How NHSBA Transformed Governance with Simbli to Serve Schools Better
The New Hampshire School Boards Association (NHSBA) has long been a cornerstone for supporting school districts across the state, providing policy guidance, legal expertise, and comprehensive training. Led by Executive Director Barrett Christina and Staff Attorney & Director of Policy Services Will Phillips, the organization faced a significant challenge in 2022 when its existing policy platform became the target of a ransomware attack. “The policy platform, for lack of a better term, was held hostage,” Barrett recalled. The attack left NHSBA without online access to their policy database—a critical resource relied on by school board members—for several months. While NHSBA had maintained PDF backups, this workaround was cumbersome and reinforced the need for a more secure, reliable system.
A Solution Designed for Stability and Efficiency
This experience prompted NHSBA to seek out Simbli as a resilient and comprehensive solution to their challenges. “The platform’s ability to centralize everything—from meeting management to policy updates—was exactly what we needed,” Will shared. The transition to Simbli offered more than just a safeguard against future disruptions; it revolutionized NHSBA’s approach to policy and document management.
Simbli’s centralized repository streamlined the way NHSBA stored and accessed policies, meeting agendas, and minutes. By automating processes previously performed manually, the platform reduced redundancies and saved countless hours of staff time. “Transitioning to a new system is always a challenge,” Barrett admitted. “But the support we received from the Simbli team made a big difference.” Their hands-on collaboration during implementation ensured that technical and training needs were met seamlessly.
Building Trust Through Transparency
Beyond improving internal efficiency, Simbli elevated how NHSBA served its member districts. The platform’s intuitive features allowed board members and school leaders to easily access up-to-date policy information, align strategic goals with board discussions, and remain accountable to their constituencies. “With Simbli, we’ve created a system that’s responsive and reliable. It’s changed how we serve our districts,” Will noted. This newfound transparency strengthened NHSBA’s reputation as a trusted resource and partner for New Hampshire schools.
Looking Forward: A Vision for Growth
The success of Simbli has allowed NHSBA to expand its services, offering more tailored support to its members. Future plans include leveraging Simbli’s advanced tools to further integrate policy updates and strategic planning processes. As Barrett highlighted, “This system has not only improved our internal workflows but has also elevated the quality of support we offer.”
NHSBA’s journey with Simbli is a testament to the transformative power of technology in addressing organizational challenges. By embracing innovation and prioritizing the needs of its members, NHSBA continues to lead with resilience and vision.
