Each January/February, ISFIS partners with Piper Sandler to host ISFIS Budget Workshops for school leaders. These hands-on workshops provide the opportunity for superintendents, SBOs and their teams to prepare their individual district's Certified Budget in just one highly productive day. Districts will leave the workshop with a completed (or nearly completed) Certified Budget and will know all the details for publication. Attendees also leave with information about sales and property tax debt and other variables affecting district finances.
This year, we again have 9 in-person locations, one in each AEA region, plus 2 virtual date options. In-person locations are scheduled from 9 am to approx. 1 pm. More information regarding documents and information to bring with you to the meeting, and the Zoom link for virtual meetings, will be emailed out to attendees a few days ahead of each workshop. Thanks to Iowa's Area Education Agencies for their support and use of meeting space.
Extreme Weather Plans: For in-person workshops, in the event the AEA location is delayed due to extreme weather, we will follow suit and begin the meeting on the same delay schedule. If the AEA is closed, we will instead hold a virtual workshop on the originally scheduled date, beginning at 10:30 am rather than 9 am.
Workshops are concluded for 2025. Stay tuned for 2026!
2025 WORKSHOP DETAILS
This year, we have 9 in-person budget workshops and 2 virtual workshop options! Budget workshops cost $300 per district per workshop (whether in person or virtual), but please sign up each person individually to ensure we have adequate space for everyone in the rooms. All in-person workshops will be held from 9 am – 12:30 pm (ending time approx. but typically around 12:30pm).
- Wed., Jan 15th - Heartland AEA - Johnston
- Thurs, Jan 16th - Green Hills AEA - Red Oak
- Fri., Jan 17th - Northwest AEA - Sioux City
- Tues., Jan 21st - Grant Wood AEA - Cedar Rapids
- Wed., Jan 22nd - Central Rivers AEA - Cedar Falls
- Thurs., Jan 23rd - Fort Dodge CSD Administration Office, 109 N 25th Street, Fort Dodge (in partnership with Prairie Lakes AEA)
- Mon, Jan 27th - Great Prairie AEA - Ottumwa
- Wed., Jan 29th - Mississippi Bend AEA - Bettendorf
- Thurs., Jan 30th - Keystone AEA - Elkader
- Mon, Feb 3rd - Virtual (1 - 4 pm)
- Wed., Feb 5th - Virtual (1 - 4 pm)
ITEMS NEEDED FOR MEETINGS
Be sure to check the website and watch your email for the final and complete list ahead of the workshops, but below is the anticipated list of items needed for the workshops:
- Laptop, Power Cord, and Peripherals – Wifi-enabled laptop. Please log in and test getting into the DOM budget system prior to the workshop. Don't forget your mouse, 10-key, or other peripherals you may wish to use.
- Login (ID and Password) for the DOM Local Government Valuation and Finance system (also known as an A&A account) at https://dom-localgov.iowa.gov/home. If you do not yet have an account, you can "Create an Account" using the link at the top of the page. If you have forgotten your ID or Password, retrieve it using the links at the top of the page. For additional login issues, contact John Parker at DOM.
- Special Education deficit or other School Budget Review Committee approvals during the 2024-25 budget year.
- The previous year’s budget forms were completed and certified in April 2024.
- Any Debt Schedules (bonds and interest) and Loan Agreement Schedules - include PPEL loans. Contact your financial advisor about these in advance if you are not a Piper Sandler client.
- As in prior years, we will not be completing the Budget Year or Re-Estimated Worksheets during the workshop. However, you will need to review your current year's spending against what was published a year ago, so please consider expenditure changes that have occurred since your budget was originally published. Prior year forms are available in the DOM Budget System.
- Please bring your various district IDs and passwords in case you need to access the CAR or various portals.
- Please dress comfortably and feel free to bring your own coffee/water/snacks as availability varies by AEA location.
REGISTRATION
Register using the link below. You do not need to create a SignUp Genius account to register. Space is limited at each location. Please create a new registration for each person attending to ensure we have contact information for each person and adequate space, even though the cost is the same regardless of the number of attendees from a district. Contact Jen Albers to make any changes to your registration or if you have issues with SignUp Genius.
Workshops are concluded for 2025. Stay tuned for 2026!