Invitation to Present at the 2027 RSA Spring Conference
A Season to Thrive
April 29-30
The Lake House – Canandiagua, NY
The Rural Schools Association is excited to announce our 2027 Spring Conference, “A Season to Thrive”, which will be held at The Lake House in Canandaigua, NY from April 29-30, 2027.
Strong rural schools evolve from the care we provide for our students, our staff, and one another. RSA and WFL BOCES invite proposals that help district leaders turn a focus on care into practical decisions, sustainable services, and new opportunities for their communities.
This spring we will explore the people, partnerships, and systems that help rural schools thrive. We are seeking sessions that connect health and wellness with staffing, budgeting, regional collaboration, and meaningful opportunities for students. We also welcome complementary proposals that focus on student safety, coordinated supports, and strengthen systems focused on prevention.
We are seeking applications from school districts and/or BOCES districts that have any unique and successful programs currently in operation that include but are not limited to the following strands:
– Expanding access to health, mental health, and related services
– Supporting staff wellness and leading through change
– Sustaining services and budget decisions
– Growing capacity through regional collaboration and NY Inspires
– Building workforce and apprenticeship pathways
You can read the full proposal description by clicking here.
Presentation proposals should be limited to 500 words or less. Please submit electronically by midnight December 11, 2026 and feel free to share this information widely.
The selected sessions will be scheduled for either April 29th or 30th in Canandaigua, NY at the Lakehouse on Canandaigua. Sessions are an hour in length, please plan for approximately 45 minutes of presentation time and 15 minutes for Q&A. Proposals will be reviewed by the Rural Schools Association Conference Planning Committee.
Selected presenters will be notified by January 8th and will have until January 15th to confirm their presentation. Presenters will be asked to pay the registration fee appropriate to their conference participation.
Please direct any questions to Heather Zellers at hzellers@rsany.org.
If you are a vendor interested in presenting with a district, please contact Scott Bischoping at sbischoping@rsany.org.