IASB Summit on Student Success

Shared Vision, Strong Outcomes

Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny

As school board members, the decisions you make at the board table pave the way for student success. So how can you tell if your decisions are keeping you on the right track?

Join us at the 4th annual Summit on Student Success: Shared Vision, Strong Outcomes for a first-hand look at how a shared vision for student success at the board table can turn today’s board decisions into tomorrow’s improved student outcomes!

Board teams from across the state will engage in case studies, decision-making simulations, and peer discussion to explore how a clear vision and effective board governance drives student achievement.

Come ready to connect, reflect, and leave inspired to align your board’s vision with outcomes that make a lasting impact for every student.

Summit Features

Featured workshops brought to you by IASB staff experts.
In-depth breakout sessions exploring innovative and actionable steps that Iowa school boards are making for improved student outcomes.
Time to connect and collaborate with fellow board members.
Explore what success for all students looks like with hands-on practice governing.

Don’t miss the chance to explore the positive impact of your governance through a lens for student learning!

This isn’t a sit-and-listen conference—it’s an engage-and-apply experience.

Schedule at a Glance

8-9 a.m. Registration

9 a.m. Governing through a Lens for Student Success
D.T. Magee, Executive Director
Tammi Drawbaugh, Associate Executive Director Board Leadership & Legal Services

10:00 a.m. Coffee and Conversations with Frontline Analytics

10:30 a.m. Breakout Rotation—Board Basics

Noon Lunch

12:45 p.m. A School in Dreamfield: A Case Study on Governing Through Tough Decisions

1:30 p.m. Breakout Rotation—Advocacy in Action

3:15 p.m. A School in Iowa: Navigating the Dreamfield Decision

4 p.m. Conference Adjourns

About the Breakouts

Board Basics—10:30 a.m.

Board Governance complex, and every decision comes with challenges and considerations. At the Summit on Student Success, you’ll engage with IASB staff experts to revisit the basics of board work—focusing on essential practices, key concepts, and critical questions. With topics ranging from budget challenges and public participation to unified, transparent communication, this rotation of mini sessions will equip you with practical tools and strategies you can apply immediately—both throughout the day and back at your board table.

Making Decisions During Budget Cuts

Jan Miller Hook, School Finance Director, IASB
Lora Appenzeller, Frontline Education

Legal Requirements from Public Participation in Board Meetings and The Voting Process

Anna Harmon, Policy and Legal Services Director, IASB
David Hoth, Associate Policy and Legal Services Director, IASB

One Voice for One Board

Jen Woodley, Associate Executive Director Communications and Events, IASB
Katherine Solon, Board Development Director, IASB

A School in Dreamfield: A Case Study on Governing Through Tough Decisions—12:45 p.m.

Put your learning into action as you step into the role of the Dreamfield School Board! Facing a growing budget shortfall, declining enrollment, and increased staffing needs, the Dreamfield board has a tough decision to make—should Dreamfield close one of their elementary buildings?

Work alongside peers from across the state to explore how strong governance, clear vision, and thoughtful decision making can lead to the best possible outcomes for students—even in the face of difficult choices.

Emily Miller, Convention and Events Director, IASB
Tammi Drawbaugh Associate Executive Director Board Leadership and Legal Services, IASB
Lora Appenzeller, Frontline Education

Advocacy in Action—1:30 p.m.

From local conversations to the Capitol, how you tell your district’s story plays a critical role in building understanding and support for your students. In the afternoon’s Advocacy in Action breakouts, you’ll discover how board teams can strengthen support for students through intentional community engagement and legislative advocacy. Walk away with practical tools and strategies to confidently advocate for your students—both locally and at the Capitol.

Building Community Support for Big Changes: Telling your Story in The Community

Jen Woodley, Associate Executive Director, Communications and Events, IASB

Effectively Articulate the Financial Impacts of Iowa’s Declining Enrollment: Telling Your Story to Your Legislators

Michelle Johnson, Government Relations Director, IASB
Mike Guanci, Associate Executive Director, Government Relations & School Finance, IASB

A School in Iowa: Navigating the Dreamfield Decision—3:15 p.m.

Wrap up the Dreamfield case study with a guided discussion to explore the board’s decision and take time to connect with peers on how boards across Iowa are navigating similar issues. Most importantly, close the day with one more look through your lens for student success with actionable ways to celebrate success at the board table.

Emily Miller, Convention and Events Director, IASB
Jen Woodley, Associate Executive Director, Communications and Events, IASB
Tammi Drawbaugh, Associate Executive Director, Board Leadership and Legal Services, IASB

Thank you to Frontline Education for sponsoring this year's Summit on Student Success!

Registration

Fee: $165 for members.

Online registration is open through June 5, 2026. Walk-in's welcome on site.

Lodging

Book a room in the IASB block at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Ankeny for special group rate pricing. The last day to book a room is Friday, May 8.

Book Now