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Focus on Finance



Wednesday, Jan. 23
8:30-9:45 pm

Exploring Health Insurance Options for School Districts

Learn how 20 of the 74 school districts in South Central Wisconsin worked cooperatively with CESA #2 and Associated Financial Group to explore health insurance options for school districts. Discover how, in the face of challenging budget times, the districts yielded a collective savings in excess of $10 million in the first year alone.
CESA #2

“Alumni Parents” and Tax Proposals — What You Need to Know to Win at the Polls

Pomp and Circumstance was first heard at an American graduation ceremony in 1905 but it was 100 years later before the perspectives of “alumni parents” were investigated through survey research and contrasted with attitudes of parents and registered voters who had never had public school students. The presenters have probed the attitudes of alumni parents in both district and regional polls. The results are both surprising and informative for district leaders planning school tax proposals.
Springsted Incorporated

Wednesday, Jan. 23
1:30-2:45 pm

Energy Conservation Equals Money Saved

Learn how the School District of Tomorrow River in Amherst has implemented programs and plans that have saved the district hundreds of thousands of dollars that can now be used to improve educational programs. Discuss how to implement these savings in your district.
Tomorrow River School District

Retiree Benefits

Listen in as an insurance representative discusses the history of employer-sponsored retiree coverage in the United States. Learn about factors that influence retiree benefits, new public disclosure rules, employer efforts to limit costs and other important topics.
WPS Health Insurance

Computer Modeling Tools to Create and Maintain High-Performing Schools

Through the use of computer modeling technologies, the building industry is delivering high-performing schools that serve as not just a teaching facility but a facility that teaches students, faculty and the community a greater sense of global responsibility through energy conservation and environmental preservation.
The Samuels Group

Thursday, Jan. 24
9:00-10:15 am

Planning for the Future: Factoring in Declining Enrollment

Learn what a school board, administration and staff can do to continue to enhance and improve quality district programs for all students despite declining enrollment and resources. Listen in as one district describes how it drafted a plan that takes into account declining enrollment while also working toward a new model that ensures quality education.
Merrill Area School District

The Value of Forecasting the Future in Your District

Facing financial deficits, capital needs and debt restructuring opportunities, hear how one school district utilized long-term forecasting to prepare for a successful referendum. Discover how data, both current and historical, is gathered, analyzed and factored into the development of a financial forecast and how it can be used by the school board in making policy decisions. Learn how to gain consensus and support for the forecast by integrating the expertise of district staff. Hear how a long-range budget forecast used in your district’s regular budget calendar can establish a solid foundation from which financial scenarios can be run with confidence.
Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials

Reorganization, Consolidation of School Districts

School district reorganization and consolidation have been hot topics in the state in recent years. Tightening revenue limits and increasing expenses have caused many districts to review all public policy options available so that a quality education for students remains at the forefront. Learn legal, financial and political challenges policymakers may face with reorganization or consolidation. Deb Kerr, former superintendent for Wilmot Grade, which consolidated with Trevor, will share the experience of that process along with school finance experts and Department of Public Instruction staff.
Robert W. Baird and Department of Public Instruction

Empowered Teachers Help Schools Save Energy and Money

Learn about a university-credited school building energy efficiency course offered in partnership between the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) and the Wisconsin Focus on Energy Schools and Government Program. Discover how this course helps teachers and their students identify ways that their school can cut energy costs. Hear success stories of districts saving money on their utility bills and how you can do the same.
Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP)

Thursday, Jan. 24
3:45-5:00 pm

How We Passed Our Referendum On the First Attempt

Learn the what, who, how and when of running a winning referendum campaign, utilizing a comprehensive strategy and Web accessible software. Find out how one district identified and prepared for the community characteristics that helped and hurt its referendum success. Discover how the district utilized strategic planning committees and how the committee members networked among their family, neighbors, and friends to educate the community on the referendum.
Shell Lake School District

Bargaining Strategies with Teachers

Learn about the bargaining strategies districts around the state have used successfully. Discuss salary schedules, health insurance, retirement benefits and contract language.
WASB Employee Relations

Health Benefit Cost Containment: Controlling the Uncontrollable

The cost of providing health care coverage to the employees of public schools continues to escalate faster than it has for private-sector employers. This session will provide a variety of strategies to better manage and, in some cases, reduce the district’s cost to provide adequate health care.
Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials

Friday, Jan. 25
8:30-9:45 am

Money Saving Tips

Budget reductions have become a way of life in most school districts. This session will look at it from a number of angles — costs that can be avoided, ideas for saving money or becoming more efficient and programs and services that other school districts are cutting.
Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials

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