Wisconsin Charter School Summit 2026

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:
Char grilled hamburgers
Barbecue grilled chicken
Assorted cheeses, lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, mustard, and cole slaw
Bakery fresh hamburger buns
Kettle chips
Assorted cookies

The charter renewal process is the primary method to ensure that schools are meeting performance expectations. As an authorizer, developing and implementing a clearly defined, rigorous, and transparent renewal process is essential for maintaining high quality charter schools.

In this session, experienced authorizer representatives will share best practices for designing and implementing charter renewal processes that emphasize and reward high performance.

Topics will include:- Establishing clear renewal criteria grounded in comprehensive performance expectations (academic, financial, compliance, etc.)
- Creating a fair evaluation process with clear timelines, evidence requirements, schedules for site visits, etc.
- Making data-driven renewal decisions
- Communicating decisions clearly to all stakeholders

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.

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.

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

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