IASB Convention 2024

CALLING ALL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS! Whether you are newly appointed, missed your chance to take it, or would just like a refresh, don’t miss out on Ready, Set, Govern! as a Pre-Convention workshop on Nov. 20. from 9–11:30 a.m. Here’s what you can expect from READY, SET, GOVERN!

• Understanding Governance & Management Roles—What is a governance role and how do I get some? Not a simple task, but as a board member you will be setting direction and have ongoing oversight of the district from the 30,000-foot level! We will talk through fundamental board responsibilities and provide a framework for learning critical information. Identifying and differentiating the governance work of the board and the management work of the superintendent isn’t always easy. We will talk through how important all the work is and how the board sets direction and then passes that on to the superintendent for implementation.
• Learning Your Legal Role in Meetings & Board Policy—The work of the board occurs in meetings when the board is together. We will talk about best practices, as well as about transparency laws to ensure the board provides public access to meetings and allows the public to hear the deliberation of the board. As you learn about your legal responsibilities, you will also learn more about the important role board policy plays in decision-making at the table. 
• Addressing Concerns & Complaints with Staff & the Public—From time-to-time board members may hear from staff or from members of the public with concerns or complaints. While board members may feel obligated to find an answer to every question or issue, that isn’t always necessary. Districts have policies around how communication with staff and the public work best, and those policies are often stated as chain of command. This is never meant to be a barrier to conversation, but rather a model of governance and the best way to help a staff member or a member of the public. You will have an opportunity to practice answering some sticky questions while following board policy and helping your public to better understand your governance role.  

Special thanks to Hoglund Bus Company for sponsoring the Ready, Set, Govern! workshop at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.
 

If you’re a newer board member, you’ll value this introduction and overview of basic school finance concepts and terminology. The session will introduce budgeting and funding components in relation to your role on the board. A repeat of this session is also offered from 1–3:30 p.m. This session offers SBO credit for first-time attendees.

Special thanks to Frontline Analytics for sponsoring this Pre-Convention Workshop at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.
 

If you’re a newer board member, you’ll value this introduction and overview of basic school finance concepts and terminology. The session will introduce budgeting and funding components in relation to your role on the board. This session offers SBO credit for first-time attendees.

Special thanks to Frontline Analytics for sponsoring this Pre-Convention Workshop at the 79th IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show.
 

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.

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.