Better Together: Building Vibrant Community Engagement Through Collaborative Partnerships
Breakout Session
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Strong community engagement doesn’t happen by chance—it’s built through intentional collaboration, strategic planning, and partnerships from key stakeholders. This session equips educators and leaders with practical strategies to build and sustain an impactful Community Engagement Program that connects schools, families, businesses, and organizations.
Learn how to structure programs effectively and market your vision to gain community buy-in. Discover hands-on partnership strategies, from engaging businesses to collaborating with schools and community groups.
Attendees will leave with the confidence and tools to create a sustainable program that strengthens community connections and drives lasting impact in rural areas.
PRESENTER: Brooke Franseen, Community Engagement Director
Brooke Franseen is the Community Engagement Director for the Clinton Community School District, where she leads strategic efforts to increase student enrollment and strengthen community ties through inclusive, high-quality programming. She launched the district’s brand- new Community Activities Program from the ground up — developing its structure, branding, and offerings entirely from scratch. CAP now provides a growing lineup of recreational, educational, and enrichment opportunities for people of all ages.
Brooke holds a degree in Recreation from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and brings over ten years of experience in parks and recreation leadership. Prior to her current role, she served as the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Fort Atkinson, where she oversaw a wide range of community-based programs, developed long-term strategic plans, and championed community involvement at all levels.
With a strong foundation in program development and public engagement, Brooke is passionate about creating meaningful, sustainable connections between schools and the communities they serve.
PRESENTER: Dr. Jim Brewer, District Administrator
Dr. Jim Brewer has served as the Clinton Community School District Superintendent for the past nine years. While Superintendent in Clinton, Dr. Brewer has overseen a plethora of reforms that have transformed the rural school district. He successfully spearheaded two recurring operational referendums totaling $3.8 million and recently passed a $32 million bond referendum. During his tenure, the district has earned the highest state accountability report card score in its history, started a breakfast program, implemented a 1:1 initiative, expanded its Work-Based Learning program, created an online learning platform called Clinton Connect to enhance curricular offerings, established a school-based mental health program, implemented a Laude System, instituted the Modified Block schedule, started an at-risk equivalency diploma program, altered school start times to accommodate the circadian rhythm of students, increased open enrollment, and created a pay for performance compensation model that was collaboratively designed by certified staff, administration, and school board members. These reforms are just the tip of the iceberg of the evolutionary changes Dr. Brewer has brought to CCSD to make the district a destination district.