Govern Differently: “Leadership is doing the right thing, especially when it’s hard”

April 8, 2026

• Description

  KSBRC hosted a one-hour webinar on April 8 at 12pm CDT, introducing Values-Based Governance (VBG) — a practical framework developed by Aaron Salt after over a decade of public education board service. Mr. Salt’s new book, Govern Differently: An Academics-Focused Governance Model and How to Use It for Good, outlines a non-partisan governance model emphasizing student outcomes over political positioning.

  In this webinar board members will explore a systematic approach to common challenges school boards face: Strategic Alignment (maintaining focus on mission and vision), Policy Development (embedding values into organizational operations), and Cultural Adaptation (sustaining meaningful change over time).

  Mr. Salt will also highlight practical tools designed to strengthen governance effectiveness: the Decision Lens framework for decentralized decision-making, the 4As superintendent evaluation model, and the ABCD board self-assessment tool.

  Panelist:

  Aaron Salt, author of Govern Differently, currently serves as the Executive Vice President for School Boards for Academic Excellence. His decade of educational leadership spans the rare trifecta of founding and chairing a charter school, serving as elected school board president, and leading district operations as COO and Interim Superintendent. Salt has driven measurable results including increased student achievement, expanded CTE certifications, and strategic budget management during fiscal crises. He holds degrees from Auburn University and Florida State University. Salt lives in Colorado with his wife of 15 years and their four children.