Dear WASBO members,
Thanks for your membership and support over the last year! It’s time to renew your dues and keep the momentum growing.
This past year has been another exciting and meaningful one for WASBO and members like you! Membership continues to grow; WASBO University has expanded with new certifications; our academies have completed successful first years and are ready to thrive in year two; and our publications and advocacy work continue to help members navigate a complex and changing school landscape. WASBO also released our first ever 2026-27 Professional Learning Catalog, which you can read by clicking or hovering on the image to the right!
As your current membership expires on June 30, 2026, we hope you’ll take a few moments to renew and continue being part of this strong, forward-moving professional community.
A strong year for WASBO
WASBO membership continues to grow year after year, with District Professional membership reaching another record high. That growth reflects the strength of this community and the essential role school business, operations, and facility professionals play in Wisconsin schools.
WASBO University continues to grow
WASBO University has launched eight new certifications, giving school business and operations professionals more opportunities to build expertise at every stage of their careers. Members can pursue full certifications or take individual courses à la carte. Here are all of WASBO's certifications:
These certifications reflect WASBO’s continued commitment to practical, peer-led professional learning created specifically for Wisconsin school business and operations leaders that also greatly impacts the finances and facility operations of all Wisconsin school districts.
Academies built for momentum
This year marked an important milestone for WASBO’s growing academy model. Several new academies completed their first year, bringing together school business officials, facility leaders, district administrators, special education leaders, and other school professionals for focused, practical learning.
Now, as these academies enter year two, they are poised to thrive. With strong foundations, valuable member feedback, and growing statewide interest, WASBO is ready to expand and refine these programs so they continue meeting the real needs of Wisconsin school leaders.
- WASBO's First Year Academy has replaced the former Year of Success program and now supports both school business office and facilities professionals. Through collaborative discussions, expert presentations, and shared resources, participants build the knowledge, support, and connections needed for long-term success.
- WASBO's Lead Custodian Academy completed its first year supporting today’s lead custodians as managers, problem-solvers, and leaders within their school systems. As it enters year two, the academy is ready to build on that success and continue strengthening leadership in school facilities.
- The WASBO-WCASS Special Education Budgeting Academy brought school business officials and special education directors together to strengthen collaboration, budgeting, staffing, and long-term planning. After a successful first year, this partnership is poised to grow even stronger in year two.
- The WASBO-AWSA-WASDA Leveraging Technology for Educational Excellence Academy helped district teams explore the responsible and practical integration of artificial intelligence into education and school operations. With year one complete, the academy is ready to help even more districts move from exploration to implementation.
- The WASBO-WASDA Referendum Academies, with both capital and operational tracks, supported district teams in referendum planning, forecasting, legal compliance, communication, and community trust-building. As these academies move into year two, they will continue helping districts navigate one of the most complex and important challenges facing Wisconsin schools.
Together, these academies reflect WASBO’s commitment to building professional learning that is timely, practical, collaborative, and directly connected to the work members do every day.
Advocacy that continues to make a difference
WASBO continues to play an important role in research, policy analysis, and advocacy for Wisconsin students and schools. That work is especially important right now, as school leaders face a rapidly changing environment shaped by the school funding lawsuit, upcoming elections, the next state budget, and other major policy developments.
WASBO Research Director Anne Chapman continues to provide the clear, thoughtful, and timely analysis members need to understand these issues and their potential impact on Wisconsin school districts. Through her research, writing, presentations, and policy work, Anne is helping members make sense of complex developments and stay prepared for the decisions ahead.
With so much at stake for public education, it is more important than ever for WASBO members to stay informed, engaged, and connected. WASBO will continue providing the research, analysis, and advocacy support members need to lead confidently and help shape the future of Wisconsin schools.
Expanding publications
Our publications also continue to expand and evolve:
- Taking Care of Business has featured timely, in-depth coverage on topics including WASBO’s biannual compensation study and solutions framework, renewable energy projects across Wisconsin, analysis of the state budget, and, coming soon, a deep dive into the school finance lawsuit. These resources are designed to help members stay informed, advocate effectively, and lead with confidence.
- We also introduced a refreshed WASBO Focus: Your Monthly Review & School Operations Outlook. This rebrand brings together timely updates, education news, policy developments, and professional learning opportunities into a more useful, member-focused format.
- Finally, Wisconsin Education News, WASBO's daily and weekly blast of news clippings from around the state, is now organized by Regional to better enhance the experience!
Growing engagement across the profession
Whether through conferences, academies, webinars, publications, or networking, WASBO remains focused on providing relevant, high-quality support for the professionals who keep Wisconsin schools running.
Renew your membership and continue being part of this forward momentum. Thank you for your commitment to WASBO, to your profession, and to Wisconsin schools.
Sincerely,
Mike Barry | Executive Director
Wisconsin Assoication of School Business Officials