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Huron board members return from national convention with focus on mental health, family engagement and digital communication
Summary
Board members who attended the National School Boards Association convention described sessions on governance, family engagement, mental health programs and digital tools; the district plans to fold lessons into its next strategic plan and consider pilot programs discussed at the conference.
Four Huron School District board members and the superintendent who attended the National School Boards Association convention in Atlanta reported on sessions they found most applicable to local priorities, including community communication, mental health supports and “grow-your-own” workforce strategies for school mental-health staff.
Board Chair Van Bercum noted several keynote and breakout sessions that addressed governance under increased public scrutiny and digital-era leadership. Garrett Bischoff was recognized on stage as president of the Association of School Boards of South Dakota, the board said. Members described sessions addressing disinformation, artificial intelligence policy, and strategies to improve community trust and two-way communication.
Board member Shelly highlighted an app-based communication tool called School Bundle that one district used to consolidate calendars, send push notifications and host one-question surveys and a thought-exchange feature; she said the app increased participation even among older community members. "AI can certainly be utilized to do some of the work," Shelly said, describing a demonstration in which the platform surfaced key comments and limited repetitive negative posts.
Several trustees described sessions on addressing mental-health needs. One district’s “grow-your-own” program aimed to produce licensed social workers by recruiting and training local candidates (including paraprofessionals and teachers) through an intensive two-year program. According to trustees who attended that session, the district packed and retained graduates and used a mix of state and federal grants, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services funding and Medicaid billing to sustain the program.
Superintendent Dr. Steinhoff said many sessions affirmed work the district is already emphasizing—reading instruction aligned with the science of reading, collective teacher efficacy and family engagement—and recommended incorporating conference takeaways into the next strategic plan. The board indicated staff would review session materials and consider adapting ideas such as clearer digital communications, family-engagement assessments, and mental-health staffing pilots.
No formal board action resulted from the reports; members said the information will inform future planning and the district’s strategic-plan update.
