| Foundations of School District Budgeting |
Build a practical understanding of the foundational elements that shape district budgets including enrollment counting, revenue limit calculations, and examination of key funding streams—including property taxes, categorical aids, and equalization aids. On the expenditure side, the course highlights how to plan for personnel costs, wage and benefits strategies, and non-personnel expenses. Learners will also develop a working knowledge of fund balance versus cash flow, helping them see the bigger picture of school district financial health. |
8 |
School Business Official Specialist, Accounting |
| Mastering WUFAR |
This course provides an in-depth examination of WUFAR (Wisconsin Uniform Financial Accounting Requirements), which is the language of Wisconsin school district accounting. This course dives into the details of WUFAR, designing your chart of accounts, and a discussion of the purpose and use of each fund based on real-world examples from Wisconsin school districts. |
12 |
School Business Official Specialist, Accounting, Payroll, Accounts Payable, School Business Office Professionals, School Business Office Professionals |
| Elements of Revenue and the Revenue Limit Worksheet |
Gain a clear understanding of how Wisconsin public schools are funded by exploring key revenue sources—local, state, and federal—and how they interact through the Revenue Limit Worksheet, shared costs, and aid formulas (primary, secondary, tertiary). This course also covers Fund 80, the levy process for general and debt expenses, the impact of the School Levy Tax Credit, mill rate calculations, equalized property values, and hold harmless provisions that help stabilize district funding. |
12 |
School Business Official Specialist |
| Understanding and Forecasting School District Expenditures |
This course provides school business officials with a deep dive into the expenditure side of school district budgeting. Beginning with calendar planning and team roles—including board engagement and administrative input—participants will develop the framework for effective budget development. The course emphasizes practical techniques for forecasting expenditures, building salary and benefits models, and aligning staffing plans with enrollment trends. Explore how to develop and document budget assumptions, manage timelines, and incorporate the tax levy to support expenditure planning. |
12 |
School Business Official Specialist, Accounting, Accounts Payable |
| Budget Monitoring & Communication |
Go beyond budget adoption and build the skills to actively manage your district’s financial plan year-round. This course focuses on strategies for maintaining fiscal alignment from the annual meeting through final budget approval in October and beyond. Learn what effective monthly board updates should include, how to conduct quarterly budget reviews and adjustments, and how to use tools and resources—such as those from WASB—to guide informed financial decisions. Participants will explore practical methods for tracking expenditures, identifying variances, and supporting department and program leaders in becoming confident budget managers. With a focus on transparency, accountability, and adaptability, this course equips business officials to keep budgets responsive and aligned with district priorities. |
4 |
School Business Official Specialist |
| Internal Controls |
Your auditors carefully review your internal controls each year. This course introduces the concept of internal controls for the school business office, what they are, why they’re important, and how to ensure their effectiveness. Learn how to protect against theft, fraud, or misuse of school district resources and produce realiable financial statements. These protections are essential for earning and maintaining taxpayer trust and support for the school district. |
6 |
School Business Official Specialist, Accounting, Accounts Payable, School Business Office Professionals |
| Cash Flow & Fund Balance Management |
Learn to forecast and manage cash flow, assess financial risk, and make informed short-term borrowing decisions. This course covers the role of fund balance in liquidity, the use of letters of credit, and strategies for identifying red flags early. |
6 |
School Business Official Specialist, Accounting |
| Legal Aspects of School Finance |
This course explores the essential Wisconsin and federal laws that govern financial operations in public education. Participants will gain a working knowledge of compliance requirements related to budgeting, financial reporting, and the stewardship of public funds. Key topics include the Wisconsin Open Records and public meeting laws, procurement rules, audit standards, and residency laws. The course also covers contract management essentials, including vendor contracts and inter-agency agreements. |
6 |
School Business Official Specialist |
| Payroll Administration & Compliance |
Designed to help school business officials avoid costly mistakes, this comprehensive overview course on payroll operations in the K-12 public schools focuses on accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. Gain an understanding of payroll calendars and cycles, summer payroll and balance-of-contract considerations, and the fundamentals of tax withholding and benefit deductions. Learn key state and federal compliance requirements, including FLSA, reporting timelines, and employer responsibilities. Participants will explore quarterly and annual reporting (such as W-2s), identify common payroll errors, and apply best practices for internal controls and payroll input mapping. |
6 |
School Business Official Specialist |
| DPI State Reporting and WISE System Management |
With a focus on accuracy, accountability, and funding integrity, this course supports professionals in managing data critical to audits, budgeting, and regulatory reporting. Participants will be guided on DPI reporting systems and the WISE platform, including WISEdata, WISEgrants, OPAL, and related tools. Additionally, earn how to interpret state reporting mandates, align district practices with submission timelines, and avoid common compliance errors. |
6 |
School Business Official Specialist, Accounting |
| Purchasing Practices: How We Buy |
Build effective, compliant procurement strategies that balance fiscal responsibility with educational priorities. This course guides participants through competitive bidding requirements, ethical vendor management, and contract oversight—while clarifying when and why to use the RFP process, even if it's not mandated. Learn to navigate the intersection of board policies, federal and state thresholds, and understand exceptions such as curriculum purchases. The course also explores the structure and oversight of P-card programs, the impact of online purchasing, and how to leverage cooperative purchasing options through State contracts, CESAs, and UW System agreements. |
6 |
School Business Official Specialist, Accounting, Accounts Payable |
| Referenda to Exceed the Revenue Limit |
In this course, we will examine the legal and financial issues relating to why, how and when school districts seek voter approval to exceed the revenue limit. We will study the thirty-year history of operating referendums, including both recurring and non-recurring referendum types. We will examine school district planning timelines, legal requirements for school board actions, financial forecasting, ballot questions, information campaigns, and talk with legal experts and practitioners. |
12 |
School Business Official Specialist |
| Balance Sheet Accounting for School Districts |
Learn how to accurately prepare, interpret, and manage balance sheets within the context of school district finance. This course covers the fundamentals of debits and credits, and provides a clear understanding of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenditures, and fund balance classifications. Participants will also explore bank deposits, interfund activities, and the internal controls necessary to ensure accurate and compliant year-end financial statements.\n\n |
12 |
Accounting |
| Cash Reconcilation |
Explore the process of reconciling school district bank accounts with the general ledger to ensure accurate financial reporting. This course covers best practices for identifying discrepancies, maintaining audit readiness, and implementing strong internal controls in cash management. |
6 |
Accounting |
| Audit Preparation for School Districts |
Stay on track with your district’s financial responsibilities and audit readiness by understanding what needs to happen throughout the fiscal year. This course covers critical tasks such as booking accounts receivable and payable, managing taxes, handling contracts, and preparing representation letters. Learn how to align financial activities with the correct fiscal year, respond to audit findings, and prepare for the next audit cycle. The course also provides an overview of relevant GASB standards to ensure accurate, compliant reporting and smooth year-end closeout.\n\n |
12 |
Accounting |
| Managing Special Education Accounting and Reporting |
Navigate the complexities of special education accounting with confidence with an overview of key funding sources, coding practices, and reporting requirements specific to special education. Topics include Transfer of Service, Medicaid billing, High Cost Aid, Act 220 reimbursements, and IDEA flow-through funding. Participants will also explore relevant WUFAR codes (such as 011 and 019), CCIS reporting, licensure considerations, and strategies for tracking substitute costs and staffing. |
12 |
Accounting |
| Accounts Payable Operations & Compliance |
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the full lifecycle of accounts payable and receivable in the school district setting. This course covers each step of the AP process—from requisition and purchase orders to invoice approval and vendor payments—while emphasizing fraud prevention, strong internal controls, and accurate financial reporting aligned with state compliance standards. Participants will also learn about accounts receivable processes and 1099 reporting requirements to ensure complete, transparent, and efficient financial operations. |
12 |
Accounting, Accounts Payable |
| Grants Management in Schools |
This course provides the foundational skills needed to effectively manage grants in a K-12 setting. Participants will learn to write, administer, and report on federal and state grants, including Title and IDEA funds. Key topics include understanding compliance requirements, understanding allowable expenditures from grants), and reporting requirements to agencies. The course also emphasizes accountability in grant spending and the use of documentation systems that support audit readiness. |
12 |
Accounting |
| Budget Development & Monitoring Basics |
This course examines the basic process of developing a school district budget, presenting and publishing a budget, and adopting the budget and related tax levy. Learners will also explore means for monitoring and reporting on the budget throughout the fiscal year. This course is designed for participants wanting a general overview of the school budget development process. |
12 |
Payroll, School Business Office Professionals |
| Payroll Administration I- Foundations & Compliance |
Build a strong foundation in school district payroll operations by mastering the essentials of tax withholding, wage classification, and legal compliance. This course covers key topics including FLSA, exempt vs. non-exempt status, W-2 reporting, unemployment insurance, and federal and state payroll regulations. Participants will also explore Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) requirements, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) considerations, vacation payouts, leave calculations, payroll garnishments, long-term disability (LTD) benefits, and the differences between budgeting and payroll posting dates. |
12 |
Payroll |
| Payroll Administration II- Cycles, Taxation & Reporting |
Advance your payroll expertise by exploring the full payroll cycle—from setting payroll calendars to managing employer and employee tax obligations. This course emphasizes how payroll actions are initiated, the importance of maintaining clear systems, and strategies for handling multiple employee groups. Participants will learn to determine taxable income, apply proper deductions, and ensure accurate, compliant reporting, including Form 941 filings, quarterly unemployment insurance reports, and Medicaid wage reporting requirements. |
12 |
Payroll |
| Payroll Administration III- Operations and Risk Management |
This course focuses on aligning payroll processes with academic calendars and managing contract variability, stipends, workers compensation payments, and summer pay. Participants will learn strategies for benefits reconciliation and ways to mitigate payroll challenges, transmission risks, and ensure accurate, timely payments. |
12 |
Payroll |
| Payment Methods, Purchasing Cutoffs & Cash Handling |
Dive into the various payment tools and timing strategies that keep purchasing efficient and accountable. Explore different payment methods—P-cards, checks, EFT, ACH, etc—and learn how to implement them securely. This course also covers the nuances of year-end purchasing cutoffs, e-commerce considerations, and hands-on procedures for safe and compliant cash handling. |
12 |
Accounts Payable |
| Compensation & Benefits Administration |
This course provides anoverview of employee compensation and benefits in the K-12 public school setting. The course explores key distinctions between salaried vs. hourly employees and exempt vs. non-exempt classifications, as well as best practices for administering benefits, including health insurance, the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), and 403(b) plans. Additionally, participants will also gain an understanding of leave types such as sick leave, vacation, PTO, and FMLA. |
12 |
School Business Official Specialist, Human Resources |
| Capital Referenda and Issuing Bonds |
In this course, participants will examine the legal and financial issues relating to why, how, and when school districts seek to borrow funds by issuing debt in the form of notes or bonds. Participants will discuss when a referendum is necessary, and the legal requirements for bringing a proposal to the voters. Participants will identify the roles of key participants in debt issuance, such as financial advisor, bond underwriter, bond counsel, disclosure counsel, and others. Finally, participants will examine the total cost and components of issuing notes and bonds. |
12 |
Project Management & Innovation |
| Investing, Managing, and Refinancing Debt |
In this course, we will examine the rules for temporarily investing debt proceeds and understanding arbitrage rules, managing annual debt service obligations and their impact on shared cost, reporting on debt obligations, and understanding refinancing strategies. |
12 |
Project Management & Innovation |
| Capital Planning & Facilities Investment |
Learn how to build and maintain a long-term capital plan that supports sustainable facility investments and aligns with district goals. Topics include Fund 46 requirements, budgeting for capital improvements, lifecycle planning, and referenda preparation—including selecting architects, managing RFPs, overseeing projects, and engaging in community and city planning meetings. Participants will explore strategies for leveraging budgets, using vendors effectively, and building board and community support through a facilities committee, annual updates, and transparent communication practices. |
12 |
School Business Official Specialist, Project Management & Innovation, Facility & Operations Lead |
| Sustainable Facilities & Operations |
Explore how environmentally responsible facility operations and design can lower costs and support long-term sustainability goals. This course covers energy efficiency, green construction, grounds maintenance, solar integration, recycling programs, salt usage reduction, and other practical strategies to reduce environmental impact. Learn how to build a positive, district-wide culture around sustainability while aligning initiatives with capital planning and general purchasing practices. Participants will also discover how to leverage resources like Focus on Energy and other funding opportunities to support eco-friendly improvements that benefit both the environment and the budget. |
6 |
School Business Official Specialist, Project Management & Innovation, Facility & Operations Lead |
| Transportation Management |
This course covers key school transportation requirements, including McKinney-Vento, special education, and private/charter obligations. Learn how to assess in-house vs. contracted services, plan for extracurricular needs, and manage routing, cost analysis, and video monitoring. Additional topics include board policies on alternative transportation, daycare stops, UHT, and compliance with drug and alcohol testing requirements. |
10 |
School Business Official Specialist |
| School Nutrition Program Management |
Effectively manage your district’s food service by understanding the operational, financial, and compliance implications of in-house versus contracted programs. This course provides school business officials with practical tools to evaluate each model, with direct emphasis on meeting the requirements of the National School Lunch Program and other federal nutrition guidelines.\n |
12 |
School Business Official Specialist |
| Managing School District Technology |
Learn how to support informed decision-making and collaboration with technology leaders to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable digital environments for students and staff.This course provides an overview of the responsibilities related to a district’s technology infrastructure. Participants will explore key areas including student/staff device programs, maintaining secure and resilient systems, and disaster recovery. |
6 |
School Business Official Specialist |
| Human Resource Essentials for K-12 |
Build a foundational understanding of HR in school settings by exploring core functions such as recruitment, onboarding, legal compliance, and staff assignment. The course also covers essential timelines related to contracts, non-renewals, and reasonable assurance, while emphasizing strategies for fostering effective communication between HR and school personnel. |
6 |
Human Resources |
| WI Staffing Law & Supervision |
Examine Wisconsin-specific policies that affect staffing and teacher evaluations. Learn how to align local practices with state requirements, including licensing, certification, and supervision systems. |
6 |
Human Resources |
| Performance Management and Employee Relations in Wisconsin Schools |
Develop the tools needed to support employee growth, engagement, and retention while navigating the complexities of employee relations in Wisconsin schools. Participants will learn strategies for delivering constructive feedback, addressing performance concerns, and fostering a positive workplace culture. The course also covers the state’s legal framework for collective bargaining, handbook development, and building collaborative relationships with employee groups—all grounded in compliance and student-focused leadership. |
12 |
Human Resources |
| Construction Management |
Lead school construction projects with confidence by understanding the full process—from pre-construction planning to project closeout. This course covers developing realistic and conservative budgets, navigating procurement, and fostering strong collaboration with contractors through clear communication and regular progress meetings. Participants will learn to proactively manage on-site activity, minimize and avoid change orders, and handle common challenges such as mitigation and abatement, environmental issues, and supply chain disruptions. The course also addresses project closeout essentials, including warranties and post-construction follow-up. |
12 |
Project Management & Innovation, Facility & Operations Lead |
| Finance for the Facilities Director |
This course provides funding strategies for both day-to-day facility operations and long-term capital projects. Participants will explore how to align annual budgets, bonds, notes, and reserve funds with evolving facility needs. Key topics include the basics of building a zero-based budget, energy management, staffing models (contracted vs. in-house), and cost analysis for services like snow removal, grounds maintenance, supplies, and utilities. The course also emphasizes collaboration with the business office to ensure strategic planning and effective resource allocation across all aspects of facility management. |
12 |
Facility & Operations Lead |
| Comprehensive School Safety |
Ensure a safe, compliant, and responsive school environment through developing and leading a district-wide safety team, creating effective emergency response and weather hazard plans, and organizing drills. Participants will explore key topics including environmental safety (pesticides, lead, water quality, IAQ, radon, asbestos, and mold), chemical management and hygiene protocols, alarm monitoring and inspections, and fire and hearing safety compliance. Learn how to prioritize hazard remediation, conduct safety walks, and manage risks such as slips, trips, falls, and classroom hazards. |
12 |
Facility & Operations Lead |
| Comprehensive School Security |
This course covers essential components of modern school security, including digital mapping, Department of Justice (DOJ) safety plan compliance, and partnerships with local law enforcement and School Resource Officers (SROs). Participants will explore door access control, camera systems, security software options, and visitor management tools. Additional topics include conducting background checks, managing security partnerships and agreements, and establishing clear reunification points. The course also highlights key resources to equip school leaders to build proactive, layered security systems that protect students, staff, and facilities. |
12 |
Facility & Operations Lead |
| Wisconsin School Governance & History |
This course explores how school districts really work, from their constitutional roots to current day mission and operations. Learn the important milestones in the history of Wisconsin public schools, from their frontier origins, through the consolidation era following WWII, the rise of organized labor, the impact of Act 10, and today’s voucher movement. We’ll discuss the roles and responsibilities of the school board, superintendent, business manager and others, with an emphasis on school funding and operations, budgets, and referenda. |
6 |
School Business Official Specialist, Human Resources, School Business Office Professionals |