Making Money Make Sense: Creative Strategies for Telling Your School Finance Story
Date: 7/20/2026
Time: 8:30 - 9:30 AM
Room: St. James Ballroom (Floor 3)
Skill Session - Live lecture, panel discussion or interactive session with time for Q&A. 60-minutes.
TACTICS–Tactics, activities and tools in communications
Session Description
School finance is complex — but your community’s understanding of it shouldn’t be. All the terminology, timelines and formulas that can make even the most dedicated community members’ eyes glaze over. But, behind every budget is a story: a story of student needs, strategic choices, limited resources and the impact of every dollar. In this session, we’ll show participants how to transform that complexity into communication that is clear, human and compelling.
Participants will learn how to translate financial concepts into approachable, community-friendly language without losing accuracy. We’ll explore storytelling frameworks that help audiences understand why financial decisions are made, not just what they are. You’ll discover creative ways to pair numbers with narratives and use visuals, metaphors, videos and real-life examples to make your district’s financial picture more relatable and memorable.
We’ll walk through strategies for crafting consistent, proactive messaging around budgets, levies/referenda, and even long-term financial planning. Participants will learn how to anticipate community questions, address misconceptions before they spread and build transparency that strengthens trust.
Finally, participants will leave with practical tips for partnering with district finance teams to co-create communication materials that are accurate, aligned and easy to understand. Whether you’re preparing for a major ballot measure, annual budget season or simply trying to help your community understand how schools are funded, this workshop will give you the tools to make your finance story not only clearer — but more compelling. Dollars and data can actually be a powerful narrative, we promise!
Presenter(s)
Emily DeBaker
Chief of Staff
Racine Unified School District
Emily DeBaker is the Chief of Staff for the Racine Unified School District (RUSD), bringing over a decade of expertise in public relations, marketing, and crisis communication. Since joining RUSD in 2014, Emily has been a driving force behind the district’s strategic communication efforts, supporting 15,000 students and 3,000 staff members.
A specialist in high-stakes community engagement, Emily has successfully led three referendum campaigns, including the largest school referendum in state history. Her leadership and innovative approach to school communications earned her national recognition as an NSPRA 35 Under 35.
A former television news reporter, Emily is a frequent speaker who has presented at numerous state and national conferences. She is deeply inspired by the educators she serves and remains a dedicated advocate for the advancement of public education. Emily currently serves as President of the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association (WSPRA). LinkedIn Profile
Debbie Brewster
Executive Director
Wisconsin School Public Relations Association
Debbie has served as the Executive Director for the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association since July 2022. She has also assisted Wisconsin school districts in specific projects relating to strategic communications and community engagement, including working with Howick Associates facilitating community conversations. Debbie retired from the DeForest Area School District after serving 22 years as the School & Community Relations Coordinator. LinkedIn Profile
Making Money Make Sense: Creative Strategies for Telling Your School Finance Story
Category
Skill Session - Live lecture, panel discussion or interactive session with time for Q&A. 60-minutes.