IASB Board Reviews Key Priorities and Prepares for COSSBA Participation
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Date PostedMarch 12, 2026
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CategoryNews
The IASB Board of Directors met March 6–7 in Naperville for its quarterly business meeting and board learning sessions. In addition to regular business, the Board focused on preparing for IASB’s role in the governance of the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA).
Members of the Board reviewed materials for the upcoming COSSBA conference in Louisville, Kentucky, including delegate responsibilities and guidance for the national organization’s annual business meeting, which operates much like IASB’s Delegate Assembly. IASB will introduce a new COSSBA advocacy tenet proposal designed to support school boards nationwide in their work to improve student outcomes using data-driven goals.
The proposal is titled “Support the Federal Role in Equipping Local Leaders with the Tools Needed to Increase Student Achievement through National Assessment, State Accountability, and Federally Funded Evidence-Based Research.” It calls for continued funding for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), requirements for all states to administer annual assessments and require the disaggregation of annual assessment data for underperforming student groups, and investment in evidence-based federal research that provides school boards with tools needed to improve achievement for students.
If approved by member states, the tenet will become an official COSSBA advocacy position. Delegates representing each member state association will vote at the business meeting on March 13. IASB will be represented by COSSBA delegate Jeffrey Johnson (Blackhawk) and alternate Lisa Schwartz (Two Rivers).
Other Action and Discussion
In other business, the Board reviewed and approved governance culture and board/executive director relationship policies covering committees, Nominating Committee procedures, and staff accountability. The Board received information and progress updates on the current fiscal year (FY26) budget and strategic plan, as well as Division Meetings and advocacy efforts.
Highlights from the third quarter Areas of Focus included targeted outreach and in district workshops with 31 previously unengaged districts; member-driven strategic plan focus groups; strong registration for IASB Advocacy Day on March 24; and ongoing implementation and training for new software systems.
The Board also discussed recommendations from the Awards Committee regarding scholarships for the 2026 Joint Annual Conference. This will be the third year IASB offers scholarships for board members. Forty-two scholarships will be available, with eligibility limited to board members and only one scholarship per district. Priority will go to applicants who have not previously attended the Annual Conference; individuals may receive the scholarship once every four years.
Board Learning and Development
Alongside the business meeting, members of the Board participated in several learning sessions:
Members of the Board reviewed materials for the upcoming COSSBA conference in Louisville, Kentucky, including delegate responsibilities and guidance for the national organization’s annual business meeting, which operates much like IASB’s Delegate Assembly. IASB will introduce a new COSSBA advocacy tenet proposal designed to support school boards nationwide in their work to improve student outcomes using data-driven goals.
The proposal is titled “Support the Federal Role in Equipping Local Leaders with the Tools Needed to Increase Student Achievement through National Assessment, State Accountability, and Federally Funded Evidence-Based Research.” It calls for continued funding for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), requirements for all states to administer annual assessments and require the disaggregation of annual assessment data for underperforming student groups, and investment in evidence-based federal research that provides school boards with tools needed to improve achievement for students.
If approved by member states, the tenet will become an official COSSBA advocacy position. Delegates representing each member state association will vote at the business meeting on March 13. IASB will be represented by COSSBA delegate Jeffrey Johnson (Blackhawk) and alternate Lisa Schwartz (Two Rivers).
Other Action and DiscussionIn other business, the Board reviewed and approved governance culture and board/executive director relationship policies covering committees, Nominating Committee procedures, and staff accountability. The Board received information and progress updates on the current fiscal year (FY26) budget and strategic plan, as well as Division Meetings and advocacy efforts.
Highlights from the third quarter Areas of Focus included targeted outreach and in district workshops with 31 previously unengaged districts; member-driven strategic plan focus groups; strong registration for IASB Advocacy Day on March 24; and ongoing implementation and training for new software systems.
The Board also discussed recommendations from the Awards Committee regarding scholarships for the 2026 Joint Annual Conference. This will be the third year IASB offers scholarships for board members. Forty-two scholarships will be available, with eligibility limited to board members and only one scholarship per district. Priority will go to applicants who have not previously attended the Annual Conference; individuals may receive the scholarship once every four years.
Board Learning and DevelopmentAlongside the business meeting, members of the Board participated in several learning sessions:
- An orientation for newer members of the Board and their mentors explained the responsibilities of the IASB Division Director position and provided an overview of IASB’s corporate structure.
- Executive Director Kimberly Small led a discussion of the Operational Expectations policies the Board will reference for its annual Executive Director evaluation process.
- An interactive workshop, with representatives from the Iowa Association of School Boards on the Iowa Lighthouse Study, identified characteristics of high-performing school boards with strong student achievement.
