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Stepping into the superintendent role can be both exciting and challenging. In this episode of BoardCast, IASB Executive Director D.T. Magee shares four essential steps new superintendents can take to build a strong foundation for success and strengthen their relationship with their school board, citing both his own experience as a former superintendent as well as resources available to IASB members. The episode also highlights IASB offerings available to new superintendents, including customized board workshops, finance consultations, policy services, legal support, the Iowa Superintendents Finance and Leadership Consortium (ISFLC) New Superintendents Conference, and other professional learning opportunities. If you're a first-time superintendent or are new to leading an Iowa school district, this episode offers practical guidance and resources to help you navigate the role with confidence. Resources mentioned in this episode: IASB has various resources available to members. Visit www.ia-sb.org to learn more and about all of these resources. Registration and lodging for BoardCon 2026 is open! Visit www.ia-sb.org/boardcon to learn more and register today! Join us on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at School Administrators of Iowa in Clive for the ISFLC New Superintendents Conference! Learn more and register today at www.ia-sb.org/isflc. Registration for the December ISFLC Conference will open on Sept. 16. Better Together at the Board Table: Essential Resources for School Boards and Superintendents

This BoardCast episode highlights mental health as a key driver of school safety with a  focus on prevention and long-term wellness. Stacey Warren from Heartland AEA shares how Iowa districts are integrating mental health supports into their safety strategies and what effective programs look like in practice. The conversation outlines the governance role of school boards, including policy, staffing, and resource considerations, while offering guidance for boards beginning to prioritize mental health. The episode also addresses common challenges and emphasizes the importance of community and parent engagement in supporting student well-being.

In this episode, IASB Advocacy & Digital Media Specialist Taylor McGill sits down with IASB Government Relations Director Michelle Johnson, IASB Lobbyist Emily Piper, and IASB Associate Executive Director, Government Relations & School Finance Mike Guanci for a deep dive into what you can expect this session, key education issues to be on the lookout for, as well as IASB advocacy tools and tips you can use to best advocate for Iowa public schools in the new year.  To stay in-the-know this session, visit www.ia-sb.org/advocacyaction for timely tools and updates!

For 25 years, The Lighthouse Study has helped define what effective school board leadership looks like—and why it matters for student success. In this special BoardCast episode, host Jen Woodley sits down with Carolyn Jons, who helped publish the study’s original findings, along with Lou Gvist and Tammi Drawbaugh, who continue to work with school boards to apply its research today.

In this episode, John Shanks from GeoComm joins us to discuss Iowa’s Critical Incident Mapping program. The State of Iowa has contracted with GeoComm to provide schools with detailed indoor and outdoor GIS maps and mapping software to support emergency response. These tools empower schools and first responders to visualize incidents in real time, improve communication, and decrease response times. GeoComm will also provide secure web and mobile access to maps and critical information—at no cost to schools. Iowa Portal: https://portal-iowa-cim.hub.arcgis.com/.

In this first episode of the School Safety in Iowa Series, IASB Executive Director D.T. Magee is joined by Tammi Drawbaugh, IASB Associate Executive Director of Board Leadership & Policy Services. Together, they explore why school safety is more than an operational concern—it’s a strategic responsibility for school boards. Learn how governance and management work together to create safer schools. Access a free board reflection resource here.

Join IASB's government relations team, Taylor McGill, Michelle Johnson, and Emily Piper, as they discuss the first funnel of the 2025 Iowa legislative session. For more information, visit: www.ia-sb.org/advocacy. Music: "Happy Alley" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of BoardCast, IASB’s Advocacy and Digital Media Specialist Taylor McGill chats with IASB Government Relations Director Michelle Johnson and IASB Lobbyist Emily Piper about what we can expect from the upcoming 2025 legislative session in Iowa. For more information, visit: www.ia-sb.org/advocacy. Music: "Happy Alley" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of BoardCast, IASB’s Advocacy and Digital Media Specialist Taylor McGill sits down with IASB Government Relations Director Michelle Johnson and IASB Lobbyist Emily Piper to discuss preschool: why it matters, our proposal, as well as talking points and advocacy tips your district can utilize this upcoming legislative session. To learn more, visit: www.ia-sb.org/preschool. Music: "Happy Alley" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of BoardCast, IASB® Executive Director D.T. Magee discusses the 'Four Steps to Success for New Superintendents.' These steps are designed to help you build a solid foundation for your leadership role and to ensure a strong relationship with your board. Drawing from both the expertise of IASB and his personal experience as a former superintendent, D.T. guides you through these essential steps. For more information on resources and ways IASB can help set you up for superintendent success, visit www.ia-sb.org. Music: "Happy Alley" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

As we gear up for the upcoming legislative session, it’s more important than ever to establish strong relationships with your local legislators. Whether you're a new advocate or a seasoned veteran, building and maintaining these connections can make a significant impact on the success of your advocacy efforts. In this episode of BoardCast, we take a look back at IASB’s webinar covering The Building Blocks of Effective Relationships with Your Legislators, which aired on August 20, 2024. Listen as IASB’s Government Relations Director, Michelle Johnson, and experienced board member advocates, Charlie Comfort and Justin DeVore of Oskaloosa Schools, provide strategies, insights and tips to help you engage effectively with your legislators—even when the odds seem stacked against you. For more information on upcoming webinars and events, visit www.ia-sb.org/learninghub. Music: "Happy Alley" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of BoardCast, IASB Executive Director D.T. Magee explores the transformative impact of public education. Join us as D.T. discusses how public education serves as the foundation of our democracy, promotes equity and opportunity for all students, and drives economic growth in our communities. Whether you’re a school board member, educator, or advocate, this episode will inspire you to recognize and champion the vital role of public education in shaping Iowa’s future. Music: "Happy Alley" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Join Taylor McGill and IASB's Convention and Events Director, Tiffany Rudd, as they sit down with Ava Cranmore from the Alabama Association of School Boards, Sonn Sam with Big Picture Learning and Education Sociologist and Achievement Gap Specialist, Anindya Kundu. Together they discuss the upcoming Summit on Student Success, happening April 27-28 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, Iowa.  With engaging keynotes, unique workshops and education sessions, you won't want to miss this event! Chat with Ava: 1:16 Chat with Sonn: 7:56 Chat with Anindya: 13:04 To register or learn more, visit: www.ia-sb.org/summit

Join IASB's government relations team, Michelle Johnson and Emily Piper as they discuss the first funnel of the 2023 legislative session. Music: Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3851-happy-alley License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Join IASB's government relations team (including our new Government Relations Director, Michelle Johnson) as they lay the groundwork for the upcoming session. Learn about the key issues legislators will be debating this year, including vouchers, increased flexibility, and addressing the teacher shortage. Music: Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3851-happy-alley License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/