WCASS 2025 Spring Conference
Register Now
April 30th - May 2nd, 2025
Hilton Appleton Paper Valley - Appleton, WI
Join us for a chance to network with special education leaders and decision makers during the Wisconsin Council of Administrators of Special Services Spring Conference. Help set the stage for student success with those who are responsible for making special education and student services purchases in Wisconsin school districts.
Schedule of Events
Wednesday, April 30th - Pre-Conference
1:00pm - 4:00pm Pre-Conference
Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management and Special Considerations for those with Disabilities
Trish Kilpin-Director & Susan Williams-Threat Assessment Coordinator, WI DOJ, Office of School Safety. Tim Peerenboom-Consultant, School Psychology & Susan Piazza-Director, WI DPI Student Services, Prevention and Wellness Team. Andrea Walter-Director of Pupil Services & Special Education, Kohler School District
In partnership with DPI, WI DOJ Office of School Safety will be presenting on the current state of behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) in schools, specifically discussing best practices and special education considerations. Current research, recommendations, and lessons learned from previous threat assessment cases in schools will be shared. The presentation will emphasize the critical importance of establishing multidisciplinary threat assessment teams and how to address the systemic barriers that complicate information sharing, documentation, and follow-up planning and support.
The importance of addressing bias, equity, and disproportionality within the BTAM process and special considerations necessary to ensure threat assessment processes do not violate special education protocols and procedures.
Workshop participants will:
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Learn critical components needed to implement an effective BTAM process in schools
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Understand the difference between students that pose a threat and make a threat
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Learn strategies that increase equity while decreasing bias and disproportionality
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Understand the clear distinction, yet complementary aspects, between threat assessment and special education policies and procedures
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Be given recommendations for improving the fidelity of implementation of the BTAM process
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Networking Event Sponsored by WCASS. Join for pizza and snacks, 1 beverage ticket provided.
Thursday May 1st, 2025
7:30am -4:30pm Registration Open
7:30am - 8:15am Breakfast and Welcome
8:15am-9:45am Opening Keynote
Mitigating Trauma in School Safety Drills
Trish Kilpin - Director of the Office of Schools Safety for the WI Department of Justice
School lockdowns and safety drills are important components of safety planning. This session will provide guidance on factors school administrators and staff must take into account when planning for and conducting drills. Unique considerations within the school environment, including protecting both physical and psychological safety, will be discussed. Resources for safety planning will be shared.
9:45am -10:15am Break with Vendors
10:15am -11:30am Concurrent Sessions
1. Expanding Comprehensive School Mental Health in Wisconsin: Project AWARE
In 2023, DPI received a five-year federal grant to enhance comprehensive school mental health (CSMH) systems statewide. This dual approach ensures immediate impact in two high-need districts and long-term sustainability through a statewide CSMH infrastructure.
- Local Implementation (Direct Support to High-Need Districts).
- Statewide Capacity Building (CESA-Led System Development)
- Learn more about this initiative that builds a scalable, sustainable support system for student mental health across Wisconsin.
2. The Big, Bad "B" Word
The topics covered in the session are bullying prevention through resilience education, positive social skills while resolving conflicts, uniting parents and schools around building emotionally healthy and mentally strong students.
3. The Special Education Funding Puzzle
Join us for a session presented by a collaborative team of a Student Services Director and School Business Officials! Funding the services needed for all special education students is an ongoing challenge in every district. However, incorporating specific financial strategies can maximize the leverage of special education dollars. Using multiple streams of funding, including high cost special education aid, transfer of service and flow thru funds, Districts can work to achieve the funding levels they need to meet student needs.
4. From Interviews to Service Model- It All Matters: Improving SWD Growth Scores and Building a Culture that Attracts Highly Qualified Candidates
Hear from the Campbellsport team about how they reimagined interviews, new teacher support, student-driven service models, and the team approach to best support students with disabilities
11:30am -12:45pm Lunch
12:00pm -12:45pm Membership Meeting
1:00pm -2:15pm Concurrent Sessions
1. WCASS Professional Learning Framework
Interested in learning more about the ways in which WCASS is committed to advancing your professional learning? Ready to get a jump start on planning for your own professional learning during the 2025-2026 school year? The framework is aligned with WCASS Profession Standards and Competencies to ensure the connection of knowledge and skills that are needed to do the work of a director. Join us to learn, set goals, and plan for your learning journey.
2. Legislative Updates
Join Dee Pettack, Executive Director of the School Administrator Alliance, as she gives us a rundown of everything school related happening in the legislature.
3. Trauma and Schools: It’s All About Relationships
Trauma is relatively common in children and youth. The purpose of this session is to provide the participant with increased awareness and knowledge about trauma, in general, and its expression and prevalence in school-aged individuals, specifically. The impact trauma can have on the educational process is also discussed. Finally, specific strategies focused on relationships and connected will be discussed.
4. The Braille Framework: An Appendix to the Wisconsin English Language Arts Standards
Participants will learn how and why the Braille Framework was created, and how to access and implement the Framework with braille learners in their classrooms. Objectives: 1. Know the how and why the Braille Framework was created 2. Know how to access and implement. 3. Know how to be take part in the implementation year and give feedback throughout the process.
2:15pm -2:45pm Break with Vendors
2:45pm -4:15pm Concurrent Sessions
1. Student Discipline: Issues, Laws, Guidance, and Practical Considerations
2. AI in Special Education: Legal Pitfalls and Civil Rights Considerations
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into education, school districts must navigate the legal complexities and civil rights considerations associated with its use. This session will explore key legal pitfalls and potential instances of disability discrimination that can arise when AI is used by district staff and students. Drawing from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights resource, Avoiding the Discriminatory Use of Artificial Intelligence, we will examine real-world scenarios where the use of AI and AI-driven decisions could result in a denial of FAPE, inequitable educational opportunities, or violations of privacy laws such as FERPA. Join us to discuss best practices for mitigating legal risks and protecting students’ civil rights in an AI-driven educational landscape.
3. Compliance Matters: Understanding Your District’s Obligations Under Section 504
Attorneys Tess O’Brien and Alana Leffler from Renning, Lewis, & Lacy s.c., will discuss your school district’s obligations under Section 504. This presentation will focus on understanding eligibility, effective strategies for evaluating and documenting student disabilities and considerations for determining accommodations and modifications.
4. Boardman-Clark: Topic TBD
4:30pm - 6:30pm WCASS' 30th Birthday Celebration!
Friday May 2nd, 2025
7:00am -8:00am Breakfast
8:10am -9:30am Legal Hot Topics: Panel Discussion
Join us for a lively discussion about current hot topics. This group of esteemed attorneys will answer questions shared by student services leaders on topics including Act 20, placement decisions, seclusion and restraint and staffing challenges.
9:45am -10:30am & 10:45am -11:30am Community Conversations (repeated)
- Legal Hot Topic: Dig Deeper-Student Discipline
- Legal Hot Topic: IDEA Complaints
- Legal Hot Topic: Dig Deeper-Section 504
- Legal Hot Topic: Civil Rights Issues
- Legal Hot Topic: Dig Deeper-AI in Special Education
- Legal Hot Topic: TBD
- Dig Deeper: Act 20 Implementation
- Dig Deeper: Special Education Budgeting
- Dig Deeper: Measurable Growth for Students with Disabilities
- Dig Deeper: Mental Health Support for Students in Schools
Conference Fees
Member: $375*
Non-Member: $450
*Must be logged in to select member pricing*
Sending a team?
Team of 3 Conference fees:
Members: $1,000
(Each additional team member is $333)
Please email [email protected] with the following information in order to receive the team of 3 (or more) discount!
For each team member we need:
1. name
2. title
3. school
4. WCASS membership status
5. CESA region
6. email address
WCASS will register the group for you and email you the confirmation and invoice.
Overnight Information
Hilton Appleton Paper Valley
333 West College Ave.
Appleton, WI 54911
Special state room rate of $98/single or $119/double occupancy per night. State Rate: Book Online
Standard Room Rate $139/night
Call 800-774-1500 or book online
Room block closes 3/30/25
Accessibility: For questions about accessibility or to request special assistance during the event, please contact Gail Anderson at [email protected]. Three weeks advance notice is required to allow us to provide seamless access. If you need to cancel the special request this must be done at least 3 working days prior to the start of the event.
Questions? For questions on registration, payment, or general information please email WCASS Member Services at [email protected]
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