EMPOWERING SCHOOL COMMUNITIES:
SEE STAKEHOLDER-DRIVE PLANNING IN ACTION

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Description

Discover how the School District of Manawa—proudly rural and deeply rooted in community values—partnered with the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) to reimagine its future through a Stakeholder-Driven Strategic Planning Framework. This collaborative process resulted in a living, community-driven plan that serves as a true roadmap for continuous improvement and meaningful impact on student learning.

In this session, you’ll see how Manawa engaged students, staff, families, and community members to identify shared priorities and establish strategic goals that guide real decisions—not just sit on a shelf. Presenters will walk you through the five-phase WASB planning process that builds trust, strengthens alignment, and creates a clear direction your community will support. Learn how this model can be adapted to fit your district’s unique needs and help you turn community voice into focused action.

PRESENTER: Ryan Peterson - District Administrator and Business Administrator, School District of Manawa.

Ryan obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in History and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh. His teaching certification and master’s degree were earned from Concordia University of Wisconsin and Marian University. While serving as an educator, he has continued his journey into educational leadership by completing certifications for licensure as a Principal and Superintendent in Wisconsin. He spent several years teaching middle and high school Social Studies in addition to serving as an alternative education coordinator. His focus was being a champion for the underdog and helping every student find success at school. As he continued his professional development, he has served students, staff, and families as a High School Assistant Principal, a Middle School, and High School Principal, and now as District Administrator.

PRESENTER: Cheryl Stinski - Governance Consultant, Wisconsin Association of School Boards.

Cheryl is a highly experienced facilitator, trainer, mediator, and coach who brings more than 20 years of expertise to working with school boards. In addition to building strong leaders through training and coaching, she excels in facilitating productive conversations and collaborative problem-solving that leads to effective, durable solutions. Her work in the school arena includes training school board members, administrators, teachers, and students; facilitating referendum planning, community/school problem solving, parent/school board meetings, and IEP meetings; and mediating staff issues and special education cases.

PRESENTER: Patti Vickman - Governance and Search Consultant, Wisconsin Association of School Boards.

Patti is a highly experienced educator, specializing in student achievement, human resources and community relations. She has experience with referendums, surveys, summits, and other methods of collecting community feedback. Patti was most recently superintendent of the Southern Door County School District, a position she held since 2012. Before that, she was executive director of administration and executive director of human resources at the Oshkosh Area School District. She was also an elementary classroom teacher, principal, and K-12 reading coordinator and Title I director. She has a bachelor’s degree from Saint Norbert College and a master’s in education from the University of Louisville, Kentucky. Her administrator certification is from UW-Madison and her superintendent licensure from Marian University.