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✰INTERMEDIATE Workshop

Purchasing: Contract Strategies – 3/5/27

Registration Closes:

Learn how to structure, negotiate, and manage contracts that protect your district and reduce risk.

A successful procurement process doesn’t end when a vendor is selected. The terms and conditions within a contract determine how risk is allocated, how disputes are handled, and how effectively your district’s interests are protected throughout the life of the agreement. Understanding contract strategy is essential for ensuring vendors deliver as expected while minimizing legal, financial, and operational exposure.

This focused workshop explores the complete contract lifecycle, from development and negotiation through execution and closeout. Participants will examine key contract provisions, risk mitigation strategies, and real-world contracting scenarios that impact school districts every day. Walk away with practical tools to strengthen contract language, improve negotiations, and manage agreements more effectively from start to finish.

Live Virtual Workshop
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

3.0 CEUs

Who Should Attend

Purchasing professionals, Contract Specialists, Directors, Risk Managers, Chief Business Officials, and anyone responsible for drafting, reviewing, negotiating, or managing contracts on behalf of a school district.

What You Will Learn

Participants will learn how to:

  • Manage contracts throughout the entire lifecycle, from development through closeout
  • Identify and mitigate contractual risks before agreements are executed
  • Evaluate key contract provisions, including indemnification, insurance, and termination clauses
  • Strengthen negotiation strategies and secure more favorable contract terms
  • Apply lessons learned from real-world contract challenges and disputes
  • Protect district interests while maintaining productive vendor relationships

Featured Presenters

Nick Birzeno, Director, Purchasing, San Marcos USD

Nick Birzeno leads district procurement operations and has spent more than a decade driving process improvement, standardization, and strategic purchasing practices that support district goals and operational excellence.

Sharon Clay, Director, Purchasing & Logistics, Cajon Valley Union SD

With more than 20 years of experience in K–12 purchasing, contracting, and school business operations, Sharon Clay brings deep expertise in procurement strategy, compliance, and practical district purchasing practices.

Continue Your Procurement Learning

Nick Birzeno and Sharon Clay also serve as lead instructors for CASBO’s Purchasing & Procurement Micro-Certificate, providing participants with a broader and more comprehensive exploration of school district procurement and purchasing practices.

Registration

Early Bird Regular
CASBO Member $220 $270
Non-Member $305 $355

Registration & Access

Early Bird Deadline: February 3, 2027
Cancellation Deadline: February 19, 2027
Registration Closes: February 26, 2027
Cancellation Fee: $45

Participants will receive a Zoom link upon registration and again in a reminder email approximately four business days before the workshop.

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Associate Member Conference Attendance Policy

Purpose To ensure a fair and consistent experience for all participants at CASBO conferences and to maintain the value of sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities for associate members.

Policy Statement Associate Members who are not exhibiting or sponsoring at a CASBO conference are not permitted to attend the event as regular attendees.

Details

  • Conference attendance for Associate Members is considered a benefit tied to active participation as an exhibitor or sponsor.
  • Only Associate Member firms with a confirmed exhibit booth or paid sponsorship are eligible to register representatives for conference access.
  • Associate Members without an exhibit or sponsorship may not:
    • Purchase or obtain standard attendee registrations
    • Access sessions, meals, networking events, or the exhibit hall
    • Attend on behalf of or in partnership with another exhibiting or sponsoring organization
  • This policy ensures equitable opportunities for participating partners and protects the value of conference engagement offerings.

Exceptions Any exceptions to this policy must be reviewed and approved in advance by CASBO leadership.

Enforcement CASBO reserves the right to:

  • Deny registration requests that do not meet the eligibility requirements
  • Remove individuals from the event who attend in violation of this policy
  • Revoke or limit membership privileges for repeated violations