WASPA 2026 HR Foundations Academy
Registration: Open Now
July 8th - July 9th, 2026
Holiday Inn at the American Center in Madison, WI
In your first or second year of HR or aspiring to work in HR? Looking for a refresh on foundational topics in HR specific to schools? Join us for this must-attend Academy geared towards new HR Administrators and Support Staff. Learn or refresh on HR basics and tips and tricks of the trade from veteran HR Directors and Attorneys. Join us in Madison July 8th and 9th for the HR Foundations Academy. Connect with other school HR professionals and learn from experts in the field. We know HR is more demanding and complicated to administer than ever before. Gain critical knowledge that all HR positions should have and find solutions to your issues!
Schedule of Events
Wednesday, July 8th
7:15 am - 8:00 am | Breakfast & Registration
8:00 am - 8:15 am | Welcome & Introductions
8:15 am - 8:30 am | WASPA Resources, presented by WASPA Executive Director, Michelle Golden
8:30 am - 9:45 am | Creating an Engaging Onboarding Experience
Speakers: Julie Grotophorst, Director of Human Resources, Greendale Schools
Session Description: Ensure that new hires feel welcomed and supported as they integrate into your school district team by transforming your onboarding process into a powerful tool for retention and engagement.
9:45 am - 10:00 am | BREAK
10:00 am - 11:00 am | Candidate Screening
Session Speaker: Pam Casey, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, School District of Elmbrook
Session Description: Coming Soon
11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Investigations & Employee Conduct
Session Speaker: Andrea Voelker & Laura Pederson, Attorneys, Renning, Lewis, & Lacy
Session Description: Coming Soon
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Lunch
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Protecting Students & Staff (Conducting & Updating Background Checks)
Session Speaker: Chrissy Hamiel, Attorney, Attolles
Session Description: Coming Soon
2:00 pm - 2:15 pm | Break
2:15 pm - 3:00 pm | Handbooks: Policies & Practices in Alignment
Session Speaker: Lauren Burand, Attorney, Buelow Vetter
Session Description: Coming Soon
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Ask the Experts: Attorney & HR Director Q&A
Session Speakers: Chrissy Hamiel, Andrea Voelker, Laura Pederson, & Lauren Burand, Attorneys.
Session Description: Get your burning questions answered and gain valuable insights directly from legal and HR experts in this interactive Q&A session.
4:00 pm - 4:15 pm | Adjourn Day 1
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm | Networking Social at Drumlin Ridge Winery
Thursday, July 9th
7:15 am - 8:00 am | Breakfast & Registration
8:00 am - 9:00 am | Annual HR Calendar: Creating a Sustainable Work Flow for Your Department
Session Speaker: Nate Jaeger, Director of HR, Deforest Area School District
Session Description: Plan your annual HR workflow and stay ahead of key deadlines with a guide to creating and utilizing an effective annual HR calendar.
9:00 am - 9:45 am | DPI Updates (Licensing)
Session Speaker: Ariana Baker & Julie Hagen, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Session Description: Learn about the essential requirements and processes of DPI licensing to ensure your staff meets all necessary qualifications.
9:45 am - 10:00 am | Break
10:00 am - 11:00 am | FMLA
Session Speakers: Jen Sielaff, School District of South Milwaukee
Session Description: Coming Soon
10:30 am - 10:45 am | BREAK
11:00 am - 12:00 pm | What I Wish I Knew When I Started: Experiences from New HR Directors
Session Speaker: Sarah Leatherman, Director of Human Resources, West Bend School District & Erin Eslinger, Director of Human Resources, Mount Horeb Area School District
Session Description: Benefit from the real-world experiences and lessons learned by fellow new HR Directors, gaining invaluable insights to navigate your first years in the role.
12:00 pm - 12:20 pm | Conference Conclusion and Door Prize Drawings
|
