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Total Credits: 9 including 9 Board of School Administrators Credit(s), 9 MASBO Credit(s)
Tags: Annual Conference
Join us for the MASBO 2026 Annual Conference and Trade Show, the largest gathering of school business professionals in Minnesota. The conference officially starts with lunch on Wednesday but be sure to consider two optional events on Wednesday morning: a pre-conference session and a certification course (open to all members; the certification course requires separate registration).
| Wednesday, April 29 | |
|---|---|
| 8:00am – 5:00pm | Registration |
| 9:00am – 12:00pm | Certification Course: Cash Management (separate registration required) |
| 10:00 – 11:30am | Conference Pre-Session: Understanding Work Styles: A Practical Approach to Better Communication |
| 11:15am – 12:30pm | Opening Lunch – Conference Begins |
| 12:40 – 4:40pm | Gold Mine Sessions |
| 6:00 – 9:00pm | The Great MASBO Gathering |
| Thursday, April 30 | |
| 7:00am – 5:00pm | Registration |
| 7:30 – 8:30am | Leadership Academy Breakfast (by invitation only) |
| 8:30 – 9:45am | General Session |
| 10:00 – 11:50am | Breakouts |
| 12:00 – 1:00pm | Awards Luncheon |
| 1:10 – 2:00pm | Peer Group Discussions |
| 2:00 – 4:00pm | Trade Show |
| 5:00pm | Wellness Walk/Run |
| 5:00 – 9:00pm | Dine-Around |
| 8:00pm | Social Event |
| Friday, May 1 | |
| 8:00 – 11:00am | Registration |
| 9:00 – 11:50am | Breakout Sessions |
| 12:00pm | Lunch & Conference concludes |
Schedule may be subject to change.
Todd Whitaker
In every school district, leadership is demonstrated by the countless professionals who keep schools running smoothly, and this presentation will explore the specific qualities and practices that set exceptional leaders apart—regardless of job title or department. Effective leadership becomes even more essential in challenging times. This session highlights what the most successful individuals consistently do differently from their peers and examines the habits, mindsets, and actions that strengthen teams, improve decision making, and create stability when it’s needed most. Learn what great leaders do differently, why these things make them more effective, and how to immediately implement each of these into your own practices.
Thank you, Keynote Sponsor!
Michael Karnowski and Nikki Karnowski, Metamorphosis CCT
Effective communication is one of the greatest challenges—and greatest opportunities—within school business operations. This 90-minute pre-conference workshop helps MASBO members understand predictable work style patterns that influence how people communicate, collaborate, and make decisions. When leaders understand these patterns, they can reduce miscommunication, improve teamwork, and lead more effectively. Participants will engage in interactive experiences and practical teaching designed to translate insight into immediate, real-world application.
Thank you, Pre-Session Sponsor!
Steve Pumper, PTMA Financial Solutions
Total Credits: 3.0 including 3 Board of School Administrators Credit(s), 3 MASBO Credit(s)
Cost: $85 - Non-members; $60 - Members
Register for Certification Course
Description: The Minnesota Association of School Business Officials has established a voluntary certification program for all MASBO members and nonmembers. The courses are designed to train current and prospective school business officials, offers practical information to assist members in excelling in their profession. Although this course is part of the certification program, it is open to all members. This session will discuss in detail the different kinds of investments available to school districts, along with liquidity, investment policy and Minnesota legal requirements. Cash flow management strategies will also be reviewed, including short term borrowing and arbitrage.
Certification Agenda
Thank you, Certification Sponsor!
As EVP of Equalis Group, David J. Akers is responsible for the company’s marketing strategy, supplier relationships, and key partnerships. Akers brings more than 20 years of public sector group purchasing strategy, growth, and sourcing experience to Equalis Group.
Abdiwahab joined Minnesota Department of Education in 2025 and works directly with business managers, superintendents, financial advisors, and other state agencies to track, forecast, and approve operating and capital leases, existing maximum effort loans, and taconite adjustments that are included in district levies.
Chase has extensive experience in employee benefits strategy, with a strong focus on school districts. He has partnered with educational institutions to design cost-effective plans, ensure compliance, and implement innovative solutions that address the unique challenges of public sector organizations.
Kristine Anderson has been with the MDE general education funding team since 2019. She has over 25 years of school finance experience. Before joining MDE, Kristine provided school finance consulting services to the States of Nevada, Rhode Island and South Carolina. Kristine earned an MBA in 2017 and holds a Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst credential.
As an architect and education practice leader, Ben has a wide range of experience across K-12 education projects. From small renovations, to complex remodels and new buildings, Ben has executed millions of dollars in construction projects in the upper Midwest for public school districts.
Aaron is a Senior Municipal Advisor with our School Finance team, bringing more than 16 years’ school finance experience to his role with the firm. Prior to joining Ehlers in 2021, he worked for seven years as the Director of Finance for South St. Paul Public Schools and served as the Finance Director for South Washington County Schools previously. Our clients appreciate Aaron’s keen understanding of the challenges Minnesota school districts face and how his analysis helps them drive projects toward successful completion.
Jerry Brown is a Senior Learning Consultant at Steelcase Learning and faculty with Educational Foundations within the College of Education and Community Innovation at Grand Valley State University. With over 30 years in education, he specializes in learner-centered environments that integrate pedagogy, space, and technology. Jerry has led bond-supported projects nationwide, emphasizing data-driven alignment of academic goals with community needs to drive ROI and student success.
Alexandra Cabrera is a Supervisory Special Agent at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Law Enforcement, Criminal Investigations. She has served at the FBI for over 15 yers, and specializes in insider threat detection and investigations of cybercrime and crminal actvitiy. She is a GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH).
Brian Cashman serves as Director of Federal and State Programs and Human Resources for the Goodhue County Education District (GCED). This role includes acting as the Secondary Coordinator for the Southeast Perkins Consortium, supporting multilingual and extended time programming across Goodhue County, and facilitating HR operations for GCED.
Dr. Robert Dillon has served as a designer, educator and leader for over thirty years. His work focuses on solutions and supporting change in organizations to maximize learning. Dr. Dillon works with schools and districts in collaborative partnership to shift thinking and break the inertia of traditional school. Dr. Dillon supports school design in a number of areas including: learning environments, technology integration, and instructional design. The core purpose of the work continues to flow through an empathy lens that considers what the optimal design would be for students. Dr. Dillon has been involved with design projects around the globe that have included solutions for higher education pre-k classrooms; public libraries; urban, rural, suburban schools, and a number of charter and independent schools. Through his partnerships with learning organizations, Dr. Dillon focuses on these levers of change. Helping teachers see the power of modern learning environments: *Supporting leaders in a comprehensive design process. *Making sure that instruction, technology integration, and learning environments support each other. *Finding low cost/no cost solutions that can support purchases *Staying practical and realistic based on the current systems dynamics of an organization.
Beth is a Municipal Advisor with the Ehlers School Finance Team. She brings nearly two decades of public finance experience to her role with the firm, most recently serving as the Director of Business Services for the ROCORI school district. Prior to that, she worked as a Business Manager with Holdingford Public Schools and a governmental audit supervisor with a private firm. Beth holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the College of St. Benedict.
As the Director of School Finance for the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), Cathy oversees teams responsible for general education and categorical funding, levy process and certification, financial audits, aid payments, budget forecasting, and more. Her work also includes managing data related to students, transportation, and MDE-ORG sites, as well as overseeing special education funding and facilities maintenance. She frequently speaks at Minnesota Association of School Business Officials (MASBO) conferences and co-presents at the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) Phase II Finance training. Before joining MDE in July 2022, Cathy spent 23 years in school finance, serving in leadership roles at Duluth Public Schools, Arrowhead Regional Computing Consortium (ARCC), and Lake Superior School District. She also taught school finance as an adjunct instructor at St. Mary’s University. Cathy holds a bachelor's degree in management from the College of St. Scholastica.
Dr. Elder is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at UMD. She works in Ethics, Social Philosophy, Metaphysics (especially social ontology), Philosophy of Technology, and Moral Psychology. She tends to draw on ancient philosophy - primarily Chinese and Greek - in order to think about current problems. Teaching interests include a variety of courses in applied ethics, where she enjoys working with students to explore the many ways philosophical issues can crop up in practical concerns.
Jamie has dedicated her career to the government industry, leading audit engagements and providing real-time information for government entities. Jamie also has experience working as a finance director consultant for municipalities and brings practical and relevant experience to assist her clients in being successful.
Paul Ferrin is currently the supervisor of the special education funding and data workgroup at the Minnesota Department of Education. He has worked at the department for 5 years in various roles including monitoring special education expenditures and providing data analytics to the special education funding workgroup.
Desi Felker brings with her twenty years of professional experience in education, writing, and communication. She joined the Marine Corps as a teenager and spent the following six years on various deployments and training exercises. She was meritoriously promoted to the ranks of both Corporal and Sergeant before being honorable discharged in 2012. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nevada, as well as a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Roosevelt University. Prior to PERA, Desi spent several years working in education and community outreach in both the public and private sectors. Desi has been with PERA since February of 2021 as an Outreach and Education Specialist. She is passionate about the art of communication and enjoys traveling across the state of Minnesota to meet and speak with stakeholders.
Cheryl Galloway is an education operations professional with expertise in facility management, emergency planning, and community-use policy. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from San Jose State University and has supported districts across California in aligning facility use practices with state law while protecting limited maintenance and operations budgets. Cheryl’s work centers on data-driven governance modeling, cost-recovery, and community engagement while ensuring school facilities remain safe.
Angela Garrity Scharffbillig is the Pay Equity Coordinator for the State of Minnesota. With several years of experience in Human Resources, she holds a B.A. in Human Resources and a Master’s in Public Administration. Angela brings deep expertise in HR and pay equity, helping organizations with the Pay Equity process.
Sandy Gaulke has over 20 years of experience with the Department of Education data reporting including MARSS, Ed-Fi, and multiple SIS platforms. Throughout her time in several districts, she focused on managing and improving software systems to streamline efficiency. Her expertise allows CESO to partner with districts to offer this critical service.
Garrity Gerber is the Business Manager for Holdingford Public Schools, where he oversees the district's financial operations to maximize educational outcomes. He brings a broad background in business leadership, having previously served as General Manager at Heartland Glass and held sales and marketing roles at Polar Corporation and St. Cloud Window. His career spans team leadership, sales process improvement, B2B marketing, and operational efficiency across both public sector and manufacturing industries.
Tiffany Gustin serves as the Director of Management and Insurance Trust Services for the MN School Boards Association. Before working for MSBA, she served as a school district Business Manager for ten years. Prior to working in school finance, she was a software engineer and database analyst in the private sector and worked in county government.
In her spare time, she is a volunteer first responder, church pianist, and is the Chief Operations Officer of a crazy household made up of her husband, two adult children and way too many animals. She loves coffee, bacon, campfires, and spending time with her family, especially the dogs.
Matthew joined Ehlers in 2018 as a Municipal Advisor with our School Finance team and was promoted to Senior Municipal Advisor in 2022. He brings more than a decade of direct school district experience to his role with the firm, most recently serving as the Director of Finance and Operations for Fridley Schools. Our clients appreciate Matthew’s specialized expertise in finance leadership, financial planning and operations management.
Michael Hart joined PTMA in July 2020. He leads the Municipal Advisory practice for the firm in the state of Minnesota focused on public school districts. His experience includes leading school districts through the financial aspects of bond issues and referendums for both capital projects and operating funds as well as long term financial planning. Mr. Hart hold his Series 7, 50, 53, 54 and 63 securities licenses.
Troy Haugen is Director of Career and College Readiness and CTE Teacher Preparation at LCSC. With over two decades in education, including leadership roles, he developed Minnesota's first alternative CTE licensure program and advances regional career readiness. He serves on the State Workforce Development Board.
Renee Hawthorne is a Regional Education Manager at Steelcase, specializing in learner-centered classroom design. She designs and delivers Steelcase Learning CEU courses, guiding educators, architects, and designers in creating flexible, engaging environments that support today’s pedagogical approaches. Renee’s work emphasizes the integration of spatial design with active teaching methods to enhance student engagement and outcomes.
Zach Heidman is a Regional Director at Equalis Group, supporting public agencies across the Midwest. With more than 12 years of public-sector experience, his background includes contract administration and supplier development at Sourcewell, along with experience in athletic academics and marketing at the University of North Dakota.
Eric Hill is in his 28th year with the Hill City School District. He began his career as the Facility Director and is currently in the second year of a combined Business Manager/Facility Director role, which he is greatly enjoying as a new opportunity in his career.
Chris Hoehn is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of School Personnel Administrators, MASPA. MASPA works to strengthen public education in Minnesota by supporting school administrators who manage human resources. The association provides members with practical services, tools, and information to help schools operate effectively and better serve students and communities. Chris has over 20 years of experience with school human resources professionals. As the Executive Director, Chris works with multiple state K12 HR Administrators, learning and sharing best practices and strategic leadership.
Emily Herman, SHRM-CP, is an experienced human resources leader in public education, currently serving as Director of Human Resources for Inver Grove Heights Schools. She brings extensive expertise in employee relations, labor management, benefits administration, and organizational strategy. Emily is known for her collaborative, practical approach and her ability to navigate complex workforce issues with clarity and professionalism. Her work centers on aligning people practices with district goals while supporting a strong, respectful workplace culture.
Michael combines sharp analytical thinking with steady leadership. A former physical therapist and engineer (practicing since 2011) turned executive coach and systems strategist, he helps clients diagnose root causes, design systems, and apply leadership skills that grow business with intention. His coaching connects leadership development directly to numbers leaders own every week.
Nikki brings contagious energy, deep empathy, and a gift for connection to every room she enters. As a certified DISC and EQ consultant and leadership coach, she equips teams and individuals with practical tools for clarity, confidence, and culture transformation. She loves creating unique and memorable experiences for our clients and is an expert in human dynamics and relationships. Additionally, she has extensive experience in healthcare systems in various cities around the U.S.
Ryan's has 15+ years experience in public procurement. Since 2014, his organization, Catalyst Sourcing, has provided tools and services to 20+ Minnesota School Districts with vendor negotiations, procurement compliance, and expense reduction.
Before joining the Minnesota Department of Education (Minnesota Department of Education), Molly worked in both school operations and charter school authorizing, providing oversight to schools that were both operational and start up. She holds a BS degree from Augsburg University in mathematics.
Jeanne Krile is an experienced Education Specialist being with Minnesota Department of Education for 20 years. She is a Certified Paralegal and a degreed Accountant. Her passion is supporting students in all options available to students, districts and charter schools.
Adam joined the Retirement Income service team at National Insurance Services (NIS) as an Account Representative in 2016. He predominantly serviced tax-advantaged plans, including VEBAs, HSAs, FSAs, and 403b's. Adam recently joined NIS's Full Benefits Consulting team as an Account Manager in 2023. In this role he assists clients with their employee benefits, benefit communication, and benefit education. He helps employees and employers answer policy-related questions, resolve employee claim issues with carriers, assists with employee or insurance committee meetings, and assists with the RFP process for medical plans and other ancillary lines. Adam is a licensed insurance agent working with Minnesota and Wisconsin schools, cities, and counties.
Jenny Lysne is an Education Consultant at Atmosphere Commercial Interiors, a leading Steelcase dealer in Minnesota, where she specializes in workplace design and implementation for K-12 environments. With prior experience as a Furniture Account Executive at Staples and roles at Steelcase, Jenny brings over a decade of expertise in sourcing and deploying flexible learning spaces that align with cooperative contracts
Jim represents public and private sector employers in a broad scope of employment and labor law issues. With legal experience and experience as a human resources professional, Jim brings a practical approach to help clients achieve their objectives. Areas of practice include employment contracts, severance agreements, employee handbooks and policies, wage/hour law, discrimination, employee discipline, non-compete agreements, Minnesota Data Practices Act, Minnesota Veterans’ Preference Act, collective bargaining, unfair labor practice defense, administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements, grievance arbitration and investigations of employee misconduct.
Peter Martin represents local governmental entities in matters related to the issuance of taxable and tax-exempt municipal debt. He has acted as bond counsel in a variety of financing structures, and regularly guides school districts through the complexities of election law, business transactions and real estate matters.
Melissa is the Director of Cooperative Purchasing Connection and leads the award winning Cooperative Purchasing Connection team. Melissa has more than twenty years of experience with cooperative purchasing.
Bill Menozzi joined PTMA Financial Network in September 2025. Bill joins the firm with more than 15 years of experience in school finance and operations across Minnesota districts. Bill has a Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations (SFO) designation from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO).
Deb graduated magna cum laude from Augsburg University with a B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting and finance. She was an auditor for 4 1/2 years for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and has 16 years of experience as a Supervisor of Accounting for two different school districts. Deb has worked at Minnesota Department of Education since December 2014 in the Division of School Finance.
Sarah Miller, Director of Business in three Minnesota schools/consultant with Minnesota charter schools—12 years. For the past 16 years, at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) – Financial Management/Budget Facilities teams. Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration/Accounting from UNC, Greeley, Colorado. Homeland Security Emergency Management representative for MDE.
David Moredock is a trusted security leader and emergency management professional who serves as the Assistant Director of Security & Emergency Management for Osseo Area Schools. With board certifications in both security management (CPP) and threat management (CTM), David brings a highly disciplined, evidence-based approach to protecting students, staff, and district facilities.
Danny is based in Minneapolis where he manages client relationships and supports school districts with investment advisory and consulting services. His responsibilities include cash flow analysis, investment policy development, strategy implementation, and technical support related to client portfolios. Danny also delivers training to help clients navigate investment planning and execution.
Dr. Heidi Orstad is a clinical nurse consultant with Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA)’s Planning and Analytics for Total Health (PATH) team. Working in collaboration with the PATH team, Dr. Orstad develops and executes on strategies to help employers control health care costs, improve health outcomes, and promote employee engagement through analytic-based state of the art innovations and reporting. Dr. Orstad also serves as the lead clinical market resource for client engagements and assists in managing clinical relationships with payors, providers, and employers. Dr. Orstad obtained her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from the University of MN School of Nursing and has more than 20 years of experience as a nurse executive in health plan and hospital operations and serves nationally as a leader on the American Nurses Association (ANA) Innovation Advisory Committee and served as the President of Minnesota’s chapter of ANA from 2020-2024.
As President and General Counsel of Aviben, Trent Pepper (J.D., MBA) oversees the company’s strategic initiatives, core processes, and legal affairs. Trent previously served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel in the health care industry, worked as an attorney in private practice, and clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Allen Perkins grew up in the suburbs of Minnesota, where his early life experiences laid the foundation for both personal struggle and eventual transformation. Through perseverance and intentional growth, he overcame challenges with addiction and selfishness seasons that ultimately shaped his character, humility, and leadership philosophy. Allen went on to build a successful career at Camping World, where he distinguished himself through strong sales performance and a commitment to excellence. Today, he plays a key role in driving sales and growth at SafetyFirst, bringing both strategic focus and relational leadership to the marketplace. Beyond his professional achievements, Allen is deeply committed to investing in people. Privately, he focuses on raising up the next generation of leaders, helping them develop integrity, purpose, and influence in their personal and professional lives.
Sue Peters is the Vice President of K-12 Engagement at E&I Cooperative Services, where she leads the development and delivery of strategic sourcing and procurement solutions tailored for K-12 school districts. With over 17 years at E&I—rising through roles in member engagement, market development, and cooperative purchasing—Sue excels at forging cross-functional partnerships that drive cost savings and improve learning environments.
Steve Pumper joined PTMA Financial in July of 2009. Prior to joining PTMA, Steve worked as a school business manager in Minnesota schools for 22 years. He brings that experience in helping PMA develop services that are beneficial to the Business Manager in the field. Steve is a Registered Representative with FINRA and holds his series 7, 50 and 63 securities licenses.
Amy Satterfield is the Director of Business Development and a Sr. Project Manager with IEA, Inc. She has 28 years of experience providing environmental, health and safety services to property management, government, educational, commercial, industrial and healthcare clients. IEA and Amy’s involvement with the facility programs as well as conducting indoor air quality assessments provides a well-rounded view of safety challenges and needs.
Zach consults with clients to navigate the Employee Benefits landscape by evaluating plan designs, implementing/educating new wellness programs, handling complex benefit issues and service challenges, and ultimately, acting as the best liaison between clients and insurance carriers.
Matt Schmidt is a relationship manager based in Minneapolis. He manages client relationships in Minnesota, assisting school districts with investment advisory and consulting services. His work includes investment pool guidance, portfolio structuring, cash flow forecasting, and policy development.
Ashley began her school nutrition career in 2012 at Minneapolis Public Schools. In 2021, she became the Director of Food and Nutrition Services for Moorhead Area Public Schools. She has served on various MSNA committees, most recently as President-Elect.
In addition to overseeing one of Minnesota’s largest student transportation systems, Troy Schreifels leads districtwide Security and Emergency Management for Osseo Area Schools with a steady, practiced hand. He directs all prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts across 30+ school sites, ensuring the safety of more than 20,000 students and 3,000 staff. Troy spearheads districtwide implementation of the I Love U Guys Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol, modernizes emergency plans, and coordinates training for administrators, staff, and school resource officers. He oversees access control systems, security technology upgrades, threat and vulnerability assessments, and the district’s emergency communication platforms. He is also responsible for designing and managing large-scale exercises, reunification planning, crisis response coordination, and interagency partnerships with police, fire, EMS, and county emergency management teams. Whether navigating severe weather, facility incidents, or high-stakes school safety events, Troy brings calm leadership, clear decision-making, and a traditional no-nonsense approach rooted in consistency, preparedness, and proven best practices.
Kent Schutte, President of EFS Advisors, and Aviben(formerly EBC). Working with educators since 1985, Kent is a nationally recognized speaker on financial matters and expertise in implementing 403(b) auto enrollment, match, Special Pay, Severance and Early Retirement Benefits.). EFS Advisors, LLC. consists of 49 Financial Advisors managing over of $3.1 billion in assets.
Jill supports CTE programs across four Twin Cities Intermediate School Districts, championing 20 programs and over 2,000 students. She focuses on expanding access and partnerships for underrepresented learners, drawing on experience coordinating a health science magnet program and teaching in Osseo.
Elizabeth serves as the Director of Human Resources for Meeker and Wright Special Education Cooperative (MAWSECO), a special education cooperative supporting seven member districts and eight specialized educational programs. With over 22 years of dedicated experience within the special education business office environment, Elizabeth is a seasoned leader in end-to-end HR operations. Her expertise spans the full employee lifecycle, including employee onboarding and licensure, compensation and benefit administration, payroll processing, contract and absence management, and rigorous state and federal reporting. Beyond the technicalities of compliance, Elizabeth is deeply committed to elevating the employee experience and providing strategic support to supervisors. Outside of the office, she is a proud sibling to five and aunt to 12. An avid traveler and lover of music and football, Elizabeth can often be found on the golf course, on the ice with a fishing rod, or testing out new recipes in the kitchen.
Jason has worked at MDE for the past three years as the levy coordinator. Prior to that, he spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. With the last seven year of his career, identifying the required manning in each career field to aid in developing the Air Force's and Department of Defense's annual budgets.
Glen Ritter started his school nutrition career at Hopkins Public Schools as the Operations Manager, In 2007, he became Assistant Director. Currently, Glen is the School Nutrition Director for St. Michael-Albertville schools. He is president of the Minnesota School Nutrition Association having served on numerous committees over the years and on the executive committee for the past three years.
With nearly 30 years of experience, Joe Truehart is responsible for identifying opportunities and growing Hoffman’s development projects that ultimately transition into design and construction efforts. Joe also serves as a project consultant to Hoffman design and construction staff members, having previously served as the firm’s vice president of construction.
Ben is a Vice President on the Midwest Regional Ratings Team covering local government credits in states across the Midwest portfolio, with a focus on Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio. Ben has published on a variety of topics including pension reform, fixed costs, school funding reform, cybersecurity, various developments in the charter school sector and the credit impacts public hospitals can have on large urban counties. In his leadership role, Ben chairs rating committees, supports workflow management and is a mentor for analysts on the Chicago team. Ben is a regular speaker and panelist at industry conferences and webinars, and he is an active member of the charter school task force. Prior to joining Moody’s, Ben was the Director of Pension Reform at the Illinois Policy Institute, a research organization. Ben holds a MA degree in Economics from George Mason University and a BA degree in Economics and Management from Beloit College
Jill is a workplace health and wellness professional and Registered Dietitian with a Masters in Public Health. Jill supports employers design engaging population health and chronic disease prevention strategies. Jill has additional expertise as a Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Coach, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and is an Integrative & Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner.
One of the nation’s leading authorities on educator effectiveness, staff morale, teacher leadership, and school culture and climate. Todd has written over 65 books including the national best seller, What Great Teachers Do Differently. Other titles include What Great Principals Do Differently, Shifting the Monkey, School Culture Rewired, Your First Year, Dealing With Difficult Parents, Motivating & Inspiring Teachers, and How To Get All Teachers To Become Like The Best Teachers.
Kelly Wosika is the supervisor of the General Education Funding Section. She implements education funding laws by supervising the calculation of state aid entitlements and property tax levy limitations, and the administration of aid payment processes to local education agencies.
Jodie is a Senior Municipal Advisor who joined Ehlers’ School Finance team in 2009. She previously served 15 years as the Director of Financial Operations for the South Washington County School District. Her first-hand knowledge of district financial operations gives her unique insight into referendum planning, tax impacts and debt issuance for education projects.
Session levels are indicated by Any level or Introductory
CPE Credits from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) are offered for select sessions, and have a “CPE” designation after the title. Credits from the Minnesota Board of School Administrators will continue to be provided for the full conference. View the CPE Agenda.
Items on the agenda marked with an asterisk (*) are included for booth representatives as part of their exhibit booth registration. Tickets for booth representatives to attend other conference events can be purchased separately.
| Wednesday, April 29 | |
|---|---|
| 8:00am-5:00pm | Registration
|
| 9:00am-12:00pm |
Certification Course: Cash Management & Investing (separate registration required) |
| 10:00-11:30am |
Optional Pre-Session |
| 11:15am-12:30pm | Lunch & Opening Announcements Enjoy a relaxed buffet lunch after you arrive, and be ready for an afternoon of learning. |
| 12:40-2:30pm |
Gold Mine Sessions Accounting and Auditing Update (Any level) Understanding English Learner (EL) Funding: What Business Managers Need to Know (Any level) Roofing Projects & the LTFM Program (Any level) Understanding Your UFARS Compliance Report (Any level) Stretching Your School Lunch Dollar (Any level) Bridging Payroll & Finance for a Clean Year-End Close (Any level) Don't Forget the Adults: Taking a Total Worker Health Approach to Supporting District Team Members (Any level) Playground Surfacing (Any level) Human Resources Legal Update (Any level) |
| 2:30-2:50pm | Break |
| 2:50-4:40pm |
Gold Mine Sessions Decoding District Financials: Practical Skills for Confident Analysis and Decision-Making (Any level) Making the Most of your Budget Presentation (Any level) Maximizing Impact: A School District Finance Guide to Career and Technical Education (CTE) Finance (Any level) Optimizing Your 403(b) Program (Any level) Reference Checks (Any level) Using Cooperative Purchasing Contracts for Construction Projects (Any level) PSEO Courses According to Agreements (Any level) Saving Taxpayer Dollars in Minnesota School Bonds Through Cooperative Procurement (Any level) Simplifying 941s, W-2s, and Retirement Tracking One Payroll at a Time (Any level) |
| 4:40-4:50pm | Gold Mine Session Questions with Presenters
|
| 6:00-9:00pm | The Great MASBO Gathering Reconnect with your peers and to celebrate our first night in Duluth! The evening includes dinner and activities to bring us together as we begin the conference. |
| Thursday, April 30 | |
| 7:00am-5:00pm | Registration
|
| 7:30-8:30am | Leadership Academy Breakfast (by invitation only)
|
| 8:30-9:45am |
General Session Keynote: What Great Leaders Do Differently During Challenging Times |
| 9:45-10:00am | Break
|
| 10:00-10:50am |
Breakout Sessions Pay Equity (Any level) Words Matter: Clear Communication in School Emergencies (Any level) Dealing With Difficult People and Difficult Situations CPE (Any level) Leveraging AI to Boost Your Procurement Efficiency (Any level) Do I Need an Owner's Representative on My Project? (Any level) LTFM Ten-Year Plans: Updates, Compliance, and Approval CPE (Any level) MA Billing and Care and Treatment (Introductory level)
|
| 10:50-11:00am | Break
|
| 11:00-11:50am |
Breakout Sessions ICHRAs: An Alternate Option to Traditional Group Medical Insurance (Any level) Shared Administrative Roles (Any level) PERA Membership Eligibility (Any level) Simplifying Purchases Process for District Staff (Any level) FBI Cyber Investigations CPE (Any level) Special Education Updates CPE (Any level) Recover Expenses: Right-Sizing Facility Use Fees (Any level) |
| 12:00-1:00pm | Awards Luncheon
|
| 1:10-2:00pm |
Peer Group Discussions |
| 2:00-4:00pm |
Trade Show* Join us for a dessert buffet while you visit with exhibitors, and pick up your walk/run shirts. |
| 5:00pm |
Wellness Walk/Run* Participate in a timed 5K run starting promptly at 5:00 or a take a stroll along the lake while networking. |
| 5:00-9:00pm |
Dine-Around Registered attendees receive a voucher to have dinner at select Duluth restaurants—a great chance to explore the city and enjoy great food! |
| 8:00pm-11:30pm |
Social Event* Relax, enjoy music and network with colleagues. Doors open at 7:30pm. |
| Friday, May 1 | |
| 8:00-11:00am | Registration
|
| 9:00-9:50am |
Breakout Sessions You’ve Been Asked to Run an RFP—Now What? (Introductory level) Onboarding to Support Retention (Any level) Striking the Balance: Optimizing IAQ and Energy Efficiency in Healthy Buildings (Any level) Integrity is a Group Project: Creating Value-Supportive Cultures CPE (Any level) School Finance Tools and Referendum Planning CPE (Any level) |
| 9:50-10:00am | Break
|
| 10:00-10:50am |
Breakout Sessions PFML Panel (Any level) Planning for your Personal Retirement (Any level) Procurement Methods for K-12 Building Construction (Any level) How to Add Referendums and Leases to Your District Levy CPE (Introductory level) The Roundabout where MARSS & Ed-Fi meet (Introductory level) Beyond the Bid: How Smart Furniture Procurement Drives Learning, Wellness, and Long-term Value (Any level) Legislative Update CPE (Any level)
|
| 10:50-11:00am | Break
|
| 11:00-11:50am |
Breakout Sessions Working with Your Board: Basics, Boundaries, and Beyond (Any level) K-12 Credit Ratings: Navigating Declining Financial Indicators CPE (Any level) Beyond Traditional Benefits: Modern Approaches to Employee Health & Cost Control (Any level) Investing in a Falling Interest Rate Environment CPE (Any level) |
| 11:50am-12:30pm | Grab and Go Lunch, Prize Drawing, Conference Adjourns |
*For Annual Conference, we are only allowing single registrations to ensure we are collecting all information required from each attendee. If you have any questions please reach out to info@mnasbo.org.
|
Member Type |
Standard Rate |
Late Rate |
| Active or Sponsoring/Exhibiting Associate Member | $300 | $335 |
| Lifetime Member | $100 | $100 |
| Student Member | $75 | $100 |
| Non-member Active (School) | $375 | $400 |
| Associate Member (Not Sponsoring/Exhibiting) | $475 | $500 |
| Non-Member Associate (Business) | $575 | $625 |
| Additional Tickets |
Standard Rate |
Late Rate |
| Exhibitor - Wednesday Evening Dinner & Social Event | $60 | $75 |
| Exhibitor - Thursday Lunch | $45 | $55 |
| Guest Ticket - Wed Evening & Thursday Lunch | $90 | $90 |
Conference registration includes:
Note: Be prepared to select sessions during the registration process.
MASBO Member: $60
Non-member: $85
Requires separate registration
Register for Certification Course
Attendees registering for this event are agreeing to this Registration Agreement.
Prepayment Required: All registrations must be accompanied by full payment/purchase order to reserve your place at the event.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received by the MASBO office at least 5 business days prior to the event are eligible for a refund of the registration fee, less a $25 processing fee. No refunds will be provided for cancellations received fewer than 5 business days prior to the event. No-shows will be billed for any unpaid registration fees.
Audio/Video Policy: Registration and attendance at, or participation at association events constitutes an agreement by the registrant to association’s use and distribution of the registrant or attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions and audiotapes of such events and activities.
Code of Conduct: MASBO is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment for all participants, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, or religion. MASBO will not tolerate harassment of event attendees in any form. Those violating these rules may be sanctioned, expelled from the event without a refund, and/or excluded from attending future events, at the discretion of the organization.
Cash Management & Investing
Steve Pumper, PTMA Financial Solutions
Total Credits: 3.0 including 3 Board of School Administrators Credit(s), 3 MASBO Credit(s)
Cost: $85 - Non-members; $60 - Members
Register for Certification Course
This course will be presented in person, but it will be recorded for those not able to attend. Registration for the recorded course will be available after May 15.
Description:
The Minnesota Association of School Business Officials has established a voluntary certification program for all MASBO members and nonmembers. The courses are designed to train current and prospective school business officials, offers practical information to assist members in excelling in their profession. Although this course is part of the certification program, it is open to all members. This session will discuss in detail the different kinds of investments available to school districts, along with liquidity, investment policy and Minnesota legal requirements. Cash flow management strategies will also be reviewed, including short term borrowing and arbitrage.
Certification Agenda
LocationDuluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC)
350 Harbor Drive
Duluth, MN
The conference will be held at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). conveniently located in beautiful Canal Park. The Visit Duluth website has many links to different experiences, restaurants, itinerary ideas, and other helpful information.
The conference will be held April 29 – May 1, 2026, kicking off on Wednesday, April 29, with an optional pre-session and certification course in the morning, and officially starts with lunch. After sessions and the trade show on Thursday, April 30, the conference concludes on Friday with morning breakouts and lunch.
All conference events and activities, other than the Thursday evening Duluth Dine Around Dinner and the networking event, will be held at the DECC. Canal Park hotels are within an easy, short walk to the DECC. MASBO provides a conference shuttle between the DECC and Canal Park hotels during key conference passing times. Many of the conference hotels have their own shuttle service available, as well, and parking is also available at the DECC.
Each of the following hotels has a room block for the conference. The conference hotels offer a range of amenities and price points to accommodate the needs of all MASBO members. If you are making your reservation by phone, request the MASBO room block to receive our discounted room rate.
Important: If you are using a credit card that does not have your name on it, the hotels require a signed authorization form at check-in.
MASBO has also secured limited room blocks at the following hotels.
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SOLD OUT — Canal Park Lodge $159-$259/night |
Hampton Inn Duluth Canal Park $179-$199/night |
SOLD OUT — Lift Bridge Lodge $199-$229/night |
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SOLD OUT — Inn on Lake Superior $200-$230/night |
SOLD OUT — Pier B $199-$209/night |
The Suites Hotel $135-$175/night |
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Holiday Inn & Suites Duluth - Downtown $153/night |
Fairfield by Marriott $184/night |
Experience some of Duluth’s best restaurants during this dinner-on-your-own, included as part of your conference registration.
Note: There is a concert at DECC Symphony Hall starting at 7pm. Canal Park restaurants may be busier from 5pm-7pm, so please plan accordingly - consider making a reservation, or visiting a downtown option that might be less busy.
*Restaurant accepts reservations.
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Canal Park Brewery Grandma's Saloon* Little Angie's Cantina* Pizza Luce* Dubh Linn Irish Pub |
Lyric Kitchen & Bar* Fitger's Brewhouse* Old Chicago Vita Pizza |
View the CPE Agenda.
MASBO Credits: 9
Approved administrative continuing education credits are available for most MASBO conferences, workshops and professional development programs. To receive credit, registered attendees must attend the full event, and will be emailed a link to the certificate of credit.
Board of School Administrators Credits: 9
The Minnesota Association of School Business Officials is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.NASBARegistry.org.
The instructional delivery method for all sessions is group live, and no prerequisites or advance preparations are necessary for participation, unless otherwise indicated. All may attend. To receive credit for CPE-eligible education sessions, attendees must be registered conference attendees and wearing a conference name badge, must verify attendance at the beginning and end of the session, and complete the session evaluation. The session moderator will maintain the log during the session. Qualified attendees will get access to their certificate in their Learning Center account.
View full details about exhibit and sponsorship opportunities
