Explore the 2026 Fall Conference Agenda - Breakout Session Preview & More!
Explore the 2026 Fall Conference Agenda!
Join us on October 27, 2026, at the Hot Springs Convention Center for the APSRC 2026 Fall Conference.
THE FULL SCHEDULE
This event is filled with exciting opportunities for professional learning, networking, and engaging sessions designed for every role in K-12 education.
The day kicks off at 8:00 AM with registration and swag bag pickup. Attendees can then enjoy breakfast with sponsors before gathering for a keynote message from Dr. John W. Hodge. Following the keynote, attendees can choose from 10 breakout sessions during Breakout Session I, followed by time to connect with sponsors before lunch. After lunch, attendees will have another opportunity to visit with sponsors before heading into Breakout Sessions II and III, with 10 sessions offered during each time block, for a total of 30 sessions throughout the day.
Then, at 3:00 PM, it’s time for the big finale: our door prize raffle! Attendees who collect raffle tickets from sponsors throughout the day can turn them in before the raffle for a chance to win big. Prizes range from cash prizes and hotel stays to even more great surprises!
BREAKOUT SESSIONS PREVIEW
Spread across 3 different time blocks, this annual event offers 30 breakout sessions tailored to every role in education. Click here to view all sessions!
We’re still finalizing this year’s full lineup, and we can’t wait to share it with you! In the meantime, take a look at a few of the confirmed sessions for this year’s conference, or visit the conference website to explore the full session lineup. Tracks include Teaching & Learning, Finance, Technology, Charter Services, Legal & Policy, Leadership, and more!
MORNING SESSIONS / 9:40 AM - 10:25 AM
Arkansas Legislative Audit
Track: Finance
Presenter: Mark Fink, CPA, Deputy Legislative Auditor
Description: Join representatives from the Arkansas Legislative Audit (ALA) for an insightful, practical deep-dive into the most common financial and compliance findings surfacing across Arkansas K-12 school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools.
Expanding Opportunity Through the Charter Schools Program Grant
TRACK: Charter
Presenter: Luanne Baroni, APSRC Director of Charter Development & Jim Fowler, APSRC CSP Grant Finance Specialist
Topic: An overview of the CSP SE Grant and how your school may be able to apply for funding.
Panel on SPED Law
TRACK: Legal & Policy
Presenters: Tripp Walter, APSRC Staff Attorney, Additional Legal Attendees
Topic: Focused on Special Education law as it is applied and practiced in Arkansas.
Scaling Growth After Success: Sustaining Momentum When It's Working
TRACK: Teaching & Learning
Presenters: Heather Williams & Brandy Howell
Description: Getting a school from struggling to improving is one challenge; keeping the growth going is another. This session is for schools that have already seen real gains and now face the harder question — how do we stay on the path to continued success? Attendees will look at how to protect the practices driving growth, extend them to new grade levels or subjects, and avoid the common plateau that follows an early win.
MIDDAY SESSIONS / 1:30 PM - 2:25 PM
Growing Your Own: Building a Teacher Apprenticeship Program with Higher Ed
Track: Teaching & Learning
Presenters: Dr. Deborah Daily and Sunny Styles, UCA
Description: This session walks through building a teacher apprenticeship program in partnership with a higher ed institution — structuring the apprenticeship year, aligning it with certification requirements, and creating the kind of mentorship and pay structure that turns apprentices into long-term hires instead of one-year fill-ins.
APSRC Data Optimization Tools (DOTs)
TRACK: Technology
Presenters: Ben Janelle, APSRC Director of Technology & Jeana Williams, APSRC Director of Teaching & Learning
Topic: eSchool, Triand, ATLAS, and LEA Insights all have great information, but are often difficult to bring together. View common Arkansas student testing data in new and innovative ways, making quick sense of interim tests, multi-year trends, and school accountability factors such as growth data.
Paycheck to Proof: Preparing for a Payroll Audit
TRACK: Finance
Presenters: Sarah Snider & Missy Smead, APSRC Finance Specialists
Topic: How to Prepare
Legal Panel
TRACK: Legal & Policy
Presenters: APSRC Legal Staff & Additional Lawyers
Topic: Will explore current legal issues in education
AFTERNOON SESSIONS / 2:30 PM - 3:25 PM
Reconcile to Reality: Bank Recs
Track: Finance
Presenters: Tena Coleman, DESE Fiscal Services & Sarah Snider, APSRC Finance Specialist
Topic: Importance of Bank Recs
Substance Over Style: Taking Care of School Business
TRACK: Charter
Presenters: Charter Impact Team
Description: In education, trends come and go, but a school's fiscal and operational health depends on timeless fundamentals. This session cuts through the noise to focus on substance over style, examining the core mechanics that separate thriving institutions from those that struggle.
APSRC Membership Benefits & Data Projects
TRACK: Other
Presenters: Jim Robb, APSRC Director of School Support
Topic: Come see an overview of APSRC offerings that you might not be aware are available to member districts!
Legislative Panel
TRACK: Legal & Policy
Presenters: Scott Smith & Arkansas Legislators
Topic: Panel discussion with Arkansas Legislators as they share their insights and perspectives on the future of education.
SECURE YOUR ROOM
Secure your room at the Hotel Hot Springs! APSRC has reserved a dedicated room block at The Hotel Hot Springs to ensure a comfortable and convenient stay for our guests.
If you're staying at The Hotel Hot Springs, you're perfectly positioned to enjoy the best of downtown Hot Springs—all within walking distance.
Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow alongside colleagues from across the state. Register early and reserve your spot today!
REGISTRATION DETAILS
There are several ways to register for the 2026 Fall Conference. You can register individually through our standard registration option, purchase the Fall Conference Bundle, or, if you are registering multiple attendees, submit our group registration request form. If you prefer to pay by purchase order, simply use the coupon code “purchaseorder” at checkout.
Standard Registration
Includes full access to the APSRC 2026 Fall Conference at the best rate you’ll see.
Fall Conference Bundle
Includes full access to the Pre-Conference Workshop and the APSRC 2026 Fall Conference at a special bundled rate.
Fall Conference Group Registration Request
Registering multiple people? Submit the form below. We’ll handle the rest and invoice you.
Event Details
Tuesday, October 27th, 2026
Hot Springs Convention Center
