2022 Spring Conference Information
For Connection Information please go to the Calendar of Events
Finance Session Descriptions:
Single Audit Buddy Bench 2022 10:00 Wednesday, March 16
Our presenters will share their thoughts and insights to bring finance, accounting, and program leads together at the Buddy Bench and make the 2022 Single Audit Season the best ever (or at least tolerable)!
Presenters: Craig Popenhagen and Michelle Hoffman, CliftonLarsenAllen, LLP
SMART Finance Open Forum 2:00 Wednesday, March 16
Have your questions ready for discussion with other district personnel regarding business practices and procedural issues that may be concerning you. Be prepared to talk rather than just listen! If you have questions that you want discussed in the open forum, please e-mail those to sfsupport@regionv.k12.mn.us with the subject line “Open Forum Questions” prior to March 9, 2022.
Presenters: Steff Sylte, Krista Kutzman and Region V Staff
UFARS Hot Topics 9:00 Thursday, March 17
Learn about the new reporting requirements for 2021-2022 and beyond. State Department representatives will discuss the latest UFARS changes and requirements in school finance.
Presenters: Debra Meier and Molly Koppes, Minnesota Department of Education Staff
Auditing Potpourri 10:00 Thursday, March 17th
Listen to a school district auditor discuss the latest auditing findings and topics. Common issues that arise during audits and information on recent and upcoming GASB Statements that apply to school districts will be discussed.
Presenter: Jamie Fay, Assurance Senior Manager, Eide Bailly LLP
UGG Time and Effort Reporting 1:00 Thursday, March 17
Uniform Grant Guidance has most Business Office staff groaning – UGG! This presentation will cover what the Business Office needs to know on time and effort reporting to be prepared for a Single Audit or MDE monitoring.
Presenter: Jackie Paradis, Business Manager, School Management Services
Cooperative Purchasing Connection 3:00 Thursday, March 17
Join CPC Program Representative Jerome Evans for a session on Express! Whether you are already integrated with Express or would like some pro-tips, this one is for you. This session will cover: background of Express, how to shop, how integration with SMART works, and how to use Express to be more efficient in purchasing.
Presenter: Jerome Evans, Cooperative Purchasing Connection
Special Education Updates 9:00 Friday, March 18
This presentation will provide an update of what’s new in the world of Special Education Funding.
Presenter: Paul Ferrin, Minnesota Department of Education
HR/PAYROLL SESSION DESCRIPTIONS:
HR and Payroll 101 11:00 Wednesday, March 16
A 101 for new business managers or those not familiar with Human Resource and Payroll topics, including Recruitment & Hiring, Compensation & Benefits, Employee Relations, Documentation and Compliance. Multiple resources will be shared including FAQ, a payroll calendar and checklists.
Presenter: Elizabeth Sullivan/SWWC
FMLA Basics: 1:00 Wednesday, March 16
Procedures and Best Practices for the Family and Medical Leave Act, including required documentation.
Presenter: Elizabeth Sullivan
SMART Systems eR 11:00 Thursday, March 17
See what’s new with SMART eR., review items from previous releases and get a preview of things coming soon. If you have questions that you want to be discussed, please e-mail those to SMARTSystems@erdc.k12.mn.us with the subject line “eR Questions” prior to March 9, 2022, and we will try to address as time allows.
Presenters: Steff Sylte, Krista Kutzman and Region V Staff
SMART SHR – Open Forum 2:00 Thursday, March 17
The SMART HR Open Forum will give you an opportunity to share information among districts. We may also review new features and reports available in SMART HR. Be prepared to talk rather than just listen! If you have questions that you definitely want to be discussed in the open forum, please e-mail those to shrsupport@regionv.k12.mn.us with the subject line “Open Forum Questions” prior to March 9, 2022.
Presenters: Steff Sylte, Krista Kutzman and Region V Staff
Wage Theft 11:00 Friday, March 18
Speakers will provide a detailed overview of employer compliance requirements of the Minnesota Wage Theft Prevention Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and other recent changes to state and federal wage and hour law. Learn from use case scenarios and real world examples and have the chance to ask your questions.
Presenters: Corey Walton, Outreach Coordinator, MN Department of Labor and Industry
Dave Skovholt, Labor Standards Outreach Coordinator, MN Department of Labor and Industry
Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) Review 1:00 Friday, March 18
A review of available guidance, website tools, and a more in-depth discussion of allowable projects and accurate UFARS coding.
Presenter: Sarah Miller
GENERAL INTEREST SESSION DESCRIPTIONS:
COVID Funding Update 9:00 Tuesday, March 15
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will provide an update on the COVID funding provided to schools. There will be an overview of new initiatives as well as a deeper dive into initiatives that are generating more questions.
Presenters: Andre Prahl, Agency Finance Director, and other MDE Staff, Minnesota Department of Education
The Headaches Hackers Have Created for Schools 3:00 Wednesday, March 16
The number of school districts becoming victims of cyber hacking are at record highs and the insurance marketplace is responding to this change. We will discuss the basics of cyber insurance, what the insurance marketplace looks like, and what districts need to focus on for cyber security in order to prepare for their insurance renewal. The time is to act now to prevent hacker headaches.
Presenters: Amy Diedrich, Public Sector Specialist, Marsh McLennan Agency
Casey Holland, Senior Insurance & Risk Advisor, Vaaler a division of Marsh McLennan Agency
MSBA Services/Tools/Hot topics 10:00 Friday, March 18
MSBA has a wealth of services and tools available to school districts, join Tiffany Gustin and Amy Fullenkamp-Taylor for a discussion on the services and tools that are accessible to school business managers thru MSBA. Information on the latest hot topics and the impact on schools will be presented also.
Presenters: Tiffany Gustin and Amy Fullenkamp-Taylor