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.
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
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
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:
Instructors:
Dr. Susan Etscheidt, Special Education Professor, University of Northern Iowa
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
Instructors:
Dr. Lisa Remy, Executive Director, School Administrators of Iowa
Dr. Dana Schon, Professional Learning Director, School Administrators of Iowa
Tracks 1, 7, and 33 are also eligible for School Business Authorization credits.
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. |
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