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

Strong governance boards are the cornerstone of every thriving charter school. Whether you're a new or aspiring charter school board member, stepping into a founding role, or looking to strengthen your existing governance practices, this breakout session is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and tools for effective charter school board leadership.

Join WRCCS Associate Director Dan Lathrop to learn about:
Building a strong board through recruiting skilled members with expertise in a variety of relevant areas and/or connections that will increase community buy-in and engagement: - Running efficient and effective meetings by crafting clear agendas, facilitating productive discussions, defining clear action steps, and producing accurate minutes that support accountability and transparency- Remaining mission-focused and prioritizing strategic proactive activity over reactive management- Building collaborative relationships with school leaders and authorizers

Innovative Assessment for the Whole Child:  How we measure the impact of forest schooling

Join Kickapoo Valley Forest School (KVFS) founders and educators for an inspiring workshop on whole child assessment.  At KVFS, we have intentionally created a matrix to record and communicate the real and important learning occurring through our model of forest schooling. We measure student growth and achievement with traditional academic assessments in literacy and mathematics, but also by tracking a unique set of growth markers we call Multiple Literacies that portray how forest schoolers grow and develop across a full spectrum of modalities.  We’ll share the full child development we see across years and how we communicate this to students and families.

** SLIDES **

The charter contracting process is one of the most critical responsibilities of a governance board. Effective board leadership during contracting and renewal directly impacts the school's future, student outcomes, and community trust. In this session, WRCCS Director Sarah Hackett and contracted partner, Chamomile Nusz, will help governance board members navigate the contracting and renewal process with clarity, focus, and purpose.

Topics will include:
- The governance board’s role in preparing for and navigating the contracting process
- Building a strong collection of evidence based on academic data, student and family surveys, self assessments, and a variety of other indicators
- Identifying strengths and weaknesses by analyzing evaluation criteria, performance data, and findings from site visits
- Collaborating with school leadership to develop a compelling, evidence-based proposal by addressing deficiencies proactively and demonstrating a clear plan for continued or improved performance

** 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. 

** 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.

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.