Title and Board Action Requested
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Approve out of state travel for Carrie Wilson to attend the Small Town and Rural Student (STARS) Counselor Conference- Northeast Tour from September 16-19, 2026.
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Executive Summary
The Supervisor of School Counselors, on behalf of the Superintendent of Schools, hereby requests the Board approval for Carrie Wilson out of state travel to attend the Small Town and Rural Student (STARS) Counselor Conference - Northeast Tour.
This conference is scheduled for September 16-19, 2026, in Providence, Rhode Island; Amherst, Massachusetts; New Haven, Connecticut; and New York City.
I was selected to participate in this conference through a competitive process, recognizing counselors serving small-town and rural student populations and providing access to high-impact professional learning experiences.
This conference offers direct engagement with institutions such as Brown University, Amherst College, Yale University, and Columbia University, providing valuable insight into admissions practices, student support systems, and pathways for increasing college access and success for our students.
Participation will strengthen our district's college and career readiness efforts by:
* Expanding knowledge of selective college admissions processes
* Building partnerships with higher education institutions
* Gaining strategies to better support rural and underrepresented students
* Enhancing advising practices to improve post-secondary outcomes
I will bring back the information and share key learning, resources, and strategies with our counselors and graduation coaches to ensure the benefits of this experience extend across our district.
There is no budget impact to the district. All travel, lodging (three nights), and conference-related expenses are fully funded by the STARS organization through their travel partner.
Attendance at this conference directly aligns with our district's goals of increasing post-secondary opportunities and ensur...
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