Wisconsin Charter School Summit 2026: Full Schedule

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8:00am CDT

Arrival / Check-In

Tuesday June 16, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am CDT

** SLIDES **

Tuesday June 16, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am CDT

All

8:30am CDT

Welcome and Goal-Setting

Tuesday June 16, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am CDT

** SLIDES **

Tuesday June 16, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am CDT

All

9:15am CDT

Strategic Planning as an Authorizer (Room - Anna)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am CDT

The partnership between Authorizer and Charter School hinges on clear communication and shared goals. One way to capture this is through an effective strategic plan. Attend this session to learn about how one district authorizer partnered with WRCCS and the charter school Governance Council to develop a continuous improvement plan that is a beacon for charter school growth. We will explain our process and you will hear from three perspectives: the district superintendent, the district business manager, and the director of the charter school. We will also highlight the structures we have put in place for accountability and support. This fast-paced session will include opportunities for networking and collaborating with others who are in the process of developing a strategic plan.

Speakers

Tera Rogers

Director of Business Services, Cedar Grove-Belgium School District

David Friend

Director of Rocket Academy Charter School, Rocket Academy

Liz Freeman

Superintendent, Cedar Grove-Belgium School District

WRCCS 2026 Strategic Planning pdf

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am CDT

Authorizer

9:15am CDT

Taking on the Year of Design (Room - Henrietta)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am CDT

Taking on the Year of Design
The design year is one of the most exciting, and demanding, phases in launching a successful charter school. This critical time before the doors open is when your founding team turns vision into reality: defining mission-aligned academic models, building systems for culture and operations, designing rigorous curriculum, establishing governance structures, recruiting families and staff, and laying the foundation for long-term sustainability and student success. Participants in this session will focus on the essential elements of a successful design year, including:

Creating a clear blueprint for aligning mission, vision, values, instructional model, and target student populations with measurable goals and outcomes
Developing a robust academic program by selecting curriculum, designing assessment systems, grading policies, and intervention models that adhere to the school’s mission and reflect the school’s unique needs
Building a strong school culture by implementing rituals and practices that foster belonging, shared purpose, and high expectations at every level of the school infrastructure (board, staff, students)
Engaging families and the community by building advisory groups and creating partnerships
Preparing for launch by ensuring alignment between design intentions and day-to-day reality

Speakers

Zaynab Baalbaki

Charter School Consultant, ZB Consulting/WRCCS/TPS

Zaynab Baalbaki is extremely passionate about social justice, especially in education. She was teacher-advisor at Escuela Verde in Milwaukee, a teacher-powered school that focuses on social justice, sustainability, and peace. She is the founder of ZB Consulting as the lead justice... Read More →

12 Month Charter School Planning Year Timeline pdf

WRCCS Summit 2026 Taking on the Year of Design pdf

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am CDT

Design Team

9:15am CDT

Celebrating Impact Through Annual Local Reports (Room - Thistle)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am CDT

** SLIDES **

How do you know whether your school is doing well? How do you explain what makes your school unique? Are you serving your community the way you intended?

Creating a local report card, or annual report, allows students, families, staff, board, authorizer, and community a chance to better understand the celebrations of impact and success of your school. In this session we will talk through and work through how to prioritize what we care to report, and what we're obligated to report, to more accurately tell our stories.

Speakers

Sarah Hackett

Director, WRCCS

Sarah Hackett is the Director of the Wisconsin Resource Center for Charter Schools at CESA 9. She earned a PhD from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in Curriculum and Instruction. She is a graduate of the rural public school system in Wautoma, Wisconsin, and the small but mighty... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am CDT

Governance Board

9:15am CDT

Creating Connected, High-Quality Virtual Classrooms (Room - Evelyn)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am CDT

Creating Connected, High-Quality Virtual Classrooms

Join Melissa Schiek and Linda Schuerman from the Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative (WDLC) as they unpack what high-quality online learning looks like in 2026 and explore what it takes to manage a virtual classroom that supports both learning and belonging. They will share best practices for setting clear expectations, encouraging respectful digital interactions, and using routines and tools that keep students engaged without overwhelming them. Additionally, they will focus on strategies for building strong teacher-student relationships and fostering meaningful student-student connections. This session is suited for current online and blended teachers, as well as teachers looking to learn more about being a digital educator.

Speakers

Linda Schuerman

Associate Director, CESA 9 - Wisconsin Virtual School

Linda Schuerman has over three decades of experience in education, first as a high school social studies teacher and then as an instructional leader in Wisconsin. Her teaching career included brick and mortar instruction at Middleton High School as well as online instruction with... Read More →

Melissa Schiek

Partner Success Coordinator, Wisconsin eSchool Network

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am CDT

Teacher

9:15am CDT

Redesigning PBL - An Immersive Project Design Experience (Room - KM Hutchinson)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am CDT

What does authentic student voice really look like in Project-Based Learning? If you’ve worked in a PBL environment, you’ve likely experienced both ends of the spectrum: highly teacher-directed projects and completely student-led experiences. While each approach offers benefits, both can also create challenges. So how do we strike the right balance between student ownership and purposeful classroom direction?

In this interactive session, participants will explore practical strategies for designing meaningful projects that elevate student voice and choice while keeping learning goals clear and manageable. Through immersive activities and honest conversation, we’ll unpack common misconceptions about what PBL “should” look like and examine the pitfalls that can limit engagement, rigor, or momentum. Leave with fresh ideas, concrete tools, and a more balanced approach to project design that works for both students and teachers.

Speakers

Tim Scottberg

Associate Director, WRCCS

Tim Scottberg is the Associate Director for the Wisconsin Resource Center for Charter Schools (WRCCS), a statewide program housed at CESA 9. He is dedicated to fostering high quality teaching practices, leadership, administration, and authorizing. Tim also leads the Center for High... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am CDT

Teacher, Design

9:15am CDT

School Playbook - Implementing Your Innovation and Ensuring Sustainability (Double Session) (Room - Paul L.))

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:15am - 12:00pm CDT

NOTE: This is a double session and spans two presentation time slots. If you sign up for this session, you will be unable to attend a different presentation at the 10:45 time slot.

Move from your school’s purpose and mission to execution by transforming your school’s innovation into a clear, actionable playbook. In this practice, hands-on workshop, your team will build a shared understanding of the essential components of a school playbook and how it drives consistency, clarity, and impact across your organization.
In this extended session, your team will begin building the structure of a school playbook grounded in your purpose and mission. You’ll engage in a practical, step-by-step process to define your innovation by developing clear, aligned practice profiles. These profiles will articulate what success looks like for a key design essential of your charter school, creating a shared understanding and setting the foundation for consistent, high-quality implementation across your school.
Bring your full team and start the work now. You’ll leave with tangible progress, early drafts, and a strong foundation for documenting, refining, and scaling your innovation.

This two-session block is designed to provide a step-by-step guide to designing your own school playbook, with examples, templates, and individualized support to help you get started on the right path.

Speakers

Nick Pretasky

Founder, Listener, and Coach, Humanistic Leadership

Nick's life work is to ensure every person has the opportunity to reach his/her full potential. Nick is the founder and lead listener at Humanistic Leadership LLC where he supports leaders, teachers, and learners in all facets of education. He brings experience working in traditional... Read More →

School Playbook WRCCS Summit 2026 pdf

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Leadership

10:45am CDT

High-Quality Authorizing in Action: How Epicenter Helps You Turn Best Practices into Daily Practice (Room - KM Hutchinson)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm CDT

Great authorizing is about far more than collecting documents and checking compliance boxes. The strongest authorizers build systems that help schools thrive, support smarter oversight, create transparency, and make day-to-day work more manageable for both authorizers and schools. But in reality, many offices are juggling scattered spreadsheets, overflowing inboxes, inconsistent processes, and limited staff capacity while trying to oversee increasingly complex portfolios.

This interactive session takes a practical (and honest) look at what high-quality authorizing actually looks like behind the scenes and how thoughtful systems can make the work more effective, organized, and sustainable. Presenters from the National Charter Schools Institute will share national best practices in charter authorization, oversight, accountability, renewal, and board engagement, alongside real-world examples of how Epicenter helps authorizers streamline workflows, centralize information, improve communication, and spend less time chasing paperwork.

The session will also feature implementation insights from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee authorizing office, which has used Epicenter for years to support efficient oversight and stronger operational systems.

Attendees will leave with practical strategies, fresh ideas, and relatable examples they can bring back to their own work; whether they oversee a handful of schools or a large portfolio, are deeply tech-savvy, or still living in spreadsheet land.

Speakers

Heather Wendling

Vice President of Professional Services, National Charter Schools Institute (NCSI)

Hi! I’m Heather. I work with charter school boards, authorizers, and school leaders across the country on governance, accountability, strategic planning, school quality reviews, and authorizing practices. Before joining the Institute, I worked at NACSA, WestEd, and the SUNY Charter... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm CDT

Authorizer

10:45am CDT

Early Years of Running a Charter School (Room - Henrietta)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm CDT

WRCCS is partnering with Teacher Powered Schools, a branch of Education Evolving, to support charter school leaders in their first few years of being a charter leader and/or being a charter leader at their current schools.

The Fellowship Purpose: By identifying promising new charter schools for strategic support, WRCCS aims to ensure these teams successfully navigate their first five years and create learning environments and working conditions for educators where students and teachers thrive.

This is the kick-off session for the new cohort of individuals selected for the cohort. If you would like to be part of the cohort but haven't been in touch yet, please join to learn more and we will make a plan to support you in your early years as well!

Speakers

Amy Junge

Director of Teacher-Powered Schools, Education Evolving

Amy is a former California public elementary and middle school teacher and assistant principal. She started working with teacher-powered schools in 2009 and was a contributing author for Trusting Teachers with School Success: What Happens When Teachers Call the Shots. Today, Amy supports... Read More →

Zaynab Baalbaki

Charter School Consultant, ZB Consulting/WRCCS/TPS

Skylar Primm

Teacher-Powered Coach, Teacher-Powered Schools

Skylar L. Primm (he/him) is a coach for Teacher-Powered Schools and the lead teacher at Koshkonong Trails School in Cambridge, Wisconsin, a public charter school focused on environmental and agricultural learning. He has taught in place- and project-based schools since 2009, an... Read More →

Slides for New Charter Schools – WRCCS 2026 pdf

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm CDT

Design Team

10:45am CDT

Discovering Continuous Improvement for Advanced Boards (Room - Thistle)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm CDT

** SLIDES **

Discovering Continuous Improvement for Advanced Boards explores how experienced charter school governance boards can move beyond compliance and into a culture of reflective leadership, strategic growth, and long-term sustainability. Designed for seasoned board members and school leaders, this session will examine how high-functioning boards use continuous improvement practices to strengthen governance, deepen accountability, and better align decision-making with mission and outcomes.

Participants will engage with practical tools and real-world examples focused on board self-assessment, strategic planning, data-informed governance, leadership oversight, authorizer relationships, and adaptive problem-solving. The workshop will also explore how boards can foster innovation while maintaining healthy systems, transparent communication, and organizational resilience in an evolving educational landscape.
This interactive session is ideal for charter boards seeking to evolve from operational oversight toward transformative governance leadership.

Speakers

Sarah Hackett

Director, WRCCS

Chamomile Nusz

Charter School Consultant, Circle Education

Chamomile Nusz is the owner of Circle Education LLC, a consulting service working to support innovative education. She works with the Wisconsin Resource Center for Charter Schools (WRCCS), supporting the development of high-performing charter schools throughout the state of Wisconsin... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm CDT

Governance Board

10:45am CDT

We Are All In This Together: How to Build a Talent Pipeline from Kindergarten to Career (Room - Anna)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm CDT

In this presentation, Dr. Angie Andersson, from KTEC Schools of Innovation, will challenge the traditional viewpoint that career-connected technical education starts in high school or later. Through audience participation, she'll explore the importance of building an intentional system of technical education that begins in early childhood education. Dr. Andersson will address the need to change the narrative around career exploration and the key foundational skills and competencies that can be nurtured during these early years.

Speakers

Angela Andersson

CEO / Executive Director, KTEC Schools of Innovation

Dr. Angela Andersson graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts and a Ph.D both in political science. She taught at Loyola University Chicago before starting to teach in Kenosha Unified School District in 2000; Angela made this switch to teach at a level where she... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm CDT

Teacher

10:45am CDT

You're a Charter School, but You Still Have To... (Room - Evelyn)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm CDT

Charter schools offer the opportunity for flexibility and innovation, but are still public schools that are accountable to the same laws, regulations, and professional standards as other schools. Understanding these expectations helps teachers deliver excellent instruction and leaders to fulfill the school’s mission, all while maintaining compliance and avoiding unintended pitfalls. This session is aimed at both charter school leaders and teachers and will cover:

Meeting instructional and professional standards, such as teacher licensure requirements, curriculum standards, required assessments, and documenting student progress
Providing accommodations and modifications for students with IEPs and 504 plans ensuing access to the general curriculum and strong universal instruction
Developing unique strategies and approaches to curriculum, assessment, and graduation requirements while adhering to state and district requirements

Speakers

Liz Sanger-Kukkan

Associate Director of Continuous School Improvement, CESA 9

You're a Charter School But You Still Have To... pdf

Special Education in WI Charter Schools Google Docs (1) pdf

Curriculum and Assessments in WI Charter Schools Google Docs (1) pdf

ACT 20 in WI Charter Schools Google Docs (1) pdf

ACT 20 & Students with IEPs in WI Charter Schools pdf

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm CDT

Teacher

12:00pm CDT

Lunch

Tuesday June 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT

Lunch with colleagues and new friends at the Summit - one of the best parts of coming together to learn, connect, and share ideas. Grateful for the conversations, laughter, and inspiration happening around every table!

If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know as soon as possible and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Lunch Menu:
Fire roasted tortilla soup
Spanish rice & refried beans
Wisconsin raised taco beef
Corn and flour tortillas
Lettuce, tomato, onion, sour cream, cilantro, salsa, and cheddar jack cheese

Tuesday June 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT

All

1:00pm CDT

WICSA Legislative Updates (Room - Thistle)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT

In this session, Jim Bender, the Executive Director for Wisconsin Independent Charter School Advocates (WICSA) will provide timely and in-depth updates on legislative developments, policy priorities, and advocacy efforts impacting independent charter schools across the state. This session will include:

Insights into the current budget cycle
Recent and upcoming legislative action affecting independent charter schools
WICSA’s advocacy strategies
A Q & A session with Jim Bender to address your school’s specific concerns

Speakers

Jim Bender

WICSA

Tuesday June 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT

All

1:00pm CDT

Authorizing as a Solution for Your Community Needs (Room - KM Hutchinson)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT

Charter school authorizing is a powerful tool for responding to local educational gaps and delivering innovative, high-quality public school options tailored to the unique needs of students and families in your community.
In this session, Associate Director Tim Scottberg will explore how authorizers can position themselves as proactive problem solvers of issues facing the community. Topics will include:

Assessing local demographic trends and educational needs to inform charter development and approval
Incorporating community engagement and stakeholder input throughout the process - from new school approval to ongoing oversight and renewal
Balancing innovation and accountability to ensure that schools effectively meet the needs of the community

Speakers

Tim Scottberg

Associate Director, WRCCS

Tuesday June 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT

Authorizer

1:00pm CDT

How to Navigate Corrective Actions with Your Schools (Room - Henrietta)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT

Key responsibilities of charter school authorizers include upholding high standards of academic performance, legal compliance, and fiscal responsibility. When charter schools do not meet standards in any of these areas, implementing corrective actions is essential to promote student achievement, maintain the trust of families and the community, and foster school improvement without immediately resorting to revocation of the charter.

In this session, participants will learn best practices and practical strategies for implementing corrective actions and navigating the complex process of guiding schools into compliance. Topics will include:- Developing and utilizing systems to monitor school performance and compliance- Using and implementing systems such as Epicenter to ensure required elements are submitted by the charter.- Creating clear and fair corrective action plans in collaboration with governance boards and school leaders- Communicating clearly and transparently with all relevant stakeholders throughout the corrective action process

Speakers

Adrienne Woods

Director, UW-Milwaukee

I've been an educator for 32 years working as a high school English teacher, school counselor and district-level administrator. I worked closely with charter schools for about 17 years and led charter offices for the last 13 years. I have knowledge and experience with instrumentality... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT

Authorizer

1:00pm CDT

Actions of Productive Governance Boards (Rooms - Evelyn/Anna)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT

Effective charter school governance is the foundation of strong schools and sustainable success. This session will focus on concrete actions that high-performing governing boards take to lead strategically, ensure accountability, and drive mission-aligned results. Join WRCCS Associate Director Dan Lathrop to examine key practices of productive boards, including:

Building a strong partnership with school leadership while maintaining appropriate oversight
Focusing on strategic priorities rather than operational details
Using data effectively for decision-making and continuous improvement
Cultivating board culture, recruitment, and succession planning

Through practical examples, case studies from successful charter schools, and guided discussion, attendees will leave with actionable tools and strategies they can apply immediately to strengthen their own board’s performance. This session will equip you with strategies to take your governance to the next level.

Speakers

Dan Lathrop

Associate Director, WRCCS

Tuesday June 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT

Governance Board

1:00pm CDT

Northeast Wisconsin School of Innovation Presentation (Room - B.F. Carter)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT

To cultivate a truly innovative school environment, five key structures must be intentionally developed and sustained. Proficiency ensures that learning is focused on mastery rather than time, allowing students to progress based on demonstrated understanding. GLEAM supports Grade Level, Engaging, Affirming, and Meaningful interdisciplinary, real-world learning experiences that engage students in critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. Academic Universal Design emphasizes inclusive instructional practices, ensuring all learners have equitable access to rigorous content through flexible methods and supports for every student. RISE and SHINE builds a positive school culture by prioritizing relationships, student voice, and a strong sense of belonging. Finally, Hard Conversations and Partnerships foster trust and growth by encouraging open dialogue among staff, students, families, and the broader community. Together, these five structures create a cohesive framework that empowers schools to adapt, innovate, and meet the diverse needs of all learners.

Speakers

Jason Johnson

Administrator of Northeast Wisconsin School of Innovation, Northeast Wisconsin School of Innovation

In 2019 we started a Proficiency-Based Education School in Green Bay, Wisconsin for students in grades 7-10 &12. Over the next two years our school expanded to 7-12. . Over the last 9 years we have helped more than 1000 students earn their diploma. Beginning with the 25/26 school... Read More →

2026 N.E.W. Charter School Presentation pptx

Tuesday June 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT

Leadership

2:15pm CDT

Team Time and Wrap-up

Tuesday June 16, 2026 2:15pm - 3:00pm CDT

** SLIDES **

Tuesday June 16, 2026 2:15pm - 3:00pm CDT

All

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