Iowa Superintendents Finance & Leadership Consortium (ISFLC) December Conference
Wednesday, Dec. 17–Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025
FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny
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The ISFLC December Conference is the first of two conferences offered in the winter as part of the ISFLC program. Both
of these conferences are developed for current and aspiring superintendents, as well as school business officials. All session tracks are led by Iowa experts with skills and expertise in identified criteria areas. Please note that aspiring superintendents
must first complete Dollars & Sense: Fundamentals of School Finance (Track 1) as the initial program of study. After completing this session, aspiring superintendents may register for any of the remaining session tracks. Check out the intensive session
tracks offered this December—we're sure one of these tracks will pique your interest.
Intensive Sessions (Tracks)
Dollars & Sense: Fundamentals of School Finance (Track 1)
Iowa school finance is complex but doesn't have to be frustrating or complicated for those new to the profession. Seasoned superintendents and school business officials will cover the basic concepts and regulations of our school funding system. Whether you're new, or simply wish to revisit the fundamentals, this intensive session is for you!
Participants will leave with an understanding of basic vocabulary to effectively communicate key budget and finance information with staff and the community. You will dig into the purpose of various district funding resources that impact the annual budget, including the general fund, miscellaneous income, the cash reserve levy, and the Aid and Levy Worksheet. Plus, we'll spend time on the relationship between the unspent balance to the cash balance and the undesignated/ unreserved balance.
If these school finance terms are overwhelming to you, join experts for this multi-day deep dive into all things school finance.
Instructors:
Shonna Trudo, Business Manager, Van Meter Schools
Erik Anderson, Superintendent, Carlisle Schools
The Anatomy of Collective Bargaining: Finances, Strategies & Respect (Track 7)
Collective bargaining in Iowa is overseen by the Public Employment Relations Act (PERA) and the Iowa Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). As the public employer, districts are required by law, outlined in Chapter 20, to undergo the process of negotiations with employees.
These collective bargaining rights and the duties of employers and public employees can be complex. Experts from UNI and Forest City and Central Springs Schools are here to help you master all facets of collective bargaining, comply with law, and face challenges armed with knowledge and expertise.
During the multi-day session, participants will review the basics of negotiations, discover what to look for in your district's finances, the master contract, and employee handbook, and learn how insurance impacts your negotiations strategies.
By the end of day two, you'll be prepared for an informed, organized and successful bargaining season—with successful outcomes that benefit both the employer and employee.
Instructors:
Dewitt Jones, Former Associate Professor, University of Northern Iowa (UNI)
Darwin Lehmann, Superintendent, Forest City Schools
Flexing Your Monetary Muscles: Budget Projections & Reductions (Track 33)
Budget projections and budget reductions—few phrases spark as much angst and fear as these due to the unique challenges and constantly changing issues that impact school budgets. Each fiscal year brings new challenges, but that doesn't mean the budget process needs to be challenging. As new laws and programs are established, your budget should be flexible enough to adapt accordingly.Join budget experts to expand your knowledge and skills in this important area. You will dig into the school budget review process, learn how to create a capital asset plan, and deepen your understanding of school finance law.
Additionally, participants will learn how to create a dashboard for monthly financial planning that reflects your district's needs as you communicate fiscal details to your board. This session promises a safe environment, with plenty of networking time with your colleagues from across the state. When you leave, you will be ready to confidently share budget projections and communicate budget reductions to your key stakeholders.
Instructors:
Greg Ebeling, Superintendent, Pella Schools
Kurt Subra, Business Manager, West Des Moines Schools
Dr. Stephanie Mishler, Superintendent, Central DeWitt Schools
Successful Referendums, Community Engagement & School Construction Projects (Track 41)
This course equips school leaders with the essential strategies and tools to plan, promote, and execute successful bond or levy referendums, foster meaningful community engagement, and manage school construction projects from vision to completion. Participants will explore real-world case studies, messaging tactics, stakeholder communication plans, and the legal and financial frameworks that underpin effective school facility planning. Special emphasis is placed on building public trust, navigating political landscapes, and aligning facilities work with long-term district goals. Whether you're preparing for your first referendum or leading a major construction initiative, this course provides practical guidance for achieving lasting impact in your school community.Instructors:
Tony Aylsworth, Superintendent, Pleasantville Schools
Marty Jimmerson, Superintendent, West Branch Schools
Leadership Camp 1.3—Special Education (Track 48)
Leadership Camp 1.3 is a two-day workshop, allowing you to learn with colleagues and share challenges and successes of the evaluation system focusing specifically on the evaluation of special education programs and personnel. This track contains the following modules:
- Special Education Essentials - including 504s
- Disability and Ableism
- Ableism & Microaggressions
- Equity, UDL & MTSS
- Behavior
- Special Education Teacher Evaluation
- Professional Communities and Paraprofessional Services
- Parental Rights
- Mediation & IEP Facilitation
- IEP Compliance
Instructors:
Dr. Susan Etscheidt, Special Education Professor, University of Northern Iowa
All Things AI (Track 49) New Track
This two-day event provides a comprehensive exploration of generative AI, focusing on its practical applications and ethical considerations in education. During this time, we will cover foundational AI literacy, including how AI systems function and the ethical implications of their use. Participants will engage in hands-on activities to develop skills in prompt design for text, image, and video generation, as well as learn how to create personalized learning experiences and build custom AI assistants. The event will also offer a deep dive into practical applications for teaching, learning, and administrative tasks. A key component of the training will address ethical considerations, with dedicated sessions on building clear AI guidelines for students and designing assignments that promote academic integrity and critical thinking.
Instructors:
Wilson Rojas, Assistant Director for Emerging and Innovative Technologies, University of Northern Iowa
Superintendent Evaluations & Onboarding New School Board Members (Track 50) New Track
Instructors:
Dr. Lisa Remy, Executive Director, School Administrators of Iowa
Dr. Dana Schon, Professional Learning Director, School Administrators of Iowa
Registration Details
Fee: $350 per person. Includes training materials, continental breakfast and lunch each day. Online registration closes Monday, Dec. 15 (two business days prior to the event). A cancellation fee of $115 per attendee will be assessed for cancellations received within seven business days of the conference or for those who fail to attend without notice.Register Now
At this time, our billing process is set up to invoice the school district for ISFLC event registration. IASB encourages registrants to coordinate payment with their respective school district business office.
Important registration information for students, principals, other aspiring superintendents: Thank you for your interest in the ISFLC Conference! Please note that if you have not registered for an IASB event previously, our staff will need to add your information to our system before you are able to register. If you have registered previously for an IASB event but are unable to log in, you can request a password reset on the website. Your email address must be the same one in our system, otherwise you will not receive the password reset email. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please email Jeff Rohrick with any questions or if you need assistance.
Credits: All tracks are eligible for Superintendent License Renewal Credit through the School Administrators of Iowa.
Tracks 1, 7, and 33 are also eligible for School Business Authorization credits.
Lodging
Special hotel blocks have been reserved for attendees of the December ISFLC Conference. Book your stay early to secure the discounted rates:
Click the links above to reserve your room directly within the IASB conference hotel block.
 | For more information regarding ISFLC or UNI Graduate Credit, email Amanda Schmidt. For all other ISFLC-related questions, please contact Emily Miller. |
6000 Grand Ave., Ste. A
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 288-1991
© 2017–25 Iowa Association of School Boards®
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