Please use this to add a guest for the conference. Guest registration is meant for those that are attending with you that will NOT be going to sessions, but will eat meals during the conference. If you need to register another person from your company or district, please utilize the multi-attendee rate.
When
5/14/2026 6:00 AM - 5/15/2026 3:00 PM
6:00 AM
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Breakfast is included with your registration. Enjoy the popular Kalahari Breakfast Buffet!
7:30 AM
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The Marquette Law School Poll has asked about attitudes to public schools and education funding issues for some 14 years. There have been substantial changes in opinion over that time and among different groups. The public has opinions, but in some important cases are not well informed about schools or school-related funding issues (and parents are not much different from non-parents). This can influence public policy decisions and the ballot box at both the state and local levels. We take a look at the data and have a conversation about what it says and the implications for public education and election results over the coming year.
8:00 AM
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Attorney Jeff Mandell (Law Forward) will provide an update on the Wisconsin School Funding Lawsuit (Wisconsin PTA, et al. v. Wisconsin State Assembly, et al.). The case was filed in Eau Claire County Circuit Court in February 2026 and has the potential for significant impacts on school funding.
9:15 AM
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Visit the Center for Green Schools & U.S. Green Building Council! The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council is a global leader in advancing green schools and providing the resources needed to create sustainable, healthy, resilient, and equitable learning environments. The Center for Green Schools’ IAQ work is part of a national Creating Healthy and Efficient School Environments: Indoor Air Quality and Energy Management Initiative, of which the Center for Green Schools is a lead partner, along with the American Lung Association and the Go Green Initiative.
10:00 AM
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The DPI School Finance Team is here to help you - stop by and get your questions answered.
10:00 AM
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Handling employee misconduct requires a careful, consistent, and legally sound approach. Attorneys from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) will share practical strategies for conducting effective workplace investigations. Learn how to respond to complaints, document findings, and navigate legal considerations while avoiding common pitfalls.
10:10 AM
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This course is about key strategies of recruiting employees and building a high performing team. This includes hiring, recruiting, the interview process, and onboarding.
Track
Facilities Manager Core Certification
10:10 AM
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Examine how school finance offices build high-performing teams that support student success through clear goals, accountability, and strong leadership. Participants explore ten essential team qualities, including integrity, vision, competence, communication, and trust. Through practical examples and team strategies, attendees learn how to strengthen staff performance, improve collaboration, develop leadership capacity, and create an engaged finance department focused on measurable results and continuous improvement.
10:10 AM
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Instructional shifts don’t stay in the classroom—they ripple across budgets, staffing, facilities, and long-range planning. Explore current teaching and learning updates and what they mean for school business and facilities leaders. Learn how legislative mandates, curriculum changes, instructional models, and student needs influence costs and operations so your district stays aligned and race-ready.
10:10 AM
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Calling all Service Affiliates! Join us for a discussion on how school districts purchase goods and services, along with the statutory and school board policy requirements they face. Learn how to work with your school district clients to build a successful partnership.
Track
Sustainable Operations
10:10 AM
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In racing, success depends on knowing your pace at every point on the track. The same is true for district budgets. This session highlights tools for monitoring financial performance, identifying trends early, and communicating updates clearly to leadership and the community. Participants examine practical examples, discuss implementation strategies, and leave with tools they can apply immediately.
Track
Financial Management
10:10 AM
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A winning racehorse and jockey move in perfect alignment. The same is true for the superintendent and business office. Join this session to explore the critical partnership between district leadership and school finance professionals.
10:10 AM
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The Exhibit Hall is officially open and there are lots of opportunities for you here! Find snacks, network with exhibitors, purchase raffle tix and drop tix for the prizes you want to win (you have 10 tix in the back of your nametag). Cast your ballot for the most engaging exhibitor by using the ballot in your namebadge for a chance to win one of five $50 Amazon gift cards.
11:00 AM
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Supervision of employees is one of the primary responsibilities of buildings and grounds professionals. This segment of the Certification Program examines the tools you must have to supervise and evaluate your facilities staff. The instruction also explores the steps of progressive discipline and covers the eight steps to performance management."
Track
Facilities Manager Core Certification
11:10 AM
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Managing the tax levy requires both precision and endurance. We’ll break down the key components of levy calculations, timelines, compliance requirements, and strategic decision-making. Whether you’re new to the process or looking to refine your approach, you’ll gain practical insights to help you set a steady pace and cross the levy finish line with confidence.
Track
Financial Management
11:10 AM
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Well-meaning instincts can only take you so far. Explore how traffic engineering and real-world data can help districts determine optimal traffic flow for buses, caregivers, and pedestrians. Learn how to use objective data to establish walk zones, hazard assessments, and transportation routes that prioritize safety and efficiency.
Track
Sustainable Operations
Facilities Manager CE
11:10 AM
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Rather than betting on projected savings, you'll learn to verify results using actual utility bill data. See how one district implemented practical, data-informed strategies to reduce energy use, improve operational efficiency, and achieve measurable cost savings. Discover how tracking real performance—not just equipment upgrades—can deliver results you can confidently take to the winner’s circle.
Track
Sustainable Operations
Facilities Manager CE
11:10 AM
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Strong teams win races. We will highlight key human resource fundamentals that support effective district operations. From compliance basics to employee relations and policy considerations, learn to build and maintain a high-performing team ready for any challenge on the track.
11:10 AM
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Tertiary aid can be a critical factor in a district’s financial race strategy. We will clarify how tertiary aid works, eligibility considerations, and how it impacts long-term financial planning. Gain the insight needed to understand how this funding mechanism fits into your broader fiscal game plan.
Track
Financial Management
11:10 AM
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Refuel and recharge with a Derby-inspired lunch while continuing lively conversations with fellow guests and exhibitors. Visit the registration desk to pick up your raffle tickets, then take a spin through the exhibit hall to see the exciting winnings up for grabs—generously donated by our exhibitors. You’ll find ten tickets already tucked into your badge to get you off to the races!
12:00 PM
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As a token of our appreciation for your time and expertise, we invite all WASBO University Instructors to join us for an exclusive networking luncheon in Wisteria. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your fellow instructors and learn more about WASBO University's upcoming course schedule. We look forward to seeing you there!
12:00 PM
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The Exhibit Hall gates are open! Gallop through the hall to network with exhibitors, collect raffle tickets, and place your bets on prizes worth chasing.
12:00 PM
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We will help buildings and grounds leaders determine appropriate custodial staffing levels based on facility needs, building use, and cleaning expectations. Participants examine cleaning standards, staffing assessment tools, workload calculations, and data collection methods. Attendees receive customizable evaluation questions and practical spreadsheets that calculate cleaning time, measure staffing efficiency, and identify overstaffed or understaffed areas.
Track
Facilities Manager Core Certification
1:30 PM
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There can be a lot of confusion surrounding a school district’s levy and mill rate, and the variables that determine what taxpayers see on their tax bill. Tax levy factors will be discussed in detail so that you are prepared to address questions and concerns raised by your community.
1:30 PM
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School leaders need practical strategies for planning and managing successful referendum campaigns. Participants examine public communication tactics, community engagement methods, legal guidelines, social media management, and coordination with Vote Yes committees. Through real campaign examples, attendees learn how to assess district readiness, build public trust, explain complex financial information, and develop clear communication plans that strengthen community support and improve referendum outcomes.
1:30 PM
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Leasing can provide flexibility—but only with careful planning. This session explores important legal, financial, and operational considerations when entering lease agreements. Learn how to evaluate risk, structure agreements appropriately, and ensure your district stays in stride for the long haul.
Track
Financial Management
1:30 PM
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Artificial Intelligence is quickly becoming a competitive advantage. Hear directly from district leaders who participated in the Leveraging Technology for Educational Excellence Academy. Panelists will share lessons learned, implementation strategies, governance considerations, and practical insights on integrating AI responsibly. Discover how your district can harness AI’s potential with confidence.
Track
Improvement
Facilities Manager CE
1:30 PM
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A strong start sets the tone for the entire race. Effective onboarding ensures new school board members understand governance roles, financial oversight responsibilities, district priorities, and key operational processes. Join this session to explore practical onboarding strategies that promote alignment, transparency, and productive leadership from day one.
1:30 PM
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Franklin Public Schools planned, funded, and developed a new $8.2 million multipurpose facility designed to expand educational, recreational, and community services. Drawing on the Franklin example, we will explore project planning, campus integration, stakeholder collaboration, facility operations, and community engagement strategies. Presenters from facilities, business services, architecture, and owner representation share practical lessons, project decisions, and management strategies.
Track
Sustainable Operations
Facilities Manager CE
1:30 PM
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You have until 3:40 PM to drop your raffle tix and make final bids on Silent Auction items. Find snacks, network with exhibitors, purchase raffle tix and drop tix for the prizes you want to win. Cast your ballot for the most engaging exhibitor by using the ballot in your namebadge for a chance to win one of five $50 Amazon gift cards.
2:20 PM
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Learn to evaluate, select, and purchase cleaning chemicals and custodial equipment. Participants examine product performance, safety standards, equipment efficiency, purchasing considerations, and maintenance requirements. We will also review strategies for matching products to facility needs, improving cleaning operations, supporting staff safety, controlling costs, and maintaining clean, healthy learning environments.
Track
Facilities Manager Core Certification
2:35 PM
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Somewhere between fully-insured and self-insured health plans lies a consortium. Consortiums are a hybrid option between self and full-insured models and might make sense to consider for your district's future health insurance needs. The Kewaskum School District has been a part of a consortium and benefitted from a pooled risk model. We will cover the benefit design options available through a consortium, the opportunities and risk of a consortium, and how to assess whether this type of benefit option is right for you.
Track
Financial Management
2:35 PM
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When a school closes, the race isn’t over—it simply changes course. Closed buildings can spark strong community emotions and competing priorities. This session shares real-world case studies of districts that successfully navigated redevelopment decisions. Learn strategies for stakeholder engagement, valuation considerations, community partnerships, and long-term planning to transform former school sites into productive community assets.
Track
Sustainable Operations
Facilities Manager CE
2:35 PM
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As AI and advanced security technologies become more common in schools, understanding the legal boundaries is critical. Examine emerging technologies—including AI security cameras—and explore compliance requirements, privacy protections for staff and students, policy development, and risk mitigation strategies. Ensure your district stays within the rules while leveraging innovation responsibly.
Track
Sustainable Operations
Facilities Manager CE
2:35 PM
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The Wisconsin's School Business Official Standards aren’t just benchmarks—they’re your race plan for professional success. In this interactive session, explore how to use the Standards as a self-assessment tool to evaluate your current performance, identify growth opportunities, and set development goals. Learn how to align your professional growth with district priorities while leveraging WASBO resources.
2:35 PM
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Operational excellence depends on strong collaboration between the business office and Buildings & Grounds. This session explores communication practices, budget alignment, maintenance planning, and shared goal-setting strategies that keep facilities safe, efficient, and race-ready year-round.
Track
Leadership
Facilities Manager CE
2:35 PM
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School district consolidation is in the news, as is school district dissolution. Do you know the difference? Explore policy drivers, financial implications, operational considerations, and community engagement requirements tied to consolidation. Discover how to evaluate options carefully and navigate this sensitive process with transparency and strategic foresight.
Track
Financial Management
2:35 PM
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You have until 3:40 PM to drop your raffle tickets. Find snacks, network with exhibitors, purchase raffle tix and drop tix for the prizes you want to win. Cast your ballot for the most engaging exhibitor by using the ballot in your namebadge for a chance to win one of five $50 Amazon gift cards.
3:25 PM
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Learn to read your utility bills, track energy use and save energy for your district. Also, use energy data to compare your energy use to other school districts and learn how you can become an "Energy Star."
Track
Facilities Manager Core Certification
3:40 PM
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When facing long-term declining enrollment, districts must adapt their strategy. This session explores financial, staffing, programming, and facility impacts of declining enrollment. Gain information to understand population trends, communicate implications, and make strategic decisions that position your district for long-term sustainability. This is session is adapted from the in-depth workshops being offered in collaboration with CESAs. If you have not had a chance to attend a WASBO/CESA workshop, this will give you a nice overview.
Track
Financial Management
3:40 PM
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Every successful leader eventually hands-off the reins. This session focuses on the professional aspects of retirement planning, including documenting institutional knowledge, preparing your team for transition, maintaining strategic continuity, and navigating the emotional realities of leadership change. Learn how to ensure your department remains steady and strong long after you cross your finish line.
Track
Improvement
Facilities Manager CE
3:40 PM
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Staying informed on legal developments is essential for sound district leadership. This session provides timely updates on recent court decisions, legislative changes, regulatory shifts, and emerging compliance considerations affecting school business operations. Leave with a clearer understanding of the current legal landscape and how it impacts your district’s strategy.
Track
Leadership
Facilities Manager CE
3:40 PM
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In school finance, strong internal controls keep your district ahead of the pack. Join this round table discussion to share strategies, troubleshoot challenges, and explore best practices for maintaining accountability, reducing risk, and ensuring compliance. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just entering the race, this session will help you stay on track and finish strong.
3:40 PM
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Which vans are school districts permitted to use—and why are 15‑passenger vans prohibited? Many districts continue to face challenges meeting student transportation needs, often encountering confusion when different practices appear to be in use. State and federal statutes, along with insurance considerations, significantly impact what vehicles are allowable. This session will review current transportation limitations, clarify common misconceptions, discuss liability and insurance implications, and provide an update on a potential change to Wisconsin legislation.
Track
Sustainable Operations
3:40 PM
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Raffle winners posted at 4:30 PM. Keep your raffle tickets for the redraw of any unclaimed items at 5:10 PM.
4:30 PM
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Put on your finest hats and boldest bowties and join us for the Derby Party, a high-spirited evening of fun, flair, and friendly competition. Celebrate in true Derby style with great food, festive drinks, and lively entertainment and unwind. From photo-worthy moments to plenty of chances to connect with colleagues, this signature event is your opportunity to enjoy the excitement, embrace the tradition, and toast a conference that’s truly off to the races.
4:30 PM
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