The Certified Board Member (CBM) Program is a hallmark of FSBA’s dedication to building knowledgeable, effective, and forward-thinking school board leaders.

This voluntary—but highly encouraged—program is tailored to meet the developmental needs of individual board members through high-impact training experiences. Each session is thoughtfully designed with the unique responsibilities of school board members in mind, focusing on essential knowledge, practical skills, and leadership strategies—all through the lens of a policy-making leader.

To earn the prestigious Certified Board Member designation, members must complete a minimum of 96 training points (1 point = 1 hour of training). Of those, at least 20 points must come from prescribed FSBA training in the core areas of:

  • School Finance
  • Policy Governance
  • Bargaining 101

These foundational topics are offered through FSBA’s in-depth Forum sessions, which provide a comprehensive and engaging learning environment. The remaining points can be earned by attending FSBA conferences, webinars, or completing online training, offering flexibility while ensuring a well-rounded understanding of board responsibilities.

*School Finance 2.0 and Advanced School Finance Forums do not meet the School Finance requirement for the CBM program.

Maintaining Your Distinction

FSBA celebrates continued learning and recognizes board members who go above and beyond to stay informed and impactful in their governance role.

To retain the Certified Board Member distinction, members must:

  • Complete 15 training hours (points) each calendar year
  • Submit points no later than December 31 of the following year

We’re also proud to introduce a new level of recognition:

Advanced Certified Board Member

This distinction is awarded to Certified Board Members who complete 30 or more points within a calendar year during their renewal period. This honor recognizes board members who continue to deepen their expertise and lead with distinction.

School board members can earn the Certified Board Member Distinction by fulfilling the 96 hour training requirement as set forth by the Leadership Services Committee:

  • 10 hours of School Finance via FSBA Forum (School Finance 2.0 and Advanced School Finance Forums do not meet the School Finance requirement for the CBM program; however you are still eligible to earn points by attending.)
  • 7 hours of Policy Governance via FSBA CBM Forum
  • 3 hours Bargaining 101 via FSBA Forum
  • 76 points by attending training from FSBA conferences, additional Forums, webinars, or online training. CBM points can also be earned by training offered by school districts, FLDOE, etc.

Board members must document training hours by completing and submitting an official FSBA CBM form. Click HERE to access event-specific and generic CBM forms.

To inquire about the CBM Program, please contact Tina Pinkoson or Carolyn Sanders.

A school board automatically qualifies for the Certified Board Distinction when a majority of the board members has completed the annual renewal requirements. The FSBA Office monitors and determines when this distinction is earned by a school board. A school board is notified by the FSBA Office upon qualification for the distinction.

Bonnie Sue Agner, Taylor
Lori Alhadeff, Broward
Dr. William Allen, Polk
Kim Amontree, Charlotte
Cynthia Armstrong, Pasco
Wendy Atkinson, Charlotte
Jack Baker, Baker
Kelly Barrera, St. Johns
Colleen Beaudoin, Pasco
Tyler Brandeburg, Lake
Cindy Johnson Brown, Washington
Milton Brown, Washington
Tim Bryant, Okaloosa
Melissa Byrd, Orange
Allison Campbell, Marion
Mandi Canaday, Baker
Brenda Carlton, Taylor
Tina Certain, Alachua
Karen Chancey, DeSoto
Dr. Lou Cleveland, Washington
Anthony Coleman, St. Johns
Jennifer Collins, St. Johns
Claire Cornell, Hardee
Sandra Counts, Citrus
Laurie Cox, Leon
Sheila Cummings, Bradford
Ed daSilva, Suwannee
Fonda Davis, Sr., Franklin
Doug Dodd, Citrus
Crystal Drake, Glades
Deidra Dunnell, Taylor
Isaac Durrance, Highlands
Caprice Edmond, Pinellas
Joe Faherty, Citrus
Vicki-Elaine Felder, Orange
Paul Fetsko, Escambia
Sam Fisher, Lee County
Lesley Fry, Suwannee
Angie Gallo, Orange
Carol Gibson, Madison
Sandra Gilyard, Putnam
Melisa Giovannelli, Lee
Chephus Granberry, Jackson
Dr. Sharon Goodman, DeSoto
Eddie Hand, Wakulla,
Michelle Hanson, Clay
Jamie Haynes, Volusia

Elizabeth Hewey, Santa Rosa
Jill Holcomb, Okeechobee
Donna Howerton, Highlands
MJ Jackson, Jackson
Melisa Jahner, Okeechobee
Mark Johnson, Hernando
Debbie Jordan, Lee
Heather Kahoun, Osceola
Thomas Kennedy, Citrus
Kim Kirby, Walton
Katie Knight, Madison
Ruby Knox, Gulf
Laura Lawhon, Wakulla
John LeClair, Charlotte
Stephanie Lucarelli, Collier
Cheryl McCall, Hamilton
Tiffany McInarnay, Baker
Kelly Mercer, DeSoto
Jeri Michie, Walton
Sally Moss, Sumter
Asena Mott, DeSoto
Amanda NesSmith, Dixie
Candace Osteen, Bradford
Patricia Pearce, Glades
Cindy Pearson, Duval
Holly Pickens, Putnam
Cheryl Pridgeon, Dixie
Amy Pritchett, Martin
Jean Prowant, Glades
Patti Rendon, Hillsborough
Cara Reynolds, Charlotte
Christia Li Roberts, Martin
Nora Rupert, Broward
Jennifer Rusell, Martin
Linda Sanborn, Santa Rosa
Jami Schueneman, DeSoto
Justin Sharpless, Polk
Beverly Slough, St. Johns
Alva Smith, Leon
Saul Speights, Hamilton
Richard Tatem, Manatee
Nancy Thrower, Marion
Cheryl Williams, Washington
Sue Woltanski, Monroe

Q: How can the CBM Program benefit board members?

A: The Program offers training events to assist board members in developing a high level of boardsmanship skills and knowledge in 3 curricular areas.

Q: When and where are prescribed CBM Forums offered?

A: To earn the CBM distinction, members must attend the Bargaining 101, School Finance, and Policy Governance Forums. These forums are typically offered biennially at a designated site. The most updated information is available on the FSBA Events & Registration page. School Finance 2.0 and Advanced School Finance Forums do not meet the School Finance requirement for the CBM program; however you are still eligible to earn points by attending.

Q: How are training events documented for points in the CBM Program?

A: School board members must complete a reflection form for each training attended and submit it to the FSBA Office for processing. For your convenience, these forms are available to be submitted electronically from your computer or mobile device. You may access the CBM reflection forms HERE.

Q: How many hours of training equate to one point in the CBM Program?

A: One (1) hour of training equals 1 point. Training events involving a fraction of an hour may be counted as 1 point if the fraction equals or exceeds ½ (e.g., 1½ hours = 2 points; 1¼ hours = 1 point).

Q: Are points earned in the CBM Program forfeited if the Program is not completed in a specified length of time?

A: NO, points in the CBM Program are always recognized, regardless of date, for any training completed while holding the elected office.

Q: How long does it take to complete the CBM Program?

A: The Program usually takes 2 years to finish, however some board members have completed the curriculum in 18 months.

Q: When does the CBM recognition year end?

A: The recognition year begins January 1 and concludes December 31 of each year.

Q: How is the CBM distinction retained after it has been awarded?

A: The renewal requirement must be satisfied each recognition year by earning 15 points and submitting those points no later than December 31 of the following year.

Q: How are board members advised about CBM points earned?

A: Board members are able to log into the membership database 5-7 days after submitting CBM form(s) to view points under the CEU tab of the eMbr member profile.

Q: Can points be earned for the CBM Program at events other than FSBA trainings and conferences?

A: YES! Training opportunities offered by school districts, educational or noneducational organizations, universities, the Florida Department of Education, etc., are appropriate for earning CBM points. Advanced approval for such training is NOT required. When submitting a CBM form for training that is not hosted by FSBA, you are required to submit an agenda, certificate of training or other documentation of training for the event to sanders@fsba.org

Q: How are board members recognized for completing the CBM Program?

A: CBM recipients receive a CBM plaque and pin along with a press release announcing their achievement. They are also permitted to add the FSBA CBM logo to their email signature. Note: They must retain their distinction to continue using the CBM logo.

Q: Does the FSBA Office provide a copy of the press release to the recipient of the CBM distinction?

A: YES! A crafted press release are provided to the CBM recipient so that it can be distributed to daily and weekly newspapers that are in circulation within the school district.

Q: Can the CBM distinction be used on business cards and in election campaigns?

A: YES! It is always a good idea to verify your CBM status with FSBA staff prior to touting this distinction on distributed materials.

Q: Can Master Board training, FSBA Committee Meetings, or my local school board meetings/workshops be used for points in the CBM Program?

A: Unfortunately, no. Master Board is a separate program tailored specifically for governance teams and has a different set of requirements. In addition, FSBA Committee work is important, but voluntary and not counted as CBM points.  Lastly, while workshops and school board meetings may be informative and demonstrate leadership skills, they are also excluded from point accrual in the CBM Program.

Q: Does it cost to participate in the CBM Program?

A: The only expenses associated with the Program are registration fees for trainings or conferences AND related travel expenditures.

Certified Board Member (CBM) Forums

SCHOOL FINANCE 

Date: February 10 – 11, 2027

Location: Hilton, University of Florida Conference Center, Gainesville, FL

Participants will learn about full-time equivalent (FTE) weights, and the importance of accurate full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollment projections, as well as how to calculate weighted FTE values.

The content of this forum is designed to give board members a better understanding of topics such as:

  • the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP)
  • elements comprising the FEFP formula
  • the base student allocation (BSA)
  • the district cost differentials (DCDs)
  • required local effort (RLE)
  • categorical programs, and lottery funding
  • capital outlay funds, and
  • truth in millage (TRIM)

POLICY GOVERNANCE

March 4, 2026 | Tallahassee, FL

Empowering School Boards Through Effective Policy Leadership

As the governing body of your school district, your board is accountable to the community—not just for results, but for the vision, values, and direction that drive them. Policy is one of the most powerful tools a board has to lead with purpose. A well-crafted policy sets clear expectations, drives action, and communicates the why behind the board’s decisions.

Because policy development is a dynamic and continuous process, FSBA’s Policy Forum is designed to support and strengthen this vital governance role. This full-day session brings together policy experts and experienced FSBA consultants to provide practical tools, fresh insights, and real-world strategies that will help you lead with confidence and clarity.

Note: all attendees must bring a copy of district policies OR have individual access to policies via mobile device or computer. Districts should not plan on sharing a copy or access to policies during this training.

The content of this forum is designed to:

  • Distinguish the reasons for establishing school district policies.
  • Determine the school board’s role in policymaking.
  • Identify the characteristics of school board policies.
  • Examine the elements for success in achieving policy power.
  • Discuss the difference between policy and regulations/procedures.
  • Learn the specifics of a step-by-step approach for policy adoption, including statutory parameters.
  • Understand the relationship between policy adoption and strategic planning in establishing priorities and budget initiatives which support the shared vision of the school district.
  • Discuss the key components to effective policy development, adoption  and maintenance, and the importance of keeping the district policy manual updated.
  • Explore methods of informing the public about school district policies.

BARGAINING 101

March 5, 2026 | Tallahassee, FL

This forum offers both new and veteran school board members a knowledge base of the role they play in employee bargaining in Florida. Interacting with employee unions and their members places the school board in the position of balancing policy and politics. Also, increased demands on public education require labor contracts to be creative and responsive to internal and external (i.e., public) perceptions of a school district’s priorities. When properly conducted, the bargaining process can be an effective means for accomplishing the school board’s philosophical and programmatic goals.

Subjects will include:

• Constitution and Statutory Basis
• Roles of the School Board and Superintendent During Bargaining
• Scope of Bargaining
• Negotiation Models
• Executive Session
• Steps in the Process
• Avoiding Trouble

SCHOOL FINANCE 2.0

Date: TBD

School Finance 2.0 digs deeper into the financing of school programs.

Key Focus Areas:
– FEFP and Non-FEFP Programs
– Federal Funding
– Class Size Reduction
– Staffing Plans
– Investment & Debt
– Capital Planning, and Capital Budget

This Forum is NOT required training to earn the distinguished Certified Board Member distinction.

ADVANCED SCHOOL FINANCE

Date: TBD

In this highly specialized session, we delve into the complexities of school finance, a critical and intricate aspect of a school board member’s responsibilities. This forum is meticulously designed for members who are committed to deepening their comprehension of school budgeting and finance management.

Key Focus Areas:

  • FEFP Updates and Implications
  • Formula and Staffing Allocations
  • Investment Strategies
  • Internal Auditing and Procurement Processes

*This Forum is NOT required training to earn the Certified Board Member distinction, but 10 points can be earned toward becoming a Certified Board Member.

Questions? Please contact: Carolyn Sanders, sanders@fsba.org or Tina Pinkoson, pinkoson@fsba.org

Please Note: FSBA has the sole right and discretion to accept or refuse registration to any Non-FSBA Member for any reason at any time. If your registration is refused after payment has been received, you will be issued a full refund.