2023 USA Conf Program

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Welcome Letter 2 

Conference Overview 3 

Wednesday Sessions 5-7 

Vendor Information 8-40 

Thursday Sessions 43-86 

Friday Sessions........................................ 89-90 

USA-Kansas Info 91-92 

WiFi Info.........................................................93 

Venue Maps.............................................. 95-96

D E V E L O P I N G A N D U N I T I N G 

E D U C A T I O N A L L E A D E R S T O S U P P O R T 

A N D A D V O C A T E F O R T H E S U C C E S S O F 

E V E R Y K A N S A S S T U D E N T . 

Kansas School Superintendents Association (KSSA) 

Kansas Association of School Business Officials (KASBO) 

Kansas Association of School Personnel Administrators (KASPA) 

Kansas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (KASCD) 

Kansas Association of Special Education Administrators (KASEA) 

Kansas School Public Relations Association (KanSPRA) 

Kansas Principals Association (KPA) 

Kansas Leaders of Career & Technical Education (KLCTE)

Welcome to Wichita for the 52nd Annual 

USA-Kansas Conference! Our 2022 

Conference netted the largest attendee 

turnout since the mid-nineties, despite 

Mother Nature raining out our annual golf 

tournament. The 2022-2023 school year has 

been momentous. USA-Kansas continued 

to excel with leadership training programs 

across the state. This year over 150 principals 

completed our Elevate Leadership Year 1 

Program, with our Year 2 Program open for 

school leaders to register now. An additional 

135 first-year principals and superintendents 

completed KELI regional training with USA- 

Kansas. Research shows that significant change 

does not occur without highly trained and 

capable administrators supporting a culture of 

learning, while reducing the variability of our 

teachers. These learning opportunities and 

training must be ongoing. 

Similar to the ongoing teacher shortage, 

administrators are in short supply. As leaders 

it is our responsibility to make sure we are 

discovering new leaders. USA-Kansas, along 

with great partners such as KELI, KASB, 

SWPRCS, Fort Hays State, and Kansas State, 

will continue to expand opportunities for 

administrators. These opportunities are not 

limited to professional development once you 

receive your administrators license, but also 

supporting aspiring leaders. Together we just 

completed our second year of the Southwest 

Kansas Leadership Academy, providing 

monthly cohort training and support to 

teachers considering moving into leadership 

roles. 

across the state looking to improve and 

grow their leadership skills. This year we 

introduced our Executive Coaching program 

for our district level leaders. This program is 

for leaders seeking to maximize their own 

potential, remain sharp and engage with an 

outside accountability partner. These coaching 

sessions provide you with what you need as 

an individual leader. 

All of the great things that have taken place 

during the school year brings me back to 

the excitement of the conference. During 

this week you will have the opportunity 

to learn more about the successful USA- 

Kansas programs by sharing and collaborating 

with participants first hand. Explore over 

70 learning clusters on Thursday, each one 

unique, providing valuable information and 

helping discover possible solutions. While 

passing in the halls, you can learn about the 

opportunities USA-Kansas has for you in the 

coming years by reading about the successes 

on the sign boards displayed around the hotel 

and conference area. Also plan to take the 

opportunity to reflect and spend time with 

your colleagues while relaxing at one of the 

many corporate celebrations scheduled at 

this year’s Courageous Comeback themed 

program. 

Enjoy the conference! 

G.A. Buie 

Executive Director 

USA-Kansas 

I would be remiss if I did not discuss our 

individual coaching program. Our trained 

coaches individually work with principals 

2 

WORLD CLASS LEADERSHIP, 

WORLD CLASS STUDENT SUCCESS

Conference Overview 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31 

Golf Tournament - Auburn Hills Golf Course - 8:00 a.m. 

Registration Opens - Lower Gallery Between Hyatt & Century II - 9:00 a.m. 

Cornhole Tournament - Expo Hall - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Sponsored by Coryell Roofing, Virco 

Western Kansas Leadership Academy Meeting - Stimson Trail - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

Wine Tasting & Lunch - Alzavino Wine Tavern - 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 

Opening General Session with Robyn Benincasa - Eagle Ballroom - 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Sponsored by Mammoth 

Vendor Showcase - Expo Hall - 4:00-7:00 p.m. 

THURSDAY, JUNE 1 

Registration Opens - Upper Gallery, Century II - 7:00 a.m. 

Hot Breakfast Buffet - Eagle Ballroom - 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. 

Learning Clusters - 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 

USA-Kansas Lunch - Eagle Ballroom - 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Sponsored by Piper Sandler 

Lunch with Globe Life - Stimson Trail - 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

President’s Reception - Riverview Ballroom - 3:45 - 5:30 p.m. Sponsored by Jostens 

Hospitality & Dueling Pianos - Redbud 210 ABC - 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Sponsored by Lifetouch 

FRIDAY, JUNE 2 

Association Meeting Hot Breakfast - Promenade Walkway - 7:15-8:15 a.m. 

KSSA Board Meeting - Birch 203 - 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. 

Principal Meeting - Cypress AB - 8:15-9:20 a.m. 

KASCD Association Meeting - Enterprise Boardroom - 8:15 - 9:00 a.m. 

Hot Breakfast - Eagle Ballroom - 8:00-9:30 a.m. Sponsored by Energy Solutions Professionals 

Dr. Randy Watson - Eagle Ballroom - 9:30-10:00 a.m. 

Closing Session with Gerry Brooks - Eagle Ballroom - 10:00-11:15 a.m. 

IN ACCORDANCE WITH KANSAS FIRE MARSHALL 

REGULATIONS, PLEASE IDENTIFY TWO EMERGENCY 

EXITS. EXITS AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT IN THE 

BUILDING HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR YOUR SAFETY. 

3

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION 

Please come to the Lower Gallery 

between the Hyatt & Expo Hall to pick 

up your name badge and materials! 

4

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2023 

10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. 

Stimson Trail

EAGLE BALLROOM - 3:00-4:30 P.M. - WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2023 

When the challenges are steep, and the competition fierce, Robyn Benincasa provides individuals and organizations the 

tools they need to inspire themselves and one another to their greatest heights and to cross their most challenging finish 

lines. 

For the last 20 years, she and her teammates have been competing at the front of the pack in the most unique and 

compelling classrooms on earth: The jungles of Borneo, the Himalayan peaks of Tibet, the rivers of Fiji, the rainforests 

of Ecuador and the deserts of Namibia, studying the good, the bad, and the not-so-pretty of Extreme Teamwork. It is 

through these harrowing, life affirming and often hilarious experiences in the world’s most grueling challenges that she 

has emerged with her truly unique perspective on what it takes to build the kind of world class teams that succeed 

against all odds, triumph in the face of adversity and win as one in times of great challenge and change. Robyn accepts 

full blame for inspiring people to do insane things like climb Mount Kilimanjaro, run their first triathlon, start their own 

adventure racing teams, hike across the Grand Canyon with a group of Survivors, or start their own businesses. This is, 

after all, who she is and what she does: Robyn Benincasa inspires people to grab life with one hand, grab their teammates 

with the other, and to create that special magic that makes all of us better TOGETHER than we ever would have been 

alone! 

Robyn has made an art form of extreme performance by competing and winning at the highest levels of sport and 

business; her keynotes are powerful, impactful, and packed with practical, real-world takeaways that inspire peak 

performance and exceptional leadership. As a 20+ year veteran San Diego firefighter, a World Champion Adventure 

Racer, a 2014 CNN Hero, a Guinness World Record Endurance Kayaker, a best-selling author, and founder of The Project 

Athena Foundation, Robyn Benincasa *definitely* knows a thing or two about creating Human Synergy, or as Robyn puts 

it, “That magic that allows groups of ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things together.” 

Known as an inspirational force for leadership, teambuilding, and extreme performance, her award winning and gamechanging 

keynotes have earned Robyn accolades as one of 2020s World’s Top 50 Keynote Speakers (Real Leaders 

Magazine), the #1 Female Speaker for Meetings.net, and is one of the Top 10 Speakers featured by Harvard Business 

Review. For the past 15 years, Robyn’s keynotes have motivated countless teams and received rave reviews from user 

groups, associations, and Fortune 500 companies, including IBM, Starbucks, Walmart, Boeing, Johnson & Johnson, HubSpot, 

Intel, and more. 

Robyn’s multi-faceted experience inspires people to grab life with one hand, grab their teammates with the other, and to 

achieve audacious goals that they could never accomplish alone. She is the expert that companies call on to build world 

class teams, inspire peak performance and create a culture of champions. Robyn has successfully translated the lessons 

learned from extreme team sports to the corporate world, with compelling keynotes that show how groups of ordinary 

people can accomplish extraordinary things together. 

7

VENDOR SHOWCASE 

& HOSPITALITY 

EXPO HALL 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2023 

4:00 - 7:00 P.M. 

The USA-Kansas Convention Committee encourages you to 

spend this time visiting exhibits. Please take time to talk with 

vendors and business partners about your needs. Exhibitors 

are vital to the success of our convention. They recoup their 

investment only when you stop by and visit. 

We will be holding raffles throughout the evening. You must 

be present to win and will have 15 minutes to claim your prize 

before another winner is drawn. 

8

A pioneer in 

K–12 education 

Leading the way in high-quality, next-generation 

curriculum and assessments 

To learn more about our 

programs, visit amplify.com 

or call (800) 823-1969. 

Funding, Building and 

Education Solutions 

for Better Schools 

Contact: 

Keven Ward 

913-599-4664 

keven.ward@trane.com 

Learn more 

about one 

Kansas School 

& Trane

2023 EXHIBITOR LIST 

COMPANY BOOTH ABOUT US WEBSITE 

ACT, Inc. 

34 ACT is a nonprofit organization providing a 

continuum of integrated assessment solutions 

that align with our mission of helping people 

achieve education and workplace success. 

AGTAC 

60 Custodial, Maintenance, Grounds, Security, 

Flooring Restoration 

SERVICES, LLC 

Air Reading 

71 Air Reading provides small group high-impact 

reading instruction for Pre-K to 6th grade. 

In live, online sessions of up to four students, 

an Air Reading educator explicitly teaches a 

systematic program based on the Science of 

Reading 

A-Lert Roof 

Systems 

Alloy 

Architecture 

American 

Fidelity 

www.act.org 

www.agtac.com 

airreadingclass.com 

25 Roofing needs https://www. 

alertroofsystems.com/ 

57 Alloy Architecture is a multidisciplinary 

team of architects, interior designers, and 

technical professionals. We are experienced 

in the planning and design of new and/or 

replacement educational facilities, recreational 

spaces, FEMA shelter and specialty education 

centers. 

127, 135 We Offer a Different Opinion 

American Fidelity is more than an insurance 

company. We also offer benefits strategies to 

help empower you to make benefits decisions 

that help both your organization and your 

employees. Our goal is to act as an extension 

of your human resources department. We 

educate, enroll, and support the development 

of competitive employee benefits packages— 

all while ensuring seamless administration 

and employee satisfaction. Our experienced 

account management team delivers yearround 

support, helps employers overcome 

benefits administration and budget challenges, 

and always offers a different perspective – a 

different opinion. 

alloyarchitecture.com 

www.americanfidelity.com 

11

#USAKS23 


Ameritime LLC 

136, 137 

How will you decide Which KPERS Pension 

Option is right for you? Ameritime: “A 

firm founded by educators, for educators.” 

With more than a century of combined 

experience, Ameritime representatives bring 

diverse backgrounds and areas of experience 

together to help educators successfully 

transition from their working years into 

retirement. 

https://www.ameritimeks. 

com/ 

Amplify 

17 A pioneer in K–12 education since 2000, 

Amplify is leading the way in next-generation 

curriculum and formative assessment. 

Our captivating core and supplemental 

programs in ELA, math, and science engage 

all students in rigorous learning and inspire 

them to think deeply, creatively, and for 

themselves. Our formative assessment 

products turn data into practical instructional 

support to help students at every skill level 

build a strong foundation in early reading and 

math. Our programs provide teachers with 

powerful tools that help them understand 

and respond to the needs of all their 

students. Today, Amplify serves more than five 

million students in all 50 states. 

Apptegy 

133 Make it easy to reach parents, students, staff, 

and your community: with Thrillshare, you 

can communicate better and influence how 

people feel about your schools. 

Athco 

129 ATHCO can help you with stock and custom 

gym equipment selection from: sleeved 

volleyball systems, overhead volleyball, 

divider curtains, basketball backstops, batting 

cages, gym equipment control, wall pads, 

Scoreboards and more! 

www.amplify.com 

www.apptegy.com 

www.athcollc.com 

12



Axis 

Communications 

Baker 

University 

BG 

Consultants, 

Inc. 

73 Axis enables a smarter and safer world by 

creating solutions for improving security 

and business performance. As a network 

technology company and industry leader, 

Axis offers solutions in video surveillance, 

access control, intercom, and audio systems. 

They are enhanced by intelligent analytics 

applications and supported by high-quality 

training. Axis has around 4,000 dedicated 

employees in over 50 countries and 

collaborates with technology and system 

integration partners worldwide to deliver 

customer solutions. Axis was founded in 

1984, and the headquarters are in Lund, 

Sweden. 

47 We offer flexible, accelerated online degree 

and certificate programs, making online 

education more accessible. Our online 

degree programs meet not only the demands 

of the evolving workforce, but also the needs 

of students who have limited time to earn 

a degree. Family, full-time work, and other 

important commitments don’t have to hold 

you back. We help students weave these 

experiences into accelerated online degree 

programs that meet them wherever they are. 

104 Architecture and Engineering Services, 

Planning and Facility Assessment 

www.axis.com 

www.bakeru.edu 

www.bgcons.com 

13



Boardworks 

Education 

51 Boardworks is a ready-made, easy-touse, 

library of interactive and engaging 

content. Mapped to Kansas State Standards, 

Boardworks offers K-12 supplemental 

content in Math, Science, ELA, and History. 

With hundreds of lessons and thousands 

of activities, Boardworks is a turn-key 

resource that saves teachers countless 

hours of prep and is a great support for new 

and uncertified teachers, support staff, and 

substitutes. 

BrightThinker 

85 We offer Customizable K-12 online 

curriculum to schools and districts across the 

country. We serve these schools with a range 

of solutions which include remote learning, 

blended learning, credit recovery, CTE, Special 

Education and intervention. We do this with 

an individualized, self-paced and tightly aligned 

curriculum. 

Brown and 

Brown 

Building 

Controls and 

Services, Inc 

BuyBoard 

National 

Purchasing 

101, 102 Insurance Broker/Consultant - We look at 

insurance differently and use our experience, 

carrier relationships, and principled customer 

focus to deliver superior service and 

solutions. 

32 We are a Greenbush partner. We provide 

HVAC equipment, service, and total building 

automation (controls). 

www.boardworkseducation.com 

www.brightthinker.com 

www.bbrown.com 

www.bldgcontrols.com 

72 Kansas compliant purchasing cooperative www.buyboard.com 

Cooperative 

C&C Group 

22 Building Automation, Security Services, Power 

Systems, Networking, and Energy Services 

Central 

Mechanical 

Construction 

59 Mechanical Construction and Service 

(plumbing, HVAC and electrical) 

14 

www.c-cgroup.com 

www.centralmechanical.com



Cognia 

33 Cognia provides a systemic, comprehensive 

suite of school improvement tools aligned 

to our performance standards for quality 

schools and systems - early learning through 

grade 12. Schools can then choose to be 

accredited, with options for certification in 

STEM or CBE, including a co-accreditation 

option with KESA. 

Commerce 

Bank 

Commercial 

Laundry Sales 

CommLink IT 

Computer 

Information 

Concepts, Inc. 

(CIC) 

Core Displays 124 

93 The Prepaid Expense Card is a re-loadable, 

business prepaid Visa card that can make it 

easier for your office, employee per diem, 

travel expenditures or other purchases on 

behalf of your organization. 

4 We provide Sports Laundry equipment 

and offer excellent professional top of the 

line service across Kansas. We sell U.N.X 

Chemicals as well. 

98 Security Systems, IT Software and Hardware, 

IT Services, Paging Speakers, Telephone 

Systems 

131 Computer Information Concepts, Inc. (CIC) 

is the Kansas Infinite Campus / Tableau 

Partner. CIC provides sales, professional 

services, technical support and related 

products for student information and 

analytics systems. 

Digital signage, lighted sign packages for 

schools, scoreboards, indoor video boards. 

www.cognia.org 

www.commercebank.com 

www.clsands.com 

www.commlinkit.com 

www.cicesp.com 

www.core-displays.com 

15



Coryell 

Roofing and 

Construction 

Credit Union 

of America 

DCS 

Services, 

LLC 

113, 114 We offer a no cost and no obligation roofing 

inspection by our certified roofing inspectors 

will be helpful to you and your district. We 

also, will provide a full evaluation of your roof 

systems and you will receive a full report 

back at the completion of the process. 

No matter the extent of the roof damage, 

Coryell Roofing can guide you to the best 

solution – complete roof replacement, a 

metal roof retrofit, or alternative repair 

methods. Coryell specializes in commercial, 

institutional, and industrial roofing. We 

maximize our materials and process to 

withstand not only the harsh conditions 

found only in ""Hail Alley"" today but also 

lower energy costs down the road. 

www.coryellroofing.com 

79 We’ve been serving educators since 1935. www.cuofamerica.com 

What began as a $5 loan between coworkers 

at East High, is now a billion-dollar 

cooperative providing financial services, loans, 

and grants to those who selflessly inspire and 

cultivate the minds of our youth. 

*Just for Educators - Open a checking 

account, receive $200 

*It's a Money Thing - Easily-accessed free 

financial topics and inspiring content 

*TGIF Grants - Teach, Grow and Inspire the 

Future 

*Guaranteed Teacher Loan – up to $2,000 

*Educator's Loan Discount 

*CUA Speaker - Lead classroom discussion 

on Financial Literacy 

130 Construction Project Management www.dcsservices.net 

16



Discovery 

Education 

125 Discovery Education is the worldwide 

edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital 

platform supports learning wherever it 

takes place. Through its award-winning 

multimedia content, instructional supports, 

and innovative classroom tools, Discovery 

Education helps educators deliver equitable 

learning experiences engaging all students 

and supporting higher academic achievement 

on a global scale. Discovery Education 

serves approximately 4.5 million educators 

and 45 million students worldwide, and its 

resources are accessed in over 140 countries 

and territories. Inspired by the global media 

company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education 

partners with districts, states, and trusted 

organizations to empower teachers with 

leading edtech solutions that support the 

success of all learners. Explore the future of 

education at www.discoveryeducation.com 

DLR Group 

38, 45 Experts in K-12 Education Design and 

Planning. Empowering learners through 

a forward-looking research-informed 

design focus that delivers transformational 

opportunity and fulfillment for all. 

Educational 

Design 

Solutions 

Emporia 

State 

University 

Online 

83 Educational Design Solutions works with 

over 150,000 K-12 students in the Midwest, 

supporting schools with ELA, ELL, SEL, 

Emotional Wellness Solutions, Virtual and 

Credit Recovery. Some of the companies 

EDS represents include Cloud9World, 

SchoolsPLP, and FluencyRev. 

50 Online graduate programs for teachers/ 

principals, from Emporia State University 

Online. Programs in Educational 

Administration, Licensure in District 

Administration, Licensure in Building 

Administration, and four Curriculum and 

Instruction areas: Leadership, Instructional 

Coach, Effective Practitioner and National 

Board Certification. Affordable and finish in 

one year! 

www.discoveryeducation.com 

www.dlrgroup.com 

www.educationaldesignsolutions.com 

www./online.emporia.edu/gregg 

17



Energy 

Solutions 

Professionals 

Eskie & 

Associates, 

LLC 

15, 16 Energy audits, energy-saving improvements, 

facility improvements, indoor air quality, 

energy conservation training. 

41 Eskie & Associates is a WBE certified, family 

owned and operated Owner's Rep firm 

in construction and development this is 

dedicated to risk mitigation and protecting 

investments. Any ground up construction 

or major renovation can benefit from the 

knowledge and experience of our expert 

owner's reps. 

ESS 

111 ESS is the leading personnel and management 

solution for districts. The company provides 

a comprehensive program that streamlines 

administrative operations, improves 

technology performance, and places highquality 

substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, 

and support staff to over 900 districts 

nationwide. This full-service program gives 

these districts more resources and stronger 

classroom support, elevating student 

achievement and educational equity. 

www.energyesp.com 

www.eskieandassociates.com 

www.ESS.com 

18



Filament 

Essential 

Services 

Fort Hays 

State 

University 

39 Our goal at Filament Essential Services 

is to simplify life for the clients we serve. 

Since 1986, we have supported education 

organizations by providing time-saving and 

cost-effective services that alleviate pain 

points including: 

- SOCS Websites and Apps - A CMS with 

visually stunning sites anyone in your 

organization can maintain. Plus, an app that 

enables mobile site updates and one for your 

audience to help them stay connected. 

- Branding and Video - A strong brand (which 

is more than a nice logo) can help you stand 

out from the rest and instill pride in your 

organization. Then share your impact with an 

emotional and compelling video. 

- Data Security - Protecting your data is 

becoming increasingly more important. Our 

experts will help keep yours safe. 

- Tech Support - Technology is great when 

it works. When it doesn't, call us. Our tech 

gurus will get you back on track. 

- Payroll and Bookkeeping - Let us manage 

your finances, help you prepare for audits and 

keep your payroll and bookkeeping in check. 

Contact us today for a website demo, a noobligation 

estimate or chat about any other 

way we might be able to help relieve some of 

your pain points. 

19 School display for recruitment purposes for 

Advanced Education Students 

www.filamentservices.org 

www.fhsu.edu 

19



Frontline 

Education 

Generation 

Esports / High 

School Esports 

League 

Globe Life 

Famly Heritage 

Rogers Agency 

Great 

American 

Hardwood 

Flooring Inc. 

Greenbush 

Cooperative 

Purchasing 

56 Frontline Education is a leading provider of 

school administration software, connecting 

solutions for student and special programs, 

business operations and human capital 

management with powerful analytics to 

empower educators. Frontline partners with 

school systems to deliver tools, data and 

insights that support greater efficiency and 

productivity, enabling school leaders to spend 

more time and resources executing strategies 

that drive educator effectiveness, student 

success and district excellence. Over 10,000 

clients representing millions of educators, 

administrators and support personnel have 

partnered with Frontline Education in their 

efforts to develop the next generation of 

learners. 

28 THE HOME FOR ALL GAMERS TO 

COMPETE, CREATE, & LEARN TOGETHER 

121, 122 We provide supplemental benefits to school 

staff at no cost to the district or added work. 

150 Installation of Wood Floors for gyms, 

stages, etc; Sanding, finishing, and general 

maintenance of wood floors 

6, 7 For more than 45 years, The Purchasing 

Cooperative at Greenbush has helped 

schools, municipalities, and other 

organizations, save time and money through 

cooperative purchasing. 

www.frontlineeducation.com 

www.generationesports.com 

www.globelifefamilyheritage.com 

www.greatamericanflooring.com 

www.greenbush.org 

20



Haddock 

Education 

Technologies 

Heartland 

Seating, Inc. 

Hellas 

Construction, 

Inc 

Hollis + Miller 

Architects 

Hope Squad 

Horace Mann 

Companies 

13, 14 Haddock Education Technologies the 

premier reseller for ActiveFloor, Anywhere 

Cart, Audio Enhancement, Balance Box, 

Boxlight-Mimio, Blue Chalk Digital, Class VR, 

Earthwalk, FrontRow, Galaxy G2, Haven Lock, 

HoverCam, IPEVO, Lu Interactive Playground, 

MakerBot, One Screen, Promethean, 

Recordex, Touchview, Newline, Woz Ed and 

Vivitek products, professional development, 

service and support 

141 Spectator Seating - Indoor and outdoor 

bleachers, grandstands, auditorium seating. 

3 Hellas Construction is the complete, onestop 

solution for sports construction, 

offering long-term durability and unparalleled 

customer commitment. Since the company’s 

inception, Hellas has managed to impact 

more than 5 million students across the 

nation. With clients ranging from elementary 

schools and local parks, to the Home of the 

Dallas Cowboys, Hellas Construction delivers 

on time, every time, for every client 

116 Hollis + Miller Architects, an integrated 

design firm 100% committed to education 

and learning environments, harnesses the 

power of co-creation to develop researchbased 

designs supporting learners of all ages. 

THURSDAY 

ONLY 

Hope Squad is a school based peer-to-peer 

suicide prevention program that trains and 

mentors students nominated by their peers 

to perform intentional outreach with fellow 

students. There are approximately 1600 Hope 

Squads in 44 states, serving students from 4th 

grade to 12th grade. 

www.haddock.com 

www.heartlandseating.com 

www.hellasconstruction.com 

www.hollisandmiller.com 

www.hopesquad.com 

52 Insurance and Financial Services www.horacemann.com 

21



Houghton 

Mifflin 

Harcourt 

HTK 

ARchitects 

40 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a learning 

technology company committed to delivering 

connected solutions that engage learners, 

empower educators and improve student 

outcomes. As a leading provider of K–12 core 

curriculum, supplemental and intervention 

solutions and professional learning services, 

HMH partners with educators and school 

districts to uncover solutions that unlock 

students' potential and extend teachers' 

capabilities. HMH serves more than 50 

million students and 4 million educators in 

150 countries. 

24, 31 Full service Architectural Firm specializing 

in PreK-12 Educational Design and Bond 

Planning. 

Hutton 

139 General contractor specializing in school 

projects 

IMA Financial 

Group 

Imagine 

96, 97 Imagine Learning is a leader in providing core 

curriculum and supplemental solutions for 

Learning 

K-12 students. 

INA Alert, Inc. 

112, 119 We are a woman owned small business 

that delivers premium technology that is 

traditionally only available in metro areas 

to rural communities across Kansas and 

neighboring states. Positively impacting the 

rural communities, we serve by creating 

safe and secure facilities with our premium 

technology solutions. We have Service 

professionals and Sales executives covering 

the entire state, making us available when 

and where you need us. We offer Camera 

Surveillance Systems, Access Control (Smart 

Door Controls), Emergency Alert Software, 

VOIP Phone Systems, Air Quality Sensors and 

Intercom systems. All integrated to work 

together for ease of use. 

www.hmhco.com 

www.htkarchitects.com 

www.huttonbuilds.com 

10, 11 Benefits Broker/Consultant www.imacorp.com 

www.imaginelearning.com 

www.INAalert.com 

22



incite Design 

Studio 

44 incite Design Studio, LLC (iDS) was founded 

in 2001 to provide quality, client-focused 

architectural design services better than any 

other firm. Throughout the course of our 

projects, we pride ourselves in excellence 

in design, communication, teamwork, and 

building long lasting relationships with our 

clients. 

Istation 

115 For more than 20 years, Istation has been 

supporting educators on over 8,500 

campuses and inspiring a love of learning in 

4 million students and counting. Empowering 

educators with one seamless, intuitive 

platform of assessment, instruction, and 

intervention, Istation gives schools the 

reliable data they need to predict student 

success and see powerful growth. 

IXL Learning 

94 IXL’s teaching and learning platform is used 

by 14 million students. Our comprehensive, 

standards-aligned curriculum adapts to 

each student and provides instructional 

guidance that targets their individual needs. 

With a first-of-its-kind assessment suite 

and actionable analytics, teachers and 

administrators have the insights they need to 

boost student performance. 

K12itc 

86 Focus on your students, and let us focus on 

your technology. From a rapidly changing 

learning environment to a shrinking IT 

workforce, schools nationwide are facing 

extraordinary technology management 

challenges right now. K12itc is here to 

help! Meet Albert … our expert, all-in-one 

platform for managing your school’s network 

equipment and technology support. . 

www.incitedesignstudio.com 

www.istation.com 

www.ixl.com 

www.k12itc.com 

23



Kansas 

Association 

of Special 

Education 

Administrators 

Kansas Corn 

STEM 

Kansas 

Principals 

Association 

Kansas State 

University 

Kansas 

Traffic Safety 

Resource 

Office 

77 Professional Organization www.KASEA.org 

48 Striving to build conversations about 

the science and technology involved in 

producing and utilizing corn, Kansas Corn 

STEM provides free lessons, supplies and 

professional development opportunities for 

teachers PreK-12. All lessons meet Next 

Generation Science Standards. 

kscorn.com/kansas-corn-stem 

76 Kansas Principals Association www.ksprincipals.org 

43 Promoting K-State college of education 

programs. 

67 SAFE program, Booster to Belts program, 

free traffic safety materials, newsletters, etc. 

www.ksu.edu 

www.ktsro.org 

KBS, Inc. 

61 Insurance, Consulting and Benefits www.thekbsway.com 

KCAV 

66, 74 KCAV provides AV sales, design, installation, 

training and support services for schools and 

businesses to create engaging spaces to learn, 

work and share. 

www.kcav.com 

24



KCCTE 

148 The Kansas Center for CTE was created kccte.pittstate.edu 

with the purpose of providing technical and 

professional development for Career and 

Technical Education (CTE) instructors. 

KCCTE has the following four objectives: 

1. Provide technical workshops to Kansas 

CTE instructors. These workshops will offer 

CTE instructors professional development 

opportunities to practice industry skills 

within their occupational area. 

2. Provide a mentoring program to Kansas 

CTE instructors. This service will ensure 

that first-year instructors are paired with 

an experienced CTE instructor within their 

same pathway. 

3. Provide an online resource sharing 

library at no cost to Kansas CTE 

instructors. Resources may include lesson 

plans, classroom management tips, and 

organizational tools. 

4. Provide Technical Teacher Education 

coursework to Kansas CTE instructors. This 

coursework will continue to be the quality 

instruction that the PSU Technical Teacher 

Education program has been providing in 

the past, as it is specifically geared toward 

assisting CTE instructors acquire their 

credentials and classroom skills. 

117 Education staffing company www.kellyeducation.com 

Kelly Education 

Key Apparel 

1, 1A Key Apparel is a Kansas based apparel 

manufacturer specializing in outerwear, 

office wear, hoodies, jackets, and sweatshirts. 

We offer in-house embroidery and screen 

printing, and bulk discounts for schools. 

Lakeshore 

Learning 

Materials 

www.keyapparel.com 

75 Learning Materials www.Lakeshorelearning.com 

25



Lifetouch 

8, 9 Every picture tells a story, and nothing 

should get in the way of that. We believe life 

is about making memories and sharing them 

with others. Our intent is to help people 

live in the moment, capture memories, and 

share what matters, knowing that every 

moment counts. With our large network 

of photographers nationwide we can help 

preserve every moment so you can enjoy and 

capture life’s memories. 

Mammoth 

Sports 

Construction 

McCownGordon 

Mid-States 

School 

Equipment Co. 

Inc. 

Midwest Bus 

Sales, Inc /DS 

Bus Lines 

Midwest Single 

Source 

88, 95 Mammoth is a modern master build firm 

dedicated to building the places where 

passion and community collide. We can 

consult, create, and construct sports projects 

of any size and budget. 

69 Our dedicated K-12 education construction 

team focuses on building new and 

renovating both public and private schools. 

When renovating occupied schools our 

team focuses on minimizing disruptions, 

incorporating learning lessons, and most 

importantly, student, faculty and visitor safety. 

McCownGordon proudly constructs schools 

across the Midwest that foster students’ 

learning. 

2 Telescopic seating, auditorium seating, 

outdoor grandstands, library furniture, 

cafeteria tables and classroom furniture 

www.lifetouch.com 

www.mammothbuilt.com 

www.mccowngordon.com 

www.msseci.com 

BUS #2 Thomas school bus sales, parts, and service www.midwestbussales.com 

151 Spirit Wear, Furniture and turnkey solutions 

for cafeteria, STEAM/STEM Labs, Promotional 

Items 

midwestsinglesource.com 

26



Midwest 

Transit 

Equipment, Inc 

ModRN Health 20 

BUS #3 

New and used school bus sales, service, parts, 

leasing, and financing. 

ModRN Health is onsite and 24/7 virtual 

healthcare for teachers, staff, administrators, 

and their families. We assign a nurse + doctor 

care team for your people. Nurses come 

onsite periodically for consults, to read 

biometric screening results, review/prescribe 

medicine, and anything in between. 

We know how hard it is to find and retain 

great talent. ModRN Health makes it 

convenient for educators to take care of 

themselves as much as they take care of kids. 

Monkeythis 

80 Marketing and communications for public 

schools with an emphasis on effective use of 

social media. 

Multistudio 

70 Architectural Design, Professional 

Development, Research 

Musco Sports 

Lighting 

National Bus 

Sales 

www.midwesttransit.com 

www.modrnhealth.com 

www.monkeythis.com 

www.multi.studio 

53 Musco has shaped the history of sports 

lighting since 1976. The company’s TLC for 

LED technology delivers unmatched light 

quality, control, efficiency, and reliability. 

www.musco.com 

BUS #1 School buses, Ultra Coachliner, Motorcoaches www.nationalbus.com 

Navitas 

58, 65 Navitas provides facility solutions with a 

focus on energy and operational efficiency. 

We help our clients conserve resources and 

redirect existing budgets toward sustainable 

and cost-effective renewal of their facilities. 

Network for 

Educator 

Effectiveness 

36 Comprehensive resources, tools, and services 

for effective and meaningful educator 

evaluation processes 

www.navitas.us.com 

www.neeadvantage.com 

27



Newkirk 

Novak 

Construction 

Partners 

Newman 

University 

OFG Financial 

Services, Inc 

Opaa! Food 

Management 

Oral Health 

Kansas, Inc 

Piper Sandler 

& Co. 

Pitsco 

Education 

108 Newkirk Novak Construction Partners 

is a full-service construction firm offering 

preconstruction, construction, designbuild, 

general contracting and construction 

management services. Newkirk Novak’s 

ultimate goal is to bring value to our 

partners by providing creative solutions 

and an unmatched client experience. We 

form partnerships that allow our clients and 

employees to realize their dreams, visions 

and goals. Our work is a success when we 

are able to understand our client's business 

and needs so completely that our alliance 

extends beyond what is physically crafted. 

92 Graduate degree programs in reading 

specialist with dyslexia emphasis, ESOL, 

building leadership, district leadership, and a 

new Masters of Science in Teaching 

140 Financial Services 

www.newkirknovak.com 

www.newmanu.edu 

87 K-12 School food service www.opaafood.com 

78 We'll have oral health resources as well 

as information on water access in schools 

through the Thirsty for Health project. 

30 Bond Underwriting, Direct Bank Placements, 

and Municipal Advisory Services 

12 For over 50 years Pitsco Education has 

been a leader in future-ready learning 

fundamentally rooted in STEM. We help 

schools personalize learning and create 

learning environments that address all 

learning styles and help all students find 

success while solving problems, being 

creative, articulating ideas, exploring careers, 

and thinking with their hands. 

www.oralhealthkansas.org 

www.pipersandler.com 

www.pitsco.com 

28



Playscape 

Recreation 

Proximity 

Learning 

Public 

Consulting 

Group 

Pur-O-Zone, 

Inc. 

26 Playground equipment www.playscaperecreation.com 

27 Proximity Learning provides live K-12 virtual 

teaching services strategically curated to keep 

students engaged and excelling. Committed 

to providing equality in education across 

the US, Proximity Learning’s livestreamed 

solutions offer schools quick and easy access 

to highly trained and certified teachers to 

expand courses or fill even the hardest-tofill 

positions. Dedicated to quality education, 

Proximity Learning teachers leverage top-tier 

technology and customizable curriculum to 

provide a hands-on and interactive learning 

experience that ensures high academic 

achievement. In business for more than 14 

years, Proximity Learning is a long-term 

partner that delivers long-term results. 

99 Public Consulting Group LLC (PCG) 

is a leading public sector solutions 

implementation and operations improvement 

firm that partners with health, education, 

and human services agencies to improve 

lives. Founded in 1986 and headquartered 

in Boston, Massachusetts, PCG employs 

approximately 2,000 professionals 

worldwide—all committed to delivering 

solutions that change lives for the better. 

PCG offers education consulting services 

and technology solutions that help schools, 

school districts, and state education agencies/ 

ministries of education to promote student 

success, improve programs and processes, 

and optimize financial resources. 

100 Equipment maintenance, cleaning supplies, 

consultation and related support services. 

www.proxlearn.com 

www.publicconsultinggroup. 

com/education 

www.purozone.com 

29



Quantum 

Resource 

Professionals 

Raymond 

James & 

Associates 

Reality U - The 

Pando Initiative 

84 Quantum Resource Professionals hires highly 

skilled professionals to work in a variety of 

client settings. We have full-time, part-time, 

school-based, PRN and traveling employment 

opportunities. Quantum employees have 

schedule flexibility and are never required to 

work holidays or weekends. We understand 

what is important to both our clients and 

our therapists. 

106, 107 Raymond James provides financial advisory 

and municipal bond underwriting services for 

school bond issues in Kansas. 

5 Reality U brings a bit of “reality” to students 

through a 75-minute interactive and engaging 

personal finance simulation. Students imagine 

their life as a 26-year-old and complete an 

online Real U. This information is entered 

into our trademarked software, along with 

their current GPA, to create a unique and 

individualized future scenario. Each scenario 

includes the student’s monthly income, 

credit score, student loan information, as 

well as marital and family status. Students 

are given a checkbook register to track 

their monthly purchases from the 12 booths 

representing services and/or products that 

adults typically must purchase or consider 

each month. Sometimes they must return a 

“purchase” and make a different decision. 

The checkbook register can’t fall below zero! 

This event actively engages students to help 

them understand the importance of how 

their performance in school today impacts 

their future. It also provides the community 

an opportunity to share in local students’ 

learning and developing an understanding of 

the world of work. 

www.quantum-pros.com 

www.RJPublicFinance.com 

www.realityu.org 

30



Renaissance 

82, 89 Renaissance is a global leader in assessment, 

reading, math, and early literacy solutions 

for pre-K–12 schools and districts. We are 

committed to providing educators with 

resources to help students build a strong 

foundation for success. Our portfolio 

includes solutions for assessment, practice, 

data-driven insights, and teacher-facilitated 

instructional delivery. 

Riggs 

Recreation 

Equipment, Inc. 

110 Your Local Provider for Commercial 

Playground Equipment, Playground Safety 

Surfacing, Shade Structures and Pre-Fab 

Shelters, Outdoor Exercise Equipment and 

other Outdoor Athletic and Play Equipment. 

We can assist you with a turn-key, complete 

Installation! We repair and resurface Outdoor 

Tennis Courts and Basketball Courts, as well 

as Running Tracks. Contact us for a free site 

evaluation! 

SafeDefend 

142, 143 SafeDefend provides the full complement of 

safety support including training designed 

and delivered by the former Chief of the 

Behavioral Science Unit for the FBI. From 

identification, intervention, and behavioral 

analysis that supports schools prior to 

an event, to best practices, notification 

solutions, response, and crisis management 

during a crisis. SafeDefend is the only fully 

comprehensive solution provider available. 

Sandifer 

Engineering 

Savvas 

Learning 

Company 

Schaefer 

Architecture 

www.renaissance.com 

www.riggsrec.com 

www.safedefend.com 

63, 64 Security, Fire Protection & HVAC Controls www.sandifercontrols.com 

37 At Savvas, we believe learning should inspire. 

Our next-generation K-12 learning solutions 

engage students and empower teachers, 

helping all learners discover their greatness. 

134 Schaefer Architecture has accomplished 

hundreds of projects across the Midwest 

in every scope, size, and area. Educational 

work, Recreation, and Master Plan/Bond Issue 

studies are of our specialties. 

31 

www.Savvas.com 

www.schaefer-arch.com



Schneider 

Electric 

23 We help our clients design an energy 

management strategy, deliver efficiency 

in their facilities and sustain results over 

time through long-term partnerships. As an 

unbiased, independent consultant, we work 

with clients in more than 100 countries, from 

regional companies to the world’s largest 

corporations. 

Scholastic 

46 Scholastic supports literacy and math 

both in the classroom and out. Family and 

Community Engagement, core/intervention/ 

supplemental curriculum for literacy and 

math, and authentic children's literature for 

classroom libraries to independent reading 

both digitally and in print. 

School 

Specialty 

THURSDAY 

ONLY 

At School Specialty, we offer award-winning 

brands and over 100,000 items. School 

Specialty brands address the full spectrum of 

educational needs, from basic school supplies 

to furniture and playground equipment, to 

standards-based curriculum solutions. That 

means that you can find everything you 

need for your classroom from one trusted 

provider. 

SchooLinks 

49 SchooLinks is a modern college and career 

readiness platform that supports districts' 

implementation of a comprehensive 

curriculum and framework to prepare 

students for the post-secondary pathway of 

their choice. Containing more than eighty 

interactive student experiences from interest 

discoveries, academic planning, and soft skill 

development - SchooLinks offers internship 

matching, career mentorship, industry partner 

management, and more to help districts 

support holistic postsecondary readiness. 

perspectives.se.com 

www.scholastic.com 

www.schoolspecialty.com 

www.SchooLinks.com 

32



SchoolStatus 

54 SchoolStatus provides simple solutions 

for K-12 School Districts who need 

accessible student data and district-wide 

communication tools to increase parent and 

student engagement. The platform aggregates 

information from assessments, benchmarks, 

SIS, LMS, attendance and discipline systems 

and pairs this with call, text and email 

capability for data-informed communications 

between school and home. 

ScootPad 

29 Learning Explorer is the intuitive lessonbuilding 

and student engagement platform 

that gives educators a unified digital resource 

library to find instructional resources and 

activities, including high-quality, standardsaligned 

content from PBS, SciShow, National 

Geographic, and Khan Academy. And Learning 

Explorer provides PLCs and curriculum 

teams with a central, searchable hub and 

powerful lesson-building tools so teachers 

can easily find, share, and use district-curated 

materials to create student lessons. See why 

educators love Learning Explorer’s ability 

to save instructional time, find and re-use 

resources, and ensure the highest-quality, 

most impactful resources are used in the 

classroom. 

sisu 

21 We provide social and emotional learningbased 

curriculums, peer support, and mental 

health services to support the needs of 

today’s classroom. 

Smith System 

68 Smith System - We don’t make educational 

furniture as part of what we do. It’s the only 

thing we do. We design for all learners. With 

a century of experience, we’ve learned what 

makes education different from any other 

environment (spoiler alert: quite a lot), and 

have made it our business to cater to those 

unique qualities. 

www.SchoolStatus.com 

www.learningexplorer.com 

www.sisu-way.co 

www.smithsystem.com 

33



SOPA, Inc. 

103 SOPA, Inc. is full-service provider of 

educational furniture including bleachers 

(fixed and telescopic), gymnasium equipment 

such as goals, scoreboards, wall padding, etc.), 

auditorium/theater seating, and classroom 

seating. We are also a full-service provider for 

service and repair of your existing products. 

Our experienced team can perform itemized 

safety inspections on athletic furniture, and in 

particular telescopic bleacher seating. 

Southwest 

Solutions 

Group 

Stifel, Nicolaus 

and Company, 

Incorporated 

Strawbridge 

Studios 

132 At Southwest Solutions Group, we have 

put a lot of time and effort into creating a 

collection of school storage systems. We 

offer shelving, furniture, athletic storage, 

casework and filing solutions. When schools 

are organized, they can operate better and 

focus on serving their students rather than 

looking for missing materials or equipment. 

144, 145 Year-Round assistance with Bond Issues and 

School Finance Matters. 

www.SOPAinc.com 

www.southwestsolutions.com 

www.stifel.com 

126 School Photography and Yearbooks www.strawbridge.net 

Synlawn 

35 Synthetic turf- Playground turf and pour and 

play 

SYWE360 

42 SYWE360 is a software evaluation tool that www.swye360.com 

collects, accesses, and aggregates Return on 

Investment and Return on Academics on all 

paid and non-paid software being used in the 

district, by both students and teachers. 

90 LED Outdoor Sports Lighting www.Sportlighting.com 

Techline Sports 

Lighting 

The Garland 

Company, Inc. 

118 High-performance roofing and building 

envelope solutions. 

www.kansascityartificiallawns.com 

www.garlandco.com 

34



TIPS - The 

Interlocal 

Purchasing 

System 

Toolkit 

Technologies 

55 TIPS is a leading national purchasing 

cooperative offering members access to 

competitively priced purchasing contracts 

that save time and money by leveraging 

the purchasing power of our 10,000 active 

member agencies. “TIPS – Purchasing Made 

Personal” 

146, 147 We are a proud distributor of hands-on 

training systems, curriculum and digital 

training tools for both industry and 

education. Our vision is to prepare the 

workforce of tomorrow with state-of-the 

art technologies and experiential learning 

solutions. We work hand-in-hand with leading 

global manufacturers and the most wellrespected 

brands in the industry to provide 

students of all ages industry-aligned training 

opportunities in areas such as Automation 

and Robotics, Transportation (automotive 

tech, diesel and heavy truck, and EVs), and 

Construction Technologies. We will be 

presenting our robotics training solutions 

along with our hands-on Electric Vehicle 

system that students build from the groundup, 

and our best-in-class driving+operation 

simulator that allows students to get handson 

training on over 20+ vehicles/equipment 

types related to construction, agriculture, 

supply chain logistics, and more! Toolkit's 

training products are designed to meet your 

students where they are at currently, and 

empower them with the skills necessary for 

successful careers in STEM and Industry. 

Trane U.S. Inc. 

120, 128 Trane is a global provider of indoor comfort 

systems and a leader in creating highperformance 

building environments with 

energy efficient heating and cooling, lighting, 

building automation, and plant monitoring. In 

collaboration with KBOR and KSDE Trane 

developed CTE programming for secondary 

and post-secondary students with Industry 

Recognized Certifications from the NC3- 

National Coalition of Certification Centers. 

35 

www.tips-usa.com 

www.toolkittech.com 

www.Trane.com/ 

KansasCity



Twotrees 

Technologies 

Universal 

Construction 

Company 

109 Twotrees Technologies is a technology 

solutions provider dedicated to servicing 

K-12 and higher-ed customers. From 

Chromebooks and teacher devices, 

interactive boards, and VR solutions all the 

way up to networking equipment, firewall 

management, and network configuration 

services, Twotrees is your one-stop shop for 

"anything with a blinky light" that you would 

find in a school! 

123 Construction Management and On-Call 

Owner's Representative Services 

Verkada 

91 Physical security platform. Security Cameras, 

access control, Vape sensors, Panic buttons, 

Alarms, Guest check-in 

Virco 

Manufacturing 

VS AMERICA 

www.twotrees.com 

www.universalconstruction.net 

www.verkada.com 

138 K-12 Furniture www.virco.com 

81 VS America is a leading provider of innovative 

furniture solutions for Student-Centered 

learning spaces 

62 Providing superior spray solutions since 1979 

Washington 

Roofing 

Wiens & 

149 Construction manager services, facility 

planning, bidding of construction projects 

Company 

Construction 

Wray Roofing 

105 Repair/replacement of low-sloped and/or 

flat roofs. Roof analysis, leak repairs, writing 

specs., free estimates. 

www.vsamerica.com 

www.wiensco.com 

www.wrayroofing.com 

36


BY BOOTH NUMBER 

Key Apparel 

1, 1A 

Mid-States School Equipment Co. Inc. 2 

Hellas Construction, Inc 3 

Commercial Laundry Sales 4 

Reality U - The Pando Initiative 5 

Greenbush Cooperative Purchasing 6, 7 

Lifetouch 8, 9 

IMA Financial Group 10, 11 

Pitsco Education 12 

Haddock Education Technologies 13, 14 

Energy Solutions Professionals 15, 16 

Amplify 17 

Fort Hays State University 19 

ModRN Health 20 

sisu 21 

C&C Group 22 

Schneider Electric 23 

HTK ARchitects 24, 31 

A-Lert Roof Systems 25 

Playscape Recreation 26 

Proximity Learning 27 

Generation Esports / High School Esports 28 

League 

ScootPad 29 

Piper Sandler & Co. 30 

Building Controls and Services, Inc 32 

Cognia 33 

ACT, Inc. 34 

Synlawn 35 

Network for Educator Effectiveness 36 

Savvas Learning Company 37 

DLR Group 38, 45 

Filament Essential Services 39 

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 40 

Eskie & Associates, LLC 41 

SYWE360 42 

Kansas State University 43 

incite Design Studio 44 

Scholastic 46 

Baker University 47 

Kansas Corn STEM 48 

SchooLinks 49 

Emporia State University Online 50 

Boardworks Education 51 

Horace Mann Companies 52 

Musco Sports Lighting 53 

SchoolStatus 54 

TIPS - The Interlocal Purchasing System 55 

Frontline Education 56 

Alloy Architecture 57 

Navitas 58, 65 

Central Mechanical Construction 59 

AGTAC SERVICES, LLC 60 

KBS, Inc. 61 

Washington Roofing 62 

Sandifer Engineering 63, 64 

KCAV 66, 74 

Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office 67 

Smith System 68 

McCownGordon 69 

Multistudio 70 

Air Reading 71 

BuyBoard National Purchasing Cooperative 72 

Axis Communications 73 

Lakeshore Learning Materials 75 

Kansas Principals Association 76 

Kansas Association of Special Education 77 

Administrators 

Oral Health Kansas, Inc 78 

Credit Union of America 79 

Monkeythis 80 

VS AMERICA 81 

37

Renaissance 82, 89 

Educational Design Solutions 83 

Quantum Resource Professionals 84 

BrightThinker 85 

K12itc 86 

Opaa! Food Management 87 

Mammoth Sports Construction 88, 95 

Techline Sports Lighting 90 

Verkada 91 

Newman University 92 

Commerce Bank 93 

IXL Learning 94 

Imagine Learning 96, 97 

CommLink IT 98 

Public Consulting Group 99 

Pur-O-Zone, Inc. 100 

Brown and Brown 101, 102 

SOPA, Inc. 103 

BG Consultants, Inc. 104 

Wray Roofing 105 

Raymond James & Associates 106, 107 

Newkirk Novak Construction Partners 108 

Twotrees Technologies 109 

Riggs Recreation Equipment, Inc. 110 

ESS 111 

INA Alert, Inc. 112, 119 

Coryell Roofing and Construction 113, 114 

Istation 115 

Hollis + Miller Architects 116 

Kelly Education 117 

The Garland Company, Inc. 118 

Trane U.S. Inc. 120, 128 

Globe Life Famly Heritage Rogers Agency 121, 122 

Universal Construction Company 123 

Core Displays 124 

Discovery Education 125 

Strawbridge Studios 126 

American Fidelity 127, 135 

Athco 129 

DCS Services, LLC 130 

Computer Information Concepts, Inc. (CIC) 131 

Southwest Solutions Group 132 

Apptegy 133 

Schaefer Architecture 134 

Ameritime LLC 136, 137 

Virco Manufacturing 138 

Hutton 139 

OFG Financial Services, Inc 140 

Heartland Seating, Inc. 141 

SafeDefend 142, 143 

Stifel, Nicolaus and Company, Incorporated 144, 145 

Toolkit Technologies 146, 147 

KCCTE 148 

Wiens & Company Construction 149 

Great American Hardwood Flooring Inc. 150 

Midwest Single Source 151 

National Bus Sales BUS #1 

Midwest Bus Sales, Inc /DS Bus Lines BUS #2 

Midwest Transit Equipment, Inc BUS #3 

Hope Squad 

School Specialty 

UPSTAIRS 

THURSDAY 

UPSTAIRS 

THURSDAY 

38

2023 EXHIBITOR 

BOOTH MAP 

Douglas Street 

VESTIBULE 

MAIN ENTRY 

WEST LOADING DOCK 

TICKET 

BOOTH 

Parking Lot 

Douglas & Waco 

WEST LOADING DOCK 

CONCESSION WOMEN 

MEN 

STORAGE 

Bar 

9 

8 

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 

52 53 54 55 56 57 58 

Drape Line 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 

Food 

38 39 40 41 42 43 44 

45 46 47 48 49 50 51 

66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 

Bus #1 

USA Kansas Convention 

Century II Expo Hall 

May 31, 2023 

WOMEN 

MEN 

7 

6 

5 

59 60 61 62 63 64 65 

82 83 84 85 86 87 88 

74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 

96 97 98 99 100 

Bus #2 

4 

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 

101 102 103 104 105 

Hyatt Gallery 

8' Drape 

3 

2 

1 

106 107 108 109 110 111 112 

113 114 115 116 117 118 119 

120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 

128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 

Bar 

Bus #3 

Entrance 

Food 

DOORS TO 

HYATT 

Water 

Station 

136 137 138 139 140 

141 142 143 

144 145 146 147 148 149 150 

Bus #4 

40'W x 20'H DOOR 

EMERGENCY EXITS 

Waterman & Main 

EMERGENCY EXITS 

39

USA-Kansas Raffle Drawings for Great Prizes in Expo Hall 

4:00 - 7:00 p.m. 

Please take time to visit our 2023 vendors and business partners. With their support, we are able to offer 

additional convention activities and programming. We have several vendors that have donated to a raffle 

drawing for some great prizes. During the vendor reception at various times from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. we will have 

raffle drawings. 

To participate in the drawing you will need to visit a vendor’s booth and they will give you a “Prize Sponsor 

Buck” for you to take to the announcer booth. Please print your name and district on the back of your buck 

and put it in any of the drawing boxes to win prizes at the USA-KS booth located in the center Expo Hall 

under the large celling circle. 

You must be present to win and will have 15 minutes to claim your prize before another winner is drawn 

(everything must be picked up by 7:00 p.m.). Drawings will be held at the following times: 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 

5:45 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and grand prize at 7:00 p.m. 

ALSO: During the Showcase administrators will have a scavenger hunt to have initialed. Once 

completed, turn that in at the USA-KS BOOTH to be eligible for the GRAND PRIZE! 

2023 Raffle Prizes 

$100 Gift Cards for each – Bass Pro Shops (2), Bath & Body Works, Omaha Steaks, Amazon (5) 

$50 Gift Cards for each – Panera (4) 

2023-2024 Complimentary USA-Kansas Dues 

2024 Complimentary USA-Kansas Convention Registration 

2024 Complimentary Women’s Leadership Summit Registration 

GRAND PRIZE - $500 Airline Gift Card Sponsored by Brown & Brown 

USA-KS Staff Gift Baskets 

G.A. – Dress for Success 

Jerry – European Basket 

Cara – Firepit Fun 

Jessica – Life is Sweet 

Kim – KC Chiefs World Champs Wine Collection 

Sara – Date Night 

Houston – Local Craft Beer 

Jessi – Summer Vibes 

Marty – Coffee Break 

Ann – A Day at the Pool 

40 

2023 RAFFLE 

PRIZES 

2023 Raffle Sponsors 

Kelly Education 

Wray Roofing

Helping 

teachers help 

students help 

themselves. 

Renaissance provides the right digital tools and 

insights to unlock the potential within every child. 

© 2023 Renaissance Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. | www.renaissance.com 

662299.0423 

Providing benefits and 

consulting services to 

K-12 public schools 

IMACORP.COM/BENEFITS

LEARNING CLUSTER 

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE 

Time 

Location Session Title 

8:30a-9:15a Peach 201 A This is Us: Three Students, Three Connections 

8:30a-9:15a Peach 201 B Confronting the Inevitable Truth 

8:30a-9:15a 

Cherry 202B 

The Future of Manufacturing: Preparing the Workforce of 

Tomorrow 

8:30a-9:15a Birch 203 

Promoting a Culture of Literacy: Engaging and Empowering 

Families for Student Success 

8:30a-9:15a Cedar 204 

Revesting in Your Facilities Using Federal Opportunities, Grants, 

and Energy Savings. 

8:30a-9:15a Maple 205 

Relationships & Socio Emotional Learning- It's Not Fluff. It 

Works! 

8:30a-9:15a Oak 206 Maximizing (or Creating) Your District's Education Foundation 

8:30a-9:15a Osage 207 Four Leadership Lessons Learned from Loss 

8:30a-9:15a Walnut 208 

Using existing investments to simplify work-based learning for 

students and professional development for teachers 

8:30a-9:15a 

Cypress 209 A 

You're Gettin' On My Nerves: Addressing Adult and Child 

Dysregulation Through the Lens of Applied Educational 

Neuroscience 

8:30a -9:15a Cypress 209 B Elevate Learning with Sustainable Change 

8:30a-9:15a Redbud 210 A Legislative update 

8:30a-9:15a Redbud 210 B Staff and Parent Communication Made Interactive and Easy 

8:30a-9:15a 

Redbud 210 C 

“No Comment” = Not an Option – Addressing Difficult Matters 

Head-On 

9:30a-10:15a Peach 201 A Bridging the Gap, the Neodesha Promise 

9:30a-10:15a Peach 201 B Build Up Kansas 

9:30a-10:15a Cherry 202 A Roofing 101... What you need to know 

9:30a-10:15a Cherry 202B Promoting Student Agency with Student Products and Exhibitions 

9:30a-10:15a Birch 203 

Increasing Retention of CTE Teachers using the KCCTE 

Mentoring Program 

9:30a-10:15a Cedar 204 HR Basics for Administrators 

9:30a-10:15a Maple 205 

Student Success - Providing Opportunities for Students with 

Post-Secondary Success as the Goal 

9:30a-10:15a Oak 206 Facilities and Education Working Together 

9:30a-10:15a Osage 207 

Revolutionizing K-12 Education: Exploring the Benefits and 

Challenges of AI and ChatGPT 

43


Time 


9:30a-10:15a Walnut 208 A Three Year Plan To Field Turf 

The Perfect Dance of Administration, Social Work, and School 

9:30a-10:15a 

Cypress 209 A Counseling 

9:30a-10:15a Cypress 209 B Focusing School Improvement through the Lens of PLCs 

9:30a-10:15a Redbud 210 A Speaking with your Legislator in your school setting 

9:30a-10:15a 

Redbud 210 B 

Why and How School Districts Should be involved with 

Childcare Today! 

9:30a-10:15a 

Redbud 210 C 

Free Speech and Student Discipline: Where Does The School 

Gate Stop? 

10:30a-11:15a Peach 201 A I can be more than a mechanic 

10:30a-11:15a Peach 201 B Out of the Box School Counseling 

10:30a-11:15a Cherry 202B Partnerships in K-12 Cybersecurity and Technology 

10:30a-11:15a Birch 203 Building an Instructional Leadership Continuum 

10:30a-11:15a Cedar 204 Creating a Resilience Oriented Culture of Care and Regulation 

10:30a-11:15a Maple 205 

The Key to Success is Communication Between the Board of 

Education and the Superintendent 

10:30a-11:15a Oak 206 Administrator Retirement Workshop 

10:30a-11:15a Osage 207 Educator Recharge Retreats: Tackling Educator Burnout 

10:30a-11:15a Walnut 208 Uncovering Root Causes - A Process for Sustainable Change 

10:30a-11:15a Cypress 209 A 

Telling Your School's Story with Canva: Effective Communication 

Strategies for School Leaders 

10:30a-11:15a Cypress 209 B 

Changing Conversations Using Data to Improve Student 

Outcomes 

10:30a-11:15a Redbud 210 A Leading through the 6 Phases of Learning 

10:30a-11:15a 

Redbud 210 B 

Throw Out the ‘Sandwich’ – Feedback Strategies for Teachers 

that Actually Work 

10:30a-11:15a Redbud 210 C Managing and Disciplining the Most “Difficult” Employees 

12:45p-1:30p 

Peach 201 A 

Current State of Student Loans & Forgiveness Programs for 

District Employees 

12:45p-1:30p 

Peach 201 B 

KSDE’s Dispute Resolution Process: What Special Education 

Administrator’s Need to Know 

12:45p-1:30p Cherry 202B Secure Act 2.0 - saving for the future never looked so good 

12:45p-1:30p Birch 203 A Courageous Comeback calls for Courageous Conversations 

44

LEARNING CLUSTER 

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE 

Time 


12:45p-1:30p Cedar 204 

12:45p-1:30p Maple 205 Remembering Our Why 

Revolutionize Your School's Social Media Strategy: A Roadmap for 

Success 

12:45p-1:30p Oak 206 Middle School MTSS: Yes! It Can Work! 

Building Safe and Connecter Relationship Though a Student-Led 

12:45p-1:30p Osage 207 Collaboration 

12:45p-1:30p Walnut 208 What are the Roles and Responsibilities of a Superintendent 

12:45p-1:30p Cypress 209 A Culture Wins 

Creating Collaborative Relationships Between School Leadership 

12:45p-1:30p 

Cypress 209 B and School Community 

12:45p-1:30p Redbud 210 A Legal Jeopardy: It’s Not Just a State of Being 

12:45p-1:30p Redbud 210 B Light on Leadership - Great Leaders Are Great Readers 

12:45p-1:30p Redbud 210 C THEY POSTED WHAT?! 

1:45p-2:30p Peach 201 A Partnering with Families in Challenging Moments 

1:45p-2:30p 

Peach 201 B 

Reimagining DEI: Ensuring a sense of belonging in schools (for 

district and building level leaders) 

1:45p-2:30p 

Cherry 202 A 

Marketing Maneuvers: Marketing Strategies to Empower School 

Leaders 

1:45p-2:30p Cherry 202B The Magic of KESA Groups 

1:45p-2:30p Birch 203 

Intentional Teaching: Why We Don't Play around with Student 

Learning! 

1:45p-2:30p Cedar 204 Technology in Schools to Address Safety of Staff and Kids 

1:45p-2:30p Maple 205 Creating Culture: The Power of WE 

1:45p-2:30p Oak 206 Top 5 Takeaways from a Cyber Attack 

1:45p-2:30p Osage 207 

Creativity in HR: Leveraging your brand and social media to 

attract and retain talent 

1:45p-2:30p Walnut 208 

Beyond the Book - Deepening Students’ and Families’ Sense of 

Belonging 

1:45p-2:30p Cypress 209 A School Finance & Budget Basics for Kansas School Leaders 

Coaching Up: Using Mentoring Strategies to Forge Authentic 

1:45p-2:30p 

Cypress 209 B Relationships That Lead to Teacher Retention 

1:45p-2:30p Redbud 210 A Board to Be Wild: What’s Shaking In Board Governance 

1:45p-2:30p Redbud 210 B How do I make time to be an instructional leader? 

45


Time 


1:45p-2:30p 

Redbud 210 C 

Student/Staff Communication: Encouraging Connection; 

Maintaining Boundaries 

2:45p-3:30p Peach 201 A You Want Me To Do What??? 

2:45p-3:30p 

Peach 201 B 

Mindhunter: Understanding Target Violence, Concerning 

Behaviors, and How to Prevent Violence 

2:45p-3:30p 

Cherry 202 A 

Mythbusters: Debunking Social Media Myths and Maximizing 

Global Communication Potential 

2:45p-3:30p Cherry 202B Being Intentional Builds Culture 

Utilizing and Collaborating with School Counselors to Support 

2:45p-3:30p Birch 203 MTSS 

2:45p-3:30p Cedar 204 Increasing Coaching Capacity Through Innovation and Learning 

2:45p-3:30p Maple 205 Inclusive Leadership 

2:45p-3:30p Oak 206 Innovation, Culture & Real World Learning 

2:45p-3:30p Osage 207 Marketing / PR and Culture 

2:45p-3:30p Walnut 208 Pre-K to 12 Innovative Learning 

2:45p-3:30p Cypress 209 A Difficult Conversations: Principal to Staff 

2:45p-3:30p Cypress 209 B Tier 3 Behavior Programming: There is a Better Way 

2:45p-3:30p Redbud 210 A Women in Leadership - Making Yourself Heard 

2:45p-3:30p Redbud 210 B Advanced Seminar in School Finance & Budget 

2:45p-3:30p Redbud 210 C Transgender Students and the Law 

USA-Kansas is proud to have some of the most talented and dedicated education 

professionals as our members. USA-Kansas has a strong network of practicing and 

retired administrators who have been recognized for their achievements. Membership 

in USA-Kansas allows individuals access to these talented professionals; supports 

a forum for open and engaging dialogues; opportunities to share experiences; and 

participation in professional development programs. 

46

LEARNING CLUSTERS - THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2023 

8:30-9:15 A.M. 

This is Us: Three Students, 

Three Connections 

Time: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. 

Location: Peach 201 A 

Presenter(s): 

• Amanda Young, Wichita USD 

259 

• Ciara Mould, ICT Therapy 

Works 

• Graham Young, Student 

One student loses both parents, one student 

suffers from post-Covid school anxiety, one 

student contends with a rare neurological 

disability, and a mom that knows their ultimate 

success relies on the relationships and 

connections with their teachers and schools. 

Follow the journey of the Young family and 

how together they are committed to create 

their own successes through education. 

Confronting the Inevitable 

Truth 

Time: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. 

Location: Peach 201 B 

Presenter(s): 

• Joshua Snyder, Seaman USD 345 

• Dr. Rebecca Kramer, Seaman 

USD 345 

47 

Leaders are often described as the lever that 

institutes change within a district. Building 

and district-level administrators learn 

confrontation is part of the process. How 

do we become comfortable with inevitable 

confrontation? What strategies are necessary 

to engage in confrontations that end with 

actionables? How do we engage in these 

courageous interactions without ruining 

relationships with others? This session will be 

a learning opportunity with real-life examples 

and strategies that make sense. 

The Future of Manufacturing: 

Preparing the Workforce of 

Tomorrow 

Time: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. 

Location: Cherry 202 B 

Presenter(s): 

• Kelly Bielefeld, Wichita USD 259 

• Scott Lucas, WSU Tech 

Wichita Public Schools in cooperation 

with WSU Tech, has invested in building a 

future workforce in the area of Advanced 

Manufacturing. This presentation will include 

an overview of a middle school course, 

Intro to Manufacturing, High School CTE 

programming innovations, and the postsecondary 

pathway for students to become 

highly skilled in automation and advanced 

manufacturing.


Promoting a Culture of 

Literacy: Engaging and 

Empowering Families for 

Student Success 

Time: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. 

Location: Birch 203 

Presenter(s): 

• Dwaine Millard, Wichita USD 

259 & Scholastic 

• Tai Anderson, Scholastic 

• Brenda Ledbetter, Wichita USD 

259 

Building communication, trust, and pathways 

to engage and support families in their 

child’s learning journey is critical to student 

achievement. Starting with our youngest 

learners, and their families, we know how 

critical it is to create and sustain a joy of 

reading by leveraging high-quality, diverse 

books at home, as well as family engagement 

best practices, to empower schools, families 

and communities. This interactive session 

covers foundational research on the impact 

families and communities can play in student 

achievement, and provides strategies for 

building a culture of literacy and love for 

learning beyond school hours. 

Revesting in Your Facilities 

Using Federal Opportunities, 

Grants, and Energy Savings 

Time: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. 

Location: Cedar 204 

Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Brad Rahe, Energy Solutions 

Professionals 

• Dr. Steve Pegram, Energy 

Solutions Professionals 

• J.B. Elliott, Perry-Lecompton 

USD 343 

We will discuss how districts can leverage the 

many sources of funding currently available 

for energy efficiency and renewable energy 

projects for schools. 

48


Relationships & Socio 

Emotional Learning- It’s Not 

Fluff. It Works! 

Time: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. 

Location: Maple 205 

Presenter(s): 

• Faith Eikelberger Scott City 

USD 466 

• Desiree Cooper, Scott City USD 

466 

SCMS has a unique set-up as a 3rd-8th grade 

building. Come hear from both the elementary 

and middle school teacher perspectives of 

how our emphasis on relationships and socio 

emotional learning impacts our students and 

staff at all levels. We will share what works for 

our kids in building those vital, foundational 

relationships at school with staff and other 

students. 

Maximizing (or Creating) 

Your District’s Education 

Foundation 

Time: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. 

Location: Oak 206 

Presenter(s): 

• Dane Baxa, Goddard USD 465 & 

Goddard Education Foundation 

Community Endowments have enacted for 

decades. We’ll explore how establishing and 

partnering with an education foundation can 

help your District benefit from facilitating 

transformational gifts that generate perpetual 

resources that positively impact students and 

staff. 

Four Leadership Lessons 

Learned from Loss 

Time: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. 

Location: Osage 207 

Presenter(s): 

• Tamara Lindholm, ESSDACK 

After the loss of her husband of 27 years, 

Tamara Lindholm is now sharing the four 

leadership lessons she learned by his example. 

Jory Konrade wasn’t a leader by title, but a 

leader by action. Come to this session and 

learn four practical ways to lead others so 

they want to follow. If you implement these 

four principles in your life, you will have 

healthier relationships and cultures where 

people want to work, possibly increasing 

retention rates. 

You will be encouraged to not only model 

these four principles, but share them with 

staff. When these are present in a culture– 

at home or work–it fosters connectivity, 

optimism, and belief in each other. 

School districts can take advantage of the 

fundraising model College, Universities, and 

49


Using Existing Investments to 

Simplify Work-Based Learning 

for Students and Professional 

Development for Teachers 

Time: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. 

Location: Walnut 208 

Presenter(s): 

• Dan Whisler, Trane 

• Kelly Arnberger, Belle Plaine 

USD 357 

You’re Gettin’ On My Nerves: 

Addressing Adult and Child 

Dysregulation Through the 

Lens of Applied Educational 

Neuroscience 

Time: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. 

Location: Cypress 209 A 

Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Dustin Springer, 

Leavenworth USD 458 

In this workshop you will learn proven 

practices for doing more with less in your 

district through industry partnerships that 

utilize investments you’re already making to 

simplify real-world learning for students and 

uplift professional development for your staff. 

Join us to learn more about: 

• How students can experience real, handson 

learning to earn Industry Recognized 

Certifications (IRCs) using your building as 

the work-based tool 

• Complementary programming that uplifts 

current curriculum and simplifies staff 

training and resources 

• Leveraging investments that you’re already 

making to do more with less and work 

with the tools you already have in place 

• Uncovering creative financial strategies to 

support work-based learning and the tools 

for success 

• How to elevate and recognize student 

success with the community, media, 

parents, and boards of education 

50 

Every day students enter our classrooms 

bringing their lived experiences with them. 

Sometimes these experiences lead to 

significant dysregulation, and we must dig 

deep within our toolboxes to support their 

diverse needs. This presentation will address 

ways that we can support struggling students 

AND adults through a trauma informed 

lens incorporating the 4 pillars of applied 

educational neuroscience: teaching about 

neuroanatomy, co-regulation, touchpoints, and 

understanding our own brain and body states.


Elevate Learning with 

Sustainable Change 

Time: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. 

Location: Cypress 209 B 

Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Marilyn Denison DLR Group 

• Dr Jason Dandoy, Turner USD 

202 

According to Lezotte (2005), schools are 

either improving or declining; they simply 

cannot meet the status quo. Each new school 

project is an opportunity to have a positive 

impact on learning as whole. However, without 

a clear change process, teaching and learning 

behaviors slip back to pre-existing mindsets. 

Join us to hear Turner USD 202’s first-hand 

experience with Turner Middle School and 

learn how to move your district/campus 

toward a common vision and implement 

change to benefit each learner. 

Learning environment equity is crucial 

to education. In order to achieve this, we 

must truly understand how each space 

impacts learners. In this session, attendees 

will hear a first-hand experience of how a 

new or renovation school project offers an 

opportunity to have a positive impact on 

learning as a whole through a thorough, clear 

process. 

51 

Legislative Update 

Time: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. 

Location: Redbud 210 A 

Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Jim Karleskint, USA-Kansas 

• Jerry Henn, USA-Kansas 

• G.A. Buie, USA-Kansas 

The USA-Kansas advocacy team will update 

the attendees on current legislation that 

passed and did not pass during the 2023 

session. 

Staff and Parent 

Communication Made 

Interactive and Easy 

Time: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. 

Location: Redbud 210 B 

Presenter(s): 

• Clark McCracken, DeSoto USD 

232 

Staff, student, and parent communication 

doesn’t need to be complicated. Attendees 

will leave this presentation with simple, time 

saving tricks that can be used to create 

weekly communication that includes pictures, 

videos, and important communication. For 

administrators that are not using a digital, 

interactive platform like Smore, we will get 

them comfortable easily using the site. For 

those already using the Smore platform for 

staff/parent communication, this presentation


will help them learn how to easily create 

and add digital content like videos and 

presentations. A laptop/device will be 

required/needed for this session. 

“No Comment” = Not an 

Option – Addressing Difficult 

Matters Head-On 

Time: 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. 

Location: Redbud 210 C 

Presenter(s): 

• Jessica Bernard, Guin Mundorf, 

LLC 

• Anthony McDaniel Guin 

Mundorf, LLC 

This presentation will walkthrough best 

practices and common issues when bad times 

hit a school district, despite best efforts to 

avoid it. This will include a discussion of how 

to maintain transparency while protecting the 

parties involved as well as how to uphold a 

positive public image through difficult times. 

9:30-10:15 A.M. 

Bridging the Gap, the 

Neodesha Promise 

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Rebekah Peitz, Neodesha 

Promise Administrator/USD 461 

College Academic Coach 

• Valon Jones 

USD 461, the home of the Neodesha Promise, 

is Bridging the Gap between secondary and 

post secondary education. Our school district 

has implemented an advising model benefitting 

students from 7th grade through our post 

secondary students. The college and career 

advisor and college academic coach within our 

district work hand in hand to promote post 

secondary success for our students. 

52


Build Up Kansas 

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Brad Starnes, Associated 

General Contractors of Kansas 

• Humberto Jimenez, Build Up 

Kansas Director 

Build Up Kansas is a free opportunity to 

credential your students with a standardized 

nationally recognized construction program 

(NCCER) in safety and 75 other construction 

disciplines. BUK provides all textbooks, lesson 

plans, curriculum & assessments. This program 

provides workforce development to meet the 

58,000 job openings in the next 5 yrs with 

students having no debt, guaranteed jobs and 

a respected well paying career. All while your 

school’s KSDE report card success/effective 

rates are increased! 

Roofing 101... What you need 

to know 

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 

Location: Cherry 202 A 

Presenter(s): 

• Kelly Coryell, Coryell Roofing 

Roofs are the most important asset in a 

district. This presentation will provide you 

with detailed information on what you as a 

Board member, Superintendent, or facilities 

53 

director need to know to be successful in 

stewarding your roofs for your school district. 

Promoting Student Agency 

with Student Products and 

Exhibitions 

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 

Location: Cherry 202B 

Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Sharon Walker KCK USD 

500 

Building student agency, to promote student 

life-long learning and wellbeing, is a school 

priority for us at Camber Academy in the 

Kansas City Kansa Public School district. 

Student agency is critical for all students, 

especially for our students who are receiving 

mental health supports while in residential 

care. Many times, school has not been 

successful for our students and our aim is to 

cultivate student agency so that our students 

are equipped to thrive in any environment 

when they exit our school. 

Promoting student agency is inherently 

learner-centered, strength-based, inclusive, and 

equity oriented. We use the Universal Design 

for Learning (UDL) framework, to support 

instruction that develops student agency. 

We promote student agency daily by using 

relevant learning tasks, offering student 

voice, choice, and connections to personal


experiences, and facilitating reflection, 

empowerment and ownership of student 

products. This work is culminated through 

quarterly student exhibitions where students 

can showcase their learning products. 

be critical to keeping those you hire. The 

program is an approved mentoring program 

through KSDE. Hear input from other 

administrators who have connected new CTE 

teachers with this program since its inception. 

During this session, participants will hear 

about our work with teachers and students 

and create a product involving student agency 

elements. 

Increasing Retention of CTE 

Teachers using the KCCTE 

Mentoring Program 

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Greg Belcher, Pittsburg 

State University 

• Barb Zimmerman, KCCTE 

Mentor Manager 

Staff members from the Kansas Center 

for Career and Technical Education will be 

discussing the advantages of having a CTE 

specific mentor for new CTE teachers. The 

presentation will include information about 

teacher retention and the financial cost of 

replacing teachers as well as the impact on 

enrollment and morale. The focus of the 

presentation will be how KCCTE mentors are 

matched to new instructors and the unique 

ways the program’s network of support can 

54 

HR Basics for Administrators 

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Kati Wolfgang, Kansas State 

University 

Who knew you were going to have to have 

so many HR duties as a school administrator? 

Join me as I break down complex HR items, 

into bite size pieces, that you can apply to 

your position as a school administrator. Topics 

will include personnel management, employee 

reprimands, terminations, evaluations, 

documentation, FMLA and ADA processes, 

and worker’s compensation. If these dry topics 

aren’t enough to convince you to join this 

session, then my stellar personality and sense 

of humor ought to push you right over the 

edge! Take a seat, and just try not to enjoy this 

session.


Student Success - Providing 

Opportunities for Students 

with Post-Secondary Success 

as the Goal 

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Greg Rosenhagen Cheney USD 

268 

• Nichole Hendrickson - College 

& Career Director 

Cheney High School recently surpassed an 

80% effective rate and has remained near 

the top of all Kansas secondary schools in 

post-secondary success. The results of a bond 

issue and a change to the daily schedule have 

provided multiple opportunities for students 

and a substantial increase in courses offered. 

The schedule change has allowed our school 

to grow our CTE pathways from 6 to 18. 

Multiple programs have been added with this 

change which include Agriculture (including 

FFA), Intro to Teaching, Robotics, Culinary Art 

(including FCCLA), Health Science, Travel & 

Tourism, Forensics Science, to name a few. 

Facilities and Education 

Working Together 

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Chris Crockett, Turner USD 202 

It’s possible to overlook the direct impact 

facility improvements have on the teaching 

and learning process. For example if a roof is 

being replaced you might not think there is 

a direct impact on the educational process, 

but maybe the teacher in that area has been 

distracted by constant roof leaks and hasn’t 

been able to focus on being 100% dedicated 

to the instruction they are giving. Everything 

we do on the facilities side of things plays a 

role in the classroom and it’s important we 

work together to accomplish our goals. 

Revolutionizing K-12 

Education: Exploring the 

Benefits and Challenges of AI 

and ChatGPT 

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m.. 


Presenter(s): 

• Cinnemon Buie, Gardner 

Edgerton USD 231 

55 

What are the benefits and challenges of using 

artificial intelligence and ChatGPT in K–12


education? In this session, we will examine 

how AI can help personalize the learning 

experience, improve student engagement, 

enhance real-time feedback, and provide 

insights into student learning. We will also 

look at concerns about privacy, ethical 

considerations, and how to ensure AI is 

used to support rather than replace human 

teaching. Join me in exploring how educators 

might harness the power of AI and ChatGPT 

to enhance K–12 education and how to 

navigate the potential challenges. 

A Three Year Plan To Turf 

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Craig Marshall, Burlington USD 

244 

• Steve Noble, Mammoth Sports 

Construction 

• Bob Horton, Mammoth Sports 

Construction 

The Perfect Dance of 

Administration, Social Work, 

and School Counseling 

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Christie Henderson, El Dorado 

USD 490/Wichita State University 

• Chad Schuetz, El Dorado USD 490 

• Emma Cuthbertson, El Dorado 

USD 490 

As budgets continue to offer opportunities for 

creative approaches, we have found a way to 

capitalize on the opportunities to serve Tier 1, 

Tier 2 and Tier 3 students through a carefully 

planned approach that utilizes each of us to 

maximize the support for each student. We 

share our experience shaping this approach 

and how our students, staff and families have 

benefited. 

Burlington Public Schools went through a 

three year process to determine if converting 

from natural grass football, baseball, and 

softball fields to turf was the direction needed 

for the school district and community. The 

steps taken with the board of education, 

a community advisory committee, and 

Mammoth Sports Construction will be shared 

during this presentation. 

56


Focusing School Improvement 

through the Lens of PLCs 

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Andrea Paulakovich, Piper USD 

203 

In the interactive session, you will learn how 

to focus your school improvement efforts 

through the lens of PLCs. Attendees will walk 

away with tangible ideas you can take back to 

your school district that will positively impact 

student academic and social emotional needs. 

A cell phone is needed to scan QR codes. 

Speaking with your Legislator 

in your school setting 

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• G.A. Buie, USA-Kansas 

• USA-Kansas Team 

Why and How School 

Districts Should be involved 

with Childcare Today! 

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Bill Lowry Central Plains USD 

112 

• JB Elliott, Perry-Lecompton 

USD 343 

Childcare is at crisis levels in nearly every 

part of Kansas. Schools are recognizing that 

they can play an important role in solving the 

crisis, and helping the community, all the while 

benefiting the district through better-prepared 

kindergarteners, faculty and staff retention, 

and securing future enrollment. Learn about 

the varying models already in play in many 

Kansas districts and resources available for 

school districts. 

This session will help you navigate a 

conversation with your legislator. We will 

focus on the needs of your district/school and 

how legislation affects your students. 

57


Free Speech and Student 

Discipline: Where Does The 

School Gate Stop? 

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 


LLC 

• Anthony McDaniel, Guin 

Mundorf, LLC 

This presentation will address common issues 

with social media and student free speech 

inside and outside of school. We will outline 

the legal boundaries for Districts as well as 

best practices. 

10:30-11:15 A.M. 

I Can Be More Than a 

Mechanic 

Time: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Amanda Young, Wichita USD 

259 

• Graham Young, Student 

Graham Young is a 13-year-old 7th grader 

with a rare neurological disorder that makes 

him unable to read and write. Although he 

fights an uphill battle every day at school, he 

is able to learn with the help of accessibility 

tools in the general education population. 

Not every teacher has been a proponent of 

accommodating his disability, but those that 

have poured into him have helped him believe 

that he can do whatever he wants--just like 

every kid. Find out how he and his mom work 

together to promote equitable access to 

education and how YOU can make a difference 

in your school with a new understanding of 

equity and access in the general education 

classroom. 

58


Out of the Box School 

Counseling 

Time: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Christie Henderson, El 

Dorado USD 490/Wichita State 

University 

• Dr. Lyndsey Brown, Wichita 


Do you want to be creative in your approach 

to meet the needs of ALL students? Are you 

looking for creative initiatives that are datasupported? 

Then come explore “Out-ofthe-Box” 

counseling techniques that school 

counselors can easily implement. Participants 

will leave with creative programs, initiatives, 

and lessons to invigorate their school 

counseling program. You will leave energized, 

ready to dive in, and inspired to dig deep into 

your own creativity! 

Partnerships in K-12 

Cybersecurity and Technology 

Time: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Kyle Lord, KSDE 

• Dean Mantz, Sterling USD 376 

• Drew Lane, Shawnee Mission 

USD 512 

• Phil Elliot, Spring Hills USD 230 

59 

The KSDE and state education technology 

professionals have come together to create 

guidance and best practices for state 

education professionals regarding technology 

and cybersecurity. The goal is to increase 

collaboration and work together to remove 

barriers that may be in place at either the 

state or local level. Many school districts 

are struggling in these areas due to budget 

crunches, employee turnover, and lack of 

awareness from school district administration. 

Building an Instructional 

Leadership Continuum 

Time: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Mischel D. MIller, Kansas State 

University/KELI 

From preparation, induction, and beyond, 

leadership professional learning needs 

are unique and require a specific skill set. 

In this session, we will discuss state-wide 

opportunities available to leaders and share 

a continuum of learning to facilitate the 

potential within our education leaders to 

be successful in today’s climate. Come and 

give your input and share in the learning 

opportunity.


Creating a Resilience 

Oriented Culture of Care and 

Regulation 

Time: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Rebecca Lewis-Pankratz, 

ESSDACK 

The Resilience Science and framework is the 

hope and actionable framework in the traumainformed 

schools conversation. In this session 

we will dig into what is resilience according 

to the science, how do we build in our selves, 

colleagues and students, and how do we use 

co-regulation hacks to change outcomes. This 

science is about hope, changing paradigms and 

learning applications that increase regulation 

in our students. With this work we are well on 

our way to building a deeper sense of safety, 

belonging and dignity in our classrooms and 

schools. 

The Key to Success is 

Communication Between the 

Board of Education and the 

Superintendent 

Time: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Dan Brungardt, Bonner Springs/ 

Edwardsville USD 204 

60 

Establishing a solid line of communication 

between the Board of Education and 

the Superintendent is key to maintaining 

successful district operations. Communication 

plays an essential role in the education 

process, and keeping the Board informed 

and up-to-date in a timely manner is critical. 

While it is not always possible to cover all 

information during a scheduled meeting 

once or twice a month, supplementary 

communication can help address gaps. Mr. 

Brungardt of the Bonner Springs/Edwardsville 

School District will share the strategic 

communication efforts crafted over the span 

of 10 years, including a weekly communication 

piece with examples and formatting templates. 

Administrator Retirement 

Workshop 

Time: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Russ Lane, Ameritime LLC 

• Tyler Lane, Ameritime LLC 

How will the KPERS changes impact my 

Retirement? Which ONE of the KPERS 

pension options is right for me? Am I eligible 

to purchase additional pension years? How 

does the Secure Act 2.0 affect my retirement? 

What does my retirement plan look like 

with KPERS, Social Security, and my own 

investments?


Educator Recharge Retreats: 

Tackling Educator Burnout 

Time: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Jeff Travis, Beloit USD 273 

• Chris Moddelmog, Smoky Hill 

Education Service Center 

• Rex Boley, Rock Hills USD 107 

Kansas is experiencing a shortage of school 

employees. So we are holding Educator 

Recharge Retreats with the goals of giving 

strategies they can use to help themselves 

when they are feeling the pressure of their jobs 

and techniques they can implement in order 

to avoid getting burned out and leaving the 

profession. We feel like we were successful in 

achieving this goal for the people who attended 

our events in June and February. 

At the conclusion of the events, educators’ 

surveys suggested that they were much more 

relaxed and felt better about the upcoming 

school year. They had learned ways to help deal 

with the day-to-day stressors and recognize 

signs of burnout and how they could avoid it. 

This session will provide more details about 

the planning, the activities that took place, the 

outcomes that resulted from the retreats, and 

the follow-up activities. 

Participant feedback was overwhelmingly 

positive. Many people made comments about 

wanting to come back for future retreats, and 

people volunteered to help lead sessions at the 

61 

next one which is an indication that they see 

the benefits in what we accomplished. Not one 

educator reported regrets for participating, 

and everyone gained something useful from the 

events. 

Uncovering Root Causes - 

A Process for Sustainable 

Change 

Time: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Abi Sanny, The Kansas Learning 

Network 

• Mary Myers, The Kansas 

Learning Network 

School improvement efforts often feel 

short lived and result in frustrations from 

stakeholders. Starting with a foundational 

needs assessment, this session will walk 

participants through the process used by 

the Kansas Learning Network in supporting 

districts and buildings in identifying a root 

cause and implementing evidence-based 

actions connected to that root cause. 

Participants will walk away with a process 

to use at any level from district systems to 

problem solving around student concerns, 

ways to effectively use data to identify root 

causes and any other areas of unfinished 

learning needing to be addressed.


Telling Your School’s Story 

with Canva: Effective 

Communication Strategies for 

School Leaders 

Time: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Cinnemon Buie, Gardner 

Edgerton USD 231 

As a school leaders, you know that effective 

communication with the public is key to 

building strong relationships and support 

for your school. In this presentation, we will 

explore how Canva, a powerful design tool, 

can help you communicate your school’s story 

to the public. We will discuss the importance 

of branding and visual identity, and show you 

how to create professional-looking posters, 

flyers, and social media graphics that reflect 

your school’s values and mission. Whether 

you want to promote a school event, share 

student achievements, or highlight your 

school’s unique offerings, Canva can help 

you create visually appealing and effective 

communication materials. Join us to discover 

how you can use Canva to tell your school’s 

story and build a stronger relationship with 

your community. 

Changing Conversations 

Using Data to Improve 

Student Outcomes 

Time: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Adrian Howie, Hugoton USD 

210 

• Tyson Eslinger, Deerfield USD 

216 

• Tina Salmans, Hugoton USD 

210 

• Kim Mauk, Southwest Plains 

Regional Service Center 

• Nathan Trenholm, Data Insight 

Partners, 

• Justin White, Data Insight 

Partners 

Learn how schools in Hugoton Public Schools 

and Deerfield Public Schools have changed 

the conversations they have with students, 

parents, and staff leading to improving 

attendance, academics, and culture. 

62


Leading through the 6 Phases 

of Learning 

Time: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Britton Hart, KASB 

• Dr. Doug Moeckel, KASB 

Being a leader has never been more 

challenging. The day-to-day demands of the job 

are driving leaders to move away from what 

matters most. Leaders will be able to reflect 

on their own learning style and the 6 Phases 

of Learning when leading change. Participants 

are encouraged to share their building and 

district learning goals as they collaborate with 

other leaders to balance the same demands. 

Throw Out the ‘Sandwich’ 

– Feedback Strategies for 

Teachers that Actually Work 

Time: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Kellen Adams, Chanute USD 

413 

• Zack Murry, Chanute USD 413 

• Brooke Wire, Chanute USD 413 

• Mark Doss, Network for 

Educator Effectiveness 

Effective feedback is an essential ingredient in 

the “secret sauce” that supports and develops 

quality teaching. Yet providing effective 

feedback to teachers is often described as 

one of the school leader’s most difficult jobs. 

In this presentation, Chanute administrators 

will go far beyond the feedback “sandwich” 

strategy to share feedback practices that, 

paired with an effective evaluation system, 

encourage teachers’ professional learning and 

growth. 

Managing and Disciplining the 

Most “Difficult” Employees 

Time: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 


Presenter(s): 


Mundorf, LLC 


LLC 

This presentation will examine the 

appropriate steps to take and best practices 

for situations when dealing with employees 

who create issues for other staff members. 

We will dive into proper communication, 

boundaries, and when discipline becomes 

appropriate. 

63

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12:45-1:30 P.M. 

Current State of Student 

Loans & Forgiveness 

Programs for District 

Employees 

Time: 12:45-1:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Landon Warmund, Reliant 

Financial Services 

Do you or your staff feel a bit overwhelmed 

when it comes to navigating student loans? 

You’re not alone! The student loan system is 

larger and more complex than most think. 

Often times when individuals try to get their 

student loans under control, they simply don’t 

know where to start, can’t get trusted help, or 

they just don’t know which federal programs 

are applicable to them. Listen to Certified 

Student Loan Professional, Landon Warmund 

as he breaks down the current state of 

student loans. Landon will be going over all 

the temporary programs available, upcoming 

changes to the system, a breakdown of the 

current forgiveness programs available to 

educators, and what you can do to make sure 

your employees are getting the help they need 

when it comes to student loans. 

67 

KSDE’s Dispute Resolution 

Process: What Special 

Education Administrator’s 

Need to Know 

Time: 12:45-1:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Crista Grimwood, KSDE 

• Ashley Niedzwiecki, KSDE 

This session is designed to inform and explain 

the sometimes-complex issues that arise out 

of the Formal Dispute Resolution Process 

as it pertains to Special Education. Not only 

will the process(es) be explained, many of 

the misunderstood or preconceived notions 

will be addressed. Additionally, there will 

be time to ask Dr. Grimwood, a long-time 

veteran of the special education field, and 

Ashley Niedzwiecki, a KSDE staff attorney 

for the Special Education and Title Services 

Department, as they have a tag-team approach 

to what the field encounters and the law’s 

role within that process. Please come ready to 

ask questions, explore Formal Complaint and 

Due Process examples, and participate in this 

interactive and timely break-out session. 

Secure Act 2.0 - Saving For 

the Future Never Looked So 

Good - American Fidelity 

Time: 12:45-1:30 p.m. 

Location: Cherry 202B


Presenter(s): 

• Paul Arvin & Maggie Bolt 

Secure Act 2.0 changes several aspects of 

retirement account administration to make it 

more attractive to employees and you need to 

know which ones are relevant to your group. 

A Courageous Comeback 

calls for Courageous 

Conversations 

Time: 12:45-1:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Mischel D. Miller. Kansas State 

University/KELI 

As we come back to the work we are called 

to do, it is even more imperative that we 

learn how to conduct and hold difficult 

conversations with respect and accountability. 

This session will provide immediate structures 

and strategies for coaching and leading that 

build impactful relationships, and hold others 

accountable to grow their leadership capacity. 

Revolutionize Your School’s 

Social Media Strategy: A 

Roadmap for Success 

Time: 12:45-1:30 p.m. 

68 


Presenter(s): 

• Kurt Karr, Monkeythis 

Stop using social media as a bulletin board 

and start using it like the powerful tool 

it is. It’s time to say goodbye to posting 

photocopied flyers, announcements, and 

occasional celebrations. Social media can bring 

everyone into your district to experience 

the excitement of learning, the success of 

students, and the dedication of your teachers 

and staff. 

This presentation will teach you to approach 

social media in a new way to: 

• Make sharing easier 

• Create attention-grabbing posts 

• Get more staff sharing pictures and video 

• Invite everyone to cheer for your district 

• Create meaningful connections with your 

entire community 

Once your teachers and staff start noticing 

and capturing all the incredible things 

happening around them, they’ll be hooked! 

Successful schools increase their social media 

posts from a few times a month to 4-8 times 

per day, with staff experiencing a greater sense 

of pride and accomplishment in their daily 

achievements. 

Strengthen your brand, share your mission, 

your values and the amazing things you’re 

doing with students.


Remembering Our Why 

Time: 12:45-1:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• John Calvert KSDE 

Feeling drained or burned out? In this session 

attendees will be motivated, empowered, and 

ENERGIZED to remember the importance 

of building relationships and how amazing our 

job truly is! 

Middle School MTSS: Yes! It 

Can Work! 

Time: 12:45-1:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Summer Ford, Scott City USD 

466 

• Jana Irvin, Scott City USD 466 

• Laura Robinson, Scott City USD 

466 

Schedules, shared staff, limited time, lack of 

student and teacher buy-in... Yes, these are 

all common obstacles in trying to implement 

MTSS in a middle school setting. From the 

“this is never going to work” to the “look at 

what we are accomplishing”. We will share the 

good, the bad, and the ugly of our continued 

journey through MTSS at SCMS. 

Building Safe and Connecter 

Relationship Though a 

Student-Led Collaboration 

Time: 12:45-1:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Matt Jellison, Commanche Co 

USD 300 

• Joe Coles, Joe Coles Consulting 

• Staci Derstein 

• Stephanie White, Kiowa Co 

USD 422 

• Stephanie Couch, Bucklin USD 

459 

• Sarah Kirk, Bucklin USD 459 

• Jennifer Kay, Comanche Co 

USD 300 

This session will show you a way to build 

a safe and connecter school culture with 

students leading the process. It is a win/win 

journey when students lead the process. The 

best way students learn is by teaching others. 

These student leaders have more buy-in 

when it is their ideas in what they want to 

accomplish and other students in your school 

will listen and learn from their peers. 

C.L.A.S.S. (Corporative Leadership and 

Sharing Strategies) is a “Student Lead” process 

where students are trained in “Servant 

Leadership” and skills to teach others! 

69


Trainings are centered about leadership 

strategies and opportunities to teach and 

learn from other students. Then they select 

and prepare a topic to teach others in their 

schools and communities. They decide what 

grades they will go out and teach. You will 

find out that they will like it so much they will 

teach a variety of grades, staff, and community. 

The three middle schools that will be sharing 

are South Central, Kiowa County, and Bucklin. 

Students, sponsors, and administrators will 

share their journey and how this has made a 

difference in their overall school culture. 

What are the Roles and 

Responsibilities of a 

Superintendent 

Time: 12:45-1:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Patrick Crowdis, Hoisington 

USD 431/KSU Doctoral Student 

In the process of developing a Handbook and 

Reference Guide for new Superintendents, 

provide your input as to the essential 

functions, roles and responsibilities of a 

Kansas Superintendent. This will be a focus 

group format, gaining input on the topic as 

well as group discussions on differences and 

similarities of Kansas Districts. The presenter 

will also give a brief background as to why 

a Handbook and Reference Guide for New 

70 

Superintendents is needed from his personal 

experiences. 

Culture Wins 

Time: 12:45-1:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Todd Dain, Shawnee Mission 

USD 512 

So much of our success as educational leaders 

hinges on our capacity for team-building and 

fostering a real sense of teamwork. The key 

to fostering effective teamwork lies not in 

the personalities or behavioral styles of the 

team members. What teams need to thrive 

is an effective CULTURE. The effectiveness of 

your team is a direct result of your culture. 

You CAN change your culture, but it takes 

time, patience, and perseverance. You have the 

power to impact others every day in what you 

say and do…or don’t do every day! Leaders 

of a winning culture understand the “Why” 

behind the culture and getting your staff to 

pull together as a team! As educators we are 

in the people business. Culture begins AND 

ends with relationships with your faculty, staff, 

students, parents, and stakeholders. In this 

session, you will learn HOW to be intentional 

in changing and improving your CULTURE!


Creating Collaborative 

Relationships Between 

School Leadership and School 

Community 

Time: 12:45-1:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Robert Moody, Fort Hays 


• Kellen Adams, Chanute USD 

413 

• Dr. Kelly Arnberger, Belle Plaine 

USD 357 

This presentation will provide a consensus 

definition created by combining several 

research studies that define the following key 

terms: collaboration, relationship, community, 

diversity, culture, inclusion, social-emotional 

learning, administration, teachers, teacher 

professional development, staff, students, 

student achievement, parents, parental 

involvement, and community members. The 

presenters, two Kansas superintendents, and 

one retired superintendent, now a university 

professor coordinating building/district 

leadership programs, will describe the key 

tenets of the definitions and provide examples 

that support the tenets from the research and 

personal professional practice. 

Participants will come away with a better 

understanding and best practices (personal 

71 

examples) of how to create collaborative 

relationships by identifying and sharing 

effective academic, behavior, and socialemotional 

instructional practices, ensuring 

that practices are consistent across all 

providers, and ensuring that every teacher, 

parent, student, and community member will 

benefit from these practices. 

Legal Jeopardy: It’s Not Just a 

State of Being 

Time: 12:45-1:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Angie Stallbaumer, KASB 

Join KASB’s legal staff on a fast-paced review 

of the year’s most frequently asked school law 

questions. We’ll even throw in some of the 

answers! 

Light on Leadership - Great 

Leaders Are Great Readers 

Time: 12:45-1:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Justin B. Henry, Goddard 

USD 265 

School leaders continue to look for the 

“magic way” to achieve a balanced approach 

to life and school leadership. As Dale 

Carnegie stated, “Happiness doesn’t depend


on outward conditions. It depends on inner 

conditions.” In this presentation we will review 

the importance of school leaders taking the 

time each week to read and reflect on their 

leadership skills and highlight how the Light on 

Leadership app can help in this process. 

As school leaders we fully understand the 

importance of students engaging in meaningful 

reading activities throughout their educational 

journey. However, when it comes to school 

leaders dedicating a few minutes per day to 

our own reading and professional growth we 

often fall short. The research is very clear – 

leaders who read on a regular basis greatly 

increase the odds of success over the longterm. 

When school leaders fully commit to 

their own professional growth their students 

benefit! Join us to review strategies and ideas 

that will help you become more successful in 

your school leadership journey. 

THEY POSTED WHAT?! 

Time: 12:45-1:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 


LLC 


Mundorf, LLC 

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This presentation will address staff member 

social media usage and when HR should get 

involved. We will go over first amendment, 

employment, and other considerations in 

order to guide decision making. 

72


1:45-2:30 P.M. 

Partnering with Families in 

Challenging Moments 

Time: 1:45-2:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Shawn Henderson, Hays USD 

489 

One of the hardest parts of the job is 

sitting with a family member in their lowest 

moment brought on by a student’s behavior 

or choices. Guiding challenging conversations 

that preserve the dignity of all involved 

requires a skill set we never learned about 

in graduate school. Partnering with a family 

member to create opportunities for the 

student to move forward successfully at 

school necessitates that each of us develop 

skills beyond that of a typical leader. In this 

session, participants will consider previous 

struggles and failures in communicating with 

families, develop strategies and tools to ensure 

all stakeholders maintain their dignity in 

challenging interactions, learn new strategies 

to help others borrow your calm, and define 

the parameters for the who, what, where, and 

why elements of difficult encounters with 

family members. 

73 

Reimagining DEI: Ensuring a 

Sense of Belonging in Schools 

Time: 1:45-2:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Tyrone M. Bates, Jr., True 

Empowering, Inc 

• Dr. John Burke, Retired PK- 

12 School Superintendent/ 

Associate Professor Newman 

University 

A Better understanding of DEI for school 

leaders (District & Building Level) in order 

to create a sense of belonging for school and 

community stakeholders. 

Marketing Maneuvers: 

Marketing Strategies to 

Empower School Leaders 

Time: 1:45-2:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Virginia Duncan, Garden 

City USD 457 

• Marie Henderson, Hays USD 

489 

Become empowered leaders through learning 

practical strategies to market professional 

learning and instructional initiatives. Motivate


staff to voluntarily participate and implement 

learning outcomes. Recruit and sustain 

professional learning relationships through 

the use of marketing tools. In a society where 

we must compete for people’s attention, 

proactively engaging your audience is essential 

to successful adult learning opportunities. 

Using effective marketing strategies to 

motivate adult learners models and parallels 

strategies teachers can use in their own 

classrooms to motivate students to engage in 

learning tasks. Presenters will share example 

marketing techniques; session attendees will 

gain examples, tools, ideas, and structures 

for promoting and developing professional 

learning and instructional initiatives. 

Each participant will: 

• Consider how adult learning theory 

informs leaders to create promotional 

materials that motivate adults to pursue 

and actively participate in professional 

learning. 

• Explore marketing tools and strategies that 

empower instructional leaders to engage 

an adult audience. 

• Gain tips and examples for designing 

and creating promotional/marketing 

materials that serve to recruit and sustain 

professional learning relationships. 

• Examine the relationship between 

marketing for professional learning 

purposes and the educator’s role as a 

marketer in their classroom. 

The Magic of KESA Groups 

Time: 1:45-2:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Terri Glass, Lyons USD 405 

• Kristin Borrowman 

Are you looking for a way to build teacher 

leaders and empower more of your staff to 

be a part of the leadership process, instead of 

always asking the same teachers to step up? 

KESA groups might be your answer! Come 

hear how we transformed our buildings to 

empower all teachers to have a voice and 

share the load of KESA. Through the transition 

of Redesign we created KESA groups to 

support each of our school goals and build 

more teacher leaders. KESA groups have 

allowed all teachers to have a voice while 

keeping our school’s mission at the heart of 

what we do. 

74


Intentional Teaching: Why 

We Don’t Play around with 

Student Learning! 

Time: 1:45-2:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Brianna Deas, Valley Center 

USD 262 

• Adelyn Soellner, Valley Center 

USD 262 

Interactive session where participants will 

play a board game based on the Visible 

Learning research. Participants will have the 

opportunity to reflect on aha moments from 

playing the game, debrief with peers, and walk 

away with connections to the importance of 

increasing quality and decreasing variability 

between classrooms. 

Technology in Schools to 

Address Safety of Staff and 

Kids 

Time: 1:45-2:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Jake Strecker, INA Alert, Inc 

• Nick Strecker, INA Alert, Inc 

being how to utilize technology to keep your 

staff and kids safe. 

Creating Culture: The Power 

of WE 

Time: 1:45-2:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Josh Swartz, Chaparral USD 316 

• Lori Bower, BowerComm 

When it comes to creating an inspirational 

and positive district culture, communication is 

key. In 2022, USD 361 Chaparral undertook a 

9-step process to align around an inspirational 

idea and develop a plan to better engage 

parents, students, staff, and community. This 

6-month journey involved understanding 

perceptions/desires by audience, looking at 

peer efforts, crafting a meaningful message 

platform, creating a communications plan, 

and making over the district’s visual identity. 

In this session, you’ll hear a case study from 

Superintendent Josh Swartz and project 

partner Lori Bower of BowerComm on how 

this work is rallying their school community 

around the Power of WE. 

Nick and Jake will discuss the latest advances 

in technology and the partnerships we grow 

to best serve our Kansas schools. The focus 

75


Top 5 Takeaways from a 

Cyber Attack 

Time: 1:45-2:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Chris Hipp, Hays USD 489 

• Dallas Haselhorst, Tree Top 

Security 

• Scott Summers, Hays USD 489 

What’s the one thing that can shut you down 

faster than a pandemic - cyber bad actors! 

We will review the top 5 takeaways from our 

“Cyber Event”. We will laugh at some of the 

most surreal conversations you can imagine 

with hostage negotiators, FBI agents and cyber 

attorneys. We may shed a tear as we walk you 

through just how bad it is when your entire 

tech environment stops on a dime. Finally we 

will spend some time sharing what we wish 

we would have done to prevent this from 

happening and what we have done to keep it 

from happening to us again. 

• Michelle Hackney, Spring Hill 

USD 230 

In this session, participants will learn creative 

strategies and best practices for leveraging 

brand, social media/storytelling, and employee 

experience to recruit and retain talent. 

Additionally, participants will walk away 

with resources and examples to engage 

these practices in their own district. The 

presentation comes through a collaborative 

lens of human resources and public relations. 

Creativity in HR: Leveraging 

your brand and social media 

to attract and retain talent 

Time: 1:45-2:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Christopher Villarreal, Ed.D., 

Spring Hill USD 230 

76


Beyond the Book - Deepening 

Students’ and Families’ Sense 

of Belonging 

Time: 1:45-2:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Joyce Jamerson, Scholastic/ 

KCK USD 500 

• Jermaine Wilson, KCK USD 500 

• Tai Anderson, Scholastic 

In this session, leaders will have an 

opportunity to engage in practical experiences 

and thought partnership to build deeper 

trust, stronger connection, and greater wellbeing 

in their schools and communities. 

Leaders will explore ways to cultivate 

schools and classrooms where students’ 

sense of belonging fosters safer and genuine 

connection to one another and their 

communities. Participants will leave this 

session with actionable strategies to further 

support their commitment to educating the 

whole child and supporting their whole school 

community. 

School Finance & Budget 

Basics for Kansas School 

Leaders 

Time: 1:45-2:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Kellen J. Adams, Chanute USD 

413 

Each year, school boards across Kansas are 

charged with overseeing approximately $3B 

for Kansas school district budgets. These 

funds, accounting for over half of the state’s 

General Fund, are primarily raised through 

local taxation. The expectations for efficient 

and effective uses of these funds has never 

been more scrutinized as these decisions 

are consistently subject to the public view. 

Whether you are a new or experienced board 

member, it is important to understand the 

funds that have been entrusted to your office 

by your stakeholders. This session provides 

for an overview of both the finance and 

budget structures for Kansas School Districts, 

including (but not limited to): 

• How funds are generated - mill rates, state 

aid, etc. 

• Basics of fund expenditures and how and 

where funds are expended from 

• An introduction to common terminology 

• Common practices for districts on how to 

properly manage the funds they have 

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Coaching Up: Using 

Mentoring Strategies to Forge 

Authentic Relationships That 

Lead to Teacher Retention 

Time: 1:45-2:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Deanna L. Gooch, Wichita 


• Kody Grant 

• Dr. Deb Hamm 

• Traci Holder 

• Erin Nichols 

• Andrea Palmer 

• Janci Ramirez 

• Rachael Shipley 

Board to Be Wild: What’s 

Shaking In Board Governance 

Time: 1:45-2:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Angie Stallbaumer, KASB 

KASB legal is here to get you up to speed on 

some trending challenges Boards of Education 

are facing this year. Let’s get in the know 

together. 

Impact teacher retention while building a 

culture of collaboration and support that 

will drive teachers to your district. Join the 

experts and staff from the Kansas Mentoring 

Induction Center (KMIC) for an interactive 

session on how you can make the most of 

your collaborative conversations with staff, 

students, and stakeholders while building 

the foundations of intentional and robust 

relationships. Engage cross-district, problemsolving 

discussions using proven mentoring 

techniques, and walk away with tools, 

tips, tricks, and strategies used in effective 

mentoring that can impact your staff at every 

level. 

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How Do I Make Time to Be 

an Instructional Leader? 

Time: 1:45-2:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Clark McCracken, DeSoto USD 

232 

The daily tasks, trials, and tribulations of 

an administrator make it difficult to be 

an instructional leader. As curriculum and 

standards change, it’s also difficult for an 

administrator to be confident enough in a 

subject to feel like they can help impact the 

classroom. This session will give administrators 

tips on how to positively impact the 

classroom and be a positive instructional 

leader without drastically altering their 

time commitment and without extensive 

knowledge of the subject matter. We will focus 

on classroom visits (not “walkthroughs”), 

collaborative meeting time structures, and 

the best places to get quick, easy professional 

development ideas and strategies. Participants 

need to come prepared with a school 

calendar and daily bell schedule. 

Student/Staff Communication: 

Encouraging Connection; 

Maintaining Boundaries 

Time: 1:45-2:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

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Mundorf, LLC 


LLC 

This presentation will address how students 

and staff should appropriately communicate, 

online and in person, and how Districts 

can promote healthy communication while 

maintaining important boundaries between 

students and staff. 

2:45-3:30 P.M. 

You Want Me To Do What??? 

Time: 2:45-3:30 p.m 


Presenter(s): 

• Marlene Dodge, High Plains 

Educational Cooperative #611 

• Alexa Beltz, High Plains 

Educational Cooperative #611 

Providing accommodations and modifications 

in the classroom can be a daunting task for 

general education teachers. With collaboration 

between special education teachers and 

general education teachers, accommodations 

and modifications can be understood and 

implemented by both the general education 

teacher and special education teacher. 

This presentation will help principals


and superintendents better understand 

student disabilities and accommodations 

and modifications that will allow them to 

participate with their peers in the general 

education classrooms. Concrete examples 

will be provided for accommodating and/ 

or modifying activities and assignments 

for students within the general education 

classroom across numerous subject areas and 

all school levels. 

Mindhunter: Understanding 

Target Violence, Concerning 

Behaviors, and How to 

Prevent Violence 

Time: 2:45-3:30 p.m 


Presenter(s): 

• Gregory M. Vecchi, Ph.D., FBI 

(Ret), SafeDefend 

Time: 2:45-3:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Virginia Duncan, Garden 

City USD 457 

In a world of global communication, students 

access worldwide audiences. Social media/ 

technology tools create massive potential for 

learning effective global-scale communication. 

Coach students to be digital leaders in a 

global society - to tell their stories, build their 

“brand” and professional reputations, and 

effectively communicate in a global workforce. 

Many educators struggle to effectively coach 

students to use social media and online 

platforms in a way that will help students be 

successful communicators in a global society. 

This session will focus on helping school 

leaders coach teachers to reimagine the place 

social media and online platforms have in the 

classroom. 

This presentation will provide an analysis of 

the motivation and direct behaviors associated 

with active killers in the context of targeted 

violence and what schools can do to identify, 

assess, and engage these behaviors through 

intervention based on threat levels. 

Mythbusters: Debunking 

Social Media Myths 

and Maximizing Global 

Communication Potential 

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Attendees will leave the session with: 

• an understanding of the importance of 

adults integrating and modeling effective 

global communication skills at an early age. 

• a process for facilitating student growth in 

global communication skills. 

• ideas on partnering with parents and/or 

becoming a student advocate to encourage 

and reinforce becoming effective global 

communicators. 

• ideas to coach students to build their 

“brand” and professional reputations.


Being Intentional Builds 

Culture 

Time: 2:45-3:30 p.m. 


Presenter(s): 

• Terri Glass, Lyons USD 405 

• Kristin Borrowman 

Have you been working on developing an 

MTSS model for meeting the needs of all 

students? Join me in learning how you can 

utilize your school counselors to align their 

work within an MTSS model. Attendees will 

learn how intentional school counseling 

programs can be change agents, close gaps, 

and pave the way for systemic change within 

your districts and schools. 

Is the culture in your building...off? Have you 

been trying to build the culture but you just 

don’t know how or where to start? Join us 

for some quick ideas to start putting the 

pieces together. We will walk through some 

intentional ways to start organizing your year 

to begin having honest conversations, build 

better relationships between you and your 

staff, along with ways to make your staff feel 

valued and heard. Through these ideas your 

building can start to feel positive again! Being 

intentional with what you do can begin the 

journey to a better school culture, increase 

teacher engagement and help support student 

success. 

Utilizing and Collaborating 

with School Counselors to 

Support MTSS 

Time: 2:45-3:30 p.m 


Presenter(s): 

• Dr. Lyndsey Brown, Wichita 


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Increasing Coaching Capacity 

Through Innovation and 

Learning 

Time: 2:45-3:30 p.m 


Presenter(s): 

• Tyson Eslinger, Deerfield USD 

216 

• Heather Ball, Deerfield USD 

216 

• Tim Parker, Deerfield USD 216 

• Brittany Schields, Southwest 

Plains Regional Service Center 

• Kaylee Schwieterman, 

Southwest Plains Regional 

Service Center 

Learn how Deerfield Public Schools utilizes 

support from eSuite® partnered with 

consultants from Southwest Plains Regional 

Service Center. The eSuite® platform 

provides teachers with a consistent coaching 

structure that leads to intentional, evidence-


based coaching conversations and ultimately, 

educator and learner growth, all documented 

and easily analyzed through detailed, 

customizable reporting. This partnership 

has built coaching capacity with SWPRSC 

consultants and provided the framework for 

direct work with USD 216 Deerfield to build 

the capacity of their teachers. The intentional 

capacity building has been a key strategy for 

ensuring that the Kansas Can Personalized 

Learning Initiative is being implemented with 

fidelity in all Kansas schools. 

Inclusive Leadership 

Time: 2:45-3:30 p.m 


Presenter(s): 

• Keith Reynolds, Wichita USD 2 

Innovation, Culture & Real 

World Learning 

Time: 2:45-3:30 p.m 


Presenter(s): 

• Brandi Leggett, Olathe USD 233 

This presentation will be focused on ways 

we establish a positive school culture, school 

community and develop engaged learners at 

Central Elementary, a Title I school in Olathe. 

Cougar Dens, Cougar Squads, High Five 

Fridays, Principal Prize Patrol, student jobs & 

many examples of real world learning will be 

shared. Participants will walk away with ideas 

that will help foster relationships, develop 

school community and promote real world 

learning. 

What is an inclusive leader? How do we 

become an inclusive leader? 

• The cultural iceberg 

• Diversity dimensions 

• The 4 stages of the inclusive leader 

continuum 

• The inclusive leader assessment and 

growth continuum 

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Marketing / PR and Culture 

Time: 2:45-3:30 p.m 


Presenter(s): 

• Ron Orsak, Cheney USD 268 

Explain how good marketing and public 

relations can boost the positive culture in 

a building and/or district. Share ideas and 

things we have done which improved our 

relationship with all stakeholder groups 

and increased our positive image. Discuss 

other things we have done to increase good 

behaviors, improve engagement, and have 

more student success. 

Pre-K to 12 Innovative 

Learning 

Time: 2:45-3:30 p.m 


Presenter(s): 

• Doug Powers, Basehor-Linwood 

USD 458 

Beginning with the end in mind, USD 458 has 

developed the Innovation Academy at the 

high school level through the KSDE Redesign 

process. In order to prepare students for 

Innovation Academy at BLHS, USD 458 has 

developed a Pre-K to 4th grade program 

called Wonder; a 5th grade program called 

Explore and a middle school program called 

Activate to create a PK-12 program of 

innovative learning opportunities. 

83 

Difficult Conversations: 

Principal to Staff 

Time: 2:45-3:30 p.m 


Presenter(s): 

• Tammy Fellers, ESSDACK 

• Tamara Lindholm 

As an administrator, do you find yourself 

beating around the bush and ignoring or 

justifying unsatisfactory performance? Holding 

people accountable isn’t micromanagement; it 

fosters a culture of commitment. 

This session is specifically designed for 

principals to learn the five steps for having a 

committed conversation with a staff member 

who is not meeting expectations. It will 

foster the mindset that these conversations 

don’t have to create conflict; they can create 

commitment. 

1. Create a psychologically safe space. 

(neutralizing the energy) 

2. State the gap between current 

performance and desired performance. 

(stating the need) 

3. Explore opportunities and blocks. (clarify, 

affirm, powerful questions - coaching tools) 

4. Create an action plan and identify needed 

resources. (define steps to take and 

support needed) 

5. Clarify committed actions that lead to 

success (actions of principal and staff 

member(s))


Tier 3 Behavior Programming: 

There is a Better Way 

Time: 2:45-3:30 p.m 


Presenter(s): 

• Lindy McDaniel, Hays USD 489 

• Ron Wilson, Hays USD 489 

• Kyle Carlin, West Central 

Kansas Special Education 

Cooperative 

This session will share the transformation of 

Westside Alternative School. Westside is an 

alternative school that has served students 

K-12 since 1991. Through the MTSS process 

and a program evaluation, we recognized 

that Westside Students didn’t have access 

to Tier 1 curriculum, their attendance was 

poor and ultimately, we were not seeing the 

results of successful high school graduates 

from the students who attended Westside. 

With significant behavior, trauma, and ESI 

reports on the rise, we knew we had to 

search for a better way. We dove into the 

research regarding alternative programs, 

and trauma informed practices. We create 

opportunities for students to be leaders 

in our school with family style lunch and 

school jobs. “When you change the way, 

you look at things, the things you look at 

change.” Attendance rates are up by 12%, 

61% of students are in transition back to 

their base schools and we are closer to living 

our mission of #EveryStudentEveryDay489 

#TogetherWeChampion 

84 

Women in Leadership - 

Making Yourself Heard 

Time: 2:45-3:30 p.m 


Presenter(s): 

• Jessica Griffin, USA-Kansas 

• Cara Ledy, USA-Kansas/Kansas 

Principals Association 

Join us for an opportunity to connect 

with female leaders from across the state 

to discuss the perspectives and issues 

women bring to educational conversations. 

Communication is one of the hardest - and 

most important - soft skills of leadership. 

We will spend time in collaborative 

conversations around how we communicate 

in the workplace and how we can ensure the 

feminine viewpoint is heard and valued within 

our educational systems. Come prepared to 

share your communication tips, tricks, and 

resources with other female leaders!


Advanced Seminar in School 

Finance & Budget 

Time: 2:45-3:30 p.m 


Presenter(s): 

• Kellen J. Adams, Chanute USD 

413 

• Sheila Meggers, Hutchinson 

USD 308 

This session seeks to further advance the 

concepts presented in School Finance & 

Budget Basics for KS School Leaders. The 

two primary areas developed will be school 

finance and school budget, with a third area of 

focus on the building needs assessment. The 

concepts presented will include: 

• Understanding state aid 

• Mill rate calculations 

• Deeper dive into the Legal Max 

• Budgeting from macro (district) and micro 

(building/site) levels 

• Developing the needs assessment process 

Transgender Students and the 

Law 

Time: 2:45-3:30 p.m 


Presenter(s): 


Mundorf, LLC 


LLC 

This presentation will discuss legal updates 

regarding transgender students as well as 

policy considerations, confidentiality, logistics, 

etc. 

85

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Association Meeting Hot Breakfast - Promenade Walkway - 7:15 a.m. 

KSSA Board Meeting - Birch 203 - 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. 

Principal Meeting - Cypress AB - 8:15-9:20 a.m. 

KASCD Association Meeting - Enterprise Boardroom - 8:15 - 9:00 a.m. 

Hot Breakfast - Eagle Ballroom - 8:00-9:30 a.m. Sponsored by: Energy 

Solutions Professionals 

Dr. Randy Watson - Eagle Ballroom - 9:30 a.m. 

Closing Session with Gerry Brooks - Eagle Ballroom - 10:00 a.m. 

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89

EAGLE BALLROOM - 10:00-11:15 A.M. - FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023 

Gerry Brooks is a veteran educator in Lexington, Kentucky. 

His educational experience includes six years in the classroom, 

two years as an intervention specialist, and 12 years as an 

administrator. 

He is a passionate public speaker whose focus is on encouraging 

and helping teachers improve their instructional abilities. He also 

has a desire to help administrators successfully lead their staff. 

An encouraging speaker, he has spoken to educational groups 

all around the nation. His focus is on encouraging teachers to 

improve their instruction through personal climate and culture 

strategies. He desires to help administrators focus on how to lead 

all staff in a positive and constructive manner. 

His following on social media has developed through humorous 

videos that focus on real-world educational experiences. He is 

currently followed on these social media sites by over 500,000 

people. 

90


Board of Directors 

Past USA-Kansas 

Presidents 

Amy Haussler - President 

Alma Henry - President-Elect 

Christie Meyer - Past President 

Michael Argabright – KSSA 

Scott Carson – KPA 

Craig Correll – KSSA 

Todd Dain – KPA 

Juanita Erickson - KSSA 

Becca Flowers – KSSA 

Ryan Flurry – KLCTE 

Stacey Green – KPA 

Michelle Hackney – KASPA 

Volora Hanzlicek – KASCD 

Renee Nugent – KSSA 

Heath Peine – KASEA 

Jaclyn Pfizenmaier – KASCD 

Jamie Rumford – KSSA 

Clint Schutte1 – KASBO 

Kurt Seiler – KPA 

Jeff Sells – KPA 

Bryce Wachs – KSSA 

G.A. Buie, USA-Kansas Executive 

Director 

Jerry Henn, USA-Kansas Assistant 


Jessi Clark, Communications 

Coordinator, USA-Kansas 

Cara Ledy, Director of Principal Services, 


Jessica Griffin, Director of Professional 

Development, 


Dr. Martin Stessman, Director of 

Executive Services, USA-Kansas 

91 

1971-72 Charles L Stuart, KASA 

1972-73 Harlan J Trennepohl, KASCD 

1973-74 Melvin F McDonald, KASBO 

1974-75 O L Plucker, KASA 

1975-76 Walter L Davies, KASCD 

1976-77 W Wayne Warner, KASBO 

1977-78 Jack L Larson, KASSP 

1978-79 Donald Crowell, KAESP 

1979-80 Ferman P Marsh, KASA 

1980-81 Clark Whiting, KASBO 

1981-82 Glenn Pyle, KASCD 

1982-83 Gerald W Henderson, KASSP 

1983-84 Dick McCall, KAESP 

1984-85 Donald Herbel, KASEA 

1985-87 Leo Lake, KASA 

1987-88 Tom Hawk, KASCD 

1988-89 John Harris, KASBO 

1989-90 James A Gates, KASSP 

1990-91 Merry Wade, KAESP 

1991-92 Pat Stephens, KASEA 

1992-93 Jerry Webster, KASA 

1993-94 Gary Marshall, KASCD 

1994-95 Robert Balsters, KASBO 

1995-96 Jim Sowers, KASSP 

1996-97 John Geuy, KAESP 

1997-98 Paulette Strong, KASEA 

1998-99 Marietta Gray, KAMSA 

1999-00 Marceta A Reilly, KASCD 

2000-01 Jan Collins, KASA 

2001-02 Sharon Zoellner, KASBO 

2002-03 Jim Menze, KASSP 

2003-04 Janice Strecker, KAESP 

2004-05 Susan Sipe, KASEA 

2005-06 Sue Givens, KAMSA 

2006-07 Dennis Stones, KASA 

2007-08 Rob Balsters, KASBO 

2008-09 Mary Getto, KASCD 

2009-10 Jacque Feist, KASSP 

2010-11 Jacque Feist, KASSP 

2011-12 Rob Garman, KAESP 

2012-13 Bert Moore, KASEA 

2013-14 Jill Dickerson, KAMSA 

2014-15 Craig Wilford, KSSA 

2015-16 Steve Splichal, KASCD 

2016-17 Donna Zerr, KASSP 

2017-18 Pete Bastian, KAESP 

2018-19 Sean Cochran, KASEA 

2019-20 Ryan Jilka, KAMSA 

2020-21 Christie Meyer, KASCD 

2021-22 Steve Noble, KSSA

Member Association 

Presidents 

KPA - Rena Duewel 

KSSA - Jamie Rumford 

KASBO - Michael Speer 

KASCD - Tammy Martin 

KASEA - Doug Anderson 

KLCTE - Stella Tharp 

KanSPRA - Lori O’Toole Buselt 

KASPA - Michelle Hackney 


Staff 

G.A. Buie, USA-Kansas Executive 

Director 

Jerry Henn, USA-Kansas Assistant 


Jessica Griffin, Director of Professional 

Development 

Cara Ledy, Director of Principal Services 

Kim Torrez, Business Manager 

Jessi Clark, Communications Coordinator 

Sara Warnow, Executive Assistant 

Houston Chinn, Outreach Coordinator 

Dr. Martin Stessman, Director of 

Executive Services 

Dr. Jim Karleskint, Director of Legislative 

Services 

92 


Outstanding Service 

Award Winners 

1985 Leo Lake 

Ferman Marsh 

1986 Bob Nispel 

1987 Dale Dennis 

1988 Chuck Stuart 

1989 Cecil Deel 

1990 John Bottom 

1991 Kent Hurn 

1992 Howard Shuler 

1993 Fred Campbell 

1994 Bill Medley 

1995 Tom Jerome 

1996 Rosemary Kirby 

1997 Sandra Terril 

1998 Andy Tompkins 

1999 Mike Soetaert 

2000 Eliese Holt 

2001 Rob Balsters 

2002 Mary Devin 

2003 Gerald W. Henderson 

2004 Ron Wimmer 

Sharon Zoellner 

2005 Pat Terry 

2006 John Heim 

2007 Susan Sipe 

2008 Sue Givens 

2009 Jim Lentz 

2010 Dennis Stones 

2011 Ralph Beacham 

2012 Jacque Feist 

2013 Gene Haydock 

2014 Norm Wilks 

2015 Cynthia Lane 

2016 Ron Vinduska 

2017 Duane Dorshorst 

2018 George Abel 

2019 Kelly Gillespie 

2020 Dr. Randy Watson 

2021 Jacque Feist 

2022 Stacey Green

INTERNET ACCESS CODES 

Network Name: Century 2 Wireless 

User Name: USAKS23 

Password: USAKS23 

Network Name: HyattMeeting 

Password: USAKS23 

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CENTURY II MAP 

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96 

HYATT MAP

2023 USA Conf Program

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