-series registration.

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◆ Course Presenters

Bedell

Dr. Mark BedellSuperintendent
Anne Arundel County (Md.) Public Schools
NSPRA 2025 Grossman Leadership in School Communications Honoree
NSPRA National Seminar Presenter

Bordes

Julie BordesChief Communications and Community Engagement Officer
Napa Valley (Calif.) Unified School District 
NSPRA National Seminar Presenter
Award Winning School Communicator

Bruinton

Lesley Bruinton, APRFounder and CEO
School Spirit PR
NSPRA Past-President
NSPRA National Seminar Presenter
Award Winning School Communicator

Buselt

Lori Buselt Executive Director of Communications
Maize (Kan.) Unified School District 266
NSPRA 35 Under 35 Honoree
NSPRA Professional Development Presenter

Greer

Dr. Raquel GreerSuperintendent
Maize (Kan.) Unified School District 266
NSPRA Professional Development Presenter
NSPRA Superintendent to Watch Honoree

Haga

Celi HagaDirector of Communications and Community Relations
Eastern Carver County Schools (Minn.)
NSPRA Professional Development Presenter

Mosier

Bob MosierChief Communications Officer
Anne Arundel County (Md.) Public Schools
Award Winning School Communicator
NSPRA National Seminar Presenter 

Mucetti

Dr. Rosanna MucettiSuperintendent
Napa Valley (Calif.) Unified School District 
NSPRA National Seminar Presenter
NSPRA Vice President At-Large for Superintendents

 

Rathke

Dr. Erin RathkeSuperintendent
Eastern Carver County Schools (Minn.)

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◆ Registration 

 One registration covers the full series for district communication and leadership teams to learn together. A la carte registration by module is also available. Individual module registration also allows for both team and/or individual participation. Participate in the series or in individual modules as a:

👩🏽‍💼➕👩‍💼 Two person superintendent + communications leader team
👩‍💼👩🏽‍💼🧑🏻‍💼 Full communications team (with or without a superintendent)
👩‍💼   👨‍💼 Individual communications professional or individual superintendent

Keep the same lineup for the entire series or invite designated attendees for select sessions.

Full Track Enrollment:
$1,000
All four modules; Full program registrants receive a digital copy of the Rubrics of Practice and Suggested Measures (a $125 value) as well as a comprehensive resource guide for the series.

Register for Full Series 

Individual Module Enrollment:
$275/module
Registrants will receive a tailored resource guide specific to the module(s) they enroll in.

Register: Module 1 (Oct. 16) Engaging Every Voice: How One District Transformed Its Community Culture

Register: Module 2 (Nov. 13): Tackling Misinformation: A Collaborative Strategy for District Leaders

Register: Module 3 (March 5): Shared Vision, Strong Results: A Collaborative Approach to District Communication

Register: Module 4 (April 23): Building Board Cohesion: Structured Onboarding for Trust and Teamwork

Ready for the Headlines: Media Response for Sensitive Staff Situations Module Registration

Go deeper on media response with the "Ready for the Headlines: Media Response for Sensitive Staff Situations" module. This in-person, pre-conference session is offered twice so your team can choose the date that fits:

  • AASA 2026 National Conference on Education: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026  |  Nashville, Tenn. 
  • NSPRA 2026: Saturday, July 18, 2026  |  New Orleans, La. 

Register for Module at AASA's NCE 2026: Wednesday, Feb. 11 

Register for Module at NSPRA 2026: Saturday, July 18 (coming soon)  

If you have any questions, please reach out to pd@nspra.org.

Thank you program sponsor

 

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