IASB Convention 2024: Full Schedule

Welcome to the #IASB79 Annual Convention online program, sponsored by Miron Construction Co.!

Get started today in 3 easy steps:

1) Log in—you should’ve received an invitation via email (if not, email us at convention@ia-sb.org)
2) Browse sessions, speakers and the schedule
3) Build your personal itinerary

Pro tip: Select a session and download handouts/presentation slides listed under the session speakers.

New to SCHED? Take a short video tour of the platform!

We’ve linked each session to the IASB Standards for Effective School Boards. Use the search function and type in any of the following keywords to find sessions related to the Standards: Visionary Team; Student Learning; District Culture; Policy/Legal; Fiscal Responsibility and Advocacy.

Connect with IASB on X, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram.

7:00am CST

Legal Service Fund Breakfast

Thursday November 21, 2024 7:00am - 7:45am CST

Room 402, Level 4

The Legal Service Fund Committee consists of nine voting school board members from participating schools who are appointed to represent each of the nine IASB Director Districts. The Legal Service Fund Committee holds its annual meeting each year on the morning of the IASB Convention.

By invitation only.

Thursday November 21, 2024 7:00am - 7:45am CST
Room 402, Level 4 Iowa Events Center

Special Event

7:00am CST

New Superintendent/Administrator & Board President Breakfast

Thursday November 21, 2024 7:00am - 7:45am CST

Room 401, Level 4

This annual breakfast is designed for superintendents and AEA chief administrators who are new to their positions, along with their board presidents. Invitees will network, build relationships and share experiences and ideas.

Co-sponsored by IASB and SAI.

By invitation only.

Thursday November 21, 2024 7:00am - 7:45am CST
Room 401, Level 4 Iowa Events Center

Special Event

7:00am CST

Registration

Thursday November 21, 2024 7:00am - 4:00pm CST

Lobby, Level 2

When you arrive at the Iowa Events Center, stop by the registration desk (lobby on Level 2) to pick up your name badge! You will need your badge in order to attend any general sessions, education sessions or convention offerings. Registration is open from 7 a.m.–4 p.m.

Thursday November 21, 2024 7:00am - 4:00pm CST
Lobby, Level 2 Iowa Events Center

8:00am CST

Opening General Session—If You Can’t Say Something Nice, What DO You Say?

Thursday November 21, 2024 8:00am - 9:15am CST

Grand Ballroom, Level 4

We’ve all been told, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” However, navigating difficult conversations without damaging relationships can be incredibly challenging. When it comes to conflicts, challenges, and difficult conversations, you can run, but you can’t hide. In her lively keynote, communication expert Sarita Maybin will offer practical strategies and positive techniques to navigate tough conversations at the board table with tact and respect. By the end of the session, you'll feel empowered to approach difficult conversations with grace, focused on maintaining professionalism and fostering better understanding in ALL communications.

Sarita blends real stories and practical solutions to equip individuals with the tools they need to convey challenging news while preserving positive AND constructive relationships. Attendees will gain the confidence and skills necessary to evaluate whether a situation requires confrontation or can be overlooked. Through Sarita’s guidance, participants will be introduced to a three-step process for expressing concerns in a respectful and effective manner. Additionally, Sarita will share valuable methods to cushion the impact of negative feedback or bad news, helping your team facilitate conversations while remaining as positive as possible. Kick off the 79th IASB Annual Convention by learning to transform uncomfortable conversations into constructive communication! You’ll leave with new tools to assess when it’s time to confront challenges head-on to help your board team build and maintain positive, constructive at the board table, and with your community.

Special thanks to DLR Group for sponsoring the Opening General Session at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Presenters

Sarita Maybin

Keynote Speaker; Communication Expert & Author

Sarita Maybin is a dynamic and seasoned speaker, known for empowering audiences with the skills to transform uncomfortable conversations into constructive communication. With a career spanning over two decades as an international speaker and communication expert, Sarita has shared... Read More →

Sponsors

DLR Group

DLR Group proudly sponsors the Opening General Session at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.We’re an integrated design firm. Our promise is to elevate the human experience through design. This inspires a culture of design and fuels the work we do around the world. We... Read More →

Thursday November 21, 2024 8:00am - 9:15am CST
Grand Ballroom, Level 4 Iowa Events Center

General Session

9:00am CST

Convention Bookstore

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:00am - 2:00pm CST

Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2

The Convention Bookstore will be open:

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Foyer (Near Hall B), Level 2
Thursday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2:15–4:30 p.m. in the Foyer (Near the Escalators), Level 3

Special thanks to eCampus.com for sponsoring the Convention Bookstore at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Sponsors

eCampus.com

eCampus.com proudly sponsors the Convention Bookstore at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.eCampus.com today is a premier online retailer of new, used and electronic textbooks for sale or rent, study materials and book buyback services headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. In addition to direct retail sales via the online eCampus.com storefront, the company partners with colleges... Read More →

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:00am - 2:00pm CST
Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2 Iowa Events Center

Convention Bookstore

9:00am CST

Step & Repeat Photo Station

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:00am - 2:00pm CST

Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Don’t miss this fun and unique opportunity to take photos with your board, pose with your peers, or take silly selfies at our Step and Repeat Photo Station in the Exhibit Hall in Hall C. Easily recognizable with an IASB blue backdrop, it’s simple to use—just follow the instructions on the screen, and after you’ve accepted your favorite photos or animated GIF, text or email them to yourself. There will not be physical props provided, but feel free to make it fun with available virtual props! The station will be located in the Exhibit Hall during the Member-Vendor Social from 3:30–5 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. on Thursday.

Special thanks to Iowa School Employee Benefits Association (ISEBA) and USI Insurance Services for sponsoring the photo station at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Sponsors

Iowa Schools Employee Benefits Association (ISEBA)

Iowa Schools Employee Benefits Association (ISEBA) proudly co-sponsors the Step & Repeat Photo Station at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.ISEBA, IASB and the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) have collaborated with USI Insurance Services to deliver comprehensive, accessible, user-friendly and affordable employee benefits program for Iowa school employees. USI delivers the plan administration and consulting expertise yo... Read More →

USI Insurance Services (ISEBA)

USI Insurance Services proudly co-sponsors the Step & Repeat Photo Station at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.From many great individuals USI has become one unique industry leader. USI began in 1994 with a single office of $6.5 million of revenue and 40 associates. Today, USI has more than $2.7+ billion in revenue and over 10,000 associates across 200+ offices nationwide... Read More →

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:00am - 2:00pm CST
Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2 Iowa Events Center

Trade Show

9:00am CST

Trade Show—Network & Enjoy Refreshments

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:00am - 2:00pm CST

Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2

Network with and learn from more than 150 vendors in the Exhibit Hall! These vendors offer important services and products to help your schools succeed. We’re excited that many exhibitors are first-timers, and are also eager to welcome back exhibitors that have been part of the trade show for many years.

YUMMY FOOD! Fuel up so you can learn at the highest level with complimentary refreshments served throughout the day in the Exhibit Hall. There are two designated time slots built into the education session schedule to ensure members have uninterrupted time to visit with exhibitors: 10:15–11 a.m. and 1–2 p.m. While you’re there, be sure to enter our drawing for a chance to win great prizes donated by exhibitors! The time slot following lunch includes desserts and door prize drawings. Make sure you drop your ticket into one of the boxes located in the corners of the Exhibit Hall by 1:30 p.m.

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:00am - 2:00pm CST
Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2 Iowa Events Center

Trade Show

9:30am CST

A Deep Dive in Staying Positive & Focused in Your Board Work & Beyond

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST

Rooms 308–310, Level 3

Facing change, challenges, and uncertainty can make it difficult to stay positive. In the opening general session, Keynoter Sarita Mabin will empower you to handle tough conversations while preserving positive relationships. But how do we maintain positivity and focus for ourselves? Join Sarita after her keynote for an exclusive deep dive into strategies for recharging, resetting, and rekindling your passion for board work during challenging times. She will share her three P's for staying positive and guide you in using 'resiliency resources' to bounce back. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with Sarita!

Presenters

Sarita Maybin

Keynote Speaker; Communication Expert & Author

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST
Rooms 308–310, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Education Session, Featuring Keynote Speaker

Board Standard Visionary Team

9:30am CST

Beyond the Scoreboard—A Community Effort for Improving Sportsmanship

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST

Room 108, Level 1

There is no better window into a community than sportsmanship. It's deeply woven into a district's culture, and is a reflection of everyone from athletes and the student body, to coaches, school staff, and the community. It only takes one incident to see that improving sportsmanship takes a community-wide effort. In recent years, Waverly-Shell Rock has taken steps to do just that. Come hear from board members, staff and students on how their district took actionable steps to improve sportsmanship within their community.

Presenters

Jessica Kettleson

Board Member, Waverly-Shell Rock Schools

Greg Bodensteiner

District Staff, Waverly-Shell Rock Schools

Beyond The Scoreboard A Community Effort for Improving Sportsmanship pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST
Room 108, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard District Culture

9:30am CST

Chart a Course for Success with Collective Board Goals & Operating Principles

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST

Room 103, Level 1

"What do you want your school community to say about your board in two years?” This legacy question motivated the board-superintendent team at Albia Schools to develop collective board goals and operating principles with an emphasis on relationships, trust, and respect. Join members of Albia’s governance team as they share their journey while providing opportunities for reflection and discussion on how your district can leverage your governance roles to make a positive and significant difference.

Presenters

Richard Montgomery

Superintendent, Albia Schools

Cindy Cronin

Board Member, Albia Schools

Jeni Fisher

Board Member, Albia Schools

Audrie Beary

Board Member, Albia Schools

Linda Hoskins

Board Member, Albia Schools

Jenni Beckwith

Board Member, Albia Schools

Melissa Bauer

Board Secretary, Albia Schools

Chart a Course for Success pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST
Room 103, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Visionary Team
Track Board President

9:30am CST

CTRL+ALT+DATA—Hacking IASB's School Finance Tools

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST

Room 106, Level 1

Join IASB's school finance experts, Mike Guanci & Jan Miller-Hook, for an interactive session where they'll explore IASB's powerful school finance toolkits. Dive into tools that will help you master school finance essentials, from budget planning to ongoing monitoring. Plus, check out our HR tools, packed with insights on teacher compensation, salary structures, staffing data, and much more. Whether you're tackling school finance or HR, we've got the resources you need to succeed!

Presenters

Mike Guanci

Associate Executive Director, Government Relations & School Finance, IASB

Michael Guanci has been the Associate Executive Director of Government Relations & School Finance since 2024. In his position, Michael serves as the association’s lead expert on government relations, public education funding policy and school finance. He serves an active role providing... Read More →

Jan Miller-Hook

School Finance Director, IASB

Jan Miller-Hook has been the School Finance Director at the Iowa Association of School Boards® since 2022. In her role, Jan creates and delivers information and educational resources for IASB members and support organizations on school finance and fiscal stewardship, as well as supports... Read More →

CTRL+ALT+DATA Presentation Slides pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST
Room 106, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard School Finance

9:30am CST

District Insights on Implementing Cell Phone Policies & Regulations

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST

Rooms 101–102, Level 1

Don’t miss this engaging session where a panel of district leaders will share insights and experiences from implementing new cell phone policies and regulations this school year! Learn about the community feedback and processes used to build meaningful policy. Discover how different approaches are shaping classroom environments, boosting student focus, and addressing the challenges of tech distractions. Join us to gain practical strategies and learn how these policies are impacting students and staff.

Moderators

Siobhan Schneider

Associate Executive Director, Board Leadership & Legal Services, IASB

Siobhan Schneider is the Associate Executive Director, Board Leadership Services for the Iowa Association of School Boards. She has been with the association since 2018. Siobhan oversees all association resources focused on board development, legal, and HR services to provide timely... Read More →

Presenters

John Cain

Superintendent (Shared), North Tama County & South Tama County Schools

Scott Blum

Superintendent, Dallas Center-Grimes Schools

Nancy Baker Curtis

Board Member, Dallas Center-Grimes Schools

I am a public school teacher, disability advocate and school board member.

Travis Donahue

High School Principal, Dallas Center-Grimes Schools

Rick Hopper

Board Member, South Tama County Schools

Rod Zobel

Board President, North Tama County Schools

2024 presentation edSession cellPhonePanel pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST
Rooms 101–102, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Policy & Legal

9:30am CST

Elevate Board Leadership & Efficiency with Simbli—Strategies for Effective Governance

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST

Room 105, Level 1

Join Simbli for an insightful breakout session focused on enhancing leadership and operational efficiency within your governance team and organization. Whether you're looking to refine your strategic planning process, strengthen policy implementation, enhance your board meetings, or streamline superintendent evaluations, this session offers invaluable insights. Simbli, developed by the Georgia School Board Association and offered as a service through IASB, will share tips and insights for how you can use your Simbli modules to increase effectiveness and efficiency at your board table!

Presenters

Jesse Howard

IASB, Board President-elect; Southeastern Community College, Board Member; Simbli

Jesse Howard serves as president-elect on the IASB Board of Directors. He began his service on the IASB Board in 2019. Howard currently serves on the Southeastern Community College Board of Directors.Jesse retired from the Iowa Army National Guard in October 2024 as a First Sergeant... Read More →

Charlie Rigby

Presenter & Exhibitor, eBOARDsolutions

Simbli by eBOARDsolutions proudly sponsors the Board Secretary Workshop at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Mark Willis

Other/Miscellaneous, Georgia School Boards Association

Elevate Board Leadership & Efficiency with Simbli Strategies for Effective Governance pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST
Room 105, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Visionary Team
Track Board Secretary

9:30am CST

Everything Under the Sun—Iowa’s Open Meetings & Public Records Laws

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST

Room 104, Level 1

Do you feel lost trying to navigate through Iowa’s “sunshine laws” related to open meetings and open records? Do you feel like whenever you are presented with an issue related to properly handling school board meetings or releasing school district records, you have more questions than answers? Join attorneys from Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. for this interactive session covering everything from explaining the general applicability of Iowa’s open meetings and open records laws to navigating frequently asked questions and scenarios that commonly arise. Come prepared to ask questions and evaluate hypothetical examples.

Presenters

Emily Ellingson

Attorney, Ahlers & Cooney, P.C.

Rachel Fritz

Attorney, Ahlers & Cooney, P.C.

Everything Under the Sun Iowa's Open Meetings & Public Records Laws pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST
Room 104, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Policy & Legal
Track Board Secretary, New Board Member

9:30am CST

Fostering a Community of Learners—A Board's Journey to Live Out Their Mission

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST

Rooms 314–315, Level 3

How often do you revisit your district's mission? Marion Independent Schools set out on a journey to live out their mission “Foster a community of learners in developing the knowledge and skills to be Future Ready.” in everything they do. For all students to achieve at the highest level, Marion's board team recognized the importance of supporting learning, protecting time and resources for learning, and engaging as learners. In this session, learn how the board and superintendent fostered their role in the learning process by modeling their district’s mission for their students. Reflect on your current practice in leading learning, and take away actionable steps to foster a community of learners in your district!

Presenters

Bryan Fentress

Board Member, Marion Schools

Denise Allison

Board Member, Marion Schools

Michelle Henry

Board Member, Marion Schools

Janelle Brouwer

Superintendent, Marion Schools

Carl Lantermans

Board Vice President, Marion Schools

Diana Zrudsky

Board Member, Marion Schools

Shari Funck

Board Member, Marion Schools

Jon Fitch

Board Member, Marion Schools

See, Think, Wonder, Recommend pdf

Fostering A Community of Learners Presentation pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST
Rooms 314–315, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Student Learning
Track Deeper Dialogue

9:30am CST

Is My Microphone On? Navigating Public Participation in School Board Meetings Under Iowa Law

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST

Room 107, Level 1

In recent years, public attendance and participation in school board meetings has increased significantly. In addition, Iowa law provides new ways for community members to participate in board meetings beyond the public comment process. During this session, attorneys from Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. will focus on new laws ranging from petitions to place an item on the board’s agenda to challenges to curriculum and library books to good old-fashioned public comment procedures. Board members will also gain a better understanding of legal requirements and best practices as they navigate a tricky topic during a public meeting.

Presenters

Miriam Van Heukelem

Attorney/Shareholder, Ahlers & Cooney, P.C.

As a shareholder at Ahlers & Cooney Law Firm in Des Moines, Miriam provides comprehensive legal representation to school districts, area education agencies, colleges, and universities throughout the state of Iowa. She helps clients navigate the complex legal issues facing educational... Read More →

Elizabeth Heffernan

Associate, Ahlers & Cooney, P.C.

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST
Room 107, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Policy & Legal
Track Board President, Board Secretary

9:30am CST

Keeping Students at the Center of the Work

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST

Rooms 304–305, Level 3

In this session, Council Bluffs Community Schools will explore the critical role school boards play in keeping schools at the heart of our work, with a focused commitment to improving student achievement and outcomes. You'll discuss actionable strategies that align board decisions with educational priorities, ensuring that every policy and initiative supports the success of our students. Join the Council Bluffs governance team to learn how to strengthen your board’s impact by centering your work on the most important stakeholders—our students.

Presenters

Vickie Murillo

Superintendent, Council Bluffs Schools

Mark Schuldt

Principal, Council Bluffs Schools

David Coziahr

Board Vice President, Council Bluffs Schools

Keeping Students at the Center of the Work pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST
Rooms 304–305, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Student Learning

9:30am CST

Navigating the Unthinkable—Proactive Strategies & Recovery Steps for School Tragedies

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST

Rooms 318–320, Level 3

No one expects to be the site of the next school shooting, and no one believes it could ever happen in their district. What happens when it does? Proactive preparation for such an unlikely event is essential. The journey beyond the event and the question of "Where do we go from here?" has become all too familiar for school districts. The Recovery Journey for Perry Schools offers key strategies and steps that schools can implement to navigate this difficult path. By the end of the session, participants will be able to identify proactive training and approaches to manage a tragedy, including recognizing key areas of support, implementing communication strategies, and adopting strategies to support social-emotional needs of students, staff, and the community.

Presenters

Clark Wicks

Superintendent, Perry Schools

Linda Andorf

Board Member, Perry Schools

Brad Snowgren

High School Principal, Perry Schools

Mandy Ross

Recovery Coordinator, Perry Schools

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST
Rooms 318–320, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard District Culture

9:30am CST

Student Board Member Breakfast

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST

Room 401, Level 4

By invitation only.

Presenters

D.T. Magee

Executive Director, IASB

D.T. Magee began serving as Executive Director of IASB on July 1, 2023. He previously served as Superintendent of Norwalk Schools, one of the fastest growing districts in Iowa. His experience also includes roles across Iowa as a teacher, coach, principal, HR director and assistant... Read More →

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST
Room 401, Level 4 Iowa Events Center

Special Event

9:30am CST

Unconference Cafe

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST

Rooms 307 & 317, Level 3

Network. Meet. Discuss. Enjoy time with peers in the Unconference Cafe. Use the flexibly designed space and meeting resources for pop-up conversations and “unconference” discussions. Share ideas, reflect and refresh. (Just don’t break the Open Meetings law.)

Thursday November 21, 2024 9:30am - 10:15am CST
Rooms 307 & 317, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Special Event

10:15am CST

Annual Board Awards Photos

Thursday November 21, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CST

Level 2, Near the Registration Desk

Stop by with your board during our two trade show breaks! Get there early and avoid potentially long lines. Did you or your whole board earn an Annual Board Award? If so, you have two opportunities on Thursday to stop by the Midwest Portraits photo booth, pick up your award and have your photo taken. You will receive the photo after convention for promotion to your local community. Bonus: IASB will provide your district with a press release to send to local media outlets and will post all winners and photos on the IASB website. Stop by the booth on Level 2, near the Registration Desk, and get ready to smile!

Special thanks to Midwest Portraits for sponsoring the Annual Board Award Photos at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Sponsors

Midwest Portraits & Printed

Midwest Portraits proudly sponsors the Annual Board Awards (ABA) photo booth at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Thursday November 21, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CST
Level 2, Near the Registration Desk Iowa Events Center

Special Event

10:15am CST

MSBA TI Mobile Training Unit Display (Multiple Opportunities)

Thursday November 21, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CST

Level 2, Near the Registration Desk

For over 15 years, the Missouri Association of School Boards (MASB) has run the Center for Education Safety, dedicated to making Missouri schools safe for students, staff, faculty, and visitors. The state has developed a wide range of school safety trainings for school boards, covering critical topics like de-escalation, behavioral risk assessment, the board's role in preventing sexual abuse, reducing the school-to-prison pipeline, cybersecurity, and emergency operations planning.

To ensure these trainings are accessible to districts across Missouri, MASB uses a mobile TI training unit. These units provide interactive simulations, allowing board members and district staff to practice de-escalating high-stress safety situations.

Be sure to stop by and check out the TI mobile unit during the trade show breaks—and let us know what you think!

Wednesday, November 20, 3:30–5 p.m.
Thursday, November 21 10:15–11 a.m.
Thursday, November 21, 1–1:45 p.m.

Presenters

Missouri School Boards' Association's Center for Education Safety

Safety Specialist, MSBA

Missouri School Boards' Association's Center for Education Safety will be showcasing some of the training tools they bring to school districts throughout their state. These include video simulators for de-escalation, stop-the-bleed, and active shooter training. Representatives will... Read More →

Terrell Baker

Emergency Operations Program Coordinator, Missouri School Boards' Association Center for Education Safety

Thursday November 21, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CST
Level 2, Near the Registration Desk Iowa Events Center

Special Event

10:15am CST

Connect, Refresh & Learn in the Exhibit Hall

Thursday November 21, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CST

Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2

Enjoy an extended break to relax, network and learn from our vendors in the Exhibit Hall. Be sure to enter your ticket into our drawing for great prizes! Make sure you drop your ticket into one of the boxes located in the corners of the Exhibit Hall by 1:30 p.m.

Special thanks to FRK Architects + Engineers for sponsoring the exhibit hall breaks at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Sponsors

FRK Architects + Engineers

FRK Architects + Engineers proudly sponsors the the Exhibit Hall Breaks at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.FRK Architects + Engineers is a professional design firm located in central Iowa that has been serving clients since 1923. Our main emphasis is in education, with over 90% of our work dedicated to designing educational environments. We understand each client is unique and we excel in our ability to intelligentl... Read More →

Thursday November 21, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CST
Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2 Iowa Events Center

Trade Show

10:30am CST

Book Signing—Sarita Maybin

Thursday November 21, 2024 10:30am - 11:00am CST

Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2

On Thursday, Nov. 21, Sarita will be on hand to autograph copies of her book If You Can’t Say Something Nice, What DO You Say? Stop by the Convention Bookstore on Level 2 in the Exhibit Hall between 10:30–11 a.m. to meet her and take home a signed copy of her book.

Special thanks to eCampus.com for sponsoring the Convention Bookstore at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Presenters

Sarita Maybin

Keynote Speaker; Communication Expert & Author

Sponsors

eCampus.com

Thursday November 21, 2024 10:30am - 11:00am CST
Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2 Iowa Events Center

Convention Bookstore, Featuring Keynote Speaker

11:00am CST

Anthony Muhammad's Insights on Transforming School Culture

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST

Rooms 308–310, Level 3

Tell Anthony What You Think!

A high-performing district has a clear purpose: ensuring high levels of learning for all students. When everyone shares a passion for education, how can we build team synergy to align agendas and ideals, so our district functions as a cohesive unit? Join Keynoter Anthony Muhammad as he explores the theoretical framework he designed for developing a collaborative culture.

Presenters

Anthony Muhammad

Keynote Speaker; School Culture Consultant

Anthony Muhammad will introduce us to the importance of transformational leadership and the key competencies that ALL board teams can practice as you lead transformation in your own district.

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST
Rooms 308–310, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Education Session, Featuring Keynote Speaker

Board Standard District Culture

11:00am CST

Breaking the Mold—Alternative Salary Structures for School Districts

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST

Rooms 101–102, Level 1

Can you afford your current salary schedule? Does the new Teacher Salary Supplement law with teacher minimums align with your salary schedule? Join seasoned superintendents and board members from around the state for an overview of the teacher salary minimum rules and alternative salary examples. Then hear how three different schools have successfully made the move from a traditional salary schedule.

Presenters

Darwin Lehmann

Superintendent, Forest City Schools

Barb Schwamman

Superintendent, Osage Schools

Barb Schwamman is in her 8th year as Superintendent of the Osage Schools and is in her 6th year as a shared superintendent at the Riceville Schools in northeast Iowa. Before taking over in Osage, Barb served as PK-8 Principal at South Winneshiek from 2007-2015. Previously she taught/coached... Read More →

Pat Hamilton

Superintendent, Mason City Schools

Cindy Garza

Board Member, Mason City Schools

Breaking the Mold Alternative Salary Structures for School Districts pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST
Rooms 101–102, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard School Finance

11:00am CST

Igniting Board Excellence—A Conversation with Experienced Board Presidents

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST

Rooms 314–315, Level 3

The research on board governance is clear: highly effective board teams can and do make a significant and positive difference for the students they serve. What does that mean for school board leadership? How can board presidents and vice presidents foster board team relationships to chart a strong course for the district and succeed in both calm and choppy waters? Join two board presidents who will lead an interactive conversation with participants focused on sharing insights and strategies to cultivate unity, overcome challenges and navigate the complexities of school board governance.

Moderators

Tammi Drawbaugh

Board Development Director, IASB

Tammi Drawbaugh has been a Board Development Director at the Iowa Association of School Boards since 2021. In her role, Tammi designs curriculum content and facilitator guides that serve as the foundation for her to facilitate workshops with board and superintendent teams on requested... Read More →

Lou Ann Gvist

Board Development Director, IASB

Lou Ann Gvist has been a Board Development Director for the Iowa Association of School Boards since 2004. In her role, Lou Ann designs curriculum content and facilitator guides that serve as the foundation for her to facilitate workshops with board and superintendent teams on requested... Read More →

Presenters

Ruthina Malone

Board President, Iowa City Schools

Charlie Comfort

Board President, Oskaloosa Schools

PhrasesThatPromoteEffectiveDiscussionAndDeliberation pdf

Igniting Board Excellence A Conversation with Experienced Board Presidents pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST
Rooms 314–315, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Visionary Team
Track Board President, Deeper Dialogue

11:00am CST

Leading Continuous Improvement—Raising the Bar on Student Success

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST

Rooms 318–320, Level 3

Looking to raise the bar for your students? From supporting sustainable organizational systems to designing tools that support effective decision-making, school boards play an important role in leading continuous academic improvement. Hear from Ankeny Schools as they highlight key strategies and practices that the school board and district administration implemented to support continuous improvement opportunities and student performance outcomes. Attendees will learn about the importance of effective leadership in providing data, resources, and professional learning to inform effective decision-making. By the end of this session, participants will leave with practical ideas and actionable steps to strengthen core instruction in their own districts, ultimately leading to improved academic success for all students.

Presenters

Katie Claeys

Board President, Ankeny Schools

Erick Pruitt

Superintendent, Ankeny Schools

SuperintendentLeadershipFinanceBoard PolicyBestPracticesStrategic PlanningBoard Elections

Leading Continuous Improvement pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST
Rooms 318–320, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Student Learning
Track New Board Member

11:00am CST

Managing the Superintendent-Board Relationship—Achieving Win-Wins from Start to Finish

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST

Rooms 304–305, Level 3

Danielle Haindfield, seasoned school board attorney from Ahlers & Cooney, P.C., will discuss tips and lessons learned on how to navigate the always difficult ending of the board/superintendent relationship. It will include a discussion of why the relationship may need to end, when is the best time to do it and the options at the board’s disposal on how to make it happen. This session will focus not only on legal timelines and requirements to know, but also practical considerations to think about when deciding what is best for the district when parting ways with your superintendent.

Presenters

Danielle Haindfield

Shareholder, Ahlers & Cooney, P.C.

Managing the Superintendent Board Relationship Achieving Win Wins from Start to Finish pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST
Rooms 304–305, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Policy & Legal
Track Board Secretary

11:00am CST

Navigating Change—Maintaining Strong Relationships Through Collaborative Bargaining

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST

Room 103, Level 1

Despite the deconstruction of Chapter 20 and increasing political pressures, Iowa City Schools has been able to maintain strong employee–management relationships through collaborative bargaining practices that focus on taking care of people while also being fiscally responsible. During this session, gain knowledge and perspective on how the importance and positive impact of maintaining a robust collective bargaining agreement benefited their school board and district, even when not required under state law.

Moderators

Chace Ramey

Deputy Superintendent, Iowa City Community School District

Chace currently serves as the Deputy Superintendent for the Iowa City Community School District. After venturing to Fairfax County Public Schools in Fairfax, Virginia where he served as the HR Assistant Superintendent, Chace returned home to ICCSD in 2018 as the Chief Operating Officer... Read More →

Presenters

Lisa Williams

Board Member, Iowa City Schools

Brady Shutt

Teacher, Iowa City Schools; President, Iowa City Education Association

Jane Elerding

UniServ Director, East Central Iowa, Iowa State Education Association (ISEA)

Nick Proud

Chief Human Resources Officer, Iowa City Schools

Nick Proud serves the Iowa City Community School District as the Chief Human Resource Officer. Iowa City proudly serves five different communities and over 2400 employees and over 14,500 students. Nick has previously served as the Executive Director of Secondary Schools, an elementary... Read More →

April Kelly

Art Teacher & Curriculum Coordinator, Iowa City Schools

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST
Room 103, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard District Culture

11:00am CST

Navigating the Teacher Termination Process Through Real-World Scenarios

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST

Room 107, Level 1

Teacher termination hearings can be challenging, uncomfortable and contentious. During this session, join attorneys from Ahlers & Cooney, P.C., who will lead attendees through a mock teacher termination hearing, focusing on the who, what, when, and how of the termination process under Iowa Code Chapter 279. Names, places, and events are products of the presenters’ imaginations and a combined 30+ years of experience handling termination hearings throughout Iowa.

Presenters

Miriam Van Heukelem

Attorney/Shareholder, Ahlers & Cooney, P.C.

Kristy Latta

Attorney, Ahlers & Cooney, P.C.

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST
Room 107, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Policy & Legal
Track Deeper Dialogue, Board Secretary

11:00am CST

Radical Leadership Reset—Getting Serious About Getting Results

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST

Room 108, Level 1

When the governance team at Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Schools realized their plan for school improvement was broken and leading to stagnation, they threw it out! Instead, they embraced “The 4 Disciplines of Execution,” a process designed by Franklin Covey to create breakthrough results. During this session, learn how ADM Schools reset their leadership’s focus on student improvement and leveraged 4DX to achieve real progress on their ‘wildly important’ student learning goals.

Presenters

Greg Dufoe

Superintendent, Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Schools

Travis Wilkins

Assistant Superintendent, Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Schools

Tim Canney

Board Member, Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Schools

Radical Leadership Reset Getting Serious About Getting Results pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST
Room 108, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Visionary Team

11:00am CST

Six Voices, One Goal! A Board-Superintendent Team's Journey to Achieve Shared Goals

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST

Room 105, Level 1

How do school boards and superintendents effectively collaborate to set and achieve a shared goal? In this presentation, Maquoketa Schools will showcase their board's collaborative journey in setting a joint goal with the superintendent. Join this board-superintendent team as they detail their process to develop, implement, and sustain their joint goals throughout board meetings. Participants will gain insights into utilizing the 8 Characteristics of an Effective Board, maintaining a focus on the goal through regular updates, and fostering a strong commitment between the board and superintendent toward achieving shared objectives.

Presenters

Tara Notz

Superintendent, Maquoketa Schools

Mike Hayward

Board Member, Maquoketa Schools

Six Voices, One Goal! A Board Superintendent Team's Journey to Achieve Shared Goals pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST
Room 105, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Visionary Team
Track Board President

11:00am CST

So, What Now? How to Use Data to Drive Decisions at the Board Table

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST

Room 106, Level 1

School leaders sift through enormous amounts of data to create and analyze reports that are concise, specific, and pertinent to the district’s governance goals, but then what? What role should the data you look at play in making informed, well rounded decisions? In this session, hear how Davenport Schools, Clear Lake Schools, and Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Schools work with Frontline Education to identify data reports that will help their board teams set and monitor goals, why that data is important to communicate, and how using that data can make difficult decisions easier. Come learn how you can use data to help tell your story!

Moderators

Lora Appenzeller

Senior Advisor, Analytics, Frontline Education

Presenters

TJ Schneckloth

Superintendent, Davenport Schools

Kevin Posekany

Business Manager, Davenport Schools

Doug Gee

Superintendent, Clear Lake Schools

Ken Kasper

Superintendent, Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Schools

So What Now How to Use Data to Drive Decisions at the Board Table pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST
Room 106, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Visionary Team

11:00am CST

Supports for All Students—One District's Approach to Therapeutic Classroom Services

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST

Room 104, Level 1

Every student deserves access to safe and supportive learning environments, so what does this look like for students in your community? During this session, hear how Bettendorf Schools developed a Therapeutic Learning Classroom through community collaboration using the Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework (MTSS). With staff capacity of implementation in mind, the district created a community of educational leaders responsible for facilitating teams that support students with behavioral health concerns. By focusing on Tier Three Interventions, Bettendorf has increased staff members' capacity to reduce dysregulation and minimize classroom disruptions. By the end of this session, you'll have exclusive access to the tools Bettendorf used to develop their Therapeutic Learning Classroom to use as you envision what access to safe and supportive learning environments looks like in your community!

Presenters

Michelle Morse

Superintendent, Bettendorf Schools

Dr. Michelle Morse currently serves as the Superintendent for the Bettendorf Community School District. Dr. Morse began her career in public education twenty-nine years ago as a speech-language pathologist and classroom teacher. She has served in a variety of administrative positions... Read More →

Karen Allison

Executive Director of Student Services, Bettendorf Schools

Sarah Harris

Social Emotional Behavioral Health Coordinator, Bettendorf Schools

Linda Smithson

Board Member, Bettendorf Schools

School Librarian Board Member, lifelong learner, advocate

Supports for All Students One District's Approach to Therapeutic Classroom Services pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST
Room 104, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Student Learning

11:00am CST

Unconference Cafe

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST

Rooms 307 & 317, Level 3

Thursday November 21, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am CST
Rooms 307 & 317, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Special Event

12:00pm CST

Second General Session & Luncheon—Changing Lives for Iowa’s Students Impacted by Poverty

Thursday November 21, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CST

Grand Ballroom, Level 4

Statistics show that Iowa’s students living in poverty are the least likely to gain an education—what if your actions as a leader could change that? Students experiencing poverty face significant barriers to education, making it imperative for school board members and education leaders to be well-informed on how our decisions impact students in poverty. In her compelling keynote, Donna Beegle will dive into the impact of poverty on students’ education and why poverty-informed Iowa school board members are more important than ever to break barriers for the one in five students struggling with basic needs. How can we better support our school communities in building environments where students experiencing poverty can succeed?

Donna’s personal experiences with generational poverty led her to drop out of school at 15. At 26, she obtained her GED. Within 10 years, Donna went on to earn her doctorate in Educational Leadership. This insider perspective and 34 years of experience working with school leaders to improve educational outcomes for students in poverty, paired with her powerful personal story, will give you an in-depth exploration of how poverty impacts student achievement, and how informed leaders can make all the difference for students experiencing poverty. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to lunch and learn during the second general session—you’ll leave inspired and empowered to be a voice for Iowa's students living in poverty!

Special thanks to Jester Insurance Services for sponsoring the Second General Session & Luncheon at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Presenters

Donna Beegle

Keynote Speaker; Poverty-Informed Leadership Expert, Communication Across Barriers Inc.

Keynote speaker Donna Beegle grew up in generational poverty and dropped out of high school in ninth grade. Donna went from high school dropout to earning her doctorate, and brings 34 years of research and practical experience to the table.

Sponsors

Jester Insurance Services

Jester Insurance Services proudly sponsors the Second General Session & Luncheon and co-sponsors the Member-Vendor Social at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.Education is of the utmost importance to Iowa. Our children and what they learn is how we ensure a great future... Read More →

Thursday November 21, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CST
Grand Ballroom, Level 4 Iowa Events Center

General Session

1:00pm CST

Annual Board Awards Photos

Thursday November 21, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm CST

Level 2, Near the Registration Desk

Stop by with your board during our two trade show breaks! Get there early and avoid potentially long lines. Did you or your whole board earn an Annual Board Award? If so, you have many opportunities on Thursday to stop by the Midwest Portraits photo booth, pick up your award and have your photo taken. You will receive the photo after convention for promotion to your local community. Bonus: IASB will provide your district with a press release to send to local media outlets and will post all winners and photos on the IASB website. Stop by the booth on Level 2, near the registration desk, and get ready to smile!

Special thanks to Midwest Portraits for sponsoring the Annual Board Award Photos at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Sponsors

Midwest Portraits & Printed

Midwest Portraits proudly sponsors the Annual Board Awards (ABA) photo booth at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Thursday November 21, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm CST
Level 2, Near the Registration Desk Iowa Events Center

Special Event

1:00pm CST

Connect & Collaborate—Latino/a Board Member Networking Session

Thursday November 21, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST

Room 401, Level 4

Join fellow board members for an open networking session designed for Latino/a school board members during the Annual Conference! Connect with fellow board members, share experiences, and brainstorm impactful strategies to help Latino/a students thrive. This session offers a welcoming space for collaboration and idea-sharing. Open to all convention attendees, we welcome everyone to come and engage in this important conversation. Join fellow board members from 1–2 p.m. in Room 401, Level 4.

Thursday November 21, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
Room 401, Level 4 Iowa Events Center

Special Event

1:00pm CST

Connect, Refresh & Learn in the Exhibit Hall—Enjoy Desserts & Drawings!

Thursday November 21, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST

Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2

Following lunch, visit the Exhibit Hall for delicious desserts, network with vendors and peers, and listen for winners of the grand prize drawing to be announced starting at 1:30 p.m. You might win a grand prize! Make sure you drop your ticket into one of the boxes located in the corners of the Exhibit Hall by 1:30 p.m.

Special thanks to FRK Architects + Engineers for sponsoring the exhibit hall breaks at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Sponsors

FRK Architects + Engineers

Thursday November 21, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2 Iowa Events Center

Trade Show

1:15pm CST

Book Signing—Anthony Muhammad

Thursday November 21, 2024 1:15pm - 1:45pm CST

Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2

On Thursday, Nov. 21, Anthony will be on hand to autograph copies of his book on Level 2 in the Exhibit Hall. Stop by the Convention Bookstore between 1:15–1:45 p.m. to meet him and take home a signed copy of Time for Change: Four Essential Skills for Transformational School and District Leaders.

Special thanks to eCampus.com for sponsoring the Convention Bookstore at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Presenters

Anthony Muhammad

Keynote Speaker; School Culture Consultant

Anthony Muhammad will introduce us to the importance of transformational leadership and the key competencies that ALL board teams can practice as you lead transformation in your own district.

Sponsors

eCampus.com

Thursday November 21, 2024 1:15pm - 1:45pm CST
Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2 Iowa Events Center

Convention Bookstore, Featuring Keynote Speaker

1:15pm CST

Book Signing—Donna Beegle

Thursday November 21, 2024 1:15pm - 1:45pm CST

Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2

On Thursday, Nov. 21, Donna will be on hand to autograph copies of her book on Level 2 in the Exhibit Hall. Stop by the Convention Bookstore between 1:15–1:45 p.m. to meet her and take home a signed copy of See Poverty... Be the Difference.

Special thanks to eCampus.com for sponsoring the Convention Bookstore at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Presenters

Donna Beegle

Keynote Speaker; Poverty-Informed Leadership Expert, Communication Across Barriers Inc.

Sponsors

eCampus.com

Thursday November 21, 2024 1:15pm - 1:45pm CST
Exhibit Hall (Hall C), Level 2 Iowa Events Center

Convention Bookstore, Featuring Keynote Speaker

2:00pm CST

A Districtwide Approach to Behavior Prevention & Response

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST

Rooms 318–320, Level 3

Across the state, districts have seen a sharp rise in mental illness, diverse philosophies regarding behavior among staff and community, and inequitable disciplinary practices that make this work more important than ever. During the 2019–2020 school year, College Community Schools set out on a year-long project to develop a consistent response to challenging behavior across the district. The product of this work was a matrix that clearly defines behavior incident types, outlines both required and optional ways to respond to behavior incidents, and establishes a common language districtwide. College Community Schools will not only walk you through how they launched their districtwide behavior prevention and response plan, but will demonstrate how this matrix has made a positive impact on student behavior after five years!

Presenters

Laura Medberry

Executive Director of Learning Supports, College Community Schools

Laura Medberry serves College Community Schools (Cedar Rapids Prairie) as the Executive Director of Learning Supports. She is responsible for a variety of programs including ELL, school-based mental health, early childhood, community partnerships, and new principal coaching. Prior... Read More →

Doug Wheeler

Superintendent, College Community Schools

Randy Bauer

Board President, College Community Schools

CCSD SEBH Belief Statements pdf

Incident Response Considerations and Questions pdf

7 12 Behavior Response Matrix, CCSD pdf

SEBH Effective Classroom Practices, CCSD pdf

Nurturing Learning Environments pdf

A Districtwide Approach to Prevention and Response Presentation pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST
Rooms 318–320, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Student Learning

2:00pm CST

Actions that Matter—A Deeper Dive into Opportunity Community Schools with Donna Beegle

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST

Rooms 308–310, Level 3

Join Keynoter Donna Beegle at 2 p.m. to explore actionable strategies to break poverty barriers for our students! Donna will dive deeper by introducing case studies of schools improving educational success. Board members and leaders will explore the five key strategies included in her "Opportunity Community Schools" model based on research and proven to increase attendance, improve grades and school completion, and engage students and families who live in the crisis of poverty. Throughout this deep dive, Donna will share how this model can provide a structure for increasing community partnerships.

Presenters

Donna Beegle

Keynote Speaker; Poverty-Informed Leadership Expert, Communication Across Barriers Inc.

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST
Rooms 308–310, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Education Session, Featuring Keynote Speaker

Board Standard Visionary Team
Track Deeper Dialogue

2:00pm CST

From Insight to Impact—Elevating Your School's Strategic Plan through Collaborative Leadership

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST

Room 106, Level 1

Is it time to update your district's strategic plan? In this session, Western Dubuque Schools will explore the essential elements they used in updating their strategic plan (Plan on a Page). Join this Superintendent board-president team as they emphasize the importance of high-level support from board leadership and showcase the organic, collaborative nature of the planning process. Participants will gain insights into effective stakeholder engagement, data-driven decision-making, and fostering a unified vision for school improvement.

Presenters

Dan Butler

Superintendent, Western Dubuque Schools

Dan Butler is passionate about leadership, positive relationships, continuous improvement, connected learning and making differences in the lives of others. Dan presents at the local, state, and national levels about digital leadership, 21st century public relations/communication... Read More →

Jessica Pape

Board President, Western Dubuque Schools

3rd Term Board member, President Mom of a college student, high school and middle school student.

From Insight to Impact Elevating Your School's Strategic Plan through Collaborative Leadership pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST
Room 106, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Visionary Team
Track Board President

2:00pm CST

Leveraging Social Media for Success—Strategies for Effective Communication & Community Engagement

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST

Room 105, Level 1

Discover how you can harness the power of social media to build connections with your stakeholders, improve transparency and trust, and share the successes of your school district. Join Waukee Community School District's Executive Director of Communications Kayla Choate and Board Member Armel Traore dit Nignan as they talk about the role of the district and school board members on social media. They will share practical strategies, best practices, and real-life success stories. You will learn actionable steps and tools to build your personal social media presence while supporting your district and engaging with your community.

Presenters

Kayla Choate

District Staff, Waukee Schools

Armel Traore dit Nignan

Board Member, Waukee Schools

Leveraging Social Media for Success pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST
Room 105, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard District Culture

2:00pm CST

Measuring Success Attributes—Lifelong Learning Beyond the Test Score

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST

Room 104, Level 1

While measuring academic performance is the standard practice across all districts, Alburnett Schools is going beyond the test scores by identifying data-driven metrics for student success attributes. Tracking whether students are community-minded citizens, emotionally intelligent, effective communicators, lifelong learners, and student leaders eliminates reliance on intuition and provides a holistic picture of student achievement. In this session, learn what Alburnett has uncovered about the strong correlation between academic performance and attributes of student success that lead to greater success for all students, and gain insight on how you can support lifelong learners in your district!

Presenters

Josh Henriksen

Middle School Principal, Alburnett Schools

Kristin Koppes

District Staff, Alburnett Schools

Casey Shoemaker

District Staff, Alburnett Schools

Ryan Gebel

District Staff, Alburnett Schools

Measuring Success Attributes Lifelong Learning Beyond the Test Score pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST
Room 104, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Student Learning

2:00pm CST

Navigating AI in Education—From Privacy Considerations to Practical Implementation

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST

Rooms 314–315, Level 3

Curious about how AI fits into your district's policy? Join Lauren Rubio from F3 Law for an overview of the growing role of AI in education, focusing on how schools can responsibly integrate AI technologies while protecting student privacy. Attendees will explore key considerations for developing effective AI policies that align with district goals, including best practices for data security, contract review, and compliance with legal standards such as FERPA. Real-life examples of both the successes and challenges of AI in school districts will provide context for these discussions.

Presenters

Lauren Rubio

Associate Attorney, F3 Law

Navigating AI in Education From Privacy Considerations to Practical Implmentation pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST
Rooms 314–315, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Policy & Legal

2:00pm CST

New from IASB! The Student Handbook Toolkit

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST

Rooms 304–305, Level 3

Welcome to IASB's newest resource for districts, the IASB Student Handbook Toolkit! This free resource for IASB members is a template for customizing a student handbook for your school district or school attendance centers. The handbook is updated yearly and responsively to reflect recent changes to state and federal laws. In this session, IASB Legal Services Director Anna Harmon will explore the toolkit and how to use it to best meet your district's needs.

Presenters

Anna Harmon

Legal Services Director, IASB

Anna Harmon has been the Legal Services Director for the Iowa Association of School Boards since 2021. In her role, she is responsible for developing, maintaining, and providing high quality human resource services, tools, and consulting for IASB members that operate within the laws... Read More →

New From IASB! Student Handbook pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST
Rooms 304–305, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard District Culture

2:00pm CST

Ongoing, Meaningful & Aligned to District Goals—Leveraging Your Superintendent Evaluation

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST

Room 107, Level 1

Need help streamlining and strengthening the superintendent evaluation in your district? Look no further! This interactive session will include processes and tools to ensure the superintendent performance review process is ongoing, practical, and aligned with district priorities. Plus, you'll hear from a second-year superintendent and board team members who used these tools during their first year together, which helped to provide a strong board-team partnership from the start. Join this interactive discussion and network with colleagues to discuss advantages of whole board participation in evaluations and learn benefits of conducting several mid-year progress check ins rather than just one annual summary evaluation.

Presenters

Stan De Zeeuw

Superintendent, Sibley-Ocheyedan Schools

Greg Atherton

Board Vice President, Sibley-Ocheyedan Schools

Kristen Beyer

Board Member, Sibley-Ocheyedan Schools

Jamie Arend

Board Member, Sibley-Ocheyedan Schools

Jennifer Braun

Board Member, Sibley-Ocheyedan Schools

Ongoing, Meaningful and Aligned to District Goals— Leveraging Your Superintendent Evaluation pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST
Room 107, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Visionary Team
Track Deeper Dialogue, Board Secretary

2:00pm CST

Public Funds for Public Purpose—Funding Student Activity Programs

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST

Room 103, Level 1

According to Iowa Code, public money may only be spent for pubic purpose. This can be challenging for districts since 'public purpose' has a flexible and expansive scope. In this session, join experts from the Iowa Department of Education who will help you identify allowable uses of the student activity fund revenues, determine allowable sources to pay for student activity programming, understand the board's authority to locally define public purpose, and contrast the application of public purpose as defined through various public purpose policies.

Presenters

Kassandra Cline

School Business Operations Bureau Chief, Iowa Department of Education

2024 convention edSession publicFunds publicPurpose pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST
Room 103, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard School Finance

2:00pm CST

Rapid Response for Legal Eagles

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST

Rooms 101–102, Level 1

What do you get when you bring together experienced school attorneys from two major firms in one room? A rapid fire Q&A session with legal eagles! Join Peter Fagen of F3 Law and Melissa Schilling from Dickinson Bradshaw for a chance to get answers to your most pressing legal questions. Come prepared with tough questions, and you'll leave with answers and insights about timely school law topics.

Presenters

Peter Fagen

Partner, F3 Law

Peter K. Fagen is a founding partner and serves clients from both the Los Angeles and San Diego area offices. A proven lawyer, leader, and administrator, Peter has extensive experience in the areas of board/superintendent relations, labor, personnel, students, business, voting rights... Read More →

Melissa Schilling

Shareholder, Dickinson Bradshaw

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST
Rooms 101–102, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard Policy & Legal
Track Board Secretary

2:00pm CST

The Holistic Approach to School Security

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST

Room 108, Level 1

Safety and security of students and staff are among the highest priorities for school districts today. To create a safe environment, school security must go beyond the basics for a holistic approach that blends security strategies with technology. A holistic approach evaluates everything from school layouts, to visitor management systems, to districtwide security strategies. In this session, you'll learn how to understand the difference between safety and security and gain valuable strategies to help mitigate vulnerabilities and manage your campus footprint. Get ready to approach school security with a plan that considers your districts facilities, environment, culture, and community!

Moderators

Nicole Cline

Director of Business Development, Estes Construction

Presenters

Ryan Searles

Security Consultant, IMEG Corp.

Doug Richardson

Public Safety Manager, Des Moines Schools

The Holistic Approach to School Security pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST
Room 108, Level 1 Iowa Events Center

Education Session

Board Standard District Culture

2:00pm CST

Unconference Cafe

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST

Rooms 307 & 317, Level 3

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm CST
Rooms 307 & 317, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Special Event

2:15pm CST

Convention Bookstore—Postsale

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:15pm - 4:30pm CST

Foyer (Near Escalators), Level 3

While supplies last, the Convention Bookstore will offer a final chance for you to pick up books by your favorite keynoters. Stop by the Level 3 foyer from 2:15–3 p.m.

Special thanks to eCampus.com for sponsoring the Convention Bookstore at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Sponsors

eCampus.com

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:15pm - 4:30pm CST
Foyer (Near Escalators), Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Convention Bookstore

3:00pm CST

Closing General Session—Time for Change! Transforming School Culture

Thursday November 21, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST

Grand Ballroom, Level 4

Tell Anthony What You Think!

A leader who understands how to motivate and build consensus is worth their weight in gold. Today’s era of constant change requires leaders who understand the importance of drawing from everyone's strengths and insight to create positive change. School culture provides the foundation for positive change in your district. As leaders, how can we develop a culture that supports change? In his insightful keynote, Anthony Muhammad will introduce us to the importance of transformational leadership, and the key competencies that all board teams can practice as you lead transformation in your own district.

Anthony will dive into four leadership competencies for your board team: communication, trust building, professional support, and accountability. As you break down these four traits, you’ll build an understanding of the value of school culture and the importance of developing a consensus on and beyond your team. Acquire practical skills that inspire others to embrace change at our fantastic final general session of the day!

Presenters

Anthony Muhammad

Keynote Speaker; School Culture Consultant

Anthony Muhammad will introduce us to the importance of transformational leadership and the key competencies that ALL board teams can practice as you lead transformation in your own district.

Thursday November 21, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Grand Ballroom, Level 4 Iowa Events Center

General Session

8:00am CST

Board Presidents’ Workshop

Friday November 22, 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm CST

Rooms 312–315, Level 3

CALLING ALL BOARD PRESIDENTS, VICE PRESIDENTS & ASPIRING LEADERS! Once again, we’ll be offering our staple, interactive workshop designed to serve the learning needs of board leaders. Feedback from past participants indicates this four-hour learning experience provides some of the most powerful and relevant learning at Convention. Join your peers and IASB staff experts as we delve into hot button issues and meaningful content to share insights and surface practical approaches to various issues related to effective school board governance. While designed for board leaders, anyone is welcome to attend.

A complimentary breakfast will be provided for attendees at the Board President Workshop.

Special thanks to DCI Group for sponsoring the Board Presidents’ Workshop at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Moderators

Siobhan Schneider

Associate Executive Director, Board Leadership & Legal Services, IASB

Presenters

Lou Ann Gvist

Board Development Director, IASB

Tammi Drawbaugh

Board Development Director, IASB

Tara Paul

Superintendent, Indianola Schools

Tara Paul has recently joined the Indianola Community School District as the Superintendent of Schools. Her knowledge base and success is in supporting teacher growth and learning around Professional Learning Communities, the MTSS process and systems based SEL and mental wellness... Read More →

Dr. Erin Slater

Superintendent, Fort Madison Schools

Dr. Erin Slater joined the Fort Madison Community School District in 2016 and is in her 7th year serving the district. The District’s focus has been on supporting teacher and student learning with Professional Learning Communities and increasing resources in social-emotional support... Read More →

Brian Stone

Superintendent, Mid-Prairie Schools

Sponsors

DCI Group

DCI Group proudly sponsors the Board Presidents' Workshop at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.DCI Group is an Iowa-based construction management firm that provides clients in the Midwest with the expertise to guide them through a construction project, by developing a master plan that best fits their core business model to ensure the project is a success for all involved... Read More →

Friday November 22, 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm CST
Rooms 312–315, Level 3 Iowa Events Center

Post-Convention Workshop

Track Board President