Budget Workshops

ISFIS 2026 BUDGET WORKSHOP - in partnership with Piper sandler

Each January/February, ISFIS, in partnership with Piper Sandler, host a series of Budget Workshops for school leaders. This is the 17th year of these hands-on workshops, which provide the opportunity for superintendents, SBOs and their teams to prepare their individual district's Certified Budget in one highly productive day. Districts leave the workshop with a mostly completed Certified Budget and gain knowledge of all the details for publication. Attendees also learn about sales and property tax debt, and other variables affecting district finances. DIscussion includes scenarios and considerations when variables from the state are not yet known, such as the increase in SSA or other state funding decisions. A district-specific PPT, which tracks all budget changes and assumptions, will again be available to attendees following the workshop upon request.

This year, we again have nine in-person locations, one in each AEA region, a virtual option. In-person locations are scheduled from 9 am to 1 pm. More information regarding documents and information to bring with you to the meeting, and the Zoom link for the virtual meeting, will be emailed out to those pre-registered a few days ahead of each workshop. Space is limited in some locations, so please register ahead if possible to help us plan. Thanks to our partners at Piper Sandler, and to Iowa's AEAs for the ability to use their meeting space.

Extreme Weather Plans: For in-person workshops, if 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.

2026 Registration now open - REGISTER HERE!

2026 WORKSHOP DETAILS

This year, we have nine in-person budget workshops and a virtual workshop option! 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 – 1 pm (staff will be available for one-on-one assistance until 2pm).

  • Tues., Jan 13th - Heartland AEA - Johnston
  • Wed., Jan 14th - Green Hills AEA - Red Oak
  • Thurs., Jan 15th - Northwest AEA - Sioux City
  • Wed., Jan 21st - Central Rivers AEA - Cedar Falls
  • Thurs., Jan 22nd - Grant Wood AEA - Cedar Rapids
  • Fri., Jan 23rd - Fort Dodge CSD Administration Office, 109 N 25th Street, Fort Dodge (in partnership with Prairie Lakes AEA)
  • Tues., Jan 27th - Great Prairie AEA - Ottumwa
  • Wed., Jan 28th - Mississippi Bend AEA - Bettendorf
  • Thurs., Jan 29th - Keystone AEA - Elkader
  • Mon, Feb 2nd - Virtual (12:30 - 3:30 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 – Wi-Fi-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 2025-26 budget year.
  • The previous year’s budget forms were completed and certified in April 2025.
  • 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.

2026 Registration now open - REGISTER HERE!

 

ISFIS partners have decades of experience working with schools, in public policy, and data analysis. We’re here to share our experience and expertise with Iowa public schools through our mission to help schools elevate their output while lightening their workload. Learn more about ISFIS and what we do for Iowa schools.