2026 Summer Learning Symposium

Online registration will open on Monday, May 11.

Registration options include: $280 per member for two days; $180 per member for one day; $49 per member for the Friday dinner (not included in general registration).

WASB members that register for both days of the symposium will receive 20 Member Recognition points. One-day registrants will receive 10 points.

For more information, call toll-free at 833-320-5333.

Holiday Inn Stevens Point – Convention Center
1001 Amber Ave.
Stevens Point, WI 54482

Rates: Guest room accommodations in the WASB room block start at $179 per night.

Booking deadline: Tuesday, June 16, 2026

If you have any questions about hotel bookings, please contact WASB Director of Conferences and Events Amy Qualmann.

*The remaining session titles and descriptions will be released later this spring.

8:15 a.m. – Registration and Continental Breakfast
Prairie Ballroom

9:00 a.m. – Welcome
Expo 4
Opening remarks to kick off the 2026 Summer Learning Symposium.
Sandie Anderson, WASB President and Wild Rose School Board

9:05 a.m. – Breakout Session

From the Capitol to the Ballot Box: A Legislative Recap and Election Preview
Expo 4
The WASB Government Relations team covers the highlights of the legislative session, takes stock of legislator turnover and looks ahead to the upcoming election cycle. This session will also highlight opportunities to build relationships with newly elected officials and offer practical guidance on hosting candidate forums in your community — ensuring school board voices are heard before the next legislative session begins.
Chris Kulow, Director of Government Relations, WASB; David Martin, Government Relations Specialist, WASB

10:15 a.m. – Breakout Sessions

Strengthening School Safety: Inside the WSSCA and Today’s Emerging Online
Expo 3A
This session will begin with a short introduction from the new executive director of the Wisconsin School Safety Coordinators Association, highlighting how the organization, its staff and resources can help strengthen your schools’ safety efforts. The majority of the session will focus on online threats facing today’s youth, with particular attention on the newest emerging concern: Nihilistic Violent Extremism. You will learn what NVE is and explore how schools, law enforcement and state agencies can collaborate to address and reduce this growing threat to our students.
Jim Brewer, Executive Director, Wisconsin School Safety Coordinators Association; Jesse Crowe, Special Agent in Charge, Wisconsin Department of Justice – Internet Crimes Against Children

Sustaining Momentum: Community-Led Planning for Rural Resilience     
Expo 3B
Thriving rural communities are built when schools and local stakeholders work hand in hand to create and sustain a shared vision of hope and opportunity, grounded in action and driven by results. In this session, presenters will share how the School District of Gilman partnered with the University of Wisconsin-Extension’s Design Wisconsin program to catalyze long-term, community-led planning efforts. This initiative brought together expertise in community and economic development, natural resources, youth development, leadership and sustainability through a high-energy, multi-day public engagement event. Using tools like community surveys, one-on-one conversations, focus groups and large-scale forums, the process uncovered a common vision and mobilized local energy toward implementation. Hear how the Gilman community has sustained this momentum, turning ideas into action and plans into measurable results. Learn how you can move from planning to progress.
Walter Leipart, District Administrator, Gilman

11:30 a.m. – Keynote: If Not You, Then Who? Building School Community to Champion Every Student
Expo 4
Your school community includes a wide range of stakeholders, each bringing unique interests and perspectives. Longtime Wisconsin superintendent Craig Olson will share how he has led and championed students by intentionally connecting with diverse members of the school communities he’s served. He will highlight the ways he built new relationships, strengthened trust and cultivated support that ultimately helped create positive outcomes for students.
Craig Olson, Superintendent, School District of Winter

12:30 p.m. – Lunch
Prairie Ballroom

1:30 p.m. – Breakout Sessions

Panel: Bringing Student Voices to the Board Table
Expo 3B
Explore the impact of student school board representatives and how to successfully launch and support these roles in your district. Hear directly from current student reps and alumni who have gone on to careers in education and board service. They’ll share practical tips, lessons learned and the lasting benefits of elevating student voice in decision-making.
Panelists: Heather Baron, Board President, Lodi; Emily TenBarge, Student Representative, Lodi; Trevor Doescher, Board Member and Former Student Representative, Pecatonica; Wisconsin Association of School Councils

Panel: Unlocking New Voices: Building School-Community Connections That Matter
Expo 3B
How can voices beyond the usual messengers help shape understanding and support for your schools? School communities include a wide range of stakeholders — many of whom may have little connection to your schools beyond knowing it as the place that educates children and collects taxes. These community members make decisions and create perspectives that directly influence you and your work. But they want different communications in different formats with different content at different times. This session will explore effective strategies for building meaningful communication strategies and educating residents about the full scope of what your schools provide and why it matters. In turn, may they become new advocates at the state and federal level for the children we serve? A panel of practitioners will share which approaches have the greatest impact, which fall short and how intentional engagement can strengthen support for today’s students.
Panelists: Dana Monogue, Superintendent, Middleton-Cross Plains; MaryAnn Lippert, Former Wisconsin State Representative and Current Pittsville Board President; Scott Girard, Project Manager, School Perceptions
Moderator: Ben Niehaus, Director of Member Services, WASB

2:45 p.m. – Breakout Sessions

Board Presidents, Let’s Connect: Superintendent Communication & Networking
Expo 3A
Current and aspiring board presidents are encouraged to attend this session that will share insight of best practices in communication and correspondence between the board president and superintendent to foster and enhance trust and transparency. The second half of the session will provide time for general networking.
Jim Bouché, WASB Region 5 Director and Wausau Board President; Cale Bushman, Superintendent, Wausau; Bob Green, WASB Region 12 Director and Middleton-Cross Plains Board Member; Dana Monogue, Superintendent, Middleton-Cross Plains

TBD Breakout Session
Expo 3B
Title, description and presenters coming soon.

*The remaining symposium sessions will be released later this spring.

8:15 a.m. – Registration and Continental Breakfast
Prairie Ballroom

9:00 a.m. – Breakout Sessions

What Is Your Audit IQ?
Expo 3A
Your board receives an audit each year, but are you confident you know what really matters in that report? Join this session to learn how consistent, informed analysis can keep the board fully aware of the district’s financial position and help prevent the dreaded “we were blindsided” reaction when challenges arise. You’ll learn why the audit matters, understanding the opinion letter, fund balance differences, debt and liability service, areas of risk, red flags and key questions board members should ask.
Mike Barry, Executive Director, Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials; Todd Gray, Finance and Operational Consultants, WASB; Roger Price, Finance and Operational Consultants, WASB

The Digital Dilemma: Leading Schools Through the Age of AI and Emerging Technology
Expo 3B
Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are rapidly reshaping education, yet research continues to raise concerns about the effects of constant connectivity and screen time on student attention, engagement and well-being. School leaders now face a growing digital dilemma: how to prepare students for a technology-driven future without unintentionally creating environments that undermine healthy development. In this session, leaders from the LIFToFFS Learning Collaborative, in partnership with CESA 4, share lessons from Wisconsin districts navigating this tension. Participants will explore why simply adding more technology or AI-powered platforms does not automatically improve outcomes, and how thoughtful system design and leadership can help schools harness emerging technology to strengthen learning, engagement and student readiness for the future.
Abby Fernan, LIFToFFS Coaching Center Director and CESA 4 Director of Student Services, Prevention & Wellness; Britni Walz, LIFToFFS Learning Collaborative Chief Impact Officer and CESA 4 Director of Instructional Services

10:15 a.m. – Breakout Sessions

Leadership in Focus: A Better Way to Evaluate, Align and Lead
Expo 3A
Ready to take the guesswork out of superintendent evaluation? Join us for a dynamic, interactive look at the WASB Superintendent Evaluation Framework — a tool designed to bring clarity, collaboration and confidence to your board’s most important work. See the framework in action, explore the intuitive online platform and receive feedback directly from districts already using it — many calling it the first evaluation process that truly works. With simplified criteria, built-in goal setting and meaningful superintendent input, this approach transforms evaluation from a compliance task into a powerful tool for leadership growth and alignment. If your board is looking for a process that is practical, transparent and impactful — this is the session you won’t want to miss.
Kelly Thompson, Search Governance Consultant, WASB; Patti Vickman, Search and Governance Consultant, WASB

Breakout Session
Expo 4
Title, description and presenters coming soon.

11:30 a.m. – Breakout Sessions

Stay Out of Trouble With Strong Policy: Overlooked Policies and New Trends
Expo 3A
School board policy isn’t always exciting, but it’s essential. This session will spotlight key policy areas across board governance, operations, and staff and student matters that boards should keep front of mind to ensure clarity, compliance and alignment with board intent. Attendees will leave with practical insights and takeaways to review with their boards and administrative teams.
Randy Guttenberg, Search and Governance Consultant, WASB; Scott Mikesh, Legal and Policy Services Counsel, WASB

Highly Qualified School Business Offices in All Districts
Expo 3B
Strong school systems rely on strong financial leadership. The Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials, in partnership with school boards, is advancing a statewide vision for highly qualified school business offices in every district. This session will highlight efforts to elevate expectations by encouraging certification and licensure for all lead business officials. Learn about professional development pathways for school business staff and explore opportunities for stronger collaboration between boards and business offices. Together, these efforts support sound financial decision-making that can ultimately enhance student outcomes.
Mike Barry, Executive Director, Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials; Danielle Bosanec, Professional Development Director, Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials

12:30 p.m. – Lunch
Prairie Ballroom

1:30 p.m. – Breakout Session

TBD Closing Breakout Session
Expo 3B
Title, description and presenters coming soon.

Make a weekend out of your trip to Stevens Point! There’s plenty to do—whether it’s by yourself, with your education peers or with your family. The Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitor Bureau highlights things to do across the area, including hiking trails, golf courses, farmers’ markets, breweries and more. Among the suggested activities are:

• Attending the Iola Car Show
• Hiking Tomorrow River State Trail or Schmeeckle Reserve
• Snacking at Wisconsin’s longest-running farmers’ market
• Strolling around UW-Stevens Point
• Visiting a local dairy farm
• Touring the area’s breweries, wineries and distilleries

Visit the events calendar to find out more about what’s going on in Stevens Point that weekend.