You Can Still Register for Winter Certification Courses

Now that the fall conferences are concluded, MPAAA is turning to the winter to announce several Bootcamps and Certification Courses that are now open for registration. In addition to the courses below being held virtually, recordings of the sessions will also be made available after the sessions are completed for those who are not able to attend on the dates of the virtual sessions.

MPAAA Pupil Accounting Bootcamp:

This 3-day bootcamp is for those new to pupil accounting or looking for a refresher in the basics of the work.  This 3-day bootcamp will be held virtually on February 2-4, 2026.  You can find more information on course specifics HERE.

MPAAA Pupil Auditing Bootcamp:

This 3-day bootcamp is for those new to pupil auditing or looking for a refresher in the basics of the work.  This 3-day bootcamp will be held virtually on January 26 - 28, 2026.  You can find more information on course specifics HERE.

Pupil Accounting Legislative Primer:

This 3-hour certification course is needed for those in the PAS, PAA, or SED certification tracks, or may be used as an elective in any other MSBO certification track. The session will be held virtually on Thursday, January 29, 2026.  For more information, please click HERE.

MSDS In Depth:

This 3-hour certification course is needed for those in the SED certification track, or may be used as an elective in any other MSBO certification track. The session will be held virtually on Thursday, February 5th, 2026.  For more information, please click HERE.

Pupil Accounting Auditing Reporting:

This 3-hour certification course is needed for those in the PAA certification track, or may be used as an elective in any other MSBO certification track. The session will be held virtually on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.  For more information, please click HERE.

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Looking for a Mentor

There is a new Pupil Accountant in the northwest part of the LP who is looking for a mentor.  They use Skyward as their SIS, and the District has a lot of special education and uses Edplan as their special education reporting system.

If there is a member who has experience with these two products and is willing to offer some assistance to a new colleague, please email [email protected], and we'll get you in touch.

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MPAAA Salary Survey 2025/26

We are still looking for folks to take the salary survey, especially Auditors and Educational Data Specialists.  Please rest assured that all the information is confidential. The more responses we get to the survey, the more useful the resulting report will be for all members.

The time has come once again for our bi-annual Salary Survey of Pupil Accountants, Auditors, and Educational Data Specialists.  As always, our survey will protect your anonymity, and we will not publish any data that could identify a single individual.

This year, the survey includes salary ranges, benefit options, and remote work possibilities, and the results will be published both statewide and by region for each employee group.

You can take the survey HERE. We will close the survey at the end of February 2026, and the results will be published in March.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this important survey.  It can only assist you in your internal conversations with your HR staff on compensation and benefit issues.

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Documents Wanted for Data Quality Resource Library

In 2025, the MPAAA created a library of legacy Pupil Accounting and Auditing Manuals for our members.

For 2026, the LEA/Data Committee has proposed creating a Data Quality Resource Library.  This library would include sample documents, checklists, and tools focused on Data Quality and data Governance.  Below are examples of materials the committee is seeking.

Data Quality Documents:

• The checklist you use to go over audit packets when they come back from the schools.
• The list you keep of checks on the system to make sure all fields are completed and correct (how do you find the student that has their middle name in their home's street address because someone was typing ahead as they processed enrollment information)
• What process do you use to identify students in the 2nd and 3rd weeks of school who haven't attended this school year, and how do you determine who to keep and who to drop?
• The spreadsheet you devised to roll student data into to proof before the Count Day.
• The ISD-wide list of attendance codes that makes them easier for auditors to understand.

Data Governance Resources (this gets more into policies and processes to reinforce data quality):

• The process document that helps all of your District's departments coordinate roll-over.
• Any training documents you have for new staff on data input and catching/correcting mistakes.
• Agreements you may have with the ISD or other local partners to share data resources or equipment in the event of a disaster.

We recognize that many of these documents are district-specific, and no one is expected to use them exactly as provided.  The goal is to offer starter resources and reference examples that members can adapt to their local needs or use as inspiration to strengthen data governance practices.

If you have any documents, checklists, or spreadsheets that you are willing to share with this library, please send them to [email protected].  If you can use 'DQ Library' as the subject, it will help me set them aside.

 Our goal is to establish this library within the next couple of months and continue expanding it through the spring, making it a valuable resource for members—particularly those starting new positions over the summer.   

Thank you to the LEA/Data Committee and its chairs, Janell Craig, Luke Kaiser, and Linda Dehooghe, for their interest in this concept.

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Data Quality Corner

MPAAA Data Quality Corner

Each month, the members of the MPAAA LEA/Data Committee have agreed to share a brief article on data quality with our members.

Our January article is from Janell Craig and deals with Data Quality Communications

Data Quality Communication Checklist

Orchestrating Communication Across Departments: A Data Quality Essential

Student data does not live in one department. It is entered, updated, and maintained by many staff across a district, yet pupil accountants, system administrators, auditors, and reporting staff are responsible for certifying its accuracy for state and federal reporting.

Because reporting staff are often not the owners of the data, data quality depends less on knowing the rules—and more on how well communication is orchestrated across departments regarding data needs, reporting timelines and requirements.

Communication Is a Data Quality Tool

Most data issues are not caused by misunderstanding regulations. They stem from misaligned timelines, unclear ownership, changes to best practices which are not communicated, staff turnover, training – and just plain time as a resource. Some of these data issues cannot be controlled (staff turnover etc.), so let’s focus on those areas we can control and identify a plan.

Clear, consistent communication helps connect daily data entry to funding, compliance, and audit outcomes.

Clarify Roles and Expectations

A shared understanding of roles is important. When these roles are unclear, reporting staff are expected to “fix” issues after the fact. Communicating ownership, timelines, and expectations reinforces that data quality is a shared responsibility.

Translate Rules into Practice

Data quality leaders play an important translation role—turning complex rules into practical guidance. Plain language explanations, examples of common errors, and simple job aids help departments apply requirements consistently and correctly.

Build Relationships, Not Just Processes

Strong communication is built on trust. Understanding departmental workflows, involving staff early when requirements change, and framing corrections as process improvements—not mistakes—leads to better outcomes and stronger collaboration.

The Takeaway

High-quality data is not achieved at the point of reporting—it is built through intentional communication across departments. When expectations are clear and conversations happen early, data quality becomes proactive rather than reactive.

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Future Conference Dates

We get frequent calls and emails at the MPAAA office asking about future conference dates.  We're posting all known dates here and will include this article in each future Newsblast issue, and add new dates as we make those arrangements.

25/26

27/28

28/29

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