In this session, Education Resource Strategies (ERS) Partner Dr. Ventura Rodriguez will lead us in an interactive and engaging professional learning experience called Budget Hold’em. Budget Hold’em is more than a game. It’s an immersive experience that introduces a process for district leaders to make tradeoff decisions to align instructional priorities and student outcome goals to district resources. The goal is to ensure long term system improvement and fiscal sustainability.

The game encourages participants to step outside of their day-to-day decision-making to consider their choices in a new and more integrated way. ERS has crafted each card using real district data and scenarios drawn from their 20-year history of working with districts nationwide. Experience the game with MASBO and then run it with your district colleagues, school board, union leadership, parent groups, and more!

Dr. Ventura Rodriguez, Partner

Dr. Joe Sanfelippo is a nationally recognized education leader, speaker, and author known for his dynamic approach to school leadership and culture building. As the former superintendent of Fall Creek School District in Wisconsin, he transformed the district through intentional leadership, strong community connections, and a culture of collaboration. In his session, Joe will share insights from Lead for Where You Are and Crafting the Culture, focusing on how school finance leaders can build meaningful relationships, create intentional leadership strategies, and foster a culture of trust and empowerment. He will highlight the power of small, intentional actions in driving district-wide success and how financial leaders play a crucial role in shaping the direction of a school system. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to enhance communication, build strong teams, and lead with purpose.