WiRSA Conference 2026

WiRSA State Conference 2026 OVERVIEW - (In Progress) 
“Celebrating Innovation & Resilience”
Wednesday, October 28, 2026

  • Registration / End of Hall (Map Location Link) (3:00 - 6:00 PM)

  • Pre-Conference LEARNING SESSIONS - (5:00 -5:50 PM)

    • Anne Chapman, WASBO
      Declining Enrollment and so much more!

  • Welcome Reception / ECPO 4 (Map Location Link) (6:00 - 7:30 PM)

Thursday, October 29, 2025

  • Registration / End of Middle Hall‍ ‍(7:00 AM) (Map Location Link)

  • Breakfast Buffet (7:00 - 8:10 AM) - Main Expo Center

  • Welcome - (8:10 - 8:30 AM) - Main Expo Center

  • General Session (8:30 - 9:30 AM) - Main Expo Center

LEARNING SESSIONS #1 - (10:10 - 11:00 AM)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 — SESSION 1 | 10:10–11:00 AM

  1. Building The NEST: Reimagining Alternative Pathways for Elementary Students

    • Presenters: Sean Stout, Steve Considine & Mary Haseley | Location: SPRUCE/Sands

      1. Learn how Baraboo’s NEST program provides a supportive, part-day alternative pathway for K–5 students who struggle academically or behaviorally in the traditional setting. The session shares a practical process for individualized support, collaboration, and successful transition back to the general education classroom.

  2. The Human Side of Consolidation: Communicating Change

    • Presenters: Joe Green, Todd Bugnacki & Lisa Sink | Location: EVERGREEN/Frontier

      1. Explore the human side of district consolidation through the experiences of rural Wisconsin districts that have navigated reorganization. Presenters will share practical strategies for transparent communication, community engagement, collaboration, and building trust during significant change.

  3. Saving Your Financial Resources: The Potential Impact to Your Tax Bill’s Transparency and Your District’s Bottom Line

    • Presenters: Denise Gaumer Hutchison, Lori Blakeslee & James Bena | Location: STONEFIELD/Harvest

      1. Learn about a Wisconsin Public Education Network initiative designed to make private-school and independent-charter voucher costs more visible on local tax bills. Participants will receive practical tools and a step-by-step process districts can use to improve taxpayer understanding and transparency.

  4. Growing Your Own: How Educators Rising Can Strengthen Rural District Teacher Pipelines

    • Presenters: Perry Cook & Emily Tschudy | Location: WOODLAND/Trillium

      1. Discover how Educators Rising chapters can help rural districts inspire future teachers and strengthen local educator pipelines. Presenters will share lessons from launching and growing chapters, along with grant opportunities that can support this work.

  5. Flipping the Script on Summer: Solving the Rural Childcare and Enrollment Crisis Simultaneously

    • Presenters: Rich Peters, Corrie Becker & Brian Zacho | Location: EXPO 4

      1. See how Marshall Public Schools built a free, full-day summer program that combines academics, enrichment, childcare, transportation, meals, and student employment. The session offers a scalable model for addressing rural childcare needs while strengthening enrollment and community engagement.

Lunch / Recognitions - Expo Center - (11:30 - 12:40 PM)
(Dr. Jill Underly will kick off the recognitions)

  1. CESA Employee of the Year - Dean Leisgang, CESA 8 (Press Release)

  2. Support Staff Person of the Year - Jenny Hagemann, School District of Maustion (Press Release)

  3. Teacher of the Year - Kally Koch, Riverdale School District (Press Release)

  4. Teacher of the Year - Shannon Beighley, Whitehall School District (Press Release)

  5. Advocacy Award - James “Murph” Murphy and WRJC, Murphy’s Law Media Group (Press Release)

  6. Principal of the Year - Megan Hanni, Waupun School District (Press Release)

  7. Administrator of the Year - Joel Heesch, School District of Mauston (Press Release)

  8. School Board of Education Member of the Year - Sue Todey, Sevastopol School District (Press Release)

  9. Community Partner of the Year - Cindy Tang, Inspiring Community Inc., Platteville School District (Press Release)

Exhibitor Time now and throughout the day

LEARNING SESSIONS #2 - (1:00 - 1:50 PM)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 — SESSION 2 | 1:00–1:50 PM

  1. What Innovation Actually Looks Like: Spotlighting Future-Ready Classrooms Across Rural Wisconsin

    • Presenters: Christy Tainter & Chelsea Adams | Location: SPRUCE/Sands

      1. See real examples of future-ready learning taking place in rural Wisconsin classrooms through authentic inquiry, personalized learning, durable skills, emerging technologies, and community-connected experiences. This showcase focuses on practical classroom innovation rather than theory.

  2. Supporting School Board Effectiveness: Building Trust, Clarity, and Community Confidence in Rural School Districts

    • Presenters: Steve Schroeder, Brad Saron & Chandu Vemuri | Location: EVERGREEN/Frontier

      1. Explore practical strategies that help school boards and superintendents clarify roles, communicate effectively, make informed decisions, and strengthen public trust. The session focuses on building high-performing governance teams that remain centered on student outcomes.

  3. Digital Accessibility by 2027: A Roadmap for Small Teams

    • Presenters: Jill Aykens | Location: STONEFIELD/Harvest

      1. Prepare for updated digital accessibility expectations by learning what WCAG 2.1 means for school district websites and digital content. Participants will leave with practical guidance for identifying barriers, beginning an accessibility audit, and building a manageable compliance timeline.

  4. Building an Education Pathway in Your School District

    1. Presenters: Eric Burke & Lexi Allen | Location: WOODLAND/Trillium

      1. Learn how the School District of Rhinelander created an Education Pathway that gives high school students early exposure and hands-on experience in the teaching profession. The model connects coursework, Youth Apprenticeship, educator mentorship, and higher education partnerships to grow future educators.Exhibitor

Exhibitor Time: now and throughout the day

LEARNING SESSIONS #3 (2:05 - 2:55 PM)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 — SESSION 3 | 2:05–2:55 PM

  1. Beyond the Test: Building Student Motivation, Opportunity, and Postsecondary Success

    • Presenters: Brett Stousland & Betsy Bahn | Location: SPRUCE/Sands

      1. Explore how a schoolwide approach to ACT preparation and college and career readiness can strengthen student confidence, achievement, equity, and postsecondary opportunity. The session emphasizes helping every student identify and prepare for a best-fit pathway after graduation.

  2. Aligning Your School System: Real Strategies to Connect Your Board, Staff, and Community through Community-Based Strategic Planning

    • Presenters: Bradford Saron, Steve Schroeder & Chandu Vemuri | Location: EVERGREEN/Frontier

      1. Learn a practical, community-based approach to strategic planning that connects local expectations with board governance and district action. Rural leaders will explore strategies for engaging community voices and aligning the board, administration, and staff around shared goals.

  3. The CESA Showcase: The Price is Right for Wisconsin Rural Schools!

    • Presenters: Hilary Cordova, Nick Curran & Mike Koltes | Location: STONEFIELD/Harvest

      1. Discover how rural districts can stretch limited budgets by making the most of CESA partnerships, regional cooperatives, and grant opportunities. This high-energy session highlights services and collaborations that can reduce costs while keeping more resources in local classrooms.

  4. From Clarity to Action: Building a 6–12 Assessment and Learning System in a Rural School

    • Presenters: Amy Webb, Chris Segerstrom & Kyle Polzin | Location: WOODLAND/Trillium

      1. Follow Spring Valley’s journey from disconnected assessment practices to a coherent 6–12 learning system built around essential standards, clear learning intentions, quality assessments, and collaborative PLC work. Presenters will share the successes, challenges, and instructional changes behind significant academic growth.

Exhibitor Time: now and throughout the day

LEARNING SESSIONS #4 - (3:15 - 4:05 PM)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 — SESSION 4 | 3:15–4:05 PM

  • Inside the LIFToFFS Study: Early Findings on AI, Personalized Learning, and Student Engagement

    • Presenters: Abby Fernan | Location: SPRUCE/Sands

      1. Explore early research on the LIFToFFS model and what it reveals about AI, personalized learning, authentic inquiry, and student engagement. The study looks at AI as one part of a broader human-centered approach to transforming classroom learning.

  • Opening Doors: Helping Rural Students Find Direction Before They Drift

    • Presenters: Wendell Quesinberry, Rob DeMeuse & Bill Foster | Location: EVERGREEN/Frontier

      1. Discover a year-long framework that helps rural schools connect student well-being, engagement, Academic and Career Planning, course selection, career exploration, and community partnerships. Opening Doors is designed to help schools identify students who need support and give them clearer direction for life after high school.

  • Effective and Affordable Connecting & Cybersecuring Rural Schools

    • Presenters: Heidi Genthner, Aivars Margevics & Vince Czahor | Location: STONEFIELD/Harvest

      1. Learn how rural schools can strengthen connectivity and cybersecurity without overwhelming limited technology budgets. Presenters will highlight E-Rate-eligible services, affordable security options, shared purchasing power, and support available through the WiscNet community.

  • Six Preps and a Website: Choosing to Tell Your School’s Story (Without Losing Your Sanity)

    • Presenters: Amanda Prigge | Location: WOODLAND/Trillium

      1. Hear the real-world story of a rural teacher who took on website migration, social media, announcements, and digital communications while teaching six classes a day. This practical session offers tips and resources for educators who want to strengthen their school’s story without burning out.

Exhibitor Time - To 4:35 PM
WiRSA Social (Silent and Live Auction 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 PM)‍ ‍Location Map

Friday, October 30, 2026

  • Breakfast - (7:00 - 8:15 AM) Expo Center

  • Exhibitor Time (7:30 - 10:00 AM)

  • Welcome Back -(8:10 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.) - Expo Center

    • Vendor and Attendee Door Prize(s)

    • One Member Vendor will have an opportunity to win a free booth in 2026

    • Friday attendees will have a chance to win a free registration to our WiRSA 2026 conference.

  • (NREA - President-Elect - Designee)

  • Keynote - Mike McGowan - A Path to Success - (8:30 - 9:30 AM)

LEARNING SESSIONS #5 - (10:00 - 10:50 PM)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 — SESSION 5 | 10:00–10:50 AM

  1. Sustaining the System: Creative Mental Health Infrastructure, Student Voice, and Adult Capacity in Rural Schools

    • Presenters: Elizabeth Calnin, Yedda Olson & Barb Beyer | Location: SPRUCE/Sands

      1. Learn how Montello School District is building a more sustainable and proactive mental health system through creative funding, community partnerships, student voice, and stronger adult capacity. The approach is designed to expand access to supports while caring for both students and the adults who serve them.

  2. We Must Fund Public Schools — Wisconsin PTA, et al. v. Wisconsin Assembly

    • Presenters: Julie Underwood, Jeff Mandell, Taylor Norback & Carlene Bechen | Location: EVERGREEN/Frontier

      1. Learn about the Wisconsin school-funding lawsuit seeking a judicial determination on the Legislature’s constitutional obligations for public education. Presenters will explain the rationale behind the case, where the litigation currently stands, and provide time for participant questions.

  3. Referendum Success in Rural Communities — A Panel Discussion

    • Presenters: Tom Burkhalter, Todd Felhofer & Wendell Quesinberry | Location: STONEFIELD/Harvest

      1. Hear case studies from three rural districts that recently passed operational referenda. Superintendent panelists will share communication strategies and community-engagement approaches used to inform voters about critical school funding needs.

LEARNING SESSIONS #6 - (11:00 - 11:50 PM)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 — SESSION 6 | 11:00–11:50 AM

  1. The Rural District Health Check: What to Monitor Before Problems Become Crises

    • Presenters: Jordan Masnica & Marquez Guzman | Location: SPRUCE/Sands

      1. Learn which financial, operational, enrollment, and community indicators rural leaders should monitor to identify challenges before they become crises. The session offers practical approaches for spotting trends, communicating findings, and making proactive decisions that support long-term district sustainability.

  2. Best Practices: Rural School Mental Health Collaboration & Funding

    • Presenters: Steve Goldberg | Location: EVERGREEN/Frontier

      1. Explore how rural Wisconsin districts are strengthening mental health services through collaboration, private funding, community engagement, and cost-saving strategies. The session also examines what private funders look for and how rural districts can turn their size and partnerships into an advantage.

WiRSA Annual Meeting - (Following Special Session.)
WiRSA Board of Directors Meeting - (Following Annual Meeting)