2025 MASBO Summer Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to the MASBO Summer Conference! We’re glad you’re here!

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7:30am MDT

Breakfast & Visit Exhibitors

Saturday April 5, 2025 7:30am - 8:30am MDT

Convention Center

Saturday April 5, 2025 7:30am - 8:30am MDT
Convention Center 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101

8:00am MDT

Conference Registration

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:00am - 3:00pm MDT

Convention Center

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:00am - 3:00pm MDT
Convention Center 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101

8:30am MDT

Bank Outside of the County

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT

Parlor 1031

The session will cover banking considerations, paperwork to file to move your funds, monthly reconciling, investments, and FDIC coverage.

Presenters

TJ Harold-Marmon

Business Mgr/Clerk, Ronan

TJ has been with the Ronan School District since June of 2015. Before that, she was an auditor for a local bank. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Dixon, MT where her husband ranches and the daughters keep things running smoothly (Or hinder operations depending on the... Read More →

Denise Mason

Business Mgr/Clerk, East Glacier Park

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Parlor 1031

8:30am MDT

Being a Smart Shopper – The U.S. Healthcare System presented by MUST

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT

Parlor 1009 Meeting Room

The U.S. Healthcare system is highly complex and costly. We will provide you with information regarding the importance of preventative services. The advantages of preventative health vs. reactive health, and information pertaining to preventative pharmacy benefits. We will also dive into multiple topics to help you spread out your healthcare dollar. Presented by DeAnna Milmine, Marketing & Sales Representative, Region 2: Jarett Laden, Marketing & Sales Representative, Region 3; and Jim Mepham, Marketing & Sales Representative, Region 4, Montana Unified School Trust (MUST).

Presenters

Jarett Laden

MUST

Jim Mepham

Marketing & Sales Representative, MUST

DeAnna Milmine

MUST

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Parlor 1009 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

8:30am MDT

Clean School Bus and Clean Heavy Duty Vehicles Programs

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT

Parlor 1019 Meeting Room

The presentation from the EPA highlights funding opportunities for school districts. These opportunities provide funding for school districts to replace their old buses with low and zero-emission school buses. Low and zero-emission school buses is one of EPA’s objectives to protect the developing lungs of children. The presentation gives an overview of the current funding opportunities and how to apply to them.

Presenters

YeChan Lim

Technical Lead, EPA Region 8 Air Permitting and Grants Management Branch

YeChan Lim currently serves as the technical lead for EPA’s Clean School Bus Program in Region 8, covering the states of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. YeChan is passionate about sustainable transportation and would love to connect with school... Read More →

Volpe Vo

Environmental Engineer, EPA Region 8 Air Permitting and Grants Management Branch

Volpe Vo is a project officer for the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program in Region 8, covering the states of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Although relatively new to the EPA, Volpe is still passionate about children’s health and would love to talk... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Parlor 1019 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

8:30am MDT

Impact Aid Applications and Tips

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT

Parlor 1018 Meeting Room

Impact Aid Applications and tips (finding federally connected students, special education count requirements, how to read a coucher). Dept. of Education website tools, legislative updates.

Presenters

Lonnie Morin

Business Mgr/Clerk, Arlee

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Parlor 1018 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

8:30am MDT

Let's Talk About Stress: Reducing Employee Stress and Burnout

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT

Parlor 1010 Meeting Room

Learn about stress and workplace burnout and why it is one of the most important issues to address at your school. This integrative presentation will provide real life techniques to reduce your stress and learn skills to prevent your own workplace burnout.

Presenters

Katie Ball

JOY A Wellness Boutique

Katie completed her Undergraduate degree in Counseling Psychology and her Master’s degree in Social Work, focusing on Community Mental Health and Wellness. Katie has spent her career within the Healthcare industry supporting patient’s mental health in hospitals and clinics. She... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Parlor 1010 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

8:30am MDT

Pop Quiz with Mike & Denise

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT

Ballroom Meeting Room

Join us for some friendly competition as we rack your brains with school finance questions. Win or lose, everyone is sure to learn something and have fun doing it.

Presenters

Mike Waterman

Executive Director of Business and Operations, Bozeman Schools

Denise Williams

Accounting Supervisor, Missoula County Public Schools

Over 30 years working in school finance at Kalispell Public Schools, East Helena Public Schools and Amsterdam School, MASBO, OPI and Gallatin County. Still going strong .

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Ballroom Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

8:30am MDT

Spreadsheet Tips and Tricks 2: Intermediate/Advanced

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT

Board Room

The first class covered how to navigate and enter data, different data types, and simple formulas and functions. Picking up where the first class left off we will cover more advanced functions. Sorting. Graphs. Conditional formatting.

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Board Room

8:30am MDT

SUBSTITUTION: Board Meeting Antics

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT

Yellowstone Meeting Room

Join us for a board meeting at Shenanigans School District, where you never know what will happen. Help the board know where they went wrong.

Presenters

Shay Baize

Interim Services/Professional Development Coordinator, MASBO

My name is Shay Baize and I am thrilled to join the MASBO team! I have been a Business Manager for 12 years and loved every minute of it. Over the years in “the biz” I have met some amazing people and formed some very strong bonds. Although my former school district still holds... Read More →

Donnie McVee

Interim Services/Professional Development Coordinator, MASBO

Shelley Turner

Executive Director, MASBO

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Yellowstone Meeting Room

8:30am MDT

Wage & Hour

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT

Parlor 1001 Meeting Room

This workshop is comprised of general information to provide insight and clarification regarding Wage and Hour laws and their application to school districts.

Presenters

Karla Ivie

Compliance Specialist, Montana Department of Labor & Industry Employment Standards Division

I am a Compliance Specialist with the Department of Labor. I have a bachelor's in forensic psychology and a master's in criminal justice. I worked for the agency from 2010 through 2013 and, after a short career in the Department of Corrections, I returned to the agency in 2021... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Parlor 1001 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

8:30am MDT

OPI Medley

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 10:40am MDT

Missouri Meeting Room

In this presentation we will be presenting on a variety of topics including budget amendments,
Indian Education for All, Reserves, Program Codes, and more.

Presenters

Autumn Belmont

Budget Anaylst, OPI

Autumn Belmont is a graduate of Boise State University where she received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Science in Accountancy, Taxation. Autumn previously worked at the Department of Revenue for 3.5 years and has been working as a Budget Analyst... Read More →

Andrea Mohammadi

Business Anaylst, OPI

Ms. Mohammadi is a graduate of Old Dominion University in Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in MIS and Administrative Management. Andrea worked as a District Clerk/Business Manager in Montana for 6 years before coming to OPI.

Laci Novark

Budget Analyst, OPI

Ms. Novark joined the School Finance team in October of 2022. Laci has 10 years of experience working in the banking industry as well as 5 years of experience in Healthcare Finance. Laci was most recently a District Clerk for 6.5 years, where she learned the rewards of a career supporting... Read More →

Barbara Quinn

Senior Manager, OPI

Ms. Quinn graduated from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in 1998. She has been with the OPI since 2017 and in School Finance since May 2021 as the School Finance Senior Manager.

Alivia Skeslien-Jenkins

Budget Analyst, OPI

Ms. Skeslien-Jenkins joined the School Finance team in July of 2023 as a Budget Analyst. Alivia graduated from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. After five years in Fargo, ND, Alivia decided it was time to return to her Montana roots. She... Read More →

Paul Taylor

Budget Analyst, Montana Office of Public Instruction

Paul Taylor works for the Office of Public Instruction as a Budget Analyst. His most sincere work interest is to provide the most accurate and beneficial service to the public schools of Montana

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 10:40am MDT
Missouri Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

8:30am MDT

Stress Relief - Get Some Puppy Play Time

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 11:00am MDT

Parlor 1030

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:30am - 11:00am MDT
Parlor 1030

9:40am MDT

A Paperless Business Office: The Impossible Dream

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT

Parlor 1010 Meeting Room

Some say it is a myth. Is it even possible to have a paperless business office? We'll answer that by collaboratively building a Better Purchase Request in less than one hour.

Presenters

Terry Bybee

Co-founder of Flow Forms, a Montana software company., Flow Forms

Terry Bybee is the co-founder of Flow Forms, a Montana software company. He loves public education, building forms and VHS tapes.

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT
Parlor 1010 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

9:40am MDT

Audit Preparation

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT

Parlor 1001 Meeting Room

What an audit is.
How to prepare for an audit and what to expect.
What information will the auditor will ask for.
What final product will be and your responsibilities.
- Type of audit opinions.
- If there are any findings how severe they are

Presenters

Anthony B. Gerharz Jr.

Secnior Manager, CPA, Wipfli

Anthony Gerharz is a senior manager in Wipfli LLP’s government, and educationpractice. Having focused on the government industry his entire career, he hasextensive experience with financial and compliance audits of local governmentsand is also knowledgeable about regulatory reporting... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT
Parlor 1001 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

9:40am MDT

Black Mountain Software User Group

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT

Ballroom Meeting Room

: A quick trip through our applications, reminding users of all BMS offers.

Presenters

RaLynn Brown

Support Specialist, Black Mountain Software

As a Support Specialist, RaLynn prides herself on an innate ability to take problems in stride and calmly guide Black Mountain Software clients toward success. Her grounded and responsible nature, along with her bookkeeping and administrative experience, makes RaLynn the rock to build... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT
Ballroom Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

9:40am MDT

C&C School Accounting Software User Group

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT

Parlor 1018 Meeting Room

Meeting for users of C & C School Accounting Software.

Presenters

David Bardwell

President, C&C School Accounting

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT
Parlor 1018 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

9:40am MDT

Clean School Bus and Clean Heavy Duty Vehicles Programs

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT

Parlor 1019 Meeting Room

Presenters

YeChan Lim

Technical Lead, EPA Region 8 Air Permitting and Grants Management Branch

Volpe Vo

Environmental Engineer, EPA Region 8 Air Permitting and Grants Management Branch

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT
Parlor 1019 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

9:40am MDT

Presenting Budgets to Trustees

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT

Yellowstone Meeting Room

Presenting Budgets to Trustees. School finance is a massive subject and
takes most of us a few years to get a handle on, right? And, public speaking is people’s
biggest fear! Mix these together and you get a significant portion of our duties! We are
going to discuss ways to help our volunteer school board members feel comfortable
with adopting the budgets and help you master your game. This is geared more for
New Clerks, but if you’re an old pro, come and share your wisdom.

Presenters

Lacey Porrovechhio

Business Mgr/Clerk, Bigfork Schools

Lacey grew up in the Flathead Valley (straight out of the canyon!) and now lives inBigfork with her husband and 3 sons. She has been the School Business Official atBigfork School District for ten years. She was the assistant business manager for 3years before that and is very thankful... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT
Yellowstone Meeting Room

9:40am MDT

The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat- MSGIA

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT

Parlor 1009 Meeting Room

We all want the thrill of victory. Unfortunately, many coaches and physical education teachers in our public schools are experiencing the agony of defeat. Join the MSGIA crew as they discuss the ever-increasing frequency and severity of coach and gym teacher injuries and ideas on preventing them.

Presenters

Shawn Bubb

Executive Director, MSGIA-WCRRP

Shawn has been in the insurance industry since 1994 and prior to that he worked in the financial services industry for three years. He has a strong accounting background holding key positions such as internal auditor, corporate controller, and insurance operations team leader for... Read More →

Annette Satterly, MS, CRM, CIC, CSRM, CPSI

Risk Management Associate, MTSBA/MSGIA

I have worked as a Risk Manager at MTSBA/MSGIA since 1997. I am currently a CRM, CIC, CSRM, CPSI and an accredited asbestos inspector. I attended Montana Tech and received my BS and MS in safety engineering and industrial hygiene. I am the fifth generation from Butte, Montana. I am... Read More →

Brenda Koch

Risk Management Associate, MTSBA/MSGIA

Brenda Koch, was the K-12 Executive Director overseeing 17 schools in the Billings PublicSchool district for the past 12 years. Brenda was also a former superintendent, principal,teacher, and coach spanning, an impressive career 28 years in the Montana K-12 publiceducational system.Brenda... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT
Parlor 1009 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

9:40am MDT

Winning Strategies When Using E-Grants

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT

Parlor 1031

This interactive session will focus on understanding E-Grants “rules”. The topics covered will be accessing and navigating E-Grants, terms, and definitions, finding, and using E-Grants how to guides and videos, understanding error messages and successfully submitting and amending grants. Participants should be prepared to ask questions and share winning strategies with colleagues.

Presenters

Mindi Askelson

Grants Management Systems Analyst, OPI

Mindi Federman Askelson is an E-Grants Systems Analysist in Centralized Services at the OPI. She graduated from the University of Montana School of Forestry in 1982 and received her M.Ed. from Eastern Montana College in 1992. Mindi spent over 28 years working in Higher Education... Read More →

Daniel McNurlin

IT Systems Analysist, OPI

Daniel McNurlin is an IT Systems Analysist in Centralized Services at the OPI. Duties include System Analyst for Perceptive Content – Creating Workflows/Monitoring, Creating New Users. E-Grants Systems Analysist assisting with creating and troubleshooting e-grants.

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am MDT
Parlor 1031

10:00am MDT

Sunshine Fund

Saturday April 5, 2025 10:00am - 7:00pm MDT

Convention Center

Saturday April 5, 2025 10:00am - 7:00pm MDT
Convention Center 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101

10:40am MDT

Break/Visit Exhibitors

Saturday April 5, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am MDT

Convention Center

Saturday April 5, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am MDT
Convention Center 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101

11:00am MDT

Building Board Agendas & Packets

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Parlor 1009 Meeting Room

Building board agendas and packets plus more!

Presenters

Jeff Weldon

Attorney and Counselor at Law, Felt Martin PC

Jeff joined the firm in 2005 and is a shareholder. His practice primarily focuses on Montana school law, labor and employment law, and local government law. Jeff serves as general counsel for several Montana school boards and has advised and represented other public and private entities... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Parlor 1009 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

11:00am MDT

Improving School Facilities: Overview of the Capital Planning, Bond Election and Bond Financing Process

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Parlor 1019 Meeting Room

Are your School District’s facilities in need of capital improvement projects? Do you see a potential need for bond financing in your future? If you are considering a big or small project and wonder where to start, this seminar will provide information for everyone including a bond market overview and helpful insights from an experienced school business official who has recently worked through the capital planning, bond election and bond issuance process and is currently in the construction phase. Presented by Julie Jones (Laurel School Districts), Bridget Ekstrom and Crystal Vogl (D.A. Davidson & Co.), Dan Semmens and Courtney Ellis (Dorsey & Whitney)

Presenters

Bridget Ekstrom

Managing Director, Public Finance Banker, DA Davidson & Co.

Bridget has over 30 years’ experience with D.A. Davidson & Co. andis located in our Bozeman Public Finance Office. Bridget specializes inproviding underwriting and advisory services to schools and localgovernments across Montana. Bridget is a native of Fort Benton and agraduate... Read More →

Courtney Ellis

Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Courtney represents issuers, underwriters, and borrowers in a variety ofpublic finance transactions. She advises state and local government clientsregarding the range of financing tools available under state law, and acts asbond counsel on a wide range of revenue bond financings... Read More →

Julie Jones

District Clerk/Business Manager, Laurel Public Schools

Julie is the District Clerk/Business Manager of the Laurel Elementary andHigh School Districts, a position she has held with the Districts sinceNovember 2020. Prior to joining the Districts, Julie was the DistrictClerk/Business Manager for Fromberg K-12 Schools for six years. Shepreviously... Read More →

Dan Semmens

Partner, Dorsey & Whitney

Dan has been with Dorsey & Whitney in the Missoula office since 2001. Heis a public finance partner whose practice focuses on issuer representation andregularly serves as Bond Counsel to school districts. In the role of BondCounsel, he helps schools and other public entities by providing... Read More →

Crystal Vogl

Senior Vice President, Senior Public Finance Analyst, D.A. Davidson & CO.

Crystal has worked in Public Finance with D.A. Davidson & Co. since2000 and is located in our Great Falls Corporate Headquarters. Crystalspecializes in municipal transactions and analytical support for clients inMontana as well as throughout the Pacific Northwest. Crystal is a nativeof... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Parlor 1019 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

11:00am MDT

Master Student Activity Funds

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Yellowstone Meeting Room

Ready to ace next year's student activity funds? Curious about which funds go into the Student Activity Account? Want insider tips on best practices for internal controls? Join the Student Activities Committee for a dynamic session that will help you navigate the course without hitting any sand traps or water hazards!

Presenters

Carrie Fisher

Director of Finance, Belgrade Schools

Carrie grew up in East Helena, attended high school in Helena and graduated with a business degree from Montana State University (Go Bobcats!). Carrie has been married to her wonderful husband Steve for 27 years. They have two children: Kyra, 26, and Zander, 24. Since 2002, Carrie... Read More →

TJ Harold-Marmon

Business Mgr/Clerk, Ronan

Stacy Montgomery

Forsyth &amp;amp; Kircher

Stacy has been a school business manager for Forsyth Public Schools for 5 years and Kircher School District for 8 years . Stacy is married to her husband Keeley. Together they have three children, two grandchildren, and one amazing dog Schatzie!!. She enjoys fishing, camping... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Yellowstone Meeting Room

11:00am MDT

Medicaid Reimbursements for IEP Based Services provided in Montana Schools

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Parlor 1001 Meeting Room

Come learn about Medicaid reimbursements for students with eligible direct care services. We will cover what services qualify and cover steps for submitting claims to DPHHS. Bring your questions and prepare to learn something new!

Presenters

Lisa Waterman

Medicaid Billing Program Manager, SSOM

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Parlor 1001 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

11:00am MDT

OPI Teach Act

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Missouri Meeting Room

We will be presenting on the Teach Act (Teacher Incentive Program). How to know if your
school and your teachers qualify, how to enter your teachers into Infinite Campus, what to
expect from the OPI during the verification process, and how to remove your disqualified
teachers from participating. We will have time for questions from schools at the end and are
more than happy to try to answer all questions.

Presenters

Autumn Belmont

Budget Anaylst, OPI

Andrea Mohammadi

Business Anaylst, OPI

Laci Novark

Budget Analyst, OPI

Barbara Quinn

Senior Manager, OPI

Alivia Skeslien-Jenkins

Budget Analyst, OPI

Paul Taylor

Budget Analyst, Montana Office of Public Instruction

Paul Taylor works for the Office of Public Instruction as a Budget Analyst. His most sincere work interest is to provide the most accurate and beneficial service to the public schools of Montana

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Missouri Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

11:00am MDT

Pop Quiz

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Ballroom Meeting Room

Join us for some friendly competition as we rack your brains with school finance questions. Win or lose, everyone is sure to learn something and have fun doing it.

Presenters

Mike Waterman

Executive Director of Business and Operations, Bozeman Schools

Denise Williams

Accounting Supervisor, Missoula County Public Schools

Over 30 years working in school finance at Kalispell Public Schools, East Helena Public Schools and Amsterdam School, MASBO, OPI and Gallatin County. Still going strong .

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Ballroom Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

11:00am MDT

School Business Official State Certification Testing

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Board Room

Certification tests(s) will be administered to those who have made previous arrangements with Marie Roach.

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Board Room

11:00am MDT

Show Me The Money: OPI Egrants Edition

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Parlor 1031

During this session we will cover updated “rules” for drawing down funds, creating expenditure reports, applying for indirect costs, and understanding error messages. Participants should be prepared to ask questions and share winning strategies with colleagues.

Presenters

Mindi Askelson

Grants Management Systems Analyst, OPI

Catlin Clifford

Lead Grant Accountant, OPI

Catlin Clifford is the lead grant accountant in the Centralized Service division for OPI. She started at The Montana Office of Public Instruction in July of 2020.Catlin started as a temporary accounting technician, completing reconciliation for procurement purchases, accounts payables... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Parlor 1031

11:00am MDT

Technology budgeting: PUNT, PRETEND, or PLAN

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Parlor 1010 Meeting Room

Learn how to decrease stress, procure technology with confidence, and achieve district goals.

Presenters

Jeff Patterson

President, K12 Montana Inc.

Jeff Patterson is President and CEO of K12 Montana Inc (k12mt.com), a technology leadership andsupport consulting firm in Great Falls helping schools, nonprofits and businesses reach their goalsthrough innovative and cost-effective uses of technology. Jeff and his team work hard every... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Parlor 1010 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

11:00am MDT

Wage & Hour

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Parlor 1018 Meeting Room

This workshop is comprised of general information to provide insight and clarification regarding Wage and Hour laws and their application to school districts.

Presenters

Karla Ivie

Compliance Specialist, Montana Department of Labor & Industry Employment Standards Division

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Parlor 1018 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

12:00pm MDT

Business Meeting Luncheon

Saturday April 5, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm MDT

Convention Center

Saturday April 5, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm MDT
Convention Center 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101

1:40pm MDT

Duties of the Board with MTSBA

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Parlor 1010 Meeting Room

What are the specific duties of the school board and the clerk to the board? Learn the best balance for board management and school administration. Q&A time may be available as the discussion unfolds.

Presenters

Tony Koenig

Director of Legal Services, MTSBA

Tony Koenig serves as Director of Legal Services for the Montana School BoardsAssociation. In this position Tony provides legal advice and representation to memberschool districts, participates in the provision of educational opportunities for theleadership teams of member school... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Parlor 1010 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

1:40pm MDT

Meal Counting & Claiming for Child Nutrition Programs

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Missouri Meeting Room

Sponsors participating in the Child Nutrition Programs must have accurate and reliable systems for counting meals served. We’ll discuss some requirements, such as: performing required edit checks, when/where to count meals, submitting claims for reimbursement, reimbursement rates, meal pricing, free and reduced meal benefit issuance, maximizing use of DCA, Medicaid eligibility, qualifying for CEP, how eligible students can qualify for the new Summer-EBT program, new non-congregate meal service options available to sponsors participating in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and more. This overview is a deeper dive of some of the fundamentals involved with issuing program benefits to students and accurately counting/claiming meals.

Presenters

Rochelle Davies

School Nutrition Program Specialist, OPI

Rochelle Davies is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and traveling Specialist for the Montana Office of Public Instruction School Nutrition Programs unit. She has enjoyed meeting hundreds of school nutrition professionals since starting in 2017, and frequently brags about the beautiful... Read More →

Allie Wolf

Data Analyst, OPI

Alie Wolf is a Data Analyst at the Montana Office of Public Instruction, School Nutrition Programs. She works to improve program integrity and access to school meals. She is a key member of the team that developed and continues to enhance the Direct Certification Application (DCA... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Missouri Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

1:40pm MDT

Medicaid Random Moment Training

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Parlor 1018 Meeting Room

Presenters

Laurie Nelson

School Based Services Program Officer for Montana Medicaid, Health Resources Division of the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS)

Laurie Nelson works for the Health Resources Division of the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) as the School Based Services Program Officer for Montana Medicaid. Within this role Laurie is responsible for managing the policy and procedures of Medicaid’s School... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Parlor 1018 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

1:40pm MDT

New Title IX School Requirements

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Parlor 1009 Meeting Room

Federal updates and strategies the Title IX coordinator can implement to keep up with compliance in k-12.

Presenters

Peggy Pollock

HR Director, Laurel Public Schools

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Parlor 1009 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

1:40pm MDT

OPI Federal Programs

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Ballroom Meeting Room

This session will be offered by Zach Hawkins, OPI Title I and Federal Programs Director, and
Serena Wright, OPI Title III Specialist. It is designed to assist clerks and school business
professionals in better understanding how to track, manage, and report Title and Federal funds
that their districts might receive. Specific topics will include Title programs and their objectives,
the e-grants system, and coding and reporting expenses and activities. Additional information
will be provided regarding school year timelines and deadlines as well as contact information for
relevant staff at the OPI.

Presenters

Zach Hawkins

Title I/Federal Programs Director, OPI

Zach Hawkins has worked at the OPI since 2018. He served as the IndianEducation for All Director before assuming the role of Title I/Federal ProgramsDirector and Private School Ombudsman. Prior to joining the OPI, he workedin Federal college access programs for 12 years, most notably... Read More →

Serena Wright

State Homeless Coordinator of Education, Title III and Title I, Part A Coordinator, and Family Engagement Specialist, OPI

Serena Wright is the State Homeless Coordinator of Education, Title III and Title I, Part ACoordinator, and Family Engagement Specialist at the Office of Public Instruction for the Stateof Montana.Throughout Serena’s entire 18+ years, teaching career, she worked with students who... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Ballroom Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

1:40pm MDT

OPI Teach Act

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Yellowstone Meeting Room

Presenters

Autumn Belmont

Budget Anaylst, OPI

Andrea Mohammadi

Business Anaylst, OPI

Laci Novark

Budget Analyst, OPI

Barbara Quinn

Senior Manager, OPI

Alivia Skeslien-Jenkins

Budget Analyst, OPI

Paul Taylor

Budget Analyst, Montana Office of Public Instruction

Paul Taylor works for the Office of Public Instruction as a Budget Analyst. His most sincere work interest is to provide the most accurate and beneficial service to the public schools of Montana

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Yellowstone Meeting Room

1:40pm MDT

Presenting Budgets to Trustees

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Parlor 1031

School finance is a massive subject and takes most of us a few years to get a handle on, right? And, public speaking is people’s biggest fear! Mix these together and you get a significant portion of our duties! We are going to discuss ways to help our volunteer school board members feel comfortable with adopting the budgets and help you master your game. This is geared more for New Clerks, but if you’re an old pro, come and share your wisdom.

Presenters

Lacey Porrovechhio

Business Mgr/Clerk, Bigfork Schools

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Parlor 1031

1:40pm MDT

Traditional and Alternative Construction Delivery Options/Methods:

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Parlor 1019 Meeting Room

Learn about innovative construction opportunities that are not traditional bond/building options, including the pros and cons for each type of district. Stretch your building reserve dollars further and maximize your potential for your district.

Presenters

Rich Batterman

Chief Legal Council for MCS and MREA, Batterman Law Offices, P.C.

Rich Batterman is the owner of Batterman Law Offices, P.C., a general practice law firm with offices in Baker, and Glendive, Montana. Few educators understand the value of an education attorney have experience as a County Attorney. For many years Rich served as the county attorney... Read More →

Larry Crowder

Executive Director, MREA and MCS

Larry is the current Executive Director of Montana Rural Education Association and Montana Cooperative Services. He previously served for over 25 years as Superintendent of Culbertson Public Schools and 10 year as an administrator in Saco, Montana. Larry graduated from Malta High... Read More →

Lora Finnicum

Business Mgr/Clerk, Culbertson Schools

Nick Pancheau

President, Collaborative Design Architects

Raised in a small town in eastern Montana, Nick grew up working alongside his father in the trades. Construction was hard work, but also rewarding. It was through this experience that Nick began to understand how a vision can translate into drawings, and drawings transform into reality... Read More →

Mark Qualman

President of QuEst Services Corporation

Mark Qualman, based in Billings, MT, US, is currently a President at QuEst Services Corporation. QuEst Services Corporation has naturally evolved into a role of assisting and guiding Montana Rural School Districts in developing roadmaps that address the steps needed to build capital... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Parlor 1019 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

1:40pm MDT

Wage & Hour

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Parlor 1001 Meeting Room

This workshop is comprised of general information to provide insight and clarification regarding Wage and Hour laws and their application to school districts.

Presenters

Karla Ivie

Compliance Specialist, Montana Department of Labor & Industry Employment Standards Division

Saturday April 5, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Parlor 1001 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

2:40pm MDT

Break & Visit Exhibitors

Saturday April 5, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm MDT

Convention Center

Saturday April 5, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm MDT
Convention Center 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101

3:00pm MDT

FUN with FRAM

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT

Parlor 1018 Meeting Room

A look into FRAM and how IC can make this a smooth process for districts to use, report, and claim those funds - we'll show you the BEST way to import Direct Cert Medicaid and FRAM eligibilities along with a peak into Online FRAM applications!

Presenters

Tamara Blanchard

Certified Training & Support, Infinite Campus

I live in Frenchtown Montana, have certifications in Infinite Campus Support, Training, Implementation. I work forSchool Services of Montana which is A Non Profit Educational Support Services Organization out of Bozeman.My first 15 years of Educational Support Positions were done... Read More →

Mary Anne Skinner

Director of Infinite Campus Support Services, School Services of Montana

Mary Anne Skinner is an Infinite Campus Certified Trainer and Implementation Manager with School Services of MT. As the Director of Infinite Campus Support Services, she enjoys onsite & virtual trainings across the state along with getting to know the amazing staff members of each... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Parlor 1018 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

3:00pm MDT

Master Student Activity Funds

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT

Ballroom Meeting Room

Presenters

Carrie Fisher

Director of Finance, Belgrade Schools

TJ Harold-Marmon

Business Mgr/Clerk, Ronan

Stacy Montgomery

Forsyth &amp;amp; Kircher

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Ballroom Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

3:00pm MDT

Medicaid Random Moment Training

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT

Parlor 1010 Meeting Room

Presenters

Laurie Nelson

School Based Services Program Officer for Montana Medicaid, Health Resources Division of the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS)

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Parlor 1010 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

3:00pm MDT

OPI Federal Programs

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT

Yellowstone Meeting Room

Presenters

Zach Hawkins

Title I/Federal Programs Director, OPI

Serena Wright

State Homeless Coordinator of Education, Title III and Title I, Part A Coordinator, and Family Engagement Specialist, OPI

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Yellowstone Meeting Room

3:00pm MDT

OPI HB203 Tuition

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT

Missouri Meeting Room

Overview of the tuition process and HB203 from the 2023 legislative session.

Presenters

Andrea Mohammadi

Business Anaylst, OPI

Barbara Quinn

Senior Manager, OPI

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Missouri Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

3:00pm MDT

Preparing for a Dept. of Labor Inspection?

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT

Parlor 1009 Meeting Room

The MT Department of Labor is continuing to inspect Montana schools. The MSPLIP has a webpage with tools that can be immediately implemented to help our clients schools address a wide range of topics. These tools will help our clients implement and maintain a safe and compliant educational environment. The topics also serve to address many of the exceptions that have been noted in DOL audits.

Presenters

Brodie Loushin

Senior Risk Control Specialist, MSPLIP

Brodie is a graduate of Montana Tech of The University of Montana’s Occupational Safety and Health Program. He also received his Masters Degree in Industrial Hygiene 2009. In addition, Brodie holds certifications from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Parlor 1009 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

3:00pm MDT

School Nutrition Programs 101

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT

Parlor 1031

Get ready for a fast-paced overview of the School Nutrition Programs. This class is perfect for new(er) clerks and business officials that want to gain perspective of what SNP covers. Attendees will learn the basic requirements to successfully operate School Nutrition Programs, where to find helpful resources to keep your district on track, how to prepare for an Administrative Review, requirements to maintaining your district’s fund-12 account, best practices with determining free and reduced meal eligibility through the certification and benefit issuance process, how to maximize use of the Direct Certification Application (DCA) system to save time and resources, qualify for CEP and issue Summer-EBT benefits to eligible students. Presented by Rochelle Davies, RDN, LN, SNS, Specialist, School Nutrition Programs, Montana Office of Public Instruction and Alie Wolf, Data Analyst, School Nutritions Programs, Montana Office of Public Instruction.

Presenters

Rochelle Davies

School Nutrition Program Specialist, OPI

Allie Wolf

Data Analyst, OPI

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Parlor 1031

3:00pm MDT

School Policy Management with MTSBA

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT

Parlor 1001 Meeting Room

This session will provide attendees with best practices to maximize their district’s use of the MTSBA District Policy hosting platform established in partnership with Simbli. The new policy hosting platform addresses necessary needs for school districts and their community stakeholders which include making policies searchable, integrated and ADA compliant on any device; streamlined editing and printing options; and hosted on a customized website to match the format of the district’s current website. Learn more about the final stages of the conversion process and functionality options with this exciting new platform. In addition, learn from a school district who has embraced Simbli's Meetings platform to transform board meetings by making them more efficient and paperless. Learn how policies easily integrate into board meetings when the two platforms are used together. Policies, meeting agendas, board packet information, and minutes-- all in one place!

Presenters

Kris Goss

Director of Policy Services, Senior Counsel, MTSBA

Kris Goss serves as Director of Policy Services and Senior Counsel with the MontanaSchool Boards Association. Kris assists public school districts in implementingaccessible policies to ensure effective school governance and represents the interestsof member public school districts.Kris... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Parlor 1001 Meeting Room 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101, USA

3:00pm MDT

Traditional and Alternative Construction Delivery Options/Methods:

Saturday April 5, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT

Parlor 1019 Meeting Room

Presenters

6:00pm MDT

Dinner

Saturday April 5, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm MDT

Outdoor Courtyard

Saturday April 5, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm MDT
Outdoor Courtyard

7:00pm MDT

Master Your Game

Saturday April 5, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm MDT

Outdoor Courtyard

Saturday April 5, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm MDT
Outdoor Courtyard