Michigan Pupil Accounting & Attendance Association - MPAAA

🌟 Meet Our President-Elect: Kelly Dumas! 🌟

We’re excited to introduce Kelly Dumas from Warren Consolidated Schools, who serves as the President-Elect on the MPAAA Board.

Kelly describes herself as a passionate and detail-oriented person who truly enjoys connecting with others and hearing their ideas. Growing up in a large family helped shape her ability to prioritize, balance different needs, and lead with care and understanding—qualities she brings to her work every day.

✨ Fun facts: Family is everything to Kelly. She and her husband married just 11 weeks after their first date and have now been happily married for 18 years! Together, they have a blended family of six children and are proud grandparents to six grandchildren. ❤️

When asked what she loves most about being part of the MPAAA Board, Kelly shared:

“This board is committed to upholding the MPAAA Way, which I’m very proud of. I truly appreciate the collaborative conversations and the ‘family’ we have become.”

Her message to our membership:

“When I started 20 years ago as a little Pupil Accountant, I knew nothing about state reporting. I was fortunate to have several mentors who guided me through the process. Please consider requesting or being a mentor—you will make a difference!”

We’re grateful for Kelly’s heart for people, her leadership, and her commitment to building strong connections across our membership. 💙

WOW! What a great time at MSBO!

A HUGE THANK YOU to all the MSBO participants who stopped by the MPAAA booth #1123 — we loved connecting with you!

And a big congratulations 🎉 to our raffle winners of the MPAAA Swag Bags:
• Wayne Johnson (Utica Community Schools)
• Becca Scicluna (Novi Community School District)
• Michele Klingaman (Calhoun ISD)
• Kelly Metter (Mount Clemens Public Schools)

Enjoy those MPAAA swag bags — you earned them! 😄

📢 Heading to the MSBO Conference? Don’t miss us!

🎯 “Every student counts… is your district losing?”

Stop by our table to find out how you can make sure your district is capturing every dollar it deserves. We’re here to help you uncover missed opportunities and maximize your funding 💰

✨ Plus, we’ve got:
🎁 Fun giveaways
🎟️ Exciting raffle prizes

Come say hi, learn something valuable, and maybe walk away with a prize! See you there 👋

📢 Last Chance to Register – Spaces Are Filling Fast!

Registration is now OPEN for the MPAAA Spring Conference, happening May 4–6 in Traverse City at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa—and spots are going quickly!

This year’s conference offers something for everyone in Michigan’s public education system—from beginners in pupil accounting and data management to seasoned professionals. Learn from expert speakers across the state, explore key updates impacting school funding, and gain valuable insights to stay ahead in a rapidly changing educational landscape.

✨ Highlights include:
• Engaging sessions for all experience levels
• “Quick Hits” mini-sessions to maximize learning
• Vendor exhibits and networking opportunities
• Fun evening activities like Euchre & Co****le night
• Optional historic Asylum Tour

🍽️ Plus, your registration includes meals and access to conference materials.

💲 Cost: $520 (members) | $625 (non-members)
⚠️ Walk-ins pay an additional fee—and space is NOT guaranteed!

👉 Don’t miss out on this must-attend event—secure your spot today!

🌟 Meet Our Pupil Accounting Representative: Linda DeHooghe! 🌟

We’re excited to introduce Linda DeHooghe from Utica Community Schools, who serves as the Pupil Accounting Representative on the MPAAA Board.

Linda’s story is a full-circle moment—she grew up in Sterling Heights, attended and graduated from Utica Community Schools, and is now proud to be back serving the very district that helped shape her. With 20 years in education, including 15 years in her previous district, Linda brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and heart to her role.

Family is at the center of everything she does. Linda and her husband have two wonderful sons and a beautiful daughter-in-law, and they enjoy spending time together hiking, fishing, and even hitting the golf course—where Linda is just getting started! ⛳🎣

✨ Fun fact: Linda loves research—especially genealogy! And if you ask her to look into something, be prepared… she’s going down the rabbit hole! 😊

When asked what she loves most about being part of the MPAAA Board, Linda shared:

“Even though I’m just beginning on the MPAAA board, I feel so lucky to be with friends and peers who understand and support me!”

She also shared how much MPAAA has meant to her over the years:

“I love being a part of MPAAA. I have met so many wonderful and brilliant peers. The friendships I’ve made through this group have been amazing and life-long. Don’t be afraid to join committees—I’m on the LEA/Data and Program Committees, and it’s been a wonderful experience. I’m so glad I joined!”

Her message to our membership:

“Never be afraid to reach out to another Pupil Accountant for help. We’ve all been there. We’ve all been brand new at a point in our career. We’re always willing to help each other!”

We’re grateful for Linda’s curiosity, kindness, and commitment to supporting others in the field. 💙

🌟 Meet Our Member-at-Large: Melanie Scheitler! 🌟

We’re excited to introduce Melanie Scheitler, Member-at-Large on the MPAAA Board, representing Rochester Community Schools, where she serves as Supervisor of Student Enrollment and Pupil Accounting.

After nearly two decades in another profession, Melanie made the leap into pupil accounting—and hasn’t looked back since. She loves being a detective and problem-solver, constantly exploring new ways to use data and technology to ensure schools capture maximum funding efficiently for all students.

Melanie is always ready for an adventure—whether it’s exploring a new part of the world or finding a smarter way to optimize an old report.

✨ Fun facts: Melanie is a self-proclaimed National Park nerd! She and her family love road trips, weekend adventures, and discovering new places. At home, their four energetic pups keep life fun and full of snuggles. 🐾🏞️

When asked what she loves most about MPAAA, Melanie shared:

“Having been a member for five years, I can definitively say I love the community, support, and collaboration that MPAAA provides—it is truly invaluable no matter the level you are at in your path. I am excited to transition into a Board role where I can actively contribute to maintaining and growing that level of support for our entire membership.”

Her message to our members:

“What I love about MPAAA is how we all work together. I'm looking forward to collaborating with all of you to solve those tricky student accounting issues and continuing to work towards ensuring our schools capture the funding they need to thrive!”

And her personal tagline says it all:

Ready for the adventure—on the trail or in the data!

We’re grateful for Melanie’s curiosity, enthusiasm, and passion for both data and discovery. 💙

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.

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.

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.

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 or to register, click the link

mpaaa.starchapter.com This is a Web Application Firewall (WAF) provided by Cloudflare, a leader in web application security, which is part of your StarChapter service.

🌟 Meet Our Data Specialist Representative: Janell Craig! 🌟

We’re excited to introduce Janell Craig from Oakland Schools, who serves as the Data Specialist Representative on the MPAAA Executive Board.

Janell is a collaborative manager with extensive experience leading the MISTAR Consortium (student information system) applications team in the education technology field. Her work focuses on developing streamlined processes, supporting professional growth, and fostering a culture of shared ownership and communication.

She takes pride in connecting both technical and operational perspectives to deliver practical, effective solutions that help her team and the districts they serve thrive. Collaboration and communication are at the heart of her leadership, and she’s committed to ensuring that the work being done today has a positive, lasting impact.

✨ Fun fact: Janell plays both the ukulele and the guitar! 🎶

When asked what she loves most about serving on the MPAAA Executive Board, Janell shared:

“The opportunity to connect with passionate professionals who care deeply about supporting Michigan’s schools. It’s inspiring to share ideas, learn from others, and work together on solutions that improve data quality and processes statewide. Being part of a group that’s both collaborative and forward-thinking reminds me why I value this work — it truly makes a difference for districts, staff, and students.”

Her message to our members:

“Keep leaning into collaboration and curiosity. The work we do with data drives real change for students — and every improvement, no matter how small, contributes to a stronger foundation for our schools.”

And her personal tagline captures her approach beautifully:

Empowering districts through clear processes and shared understanding.

We’re grateful for Janell’s leadership, insight, and commitment to strengthening data practices across Michigan. 💙

📣 Hey MPAAA Pupil Accountants & Data Specialists!
While our auditors are hard at work preparing for upcoming field audits, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 What tasks or projects are you currently working on?
Whether you're deep in data cleanup, preparing enrollment reports, tackling documentation, or working through something totally unique—share what’s on your plate!

Your insights help our community stay connected, learn from one another, and better support the work we all do. 💼✨

🌟 Meet Our Past President: Carrie Haubenstricker! 🌟

We’re excited to highlight Carrie Haubenstricker from the Genesee Intermediate School District, where she serves as the Business Services Administrator and supervises an outstanding pupil auditing team.

Carrie has been in education for 29 years, with 21 of those spent diving deep into the world of pupil auditing. Her dedication, leadership, and passion for supporting districts across Michigan shine through in everything she does.

Outside of work, Carrie enjoys a full and joyful life. She and her husband, Kevin, have been married for 29 years and are the proud parents of three amazing adult children. Their one-year-old Saint Bernard puppy, Dixie, is thoroughly (and proudly!) spoiled. 🐾

When she’s not supporting educators and auditors across the region, you’ll find Carrie camping, soaking up the sun at the beach, or recharging in her happy place: Caseville. ☀️🏕️

✨ Fun fact: Carrie is a Happiness Advantage Trainer for GISD with the Orange Frog Company. Spreading positivity is quite literally part of her job! She loves helping teams turn optimism into action and believes wholeheartedly in bringing joy and energy into the workplace.

When asked what she loves most about being part of the MPAAA Board, Carrie shared:

“I enjoy being a part of MPAAA and contributing to the collective growth and success of our members. It feels good to be part of something that makes a real difference. I love turning ideas into action with this amazing group of leaders.”

Her message to our membership:

“Being part of the MPAAA board is such a rewarding experience, and I love working alongside a team that’s passionate, innovative, and dedicated to making a difference. I look forward to sharing ideas, spreading positivity, and celebrating the great work happening across our state!”

And her personal tagline:

Powered by ideas and good vibes only. ✨

We’re grateful for Carrie’s leadership, her optimism, and the energy she brings to MPAAA every single day. 💙