Annual Iowa Association of School Boards Convention Features Advocacy and Equity

Des Moines, Iowa (November 14, 2016) - This week, more than 1,100 school and area education agency (AEA) board members and administrators will attend the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) Annual Convention from Nov. 16-18. The convention provides education leaders the opportunity to learn about nationwide and statewide trends, meet and learn from experts in the field, and bring back new strategies and skills to their local communities.

This year features keynote speakers and sessions focused on advocating for public schools and ensuring equitable learning for all Iowa students.
 
Members of the media are welcome to attend pre-convention events on Wednesday, Nov. 16, convention events on Thursday, Nov. 17, and the Board Presidents' Workshop on Friday, Nov. 18. Convention highlights include: 

* Delegate Assembly - On Wednesday, Nov. 16, delegates from IASB member school districts, AEAs and community colleges gather to conduct the association's annual meeting, set the 2017 IASB Legislative Platform and nominate persons to serve on the IASB Board of Directors.

* Nationally recognized keynote speakers - On Thursday, Nov. 16, UCLA Distinguished Professor of Education Pedro Noguera will open convention with a focus on excellence and equity for all students, student achievement, community collaboration and positive school culture. National PR expert John Draper will help school board members combat the myth that public schools are failing and share effective ways to reverse the tone during the second general session. For the closing general session, high school science teacher Fredi Lajvardi will share the true story of a disadvantaged team of students and their path to success through inventiveness and determination, as seen in the critically acclaimed documentary, Underwater Dreams, and the major motion picture, Spare Parts.
 
* Education Sessions - More than 40 education sessions, pre-convention workshops and deeper dialogues focused on critical issues will equip attendees with tips and tools to inform effective governance. Session topics include ESSA implementation, Open Meetings FAQs, emerging policy issues, sharing and reorganization, school finance, advocacy, collective bargaining, community engagement and more.
 
* Student Performances - We are excited to welcome the Indian Hills Chamber Choir from Indian Hills Community College and the Waverly-Shell Rock Wind Ensemble from Waverly-Shell Rock Community Schools. Both student groups will perform during the opening general session on Thursday, Nov. 16. 

* Boardsmanship Awards - The annual Better Boardsmanship Award, which goes to deserving individuals and boards who have dedicated time and work to board training and advocacy efforts, will go to 103 individuals. An Award of Achievement plaque will be presented to seven schools, Charles City, East Mills, Fort Madison, Glenwood, LeMars, Sioux City and Solon, for having policies in support of board development. The Superintendent's Award of Honor will be presented to eight superintendents and AEA chief administrators who invested time and effort to build skills and knowledge needed to be informed decision makers. IASB's new Basics of Boardsmanship award, designed for new board members, will go to 335 individuals. 

* Board Presidents' Workshop - On Friday, Nov. 18, experienced board presidents and IASB staff experts will present a workshop targeting leadership issues and topics like effective meeting management techniques, strategies for building trust and communications skills. 

The complete Annual IASB Convention schedule, along with speaker and presentation details, is available at iasb2016.sched.org.

Any reporters who have questions or would like to attend the event, please call Tammy Votava, IASB communications director, at (515) 250-0571 or email tvotava@ia-sb.org.

IASB is a private, nonprofit organization representing Iowa's 333 school districts, nine area education agencies and 15 community colleges.

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