Nov. 12-14, 2026 | Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront
The OSBA Annual Convention is Oregon’s premier continuing education program — delivering practical solutions to help school board members, executives, governance support professionals and all types of education leaders improve student learning and achievement.
Whether you are a first-time attendee or a veteran board member, school administrator or administrative professional, you’ll leave the conference with practical ideas and a renewed commitment to help your school accomplish the critical work ahead. The convention features some of the best practices from school districts, education service districts, charter schools and community colleges across the state.
(You will find additional event information at the bottom of the page.)
Administrative Professionals Keynote Speaker
Sarah E. Merkle
For over twenty years, Sarah E. Merkle has advised organizations of all types and sizes on how to conduct business with efficiency and fairness, and how to make governance decisions that support strategic objectives. She is one of six lawyers in the world that is credentialed as a Certified Professional Parliamentarian-Teacher and Professional Registered Parliamentarian.
Sarah enjoys bringing relevance and simplicity to the complex world of governance and parliamentary procedure, and clients know they can count on her for candid advice and solutions that are strategic, creative, and timely.
Sarah graduated with honors from the University of South Carolina School of Law and served as a law clerk to the Honorable Henry F. Floyd on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. She is the editor of the blog, The Law of Order: A Resource on Parliamentary Procedure & the Law, providing accessible answers to organizations’ most common questions.
Keynote Speaker
Jeff Utecht
Jeff Utecht is an educator, author and international consultant who helps school systems navigate the opportunities and challenges created by artificial intelligence. A former classroom teacher, instructional leader and international school administrator, Jeff has spent more than 20 years supporting educational transformation in schools around the world.
Jeff is the author of Human Still Required: Leading Schools — The Work Machines Can’t Do and co-founder of Shifting Schools, a leading professional learning organization supporting educators through change. He has worked with hundreds of school districts, state agencies and international schools, helping leaders develop AI guidance, leadership strategies and future-ready learning environments. Known for his practical, engaging, and thought-provoking presentations, Jeff helps educational leaders prepare students for their future, not our past.
Event Information
Parking Information
Valet parking is guaranteed for overnight guests staying at the convention hotel. Day-use attendees may also use valet parking, based on availability.
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OSBA Code of Conduct
The Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA), in its role of serving school board members and lifting student achievement, periodically brings people together to share ideas, information and resources. OSBA strives to provide a safe and welcoming event experience for all participants.
OSBA prohibits discrimination and harassment on any basis protected by law including, but not limited to, an individual’s perceived or actual race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, familial status, political affiliation, economic status, or veterans status or because of the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, familial status, political affiliation, economic status or veterans status of any other persons with whom the individual associates. Conference participants, including but not limited to attendees, vendors, speakers, sponsors, OSBA staff and others, are expected to conduct themselves with integrity, courtesy and respect for others at all events. We recognize a shared responsibility to maintain these principles for the benefit of all.
OSBA does not tolerate discrimination, intolerance, harassment, aggression or ill will of any kind at any OSBA event, either in-person or via electronic communications. Participants are asked to stop such behavior and are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in such behavior, OSBA retains the right to take action, such as but not limited to warning offenders or expelling them from the event with no refund and limiting future participation in OSBA events.
Please bring concerns about behavior or other issues to the attention of OSBA staff and/or any member of the OSBA Board of Directors immediately.
