The Learning Hub

IASB^® offers a diverse selection of learning experiences throughout the year to support board/superintendent teams in governance and leadership. As education leaders, you face many complex challenges, which require you to possess a vast range of knowledge and experience—school law, finance, labor relations, policy and budgets, curriculum, not to mention bond campaigns, lobbying, special education and parliamentary procedure—to name a few.

Through convention, conferences, workshops, webinar and podcasts, offered either statewide or regionally, in-district, in-person or digitally, IASB serves member needs for learning and professional development. We are here to help both new and experienced board members build your knowledge, and sharpen your boardsmanship and leadership skills.

Online registration closes at different times for different events. Please check individual event webpages for information pertaining to registration dates, fees and cancellation policies. Walk-ins are welcome at IASB events. View IASB's full cancellation and refund policy.

You can now download a digital version of IASB's 2024–25 At Your Service Guide.

IASB is a member of the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA), a non-partisan, national alliance dedicated to sharing resources and information to support, promote and strengthen state school boards associations as they serve their local school districts and board members. Visit our COSSBA ConnectED webpage for more information about the organization and learning opportunities offered.

Note: BoardCast, IASB's official podcast, has been moved to the Newsroom section of our website.
 

2025

 

ONLINE WEBINAR
New Board President Webinar—Fostering Board-Superintendent Team Unity
Thursday, Jan. 9, 6 p.m. & Friday, Jan. 10, Noon (Repeat)
TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND! To maximize governance effectiveness, your board-superintendent team must operate together with unity. As a new board president, a chief responsibility is to promote collaboration and cultivate cohesion among your board members and with your superintendent. Where do you start? What matters most and what should you avoid?

In this interactive conversation, IASB staff and experienced board leaders will discuss foundational communication practices and concrete steps to help you establish a tone of cooperative leadership and strategies to strengthen trust. While designed specifically for newly elected board presidents, anyone is welcomed to participate.

Note: This free webinar is offered twice, for member convenience—the content covered in the webinar on Jan. 9 will be repeated in the Jan. 10 webinar. Learn more and register now.

 

ONLINE WEBINAR
In-Depth Advocacy Webinar—State of the Budget
Tuesday, Jan. 14, Noon 
FREE FOR IASB MEMBERS! In this brief rundown of the state of the budget and school finance funding issues, IASB Associate Executive Director of Government Relations & School Finance Mike Guanci will hit on the biggest things you need to know about Iowa’s economy and state revenues; the governor’s budget recommendations; and what to keep an eye on beyond school aid funding.

 

ONLINE WEBINAR
In-Depth Advocacy Webinar—Condition of the State
Tuesday, Jan. 21, Noon 
FREE FOR IASB MEMBERS! Join education advocacy experts from Iowa’s AEAs, IASB & SAI for a recap of the governor’s annual Condition of the State address. The webinar will provide you with a preview of what’s to come this session, including new education issues on the horizon and issues that might reappear, and will help ensure you are up-to-date as you advocate for your schools this session!

 

IN-PERSON Day on the Hill Monday, Jan. 27–Tuesday, Jan. 28 REGISTER NOW! The Iowa Association of School Boards® (IASB®), School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) and Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs) invite you to the 2025 Day on the Hill! This advocacy event will begin at the State Historical Building in the morning for an optional brief session on talking points and logistical information for advocating at the Capitol. Following the training, attendees will head to the Capitol to meet and network with legislators in the rotunda and to support the displays showing innovative programs and initiatives happening in Iowa public schools. Note: Make sure you’re in-the-know before Day on the Hill and join us at our two In-Depth Advocacy webinars in January!

 

IN-PERSON & ONLINE Frontline Analytics Certified Budget Workshops Thursday, Feb. 6, Tuesday, Feb. 11, Wednesday, Feb. 12 & Thursday, Feb. 13 IASB, in collaboration with Affiliated Program Frontline Analytics, is once again offering these free workshops for IASB members. Using forecasting tools, attendees will leave the workshop with a completed FY 2026 certified budget, including the aid and levy worksheets, as well as all supporting documents. Learn more.

 

IN-PERSON February ISFLC Conference Tuesday, Feb. 18–Wednesday, Feb. 19 REGISTER NOW! ISFLC conferences are excellent opportunities for school leaders aspiring to the superintendency to further develop their knowledge base and skills. The Consortium offers two conferences each year, in December and February, spanning two days. Learn more.

 

ONLINE WEBINAR
New Board President Webinar—Conducting Meaningful Superintendent Evaluation
Tuesday, Feb. 25, Noon & Wednesday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m. (Repeat)
TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND! The yearly evaluation of the superintendent is required by law, and yet often board teams find it difficult and challenging to do so. As a board leader, it's important to help the board take ownership of the process and put steps in place to ensure your superintendent evaluation is designed to support the growth and development of the superintendent. Easier said than done? Well, actually no!

Join us for this interactive dialogue where together, we'll help demystify the process and unpack specific actions and review helpful resources to help turn your superintendent evaluation process from a painful to a productive one. While designed specifically for newly elected board presidents, anyone is welcomed to participate.

Note: This free webinar is offered twice, for member convenience—the content covered in the webinar on Feb. 25 will be repeated in the Feb. 26 webinar. Learn more and register now.

 

ONLINE WEBINAR
Guide to IASB Tools Webinar—Teacher Compensation & Benefits, Salary & Staffing Data
March (TBA)
FREE FOR IASB MEMBERS! Did you know that IASB provides a comprehensive toolkit to help members identify areas of concern, and balance the need to recruit and retain quality educators, all while remaining efficient and cost-effective? Join IASB staff as they walk you through the Teacher Compensation & Benefits Toolkit, as well as available salary and staffing data.

 

IN-PERSON, COSSBA EVENT COSSBA Annual Conference Friday, March 21–Sunday, March 23 At the 2025 Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) Annual Conference in Atlanta, you will have the opportunity to explore the latest trends and best practices in finance, governance, school safety, mental health, stakeholder engagement, student achievement, and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. The conference is designed to help you prepare for a future of limitless possibilities. You will also have the chance to make meaningful connections with other education professionals, visit with industry vendors at the exhibitor showcase and network with them. Learn more.

 

IN-PERSON Safety Group Risk Management Workshop Wednesday, April 9 SAFETY GROUP PROGRAM EXCLUSIVE! Risk management is important and, if done well, can help districts reduce their liability over the long term. Each spring, Jester Insurance, EMC and IASB offer a workshop to allow participants (both local insurance agents and school leaders) the opportunity to learn more about managing risk through discussion of a variety of risk topics, such as board member liability, workers compensation and property liability and loss. Learn more about IASB Affiliated Program, Safety Group Insurance Program.

 

IN-PERSON Summit on Student Success Wednesday, June 11 SAVE THE DATE! The IASB Summit on Student Success is—you guessed it—all about student achievement. This fascinating annual event will feature interactive sessions with plenty of talk time with your board member peers to troubleshoot issues related to barriers to learning and innovative approaches to increase student achievement.

 

ONLINE WEBINAR
Post-Session Sample Policy & Title IX Updates Webinar
June (TBA)
FREE FOR IASB MEMBERS! Following the close of the 2025 legislative session, IASB will release our largest Policy Primer of the year. Updates to sample policies will promote legal compliance for districts. Tune in to this free webinar to discuss the changing school law landscape in Iowa.

 

ONLINE WEBINAR
Teacher Compensation & Benefits (TCB) Survey Webinar
July (TBA)
FREE FOR IASB MEMBERS! Join IASB staff experts as they guide you through the survey submission process. After the webinar, you will be ready to submit your completed Teacher Compensation & Benefits (TCB) Survey.

 

IN-PERSON Delegate Assembly & Annual Meeting Wednesday, Nov. 19 SAVE THE DATE! IASB bylaws give each member board a delegate who casts the board's votes on issues before the Delegate Assembly. School board members provide input on IASB’s legislative platform and your priorities help influence legislators and the governor. By participating in this debate process, school, AEA and community college boards contribute to IASB’s legislative program and ultimately the unified legislative interests of all Iowa school boards.

 

IN-PERSON Annual Convention & Trade Show Wednesday, Nov. 20–Friday, Nov. 22 SAVE THE DATE! Mark your calendar and make plans to join us at our 80th IASB Annual Convention, happening Nov. 19–21, 2025 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines! Stay tuned for more details on keynote speakers, featured workshops and more.

 

More Ways to Learn

Podcasts
IASB produces the BoardCast podcast for members to stay up-to-date and knowledgeable on a variety of topics. Listeners will get insider knowledge in a format that you can take on the go with you—in the car, on a bike, out for a walk or jog, or just sitting in your living room.

Custom Workshops
IASB facilitators will meet with your board or a group of boards, designing a custom experience to meet your needs on a variety of topics.

At the Board Table Discussion Tools
Downloadable self-study kits for your board to do together.

Recordings & Resources
Recorded webinars, events and conference resources.

COSSBA ConnectED
Founded by state school boards associations in late 2021, the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) is a non-partisan, national alliance dedicated to sharing resources and information to support, promote and strengthen state school boards associations as they serve their local school districts and board members. Learn more about the organization and learning opportunities offered.