Local school boards watch IASB scandal unfold

The ongoing investigation of the Iowa Association of School Boards has piqued the interest of local school board members.

“I'm concerned that an association that has been organized to represent and facilitate school boards could be misusing funds,” said Sarah Swisher of the Iowa City school board.

IASB is facing allegations of misspent funds and other wrongdoings, and is the target of a potential criminal probe.

The Legislature's Government Oversight Committee is in its second week of investigating the organization. The association's board of directors has retained outside legal council to investigate whistle-blower complaints and other allegations.

“We're actively pursuing a solution,” said James Green of Marion, who serves on the association's board of directors as the Area Education Agency representative.

IASB is governed by a board of directors elected by IASB members in nine regions. Directors serve three-year terms.

Green is president of the Grant Wood AEA board of directors and a former Linn-Mar school board member. He joined IASB's board in January 2009.

One third of the association's budget is funded by taxpayer dollars. IASB collected more than $1.1 million in dues from Iowa's 361 school districts for the 2009-10 school year and an additional $94,703 from the state's Area Education Agencies and community colleges.

The IASB board of directors voted earlier this month not to increase membership dues for the 2010-11 school year and may actually lower dues, something the board has considered since Gov. Chet Culver announced the 10 percent across-the-board budget cut last fall.

Eastern Iowa school board members say it is too early to say if the investigation will make them reconsider membership for the 2010-11 school year.

“At this point, we have not had any discussion whether we will or will not renew our membership in IASB,” said Randy Bauer, College Community school board president.

IASB membership is reviewed by school boards annually. The fact that the association is under investigation may cause districts to scrutinize membership more carefully, but overall, board members said they have found IASB's services - including training for school board members, legal aid and lobbying at the state Legislature - invaluable.

“We really find their services very helpful,” said Ann Stark, president of the Linn-Mar school board.

“We look forward to the resolution of their current financial issues and the resumption of trust, fiscal responsibility and high-quality service,” said Melissa Kiliper-Ernst, Cedar Rapids school board president.