Regional Workshops: Leadership Essentials for School Boards

Navigate the Board Leadership Landscape with Core Governance Skills: A Must-Attend Orientation for Every New Board Member and a Team Builder for the Entire Board/Superintendent Team
Jan. 9–Feb. 20, 2020, workshop runs 5:30–8 p.m.

Register Today

Being effective as a board member requires a strong understanding of board roles and responsibilities. It’s impossible to do a job well if you don’t know what the job is. This workshop will address fundamental duties of each board member in four core areas—all of which are front and center in the first months of the calendar year.

Join us for this exploratory mission to discover new essential skills, build your knowledge base and learn valuable, practical information you can use immediately. Plus, take home tips and practical ideas from veteran board members.
 

Workshop Topics

  • Financial Oversight—Gain an understanding of the board’s role in the budgeting process. You’ll learn what to anticipate on the budget road ahead and where to access information for continued learning on this important work—within your own district and IASB resources. Learn key parts of the district audit report as a new board member and ensuring the board gives adequate time at the board table.
  • Superintendent Evaluation and Goal Setting—Explore the board’s role in high-quality superintendent evaluation and goal setting—and how the board can commit to ensuring these critical processes occur. You’ll learn the essentials to do this work well and find clarity around the importance of understanding your district’s policy, evaluation instrument, and process.
  • Personnel Matters—Spring is the prime season for evaluating, hiring and terminating staff. Does the board have a role in this? Why or why not? How can the board make a difference, without undercutting the superintendent’s authority? Clarify the work of the board, superintendent and other administrators around personnel matters.
  • Constituent Relations—Financial and personnel matters are sometimes high-visibility issues in communities. Discover the power of common messages and having clear policy when communicating and responding to your school community. Build strong community relations by effectively sharing the work and deliberation that goes into board decisions.
 

Coming to a Location Near You

  • Thursday, Jan. 9: Solon Schools (snow date: Tuesday, Jan. 14), Solon High School, Center for The Arts, 600 West 5th Street, Solon, IA 52333
  • Wednesday, Jan. 15: Fairfield Schools (snow date: Tuesday, Jan. 21), Fairfield High School, 21st Century Room, 605 E. Broadway Ave., Fairfield, IA 52556
  • Thursday, Jan. 16: Ames Schools (snow date: Tuesday, Jan. 21), Ames District Office, Board Room, 2405 24th St., Ames, IA 50010
  • Wednesday, Jan. 22: Algona Schools (snow date: Thursday, Jan. 30), Algona High School, PAC Board Room, 600 S. Hale St., Algona, IA, 50511
  • Thursday, Jan. 23: Carroll Schools (snow date: Thursday, Feb. 13), Carroll High School, Media Center, 2809 North Grant Rd., Carroll, IA 51401
  • Tuesday, Feb. 4: Sumner-Fredericksburg Schools (snow date: Wednesday, Feb. 12), Durant Elementary School, Media Center/Library, 601 W. 5th St., Sumner, IA 50674
  • Wednesday, Feb. 5: Chariton Schools (snow date: Thursday, Feb. 13), Chariton High School, Chariton Community Center, 501 N. Grand St., Chariton, IA 50049
  • Thursday, Feb. 6: Riverside Schools (snow date: Thursday, Feb. 20), Riverside School District, Media Center, 18997 Hwy. 59, Oakland, IA, 51560
  • Thursday, Feb. 20: Northwest Iowa Community College (snow date: Thursday, Feb. 27), Northwest Iowa Community College, Building A, Room 119, 603 W. Park St., Sheldon, IA 51201

For your convenience, all workshop addresses and location instructions are available in a downloadable PDF format!
 

Registration Details

Fee: $75 for IASB members. Walk-ins are welcome for the same fee. Fee includes program, materials and a light meal. Meal served between 5–5:30 p.m. Workshop begins at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m.

   For more information, email Emily Rhodes or call (515) 247-7046.


Workshop attendees earn
10 Better Boardsmanship credits!

Learn more about
Better Boardsmanship Awards