Wisconsin Charter School Summit 2025: Full Schedule

11:00am CDT

Arrival & Welcome

Monday June 16, 2025 11:00am - 12:10pm CDT

Introductions
Goal-setting through CharterPD

Monday June 16, 2025 11:00am - 12:10pm CDT

Full Group

12:20pm CDT

Lunch w/ WRCCS Network - Authorizing

Monday June 16, 2025 12:20pm - 1:20pm CDT

Authorizer

12:20pm CDT

Lunch w/ WRCCS Network - Virtual

Monday June 16, 2025 12:20pm - 1:20pm CDT

Classroom

12:20pm CDT

Lunch w/ WRCCS Network - Design

Monday June 16, 2025 12:20pm - 1:20pm CDT

General

12:20pm CDT

Lunch w/ WRCCS Network - Governance

Monday June 16, 2025 12:20pm - 1:20pm CDT

Governance

12:20pm CDT

Lunch w/ WRCCS Network - Independent

Monday June 16, 2025 12:20pm - 1:20pm CDT

Independent

12:20pm CDT

Lunch w/ WRCCS Network - Leadership

Monday June 16, 2025 12:20pm - 1:20pm CDT

Leadership

1:30pm CDT

Challenging the Norm: Transforming your Charter through Beliefs and Practice

Monday June 16, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

In this interactive session, participants will explore how deeply held beliefs about student learning shape decisions around school leadership, curriculum design, and instructional practices. Together, we’ll identify the beliefs we embrace—and those we reject—as we redefine what it means to be a “high-quality” charter school.
Whether you're an authorizer, board member, school leader, or classroom teacher, this session invites you into a broader conversation that will shift how we view and implement curriculum across our schools.

Speakers

Tim Scottberg

Associate Director, WRCCS

Tim Scottberg is the Associate Director for the Wisconsin Resource Center for Charter Schools, a statewide program at CESA 9. With a deep passion for education, Tim has served as the principal of Fond du Lac STEM Academy and as an associate principal at Fond du Lac High School. He... Read More →

Monday June 16, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Full Group

2:40pm CDT

The “Innovative Classroom” - How to Live Up to the Expectations of a Charter School Teacher

Monday June 16, 2025 2:40pm - 4:30pm CDT

Many Charter School teachers suffer from Imposter Syndrome - but this often has more to do with a lack of understanding and training than quality teaching practices. Let’s face it, being a teacher is hard, and being a charter school teacher is often harder, lonelier, and comes with less curriculum or support than almost any other teaching position.
Join Tim Scottberg (WRCCS) as we do more than empathize with you – we work together in an interactive session that will help you build some awareness and reflection around your teaching practice, putting the foundation of your beliefs into action so you can plan for the upcoming school year like never before. Whether you’re a brand new teacher or a seasoned charter veteran, this session is for you.

Speakers

Tim Scottberg

Associate Director, WRCCS

Monday June 16, 2025 2:40pm - 4:30pm CDT

Classroom

2:40pm CDT

The Federal Charter Schools Landscape - The CSP Grant, Initiatives, and Much More!

Monday June 16, 2025 2:40pm - 4:30pm CDT

Dr. Michael McCabe (DPI) will share information about the federal charter schools landscape, including information about past, current, and future charter schools program grants to WI, other national projects and initiatives around charter schools, and how WI is fulfilling and leading the way in high quality oversight and innovation in the charter sector.

Speakers

Nick Pretasky

Director of Listening and Learning, 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 →

Michael McCabe

School Administration Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Learn more about federal grant Initiatives, priorities and more!

Monday June 16, 2025 2:40pm - 4:30pm CDT

General

2:40pm CDT

Understanding Your District, from Community Needs to Finances

Monday June 16, 2025 2:40pm - 4:30pm CDT

In this session, we’ll walk through what a real Community Needs Analysis looks like and why it’s important for becoming a sub-grantee under the current CSP Grant. We’ll also talk about how doing this type of analysis every five years can help your charter school grow and stay connected to the community it serves. It’s also a helpful tool for authorizers as they plan and set priorities. Sarah Hackett (WRCCS) will give you time to reflect on your own data, think creatively, and better understand how your school or district supports the community. We’ll also dig into one of the toughest topics for charter school leaders, authorizers, and board members: the budget. It’s not just about the numbers - it’s the questions and confusion that come with it. This session will introduce a helpful resource to get the conversation started and bring more clarity to one of the most challenging parts of running a charter school.

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 →

Monday June 16, 2025 2:40pm - 4:30pm CDT

General

2:40pm CDT

Independent Charter Schools - Governance Board Training - Because It’s REALLY Important! (CESA 1 with WRCCS)

Monday June 16, 2025 2:40pm - 4:30pm CDT

We’re not kidding - it IS really important! Which is why if you’re showing up to this Summit by yourself, something has already gone wrong! This session is aimed at those independent charter school governance boards – whether you think you have the basics down or not. Join consultants from CESA 1’s office of independent charter schools to learn all about financial and special education compliance as the LEA of your school. WRCCS consultants will also offer a Q&A and additional resources for best practices of ICS boards. It’s also a great way to connect with other ICS boards throughout the state!

Speakers

Linda Baldus

Monday, June 16th from 2:40-4:30 PM

Cathy Cramer

ICS Business Mgr Consultant, CESA 1

Monday, June 16th from 2:40-4:30 PM

Chamomile Nusz

Charter School Consultant, Circle Education

Chamomile Nusz is a co-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 →

Monday June 16, 2025 2:40pm - 4:30pm CDT

Governance

4:40pm CDT

Wrap-Up & Closing Session

Monday June 16, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CDT

More information coming soon!

Monday June 16, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CDT

Full Group

8:00am CDT

Arrival & Breakfast

Tuesday June 17, 2025 8:00am - 8:30am CDT

Breakfast will be provided to attendees via WRCCS. More information coming soon!

Tuesday June 17, 2025 8:00am - 8:30am CDT

Full Group

8:30am CDT

Welcome & Introductions

Tuesday June 17, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CDT

Introductions
Reminder of Goals
Reminder of Beliefs
Discussion of High Quality

Tuesday June 17, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CDT

Full Group

9:40am CDT

Setting up Your Renewal Process

Tuesday June 17, 2025 9:40am - 10:30am CDT

The best method for making a charter contract renewal decision is to start the process for renewal as soon as you sign the contract (rather than cramming everything in at the end of 5 years!). Join Tim Scottberg (WRCCS) for this session on how to set up systems, transparent reporting, and evaluation structures to support your whole authorizing process. We will use the WRCCS model application, model contract, and model renewal process – so rest assured you will have plenty of tools to guide you!

Speakers

Tim Scottberg

Associate Director, WRCCS

Tuesday June 17, 2025 9:40am - 10:30am CDT

Authorizer

9:40am CDT

Empowering Educators: Leveraging EdTech for Maximum Impact

Tuesday June 17, 2025 9:40am - 10:30am CDT

Teachers have no shortage of technology resources available to them, and it’s so many that it can be overwhelming to know where to start. This is where Linda Schuerman (Wisconsin Virtual School) and Melissa Schiek (Wisconsin eSchool Network) excel! They will guide you through some of the best tools, and how to spot a good new one, by using high quality indicators. They will also share how to effectively weave education technology into your traditional instruction, whether you’re teaching in an online or in-person school.

Speakers

Melissa Schiek

Partner Success Coordinator, Wisconsin eSchool Network

Linda Schuerman

Professional Learning Coordinator, CESA 9

Linda Schuerman has over twenty-five years 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 →

Tuesday June 17, 2025 9:40am - 10:30am CDT

Classroom, Classroom

9:40am CDT

Strategic and Appropriate Lottery and Enrollment

Tuesday June 17, 2025 9:40am - 10:30am CDT

All charters are, by law, required to hold a lottery for enrollment if there are more students than seats, but how do you ensure that your lottery process is appropriate and equitable to all? Join this session with Sarah Hackett (WRCCS) to learn how to apply key requirements in the process and effective strategies to allow for equity for all.

Speakers

Sarah Hackett

Director, WRCCS

Tuesday June 17, 2025 9:40am - 10:30am CDT

General

9:40am CDT

Governance Board Policies

Tuesday June 17, 2025 9:40am - 10:30am CDT

This session is designed for governance boards who are looking at developing, understanding, and/or reviewing their policies. This session will highlight essential policies that should govern every charter school. Explore what flexibilities you have with policies, what are non-negotiable ones, and take away our model policy guide. Come learn and ask questions with one of our trusted WRCCS consultants, Chamomile Nusz (Circle Education).

Speakers

Chamomile Nusz

Charter School Consultant, Circle Education

Tuesday June 17, 2025 9:40am - 10:30am CDT

Governance

9:40am CDT

Power Sharing in Charter Schools

Tuesday June 17, 2025 9:40am - 10:30am CDT

This session has been a journey in the making! We have helped schools with understanding roles and responsibilities. We have helped schools explore their equitable practices. We have talked about community engagement and input. Now, with the incredible research of our partner consultant and former charter school founder, Dr. Angela Dye (SBC Consulting), we may have finally peeled the onion back to see that effective power-sharing is at the heart of a healthy school. Learn about the components of the design she lovingly researched and then transformed into hands-on reflection and planning tools for Wisconsin’s charter schools.

Speakers

Angela Dye

Tuesday June 17, 2025 9:40am - 10:30am CDT

Leadership

10:40am CDT

Performance Monitoring and Framework

Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:40am - 11:30am CDT

Authorizers have an essential (and challenging!) role to play in holding their charter schools accountable while also balancing and respecting their autonomy. How much oversight is too much? What should you notice in their reports that may be a red flag? How do you intervene when needed? Join the most experienced and skilled authorizing representative in our state, and valued thought partner of WRCCS, Adrienne Woods (UW Milwaukee), for this session exploring best practices, tools, and scenarios in performance monitoring.

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 →

Tim Scottberg

Associate Director, WRCCS

Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:40am - 11:30am CDT

Authorizer

10:40am CDT

Project-Based Learning - Blending Autonomy and Accountability in Charter School Practices

Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:40am - 11:30am CDT

Do your students understand your project process? Can they identify their place in the project cycle? Do they know why each step matters and how it connects to the bigger picture? Whether you're a classroom teacher implementing project-based learning or working to align it across your school, a well-defined project framework empowers students with a clear path to success, independence, and deeper learning. Join this session with charter school teacher leader, Tony Markon (FDL STEM), to reflect on your project framework - individually or as a team - and assess how effectively communicate and guide students through the process.

Speakers

Anthony Markon

Teacher, Fond du Lac STEM Academy

Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:40am - 11:30am CDT

Classroom, Classroom

10:40am CDT

Blending Indigenous Language and Culture into the District

Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:40am - 11:30am CDT

Our students need strong community partnerships from adults in order to connect their own learning with their lives in the community. This is especially true in our state’s indigenous communities where there are historical disconnections between the school and community. The Kaehkēnawapahtāēq Charter School in the Menominee Indian School District is a standout example of intentional partnership. The College of Menominee Nation, the Menominee Indian School District, and the local early childhood center joined around a common mission to blend immersion of their native Menominee language with Montessori education to create a truly unique and intentional school option for their students. Learn all about their journey, challenges, and successes from their co-founder and board co-chair, Shannon Chapman (Menominee Tribal Education Director). Learn strategies around how to specifically consider school design rooted in indigenous culture, and reflect on how their work translated into your own community.

Speakers

Shannon Chapman

Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin

Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:40am - 11:30am CDT

General

10:40am CDT

Charter School Design Pathway

Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:40am - 11:30am CDT

Thinking about your design components as a charter school is essential, whether you’re starting a new charter school, or considering a refresh or expansion of an existing charter school. Join WRCCS consultant, Chamomile Nusz (Circle Education), to explore WRCCS tools around strategic practices, mission alignment, community needs analysis, and intentionality around every micro-decision that impacts your school. Walk out with a clearer sense of your school and where to head next.

Speakers

Chamomile Nusz

Charter School Consultant, Circle Education

Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:40am - 11:30am CDT

General

10:40am CDT

School Playbook

Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:40am - 11:30am CDT

This session is designed for leaders and staff of existing schools who are looking to build schoolwide cohesive structures around their innovative model. Have you ever struggled onboarding a new teacher into your school model or explaining how your school pillars are implemented into your everyday life? Come learn with WRCCS consultant, Nick Pretasky (Humanistic Leadership), about how you can use strategies of alignment and design essential practice profiles to build commitment, clarity, and transparency around your unique school model.

Speakers

Nick Pretasky

Director of Listening and Learning, Humanistic Leadership,

Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:40am - 11:30am CDT

General

11:40am CDT

Lunch Breakout - Authorizing

Tuesday June 17, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT

Authorizer

11:40am CDT

Lunch Breakout - Virtual

Tuesday June 17, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT

Classroom

11:40am CDT

Lunch Breakout - Design

Tuesday June 17, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT

General

11:40am CDT

Lunch Breakout - Governance

Tuesday June 17, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT

Governance

11:40am CDT

Lunch Breakout - Independent

Tuesday June 17, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT

Independent

11:40am CDT

Lunch Breakout - Leadership

Tuesday June 17, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT

Leadership

12:50pm CDT

Advanced Understanding of Charter Contracts

Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:50pm - 1:40pm CDT

The charter contract is the agreement between the authorizer and governance board and is often used as a guide for the relationship between the two parties. This session is intended as a deep-dive into charter contracts, going beyond the basics and outlining what makes a strong charter contract. Sarah Hackett (WRCCS), will walk you through a model contract and highlight key areas that can cause confusion to be able to provide participants with a clear understanding of what a charter contract should entail. Bring your specific questions and ask the experts!

Speakers

Sarah Hackett

Director, WRCCS

Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:50pm - 1:40pm CDT

Authorizer

12:50pm CDT

Low Effort, High Impact Accessibility Tips

Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:50pm - 1:40pm CDT

Digital tools are commonplace in all classrooms, in virtual schools as well as brick-and-mortar schools. Consider all of the live documents, Google Classroom, Canvas, slides, etc. you create for and with your students. It’s essential, then, that everyone has access to these resources. Join Larissa Zompolas (WVS, WDLC), an absolute stand-out leader in our state in digital accessibility. She will go over basic tips like changing your font, font size, color, etc., as well as some lesser known (but still easy!) skills, such as how to prep a document for a screen reader. You will feel so much better about your accessibility compliance to learn the why and how behind the work.

Speakers

Larissa Zompolas

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, CESA 9

Larissa Zompolas is the Associate Director Special Populations for Wisconsin Virtual School at CESA 9. She earned a Masters degree from Concordia University in Educational Leadership. She is a graduate of public school system in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and the University of Wisconsin... Read More →

Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:50pm - 1:40pm CDT

Classroom, Classroom

12:50pm CDT

Promising Practices in Charter School Instruction and Curriculum

Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:50pm - 1:40pm CDT

Charter schools are able to dedicate time to the design and cultivation of innovative practices in education. WRCCS has been capturing some of these great promising practices. Join Tim Scottberg (WRCCS) to discuss some case studies and collected practices, the intentional decisions necessary for making change, and careful implementation strategies to make it happen in your community.

Speakers

Tim Scottberg

Associate Director, WRCCS

Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:50pm - 1:40pm CDT

Classroom

12:50pm CDT

High Quality Governance Practices

Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:50pm - 1:40pm CDT

Come learn about best practices for charter school governance boards with WRCCS consultant, Chamomile Nusz (Circle Education). In this presentation, she will discuss roles and responsibilities, effective communication, and fostering positive board culture. Tap into a wealth of knowledge about ensuring accountability, enhancing board performance, and cultivating strong leadership for charter schools. Finally, you will learn about some hands-on tools (like calendars, agendas, evaluations, etc.) that can make your lives as board members much easier!

Speakers

Chamomile Nusz

Charter School Consultant, Circle Education

Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:50pm - 1:40pm CDT

Governance

12:50pm CDT

Humanistic Leadership No Matter Your Title

Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:50pm - 1:40pm CDT

Leadership is not based on title, it is based on the trust you have earned from those you lead. In order to fulfill your unique purpose as a leader, we must first get our own mind right and build the actionable strategies needed to show up so others can reach their full human potential. This presentation is a guided conversation about the core principles of Humanistic Leadership: 1. Self-reflection and INNER WORK, 2. Relentless pursuit to build TRUST, 3. LISTEN FIRST since leadership is service to others, 4. Accept Responsibility and believe in DAILY GROWTH, and 5. Have a STRATEGY, system or plan that will be shared and discussed. Come learn through the experiences of a wilderness guide, school leader, school improvement coach, and WRCCS consultant, Nick Pretasky (Humanistic Leadership).

Speakers