Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials

05/18/2026

02/04/2026

WASBO recognized Trevis Thompson, Lead Maintenance for Cornell School District, as the recipient of one of three 2025 Wisconsin Custodian & Maintenance Professional of the Year Awards on February 2, 2026, during the 2026 Facilities Management & School Safety Conference at the Kalahari Convention Center.

Watch his recognition video here: https://youtu.be/GEC_RXVA7uE

The Wisconsin Custodian & Maintenance Professional of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of those who make a difference in their local school district, community, and the custodial and maintenance profession. Thompson received the 2025 award in recognition of his twenty years of reliable dedication and his critical role in keeping the district’s aging facilities operational and safe. Colleagues emphasized that he makes students and staff his top priority, often fixing temperature issues immediately and going above and beyond to support the special education classroom by accommodating students with specific medical needs. Beyond his facilities duties, Thompson was recognized for his community service—such as building planting boxes and conducting annual cemetery cleanups—and his unique professional dedication, having transitioned from night custodian to lead custodian and eventually to a full-time teacher while helping train his replacement.

02/04/2026

WASBO recognized Keith Peterson, Head of Maintenance and Facilities for Argyle School District, as the recipient of one of three 2025 Wisconsin Custodian & Maintenance Professional of the Year Awards on February 2, 2026, during the 2026 Facilities Management & School Safety Conference at the Kalahari Convention Center.

Watch his recognition video here: https://youtu.be/hm9UoqPaAH4

The Wisconsin Custodian & Maintenance Professional of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of those who make a difference in their local school district, community, and the custodial and maintenance profession. Peterson received the 2025 award in recognition of his unwavering commitment and irreplaceable knowledge of the district's facilities, having served the district in some capacity since high school. Colleagues describe his expertise as "cannot be replicated," noting that he played a key role in developing the district's facilities maintenance and long-term capital improvement plans. Beyond his professional duties, Peterson is recognized as a leader in the Argyle community, actively serving with the local EMS and fire departments and volunteering at events such as the annual fish fry. His dedication is so profound that staff remarked he is at the school "way more than he probably should be," earning him a reputation as a true professional and a gentleman.

02/04/2026

WASBO recognized Steve Ketterhagen, Custodian for Wheatland J1 School District, as the recipient of one of three 2025 Wisconsin Custodian & Maintenance Professional of the Year Awards on February 2, 2026, during the 2026 Facilities Management & School Safety Conference at the Kalahari Convention Center.

Watch his recognition video here: https://youtu.be/SXB2l8LLyHU

The Wisconsin Custodian & Maintenance Professional of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of those who make a difference in their local school district, community, and the custodial and maintenance profession. Ketterhagen received the 2025 award in recognition of his profound impact on Wheatland Center's culture. For nearly a decade, he has been the most-mentioned individual in employee engagement surveys, a testament to his "genuine devotion" and his quiet willingness to step in wherever help is needed. His commitment goes far beyond standard duties; he obtained a bus license to address a critical staffing gap and used his creativity to build custom accessibility devices, including equipment that enables a student in a wheelchair to play hockey. This unique blend of practical problem-solving, such as maintaining a pristine facility through the deep respect he commands from students, and his "friendly, positive attitude" makes him an indispensable part of his district.

02/04/2026

WASBO is proud to announce Franklin Public Schools as the recipient of the 2025 Wisconsin Safety, Security & Wellness Award. The school district, in partnership with the City of Franklin Fire & Health Departments and Volition Franklin, was recognized at WASBO’s 2026 Facilities Management & School Safety Conference on February 2, 2026, at the Kalahari Convention Center in the Wisconsin Dells. This honor includes a $1,500 grant from M3 Insurance to support ongoing risk management efforts within the school district.

Watch the recognition video here: https://youtu.be/LAta7hE7tOc

The purpose of the Wisconsin Safety, Security & Wellness Award is to highlight creative, successful programs that go beyond policy creation to deliver tangible benefits and to ensure safe, healthy learning environments for students and staff. Franklin Public Schools is receiving the 2025 award in recognition of its impactful collaboration with local health and fire agencies to enhance the safety and security of its learning environment. This partnership delivered tangible safety enhancements, including distributing 400 “Stop the Bleed” kits, integrating safety team planning, and conducting more than 800 student health screenings annually. These comprehensive efforts led to measurable wellness outcomes, such as a 9.7% reduction in recent alcohol use and a 5.0% decrease in binge drinking among students.