Our Mission
To improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth by providing services and leadership in partnership with families, schools and communities.
Our Goals
- Increase learning growth for students
- Decrease the gap in achievement
- Increase annual graduation rates
- Increase gateways to post-secondary success
Each January/February, ISFIS partners with Piper Sandler and Iowa's Area Education Agencies to host ISFIS Budget Workshops. This is the 11th year of these hands-on workshops that provide the opportunity for superintendents, SBOs and their teams to prepare their individual district Certified Budget in one highly productive day. Districts will leave the workshop with a completed Certified Budget and will know all options for publications. Attendees also learn about sales and property tax debt and other variables affecting district finances.
Typically, ISFIS Budget Workshops are held in-person at an Iowa AEA location, but after much deliberation, we decided the 2021 workshops will be virtual to ensure safety for all involved.
ISFIS Budget Workshop
Jan. 25, 2021
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Virtual format
Cost to attend is $250 per district.
Register online at this link: https://www.iowaschoolfinance.com/Budget_workshops
For more information, contact Jen Albers at jen@iowaschoolfinance.com or (515) 251-5970.
The Chapter 103B training available on the AEA Learning Online training system has been revised and expected to be released on Jan. 11, permitting a final run-through with legal counsel. When the training goes live, it will be available in the catalog and entitled: 2021 Revision.
We have archived the former training, so while records of completion are still available from past participants, individuals can no longer register for the older training.
What is new in the training?
Among many things, the training has updated information on:
- Room clears (SF 2360 legislation passed in June 2020)
- New changes in the rules from November 2020
- Seclusion room requirements as well as requirements for supervision of students
- Debriefing meetings and notification requirements
- Time limitations for seclusion and restraint, and the process to extend time if more is needed
Who needs to be trained, and when?
The new requirements go into effect Jan. 20. The law states that employees engaging in seclusion or restraint have been trained prior to engaging. Thus, we recommend employees taking the training before Jan. 20, especially those with a higher likelihood of engaging in seclusion or restraint.
Keep in mind that incident documentation requires districts to identify when individuals involved in the seclusion or restraint were last trained. With the AEA Learning Online training system, you will be able to access that information.
How long does the training last?
While the standard disclaimer of text-based trainings vary depending on reading speed applies, we rate the training to take 45 minutes in length. As part of the training, we will link out to additional materials and videos which are optional.
A large thank you goes out to Ahlers' Law Firm (Des Moines), who was instrumental in the revisions and update for the training. For additional questions regarding the training itself, please contact Evan Abbey.
