Deep Dive: Business Ops Hot Topics 2025-2026

Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 10/29/2025 at 9:00 AM (EDT)

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Date: 10/29/2025

Location: OASBO Conference Center | 98 Commerce Park Drive | Westerville, OH | 43082 OR Online via Zoom

Fee: $100 (Member) / $200 (Non-Member)

Join us for an in-depth exploration of emerging trends, challenges, and best practices impacting school business operations in the coming year. This session will cover timely topics including new transportation legislation, updates in bidding and procurement, fund management, recovery, and facility assets, as well as an interactive insurance session to clarify common challenges. After lunch, a hands-on Learning Lab on capital planning will provide practical tools to align long-term facility needs with district resources. Whether it's navigating regulatory changes, improving operational efficiency, managing risk, or planning for workforce and resources, this deep dive will equip you with practical insights and actionable strategies for the year ahead.

Seminar Director(s): Jennifer Sudhoff, Fiscal Operations Coordinator, Shared Services Alliance (SSA); Brandon Knecht, Director of Business Services, Northmont City SD; and Scott Gilbert, Chief Operations Officer, Montgomery County ESC

Agenda

9:00 a.m.
Transportation - New Legislation
Holly Fischer, ODEW

10:00 a.m.
Break

10:15 a.m.
Quick Hits: Changes in Bidding and Procurement, Managing Funds, Recovery, and Assets in School Facilities
Jennifer Sudhoff, Shared Services Alliance (SSA)
Brandon Knecht, Northmont City SD
Scott Gilbert, Montgomery County ESC

11:15 a.m.
Break

11:30 a.m.
Whose Insurance Is It Anyway?
Travis Thompson, Hylant Administrative Services Team
Brandon Knecht, Northmont City SD

12:30 p.m.
Lunch

1:15 p.m.
Learning Lab: Capital Planning
Jennifer Sudhoff, Shared Services Alliance (SSA)

2:30 p.m.
Adjourn

Holly Fischer

Administrator/Director, Office of Field Services and Pupil Transportation, ODEW

Ms. Fischer is the Administrator/Director of the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce’s Office of Field Services and Pupil Transportation, supporting families, districts and schools in a range of areas including fiscal, enrollment and pupil transportation service needs. A graduate of The Moritz College of Law – Ohio State University, Ms. Fischer’s experience includes serving as a Franklin County Court-Appointed Special Advocate, an Assistant Attorney General, Senior Assistant Legal Counsel for the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce, and a 16-year tenure as Chief Legal Counsel for the State of Ohio Board of Nursing.

Jennifer Sudhoff

Fiscal Operations Coordinator, Shared Services Alliance (SSA)

Jennifer is a Fiscal Operations Coordinator with Shared Services Alliance (SSA) where she provides fiscal support to school districts and governmental agencies across Ohio. Jennifer also serves as the CFO for Spencerville Local Schools. Prior, she was the Treasurer/CFO of Benjamin Logan. Before public service, she worked in the financial industry for 10 years. Jennifer also currently serves on the OASBO Board as the At Large Director of Transportation.

Brandon Knecht

Director of Business Services, Northmont City Schools

Brandon is an experienced Director of Business Services with a demonstrated history of working in the primary/secondary education industry. He is skilled in Budgeting, Strategic Planning, Business Process Improvement, Educational Technology, and Public Speaking.

Brandon has been with Northmont City Schools as their Director of Business Services since August 2012.

Scott Gilbert

Chief Operations Officer, Montgomery County ESC

Scott Gilbert serves as the Chief Operations Officer at Springboro Community City Schools. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the District in the areas of purchasing, contracts and agreements, construction services, transportation, maintenance, food service and district building operations.

Travis Thompson, CPSI

Director of Risk Management, Ohio School Plan

Travis has an extensive loss control background and he designed the loss control protocols for the field risk managers. He and his department provide extensive risk management services to our public entity and educational institution clients. Travis has worked with hundreds of municipal and school clients. His professional specialties include: Emergency Action Planning / Accident Investigation / Safety Management System.

Travis earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio. In addition, he is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) and a Certified School Risk Manager (CSRM).