Meet the Government Relations & School Finance Team
Our Government Relations Team works to help IASB members be a strong and effective voice for public education. They create advocacy toolkits and other resources for members, along with maintaining powerful coalitions with other education organizations on certain issues impacting public education. They work with the IASB Legislative Resolutions Committee to determine our annual legislative priorities and lobby at the Capitol each legislative session to make sure these priorities are met.Our School Finance Team helps ensure that members have a clear picture of their financial health with IASB’s Financial Focus toolkits. These tools help support strong financial planning that aligns the district budget with its goals, ensure risk management practices are in place, and include a comprehensive understanding of Iowa’s school funding formula.
Your IASB staff consultants are a phone call or email away to assist you with using these tools. They also offer custom facilitated workshops that can help one board or a group of boards consider their work.
Shawn Snyder
Associate Executive Director, Government Relations and School Finance
Shawn Snyder is the Associate Executive Director, Government Relations and School Finance for the Iowa Association of School Boards. He has been with the association since 2014. In his role, Shawn provides support for school board members, superintendents, and school business officials on issues related to school finance and legislative issues. Prior to joining IASB, Shawn spent 12 years at the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency, staffing the Senate and House Ways and Means and Education Committees, including modeling the School Aid Formula. He also spent four years at the Iowa Department of Education as the Chief of the Bureau of Planning, Research, and Evaluation.Shawn earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Management and a Master of Arts in Economics, both from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He serves on the Utility Replacement Tax Task Force and the Department of Transportation’s Vertical Infrastructure Committee.
Shawn can be reached via email or by calling (515) 247-7054.
Email Shawn
Jan Miller-Hook
School Finance Director
Jan Miller-Hook has been the School Finance Director at the Iowa Association of School Boards since 2022. In her role, Jan creates and delivers information and educational resources for IASB members and support organizations on school finance and fiscal stewardship, as well as supports IASB advocacy efforts on school funding with recommendations on public policy.Jan has 20 years of experience in PK-12 finances, including over 14 years as the Chief Financial Officer for the Johnston Community Schools. Jan earned a Bachelor of Arts from Central College and is a graduate of the Iowa Association of School Business Officials Academy. She graduated from Creston Community Schools.
Jan can be reached via email or by calling (515) 247-7031.
Email Jan
Michelle Johnson
Government Relations Director
Michelle Johnson has been the Government Relations Director at the Iowa Association of School Boards since December 2022. Prior to this, Michelle served as the Government Relations & School Finance Specialist, working to support the Government Relations & School Finance Team in their work with IASB members.Prior to joining IASB, Michelle ran a state legislative campaign in NE Iowa and spent two legislative sessions working at the Capitol. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Economics from Iowa State University and is a graduate of Ankeny Community Schools.
Michelle can be reached via email or by calling (515) 247-7020.
Email Michelle
Emily Piper
Lobbyist
Emily Piper has worked for the Iowa Association of School Boards since 2008. She leads IASB advocacy efforts on behalf of public schools at the Iowa State Legislature, the Governor’s Office, the State Board of Education, administrative rules hearings, state commissions, and state and federal courts. Emily earned a Bachelor of Science in International Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degrees from Miami University, and a Masters in Public Administration degree from Drake University.She is integral in developing resources, education and opportunities for school board members interested in engaging in advocacy. In addition to lobbying for IASB, Emily has represented a variety of clients before the Iowa Legislature and Congress. Emily is a proud foster dog mom with Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa.
Emily can be reached via email or by calling (515) 247-7045.
Email Emily
Contact
Iowa Association of School Boards
6000 Grand Ave., Ste. A
Des Moines, IA 50312
direct (515) 288-1991
fax (515) 243-4992
6000 Grand Ave., Ste. A
Des Moines, IA 50312
direct (515) 288-1991
fax (515) 243-4992
© 2017–23 Iowa Association of School Boards
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