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2026 AAEA Summer Conference
Venue: Izard (SCC) clear filter
Tuesday, July 28
 

10:15am CDT

Federal Updates
LIMITED
Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Direct from the halls of Congress to the heart of Arkansas, this session provides a high-level briefing on the legislative shifts and federal policy changes currently unfolding in Washington, D.C.. Join Kimberly Glass, Lea Metcalf-McDonald, and Amanda Bittle as they break down the latest news on federal funding, evolving regulations, and the K-12 policies most likely to impact your district in the coming school year.
Speakers
avatar for Kimberly Glass

Kimberly Glass

Director of Federal Programs, Springdale Schools
Kimberly Glass directs and oversees federal programs for Springdale Public Schools. Kimberly is serving as the Past President of the National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators. (NAFEPA) She is an award-winning Federal Coordinator earning both the Arkansas Association... Read More →
avatar for Amanda Bittle

Amanda Bittle

Federal Programs/Curriculum Coordinator, McGehee School District
Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Izard (SCC)

11:30am CDT

Beyond Compliance: Measuring the Impact of Federal Dollars
LIMITED
Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm CDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Federal funds should be strategic investments, not routine expenditures. This session explores how to measure return on investment, use data to determine what is closing achievement gaps, and make informed funding decisions. Learn practical strategies to evaluate impact, adjust ineffective programs, and ensure every federal dollar drives measurable student success.
Speakers
avatar for Christine Harrell

Christine Harrell

Director of Federal Programs, Searcy Public School District
As Director of Federal Programs for the Searcy Public School System, Christine Harrell has spent the past 15 years leading initiatives focused on educational equity, program effectiveness, and student success. Known for her collaborative leadership and commitment to meeting the evolving... Read More →
AR

Amy Robson

Federal Programs Coordinator, Flippin School District

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm CDT
Izard (SCC)

12:20pm CDT

Fiscal Leadership: Mastering the "Buckets" of School and District Finance
LIMITED
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:20pm - 1:05pm CDT
Limited Capacity seats available
For school and district leaders, resource management is a constant balancing act. The challenge isn't just having enough funding—it’s understanding the specific "buckets" those funds come in, the restrictions attached to them, and the timeline for spending them.

This session provides a clear framework for managing local, state, and federal funding streams effectively. We will discuss how to maximize current-year allocations to meet immediate student needs while simultaneously building a resilient 5-year budget. Participants will learn how to bridge the gap between site-level priorities and district-level finance, ensuring that today’s spending supports tomorrow’s stability.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Mickey McFetridge

Dr. Mickey McFetridge

Administration, Fayetteville
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:20pm - 1:05pm CDT
Izard (SCC)

1:20pm CDT

Newcomers: A Year in the Life of a Federal Coordinator and Getting the Best ROI of Your Funding Dollars
LIMITED
Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Federal program coordinators quickly learn that managing federal funds is not just about compliance, it is about strategy, planning, and making decisions that have the greatest impact on students while staying within complex regulations and timelines. This session will walk participants through a "Year in the Life of a Federal Coordinator," highlighting key deadlines, required tasks, and planning points from July through June. Presenters will share practical systems for managing the constant requests for funding, staying on budget, and ensuring funds are used effectively to support student outcomes. Participants will learn how to shift their mindset from "funding the plan" to "planning the fund," a concept shared at a recent national ESEA conference, and how this approach leads to better return on investment and fewer budget surprises. This session is designed especially for new federal coordinators and administrators who oversee federal programs, and will include timelines, planning tools, and real-world strategies that can be implemented immediately.

Participants will leave with:
- A month-by-month overview of federal program responsibilities
- Strategies for budgeting and avoiding common funding pitfalls
- Tools for prioritizing requests and improving return on investment
- Practical ideas for planning ahead to reduce stress and last-minute spending
Speakers
avatar for Susan Gilley

Susan Gilley

Executive Director, Harrison School District
avatar for Christine Harrell

Christine Harrell

Director of Federal Programs, Searcy Public School District
As Director of Federal Programs for the Searcy Public School System, Christine Harrell has spent the past 15 years leading initiatives focused on educational equity, program effectiveness, and student success. Known for her collaborative leadership and commitment to meeting the evolving... Read More →
MD

Marcy Dugger

Federal Programs Director, Bald Knob Schools
Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Izard (SCC)

2:50pm CDT

Newcomers: A Year in the Life of a Federal Coordinator and Getting the Best ROI of Your Funding Dollars (Repeat)
LIMITED
Tuesday July 28, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm CDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Federal program coordinators quickly learn that managing federal funds is not just about compliance, it is about strategy, planning, and making decisions that have the greatest impact on students while staying within complex regulations and timelines. This session will walk participants through a "Year in the Life of a Federal Coordinator," highlighting key deadlines, required tasks, and planning points from July through June. Presenters will share practical systems for managing the constant requests for funding, staying on budget, and ensuring funds are used effectively to support student outcomes. Participants will learn how to shift their mindset from "funding the plan" to "planning the fund," a concept shared at a recent national ESEA conference, and how this approach leads to better return on investment and fewer budget surprises. This session is designed especially for new federal coordinators and administrators who oversee federal programs, and will include timelines, planning tools, and real-world strategies that can be implemented immediately.

Participants will leave with:
- A month-by-month overview of federal program responsibilities
- Strategies for budgeting and avoiding common funding pitfalls
- Tools for prioritizing requests and improving return on investment
- Practical ideas for planning ahead to reduce stress and last-minute spending
Speakers
avatar for Susan Gilley

Susan Gilley

Executive Director, Harrison School District
avatar for Christine Harrell

Christine Harrell

Director of Federal Programs, Searcy Public School District
As Director of Federal Programs for the Searcy Public School System, Christine Harrell has spent the past 15 years leading initiatives focused on educational equity, program effectiveness, and student success. Known for her collaborative leadership and commitment to meeting the evolving... Read More →
MD

Marcy Dugger

Federal Programs Director, Bald Knob Schools
Tuesday July 28, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm CDT
Izard (SCC)
 
Wednesday, July 29
 

8:15am CDT

From Compliance to Impact: Creative Federal Funding Strategies That Move Student Achievement
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am CDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Federal and categorical funds can do more than “cover costs”. They can become powerful tools for accelerating student success when used strategically, creatively, and compliantly. Join Ashten Black (CFO) and Kris Williams (Assistant Superintendent) for a session designed specifically for school and district leaders who want to maximize every dollar while avoiding costly mistakes.
Speakers
avatar for Kris Williams

Kris Williams

Assistant Superintendent, Jonesboro School District
Wednesday July 29, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am CDT
Izard (SCC)

9:30am CDT

From Compliance to Impact: Creative Federal Funding Strategies That Move Student Achievement (Repeat)
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Federal and categorical funds can do more than “cover costs”. They can become powerful tools for accelerating student success when used strategically, creatively, and compliantly. Join Ashten Black (CFO) and Kris Williams (Assistant Superintendent) for a session designed specifically for school and district leaders who want to maximize every dollar while avoiding costly mistakes.
Speakers
avatar for Kris Williams

Kris Williams

Assistant Superintendent, Jonesboro School District
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Izard (SCC)
 
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