Pre- & Post-Convention Workshops
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 & Friday, Nov. 21, 2025Iowa Events Center, Des Moines
Pre-Convention Workshops—Wednesday, Nov. 19
Heather Sulejman
Co-Founder of Disagreeing Better & Director at Harvard's Disagreement Project
Effective board leadership requires navigating disagreement with purpose and clarity. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn practical, research-based strategies to engage with differing views, strengthen board/superintendent team dynamics, and foster trust and collaboration. Led by Heather Sulejman, this session is personalized to help you build a governance culture where diverse perspectives lead to better decisions!
The Art & Science of Constructive Disagreement
What makes disagreement productive instead of polarizing? How can board leaders foster open dialogue while maintaining focus, unity, and good governance?
In this interactive, two-and-a-half-hour workshop, you’ll explore research-based strategies to navigate disagreement in ways that elevate board leadership, support healthy board/superintendent dynamics, and strengthen decision-making. Grounded in behavioral science and tailored to the realities of school governance, this session equips you with practical tools to engage authentically with diverse perspectives—building both trust and clarity in your leadership role.
Through hands-on activities and guided practice, you’ll learn how to lead by example, model constructive disagreement, and create space for dialogue that benefits your board team and the broader community.
Heather Sulejman is the co-founder of Disagreeing Better and Managing Director of The Constructive Disagreement Project at Harvard Kennedy School. With 14 years of experience in mediation, conflict resolution, and negotiation training, Heather helps leaders apply behavioral science to strengthen governance, communication, and collaboration.
Fee: $110 for IASB members. $165 for non-members.
Ready, Set, Govern! New Board Member Onboarding Workshop
9–11:30 a.m.
CALLING ALL BOARD MEMBERS! Take advantage of the Ready, Set, Govern! workshop at Convention, which will set you on the road to success. We will cover foundational elements of good governance, such as understanding the roles of the board, management roles of the superintendent and tips for fostering good communication to support an effective board-superintendent partnership. This content is also offered regionally in December and January at various district sites across Iowa.
Special thanks to Hoglund Bus Company for sponsoring the Ready, Set, Govern! workshop.
Basics for Board Secretaries
11 a.m.–NoonThis free mini-workshop is designed to support newer board secretaries with practical tips on foundational basics such as meeting minutes, agendas and more. Connect with peers, get your questions answered and then deepen your learning by attending the afternoon Board Secretary Workshop. This session offers SBO credit for first-time attendees.
Fee: Free.Board Secretary Workshop
1–3:30 p.m.
Our popular Board Secretary workshop is a staple in our Wednesday workshop lineup! With all new content, we’ll once again shape an afternoon of interactive networking and learning focused on issues and questions most pressing to Iowa’s school and AEA board secretaries. This session offers SBO credit for first-time attendees.
Fee: $110 for IASB members. $165 for non-members.
Special thanks to Simbli eBOARDsolutions for sponsoring the Board Secretary Workshop.
School Finance 101
9–11:30 a.m. OR 1–3:30 p.m. (repeat offerings)
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.
Fee: $110 for IASB members. $165 for non-members.
Special thanks to Frontline Analytics for sponsoring the morning and afternoon school finance workshops.
School Finance 201
9–11:30 a.m. OR 1–3:30 p.m. (repeat offerings)
This session provides a deeper dive into key school finance concepts like spending authority and how that differs from cash. Additionally, this session details how school district property taxes are determined and provides information on financial health measures and the importance of budget planning for the future. This session offers SBO credit for first-time attendees.
Fee: $110 for IASB members. $165 for non-members.
Special thanks to Frontline Analytics for sponsoring the morning and afternoon school finance workshops.
School Finance 301
9–11:30 a.m. OR 1–3:30 p.m. (repeat offerings)
This advanced level workshop provides a more in-depth analysis of important concepts of spending authority, trending issues that impact school finance, the function of the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC), property taxes, and more. This session offers SBO credit for first-time attendees.
Fee: $110 for IASB members. $165 for non-members.
Special thanks to Frontline Analytics for sponsoring the morning and afternoon school finance workshops.
Post-Convention Workshops—Friday, Nov. 21
Board Presidents’ Workshop
8 a.m.–NoonCALLING 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.
A complimentary breakfast will be provided for attendees at the Board President Workshop.
Fee: $110 for IASB members. $165 for non-members.
Special thanks to the DCI Group for sponsoring the Board Presidents' Workshop.
Registration Details
REGISTRATION OPENS ON AUG. 6! With the exception of the free Basics for Board Secretaries Workshop, the registration fee for a workshop is $110 for members and $165 for non-members. | For questions, email Emily Miller or call (515) 247-4699. |
6000 Grand Ave., Ste. A
Des Moines, IA 50312
direct (515) 288-1991
fax (515) 243-4992
© 2017–25 Iowa Association of School Boards®
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