Attend Ohio - Agenda, Keynote, Sessions
We are thrilled to welcome you back to Columbus for Attend Ohio 2026! Below you will find more information on our keynote, breakout sessions, and other opportunities for connection and collaboration during and after the conference. If you need to download a copy of the agenda, click here. Questions about registration? Contact Quentin Cole – coleq@battelle.org.
Brandon P. Fleming
We are thrilled to announce Brandon P. Fleming as our keynote speaker for Attend Ohio 2026. Author of the memoir Miseducated, Fleming serves as the Founder and CEO of the Veritas Schools headquartered in Atlanta.
Over the past decade, Fleming has emerged as one of the most awarded and sought-after educators and transformational speakers in the world. Fleming embodies what it means to drive performance, build resilient cultures, and unlock human potential. Rising from a drug-dealing dropout to an award-winning Harvard debate coach, he has become a case study in personal reinvention, organizational excellence, and scalable impact.
At the age of 29, Forbes Magazine named Fleming to the Forbes 30 under 30 list. In 2020, The Root Magazine named Fleming one of the top 100 most influential African Americans in the United States. And in May 2021, North Carolina Wesleyan College bestowed upon Fleming the honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.
You can learn more about Brandon P. Fleming by visiting his website. You don’t want to miss his keynote address at Attend Ohio 2026, secure your spot today!
Breakout Sessions
There are a variety of breakout sessions to choose from this year at Attend Ohio. You are not required to pre-register for a session and there will be two opportunities to attend a breakout session. Take a look at our topics and check back as we announce more!
Event App
This year, attendees can access more content through our event app. The Accelevents App will allow you to plan out your day at the conference, learn more about sessions, and connect with other attendees. Click the buttons to download the app for your device.
All Hands On Deck: A Team-Based Approach to Attendance Success
Rachel Searcy, Director of Student Services at Oak Hills Local School Disstrict
Tim Cybulski, Assistant Superintendent at Oak Hills Local School District
Addressing chronic absenteeism requires more than isolated interventions—it demands a coordinated, systemwide approach. In this session, participants will explore how our district leveraged the five core components of MTSS to integrate attendance into our framework, with a focus on effective teaming structures.
We will highlight how our District Implementation Team (DIT), Building Implementation Teams (BIT), and District Attendance Team (DAT) work together to create alignment, shared ownership, and consistent practices. Participants will learn how these teams use data to drive decisions, implement tiered supports, and embed attendance within academic and behavioral systems.
Attendees will leave with practical strategies for structuring teams and strengthening MTSS to address chronic absenteeism
Connected for Safety: Enhancing Child Protection Through Intentional Partnership
Sherise Shirley, Frankling County Children Services
Lara LaRoche, Public Children Services Association
This session explores how intentional partnerships and cross-system data sharing can transform child protection from a reactive system into a proactive, supportive network. Attendees will learn how to use data to better understand family needs, identify gaps in support, and respond earlier—before concerns escalate. Through real-world insights, participants will examine barriers to information sharing, strengthen collaboration across systems, and apply practical strategies to support mandated reporters in making informed, equitable decisions. If you’re ready to shift from “passing the baton” to running alongside families and partners, this session offers tools to build safer, more connected communities.
Developing a Game Plan: Strengthening Student Mental Health Through School Connectedness
Tyanna Snider, Kids Mental Health Foundation
This session will provide practical, evidence-informed ways educators and administrators can support student mental health by recognizing early signs of concern and strengthening school connectedness. Simple, everyday strategies that can be applied in classrooms and the larger school environment to foster belonging and school connection as well as promote well-being for students and educators. Attendees will leave with actionable tools and resources to implement and how to respond supportively and create an inclusive and supportive environment.
No HB 410!!!... Now What? Streamlining Tier 2 Supports
Yolanda Stewart Ph.D., Strategist at Columbus City Schools
Laura Schnebelen, Supervisor of CARE Supports at Columbus City Schools
School leadership plays a critical role in building effective, responsive attendance systems. In this session, participants will engage in structured dialogue with fellow leaders to reflect on current attendance practices across school contexts. Using Columbus City Schools’ attendance protocol and the Infinite Campus Analytics Suite, participants will critique existing processes for identifying and supporting Tier 2 students. Leaders will leave with concrete strategies to adapt and apply these practices within their own schools or districts, strengthening data-informed decision-making and root cause analysis to improve student outcomes.
Schools & Courts Teaming Up for Student Success
Katy Butler MSW, LISWS, Marion City Schools
James Landon MBA, CCE, CCM, Marion County Family Court
Participants will gain practical strategies to build school–court partnerships that support improved attendance. Attendees will leave with actionable tools, parent communication templates, and an outline for implementing parent education and mediation programs.
