Identify local, state and federal funding sources that affect school districts. Learn tax levy basics and other critical factors impacting school district revenue in Illinois.

PDC: Principles of School Finance
Speaker: Dan Stanley Asst. Supt./Finance, CSBO, Comm. High Sch. Dist. 128

Learn what school districts are allowed to invest in and the benefits of having a sound investment plan. Download Presentation

PDC: Cash Management
Speakers: Tim Flaherty SVP, Senior Relationship Manager, PTMA Financial Solutions
Jake Goedken VP Investment Svcs., PTMA Financial Solutions

Navigating through the deep woods of medicaid and the unique aspects of reporting for Fee For Service and Administrative Outreach.

PDC: Special Education
Speaker: Maggie Gaisor Grants & Medicaid Supv., Mundelein Elem. SD 75

SBOs face a variety of communication challenges from explaining financial data to building trust with key stakeholders. This session combines practical tools, real-world strategies and an interactive tabletop exercise to help participants simplify complex information and strengthen their messaging. Attendees will leave with actionable resources from AI tools to checklists for presentations, stakeholder updates and crisis communication.

PDC: Communications
Speakers: Casey Defauw Director of Communications, Comm. Unit Sch. Dist. 300
Dan Oberg Dir./Business Services, Comm. High Sch. Dist. 94
Mark Orszula Chief School Business Official, Elmwood Park CUSD 401

Participants will gain a clear understanding of how core operational areas such as facilities, maintenance, transportation, custodial services and safety are structured and managed. Presenters  will outline typical workflows, key responsibilities and how these functions intersect with district priorities and budgeting. Attendees will learn where and how to access support, including internal resources, external partners and industry networks.

PDC: Maintenance & Operations
Speakers: Eric Jonasson, CPMM, CPS Director of Facilities, Lincolnshire Prairieview SD 103
Marta McCullough, CPMM Facilities & Transportation Manager, Glenbard Twp. HSD 87

Hear what seasoned professionals wish they had known when starting out in their roles and discover strategies to make your year… and your career... a success.

PDC: Budgeting
Speakers: Scott Blumberg Asst. Supt. for Business Services/CSBO, Aptakisic-Tripp SD 102
Jordi Camps, CPA Asst. Supt./Business Services, CFO, East Maine SD 63
Samantha Snyder Chief School Business Official, Zion Elem. SD 6

Learn the fundamentals of school expenditures and financial reporting. Explore the SBO’s role in managing spending and reviewing best practices in business office operations.

PDC: Principles of School Finance
Speaker: Scott Beranek Director of Finance/CSBO, Orland SD 135

Ever wonder why a simple technology request becomes complicated? This session gives SBOs a candid look at the top things technology leaders wish business offices understood, including cybersecurity, AI risks, shadow IT, realistic timelines and the importance of early collaboration.

PDC: Technology
Speakers: Tony Inglese, Ph.D., SFO Chief Financial Officer, Batavia USD 101
Jeremy Wickham, CETL Executive Director of Technology and Operations, North Shore SD 112

This session is designed to help you navigate the real-world challenges that catch many CSBOs off guard. From understanding why liability reconciliations matter to recognizing common fraud risks and avoiding frequent mistakes, presenters will cover practical topics every CSBO should know. Leave with insights, tips and greater confidence to tackle the responsibilities of the role successfully.

PDC: Accounting
Speaker: Stacey Corder, MBA Governmental Financial Services Director, Benning Group, LLC 
Matt Geerdes Principal, Sikich, LLP

This session highlights the business managers key role in maintaining fiscal responsibility. Explore the full school budget cycles from revenue forecasting and strategic planning to board adoption and year-end review. Learn how to collaborate with program leaders, support data-driven decisions and align financial resources with district goals.

PDC: Budgeting
Speakers: Whitney Draegert Dir./Business Services, CSBO, Exceptional Learners Collaborative
Bopha Loera District Accountant, Aurora East SD 131
Melissa Mickey Business Manager, Grayslake CHSD 127

Learn the bill making process in this interactive session. You will be assigned a role in the process, see multiple sides of a legislative issue and learn how a bill becomes a law.

PDC: Public Policy
Speakers: Ray Coyne Executive Director, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
Joel Filas CSBO, Benjamin SD 25
Bennet Kostecki Business Manager, CSBO, Deerfield Public SD 109

Design Build is a new process in Illinois that may be advantageous for your capital project.  Understanding the process, components and levels of detail to secure a meaningful response is critical. Learn the pros and cons from a CSBO, Architect and Owners Rep based on a real RFP example.

PDC: Planning & Construction
Speakers: Terry Fielden Market Manager K12, Consertus
Eric Rogers Dir./Finance & Operations, Diamond Lake SD 76
Ed Wright, AIA, LEED AP BD+C Principal, Architect/VP Business Dev., DLA Architects, Ltd.

How do you learn the history when you are in a new district? How do you find out who you really are and what your district represents. We will show you how to use data to tell a story as well as the history and context of your district.

PDC: Budgeting
Speakers: Saad Bawany Senior Advisor, Analytics, Frontline Education
Melissa Mickey Business Manager, Grayslake CHSD 127
Lisa Roberts Director of Business Services, Elmhurst CUSD 205

Understanding the receivables and payables of food service, specific to districts with a FSMC.

PDC: Food Service
Speakers: Erica Arlinsky Executive Vice President, OrganicLife, LLC
Karen Hayes Interim CSBO, Skokie SD 73.5

Gain a survival guide for transitioning to your new position in your district. Learn what to know, where to gather resources and create a helpful network group to aid in your success.

PDC: Principles of School Finance
Speakers: Katie Hannigan Dir./Finance & Operations, CSBO, LaGrange Highlands SD 106
Brian Johnson Director of Finance, Crete-Monee CSD 201-U

Leadership often asks us to step up before we feel fully ready. This session explores how rising school business leaders can build confidence, communicate clearly and lead in public settings without pretending to have every answer.

PDC: Leadership
Speakers: Cindy Dykas Asst. Supt. for Business Services/CSBO, Worth SD 127
Patrick Kays Account Executive, DLA Architects, Ltd.

This session walks Illinois school business administrators through real district debt profiles, highlighting how obligations phase out over time, where refunding opportunities may exist, and how to navigate the Debt Service Extension Base (DSEB) for applicable districts. Attendees will gain practical insight into structuring debt, identifying capacity and aligning repayment with long-term financial and capital planning goals.

PDC: Cash Management
Speaker: Michael Williamson Vice President, R.W. Baird

Gain practical guidance for making fair, compliant and ethical decisions in a school business setting.

PDC: Purchasing
Speakers: Ivy Fleming Asst. Supt./Finance & Operations, Fremont SD 79
Nicole Kennedy, CPP, CPPM Director of Purchasing, Comm. Unit Sch. Dist. 300
Amy McPartin Asst. Supt./Finance & Operations, Prospect Heights SD 23

Who says a budget has to be a bad word? Join us for a fresh look at buying habits, operational hacks and the secret to maintaining your building on a budget that actually works. We will dig into practical strategies, clever cost-cutting ideas  and ways to grow your teams skills without shrinking morales or your wallet.

PDC: Maintenance & Operations
Speakers: Jose Medina Executive Director of Facilities, Twp. High Sch. Dist. 113
Dave Schuh, CPMM, CPS Dir./Operations, Crystal Lake CSD 47

In the spirit of Mr. Rogers, we look at the unique reporting aspects in special education financing in navigating through grants and claims. This allows an opportunity to share experiences and how to be prepared for the future. 

PDC: Special Education
Speaker: Steve Smidl Director of Business Services/CSBO, LaGrange CSD 105

Leadership often asks us to step up before we feel fully ready. This session explores how rising school business leaders can build confidence, communicate clearly and lead in public settings without pretending to have every answer.

PDC: Leadership
Speakers: Cindy Dykas Asst. Supt. for Business Services/CSBO, Worth SD 127
Patrick Kays Account Executive, DLA Architects, Ltd.