Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools (PARSS) Conference April, 2024 Tentative

TIME WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24 LOCATION 
12:00 p.m. GOLF OUTING Mountain View 
Country Club 

5:00 p.m. PPEEC ANNUAL MEETING Wyndham Boardroom 
5:30 p.m. PARSS BOARD MEETING Mountain View Boardroom 
6:00 p.m. PRE-CONFERENCE SOCIAL Garden Ballroom 
 

TIME THURSDAY, APRIL 25 LOCATION 
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. REGISTRATION (Breakfast is available for hotel guests upstairs) Hotel Lobby 
8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. WELCOME Ed Albert, Ed.D., Executive Director, PARSS 
Matthew Splain, Board President, PARSS Garden Ballroom 
 

8:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. 
GENERAL SESSION 1 - Basic Education Funding Update 
State Representative Mike Sturla (DLancaster), Co-Chair of Basic Education Funding Commission, Rep. Sturla will discuss his recent work as Co-Chair of the 
Basic Education Funding Commission, including the Commission’s report. He also will explain educationrelated legislation produced based on the report. Garden Ballroom 
 

9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. 
GENERAL SESSION 2 Federal Education Update 
Tara Thomas, Policy Analyst, AASA, AASA Policy Analyst, Tara Thomas, will provide a 
comprehensive update of everything happening in the federal government that impacts K-12 education, including appropriations, regulatory changes and what to watch for in the Supreme Court. Garden Ballroom 
 

10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. REFRESHMENTS & VISIT EXHIBITS Mountain View Ballroom 
 

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  GENERAL SESSION 3 Pennsylvania Population Trends and Implications for Public Education Laura Dimino, Ph.D., Assistant Director, The Center for Rural Pennsylvania 
Kyle Kopko, Ph.D., J.D., Executive Director, The Center for Rural Pennsylvania The presentation will look at projections for growth or decline in population by county, the impact of the aging 
baby boom generation, and the anticipated impacts on school enrollment and school districts. 
Garden Ballroom 
 

12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. LUNCH & NETWORKING Garden Ballroom 
 

1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. VISIT EXHIBITS Mountain View Ballroom 
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. GENERAL SESSION 4 Pandemic-Associated Cyber Charter Enrollments and the Impacts on Rural School Districts in Pennsylvania Karen Eppley, Ph.D., Annie Maselli, 
Ph.D., Matthew Gardner Kelly, Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University This study investigated the financial impact of cyber charters in Pennsylvania, parents’ decision-making about cyber 
enrollment, and traditional rural school district and cyber leader responses to changing cyber enrollments to inform Commonwealth cyber charter policy. By understanding effects, responses, and gaps, results can inform policymakers about the ways that charter policy is being experienced by students, families, cyber directors, and rural school district leaders. 
Garden Ballroom 
 

3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. VISIT EXHIBITS - Sips & Snacks Social Mountain View Ballroom 
6:00 p.m. PARSS DINNER & AWARDS Garden Ballroom Welcome to the 2024 PARSS Conference 
 

25 Act 45 hours will be available through Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 
 

TIME FRIDAY, APRIL 26 LOCATION 
(Breakfast is available for hotel guests upstairs) 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. 
 

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING 
Presiding: Matthew Splain, President Presentation of Awards: Building Community Through Rural Education Award Thorough and Efficient Mobilization Commemorative Award 
Garden Ballroom 
 

9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. GENERAL SESSION 5 Building Community: Beyond the Brick and Mortar 
Dr. Mary Esther Van Shura, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Pittsburgh 
Recognizing the volatile social and political environment, the session will focus on building relationships with community members using a different model of engagement. It is expected 
that the adoption of a different model will enhance an educational leader's ability to engage community members to build an academic environment that enhances student achievement. 
Garden Ballroom 
 

9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. GENERAL SESSION 6 Lawsuit Update Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg, Senior 
Attorney, The Public Interest Law Center An overview will be given regarding the lawsuit 
conducted in late fall/early winter. The discussion will focus on the outcomes and ramifications of the courts decision.  Garden Ballroom 
10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. REFRESHMENT BREAK Conference Lobby 
 

10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. GENERAL SESSION 7 The Political Scene in Pennsylvania 
Christopher Borick, Professor of Political Science, Director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion This session will examine the impact of the 2024 presidential election on contemporary politics and will provide a timely update on many aspects of  Pennsylvania government, federal government, and politics. Garden Ballroom