Out-of-State

The Position:

The Iowa Association of School Boards is seeking an Executive Director. The current director is retiring after serving nine years as the Executive Director of the IASB. The Board wishes to have the successful candidate assume the responsibilities of the position July 1, 2023. The salary range for this position will be: $180,000 to $220,000.

Location:

The IASB office is located in Des Moines, Iowa’s capital city. The Des Moines metro area has a population of nearly 700,000, is a major center of the U.S. insurance industry, and has a sizable financial services and publishing business base. Iowa offers a variety of opportunities to its more than three million citizens. It’s an ideal place to raise a family, especially because the state boasts strong education programs.

Iowa Association of School Boards:

Since 1946, the Iowa Association of School Boards has been committed to serving Iowa school boards and public schools. As a 501c4 nonprofit organization, the association advances the goals of its members through education, advocacy and service.

IASB members include Boards of Education for Iowa’s public school districts, area education agencies and community colleges. In addition to board members themselves, IASB provides important support services for roles that work closely with boards: superintendents, business officials, board secretaries and school attorneys.

School Boards: 1,857 individuals serve on local school boards for Iowa’s 327 school districts. Iowa School Boards govern the education of approximately 485,630 students while overseeing school budgets totaling $6.13 billion. School board members are elected by their local communities in an election held the second Tuesday of November in odd numbered years. Local school boards may have five or seven members. School board members receive no pay. Their reward is the satisfaction they receive from public service.

Area Education Agency Boards: The state’s nine area education agencies (AEAs) are governed by board members who are elected for four-year terms by public school board members. Iowa AEAs are intermediate service units that provide special education, media and educational services to local schools.

Community College Trustees: The Iowa Association of Community College Trustees holds a membership in IASB. Iowa’s 15 two-year community colleges are governed by five-to-nine board members elected by local residents in an election held the second Tuesday of November in odd-numbered years. They are elected to four-year terms.

MISSION: To educate, support, and inspire public school boards in their pursuit of world-class education for all students in Iowa.
VISION: All Iowa school boards demonstrate effective governance practices to foster commitment to a vision of success for all students, bring voice to the needs of the community, and ensure that Iowa public schools lead the nation.
CORE VALUES: Service | Innovation | Accountability

STRATEGIC GOALS

Goal #1: To provide resources and engage board members with board development opportunities that meet member needs for effective governance.

Goal #2: To promote understanding of and advocate for the needs of all students and public education.

Goal #3: To enhance organizational efficacy, responsiveness, and capacity.

IMPACT

Success for All Students: IASB Strategic Plan: View IASB’s goals and strategies for 2022–25.

Measures of Success Annual Report: See IASB’s impact on board members and school districts through formal learning, resources on our website or any of the other services we offer.

Qualifications:

The candidate must have the background, skills and abilities essential for excellence in leadership. IASB has identified the following desired characteristics:

●       Has a deep belief and understanding in the value of public education and the mission, purpose and work of IASB and locally elected school boards

●       Demonstrates the highest personal and professional ethics to include traits of fairness, honesty, integrity, trust, compassion and respect

●       Is accountable, open and visible in all aspects of leading an organization

●       Has the ability to produce substantive results in maintaining the credibility and trust in IASB

●       Understands political climate and has the ability to work with legislators and political leaders to support and make improvements in  public education

●       Exhibits exemplary communication skills to include listening skills that reflect a deep and genuine sense of valuing others

●       Works collaboratively with others in an inclusive framework that deeply respects all groups and individuals

●       Charts the future through a vision that is embraced by the Board and stakeholders through short and long term planning

●       Is an active and effective leader within IASB and with other groups interested in education

●       Builds high performance teams through the practice of authentic leadership; delegates authority, develops individual strengths of staff and recognizes staff for individual and collective expertise and accomplishments

●       Instills and nurtures a “can do” attitude within an organization that focuses on identifying member needs and developing programs and services to meet these needs

●       Works collaboratively with the Board to develop a positive relationship through a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities

●       Uses data from research, local school district members and staff to help shape discussions and proposed actions

●       Is business minded in developing and delivering innovative business support and board development programs

Application Process:

Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA), has been hired to assist the IASB Directors to conduct a national search for the position of Executive Director. All interested applicants must apply through HYA. Applicants need to  register for an account through Frontline on the HYA website Apply for IASB Executive Director. Or, login to the HYA website if you already have an account created. Click the Login/Register button at the top of the page to get started. After logging in, click the Apply Now button at the top of this page. You will be redirected to the Frontline Education website. This is where you will submit your application. PLEASE INCLUDE IN YOUR FRONTLINE APPLICATION:

●       Cover letter (stating interest and unique qualifications for the position)

●       Full resume/vitae

●       Three letters of recommendation

●       Contact information of three additional references different from the reference letters

Candidates are asked to not contact board members directly. Any effort to do so will eliminate them for consideration. Names of applicants will be held in strict confidence until finalists are named, at that time only final candidates names will be released. Questions can be directed to: Mike Richie, HYA Senior Associate at [email protected] or Todd Strom, HYA Associate at [email protected]

Selection Timeline:

February 10, 2023 – Application Deadline

Week of February 20, 2023 – First Round of Interviews: (Zoom only)

Week of February 27, 2023 – Finalists to spend a day at the IASB office and IASB to conduct final interview (in person)

March, 2023 – Selection and announcement of new Executive Director

July 1, 2023 – Contract begins