Networking & Continental Breakfast | Sponsored by Southern Teachers Agency | Hance Fine Arts Hallway & Dance Room

Welcome | Stephanie Keaney, NCAIS | Cramer Lecture Hall 

Keynote Session | Independent School Business: Revenue Drivers, Expense Levers, and Innovation - Jeff Shields, FASAE, CAE, President & CEO (NBOA)
The traditional independent school business model likely feels particularly daunting in the in the current environment. This keynote will break down key components of the model to offer industry expertise, insights, and strategies that your peers are employing at independent schools across the country to help lead toward a sustainable present and financially healthy future. Learn more about innovative research and resources from NBOA available to support you, including the just-released Mission Anchored Compensation Strategies initiative and Financial State of the Industry report.

Breakout Session I | Select One

2024 Benefits Trends Report: The Evolving Workforce | Ryan Wilcox, Marsh McLennan Agency | Cannon Hall Collaboration Space
During this session, we will cover a comprehensive review of the evolving landscape in employee benefits for 2024. Here's what you can expect:

• Unveiling key findings from the "2024 Benefit Trends: The Evolving Workforce" report.
• Insightful analysis on how these trends impact your workforce and overall business strategy.
• Practical tips for adapting your benefits approach to meet the evolving needs of employees.
• Strategies for containing costs associated with high increases due to rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

This session is tailored for HR professionals, benefits managers, and business leaders seeking to stay ahead of the curve in optimizing their employee benefits strategy for the upcoming year. You will gain valuable insights and actionable strategies to enhance your organization's benefits program for the evolving workforce of 2024.

Advancing Business Excellence in Independent Schools | Jennifer Osland Hillen, Chief Learning Officer (NBOA) | Cramer Lecture Hall 

The independent school business professional’s job is multifaceted, so no one knows it all, but a smart leader knows where to find answers. NBOA offers powerful resources to support schools, including insights from our custom data platform: Business Intelligence for Independent Schools (BIIS, pronounced "biz"). NBOA has recently released new research and interactive tools available to support your school including a comprehensive project on Mission-Anchored Compensation Strategies; Financial State of the Industry research report; and a customizable HR Dashboard. This session will feature data insights specific to North Carolina and an update on ways to maximize the tools and resources available to you as well as opportunities for community engagement with peers and colleagues. Learning Objective: Participants will learn how to find answers and tools related to the myriad issues facing the independent school business office, as well as the latest trends in industry research and ways to monitor long-term financial sustainability.

Rising from the Ashes: A Story of  Recovery and Rebuilding | Chris Marblo, Charlotte Prep Head of School | Cramer Lecture Hall 
In June 2023, Charlotte Preparatory School (PK-8 425 students) experienced a devastating fire that completely destroyed its lower school building. Hear how the school faced and overcame this crisis and further developed the resilience and strength of its community.  

Lunch & Roundtable Discussion | Sponsored by Truist Bank & McGriff Insurance | Hance Fine Arts Dance Room 

Breakout Session II | Select One 

The Wave of Parental School Choice: What It Means For Your School | Allison Guenther, PEFNC | Cramer Lecture Hall 
The past few years have shaken the delivery of education to its core. Paradigms about education are shifting and creating tidal waves across the country. North Carolina has recently been spotlighted as one of the next states to take historic steps to expand parental school choice. What might that look like for your students, parents, and school? Are you prepared to ride that wave? We will provide you with the school choice landscape in North Carolina, the direction our state has looked toward in expanding school choice, and how your families can access the financial resources to pay for tuition and fees at your school.

What You Think You Know: HR Myths & Misconceptions | Stephanie Dillon, PHR, SHRM-CP, Catapult | Cannon Hall Collaboration Space
There are many misconceptions about employment law perpetuated by both employees and employers. Concerningly, these fallacies are often built into policies for many businesses, making them noncompliant and vulnerable to legal missteps. How can you know if your organization leaves your employees without protection? Are there proven, straightforward ways to defend your company from loopholes and lawsuits? In this presentation, our HR experts help attendees to avoid common issues on topics like FLSA, independent contractors, exemptions, breaks, holidays, and so much more. Employment law is confusing — but it does not have to be.

You’re Not Getting Older, Everyone Around you Is Getting Younger | Damian Kavanagh, MISBO | Cramer Lecture Hall 
Lots of people can help you plan for your retirement, but who is helping plan for the void you will leave at your school? Before you set sail on the magical journey called the rest of your life, let’s focus on how to set your school up for success and how to help your successor get up to speed so they can make their own unique mistakes. “Building to last” is about the sustainability and flexibility of the business model in your school, and not about monuments and sacred cows. Session Objective: Participants will deepen their knowledge about what successful transition looks like and will learn practical skills to avoid the pitfalls of a bad transition.