It’s been SAId: Conversations on Leadership

In this special episode of It’s been SAId, Executive Director Dr. Lisa Remy sits down with her successor, Dr. Brad Buck, to discuss the upcoming leadership transition at the School Administrators of Iowa. Dr. Buck, the current Waukee superintendent and long-time SAI member, will take the helm this summer.
Key highlights from their conversation include:
The "Spark" for Change: Brad shares the personal realization that led him to pivot from district leadership to leading the professional association.
Navigating Leadership: Strategies for maintaining a non-partisan, student-centered focus in a polarized political climate.
Vision for the Future: Brad outlines his first-year goals, focusing on building credibility with diverse constituents and advancing SAI’s mission to recruit and retain high-quality educational leaders.
Personal Insights: A look at the books and hobbies that shape Brad’s leadership style and help him recharge.
Dr. Remy expresses her confidence in the transition, noting the peace she feels leaving SAI in the hands of a leader who deeply understands the organization’s mission. Listen and learn more about Dr. Buck in this 25-minute podcast.

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This Feb. 20th episode covers week six.

As districts navigate the second semester of the 2026 school year, Legal Services Director Matt Carver provides guidance on teacher licensure, performance remediation, and the complexities of employment termination in this latest edition of the It's Been SAId podcast.
The conversation focuses on the critical legal procedures involved in managing teacher performance and contracts under Iowa law. Carver emphasizes that while legal pathways like intensive assistance are designed for remediation, administrators must be vigilant about statutory deadlines and procedural rights to protect the district and ensure fair treatment of staff.
Listen and learn what will help you navigate these next few months in this 24-minute podcast.

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This Feb. 6th episode covers week four.

In this special edition of the It’s Been Said podcast, Dr. Dana Schon, Associate Executive Director of Professional Learning with SAI, dives into a challenge familiar to many leaders: overthinking. From the "rethinking" that derails a morning workout to the complex rumination that follows a difficult conversation with staff or parents, Dana explores how overanalyzing can lead to decision fatigue, stress, and burnout.
What You’ll Learn:
The Anatomy of Overthinking: How second-guessing and over-complicating "wicked problems" can stall progress and create skepticism within your school culture.
The Energy Toll: Why decision fatigue makes us more susceptible to overthinking and how it impacts your "Leadership Life Fit."
5 Practical Strategies for Clarity: * Selective Input: Managing your consumption of news and social media to reduce anxiety.
The 10-10-10 Test: A mental framework to right-size problems based on their long-term impact.
Routinization: Conserving mental energy by automating daily decisions.
Trusting Your Gut: Reconnecting with your intuition and the powerful "neural network" of your digestive tract.
The 80/20 Rule: Recognizing when a task is "well done" rather than "perfectly done" to reclaim your time.
Join Dana as she shares how to stop spinning your wheels and start making productive, confident decisions that move your vision forward in this 15-minute podcast.

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This Jan. 30 episode covers week three.

In this latest episode of the It's Been SAId podcast, host Dr. Lisa Remy takes an in-depth look at the multifaceted world of the School Business Official (SBO)—a position that serves as the financial and operational backbone of a school district. While balancing the budget is a primary duty, the SBO is also a strategic leader tasked with long-range financial planning, data analytics, and operational oversight. 
Dr. Remy welcomes four experts associated with the Iowa Association of School Business Officials (IASBO) to address:
Defining the Role: Moving beyond simple accounting to understand how SBOs manage human resources, strategic planning, and overall school operations.
Essential Skills for Success: Why leadership, critical decision-making, and effective communication are just as vital as financial expertise.
The Power of Data: How successful officials use enrollment projections and multi-year revenue analysis to land their roles and guide their districts into the future.
Operational Excellence: Strategies for effective resource allocation and improving efficiency through digital systems and policy compliance.
Listen and learn a lot in this one-hour, comprehensive conversation.

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This Jan. 23 episode covers week two.

How prepared is your district for a surprise visit from law enforcement? SAI’s Legal Services Director Matt Carver discusses the legal "must-dos" for interviewing and detaining students or employees on campus.
Key highlights:
Step-by-step guidance on interacting with local and federal officers.
The truth about ICE raids and their current impact on schools.
Protective measures for both your staff and students.
A 10-minute deep dive into the legal counsel every administrator needs today.

As the Iowa legislature begins its 2026 session, SAI Government Relations Director will provide weekly updates. This January 16th episode covers the first week of the session.