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The Iowa State Board of Education (State Board) works with the Iowa Department of Education (Department) to provide oversight, supervision and support for the state education system that includes all public elementary and secondary schools, nonpublic schools that receive state accreditation, area education agencies (AEAs), community colleges, and teacher preparation programs.
Back to topVision & Mission
Vision
Building an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential.
Mission
Ensuring all students experience a world-class education.
Back to topDuties, Goals & Outcomes and Equity Statement
Back to topMeeting Dates, Agendas & Minutes
2026
Jan. 15, 2026
Feb. 12, 2026
March 13, 2026
April 16, 2026
May 14, 2026
June 18, 2026
Aug. 13, 2026
Sept. 16-17, 2026
Oct. 15, 2026
Nov. 18, 2026
Dec. 10, 2026
Back to topMeeting Recordings
We post recordings of past Iowa State Board of Education meetings.
Board Members
Todd Abrahamson
Todd Abrahamson of Arnolds Park was appointed to the State Board in 2025. He is a retired superintendent of the Okoboji Community School District, a role he held for nine years. With a 25-year career in education administration, Abrahamson served in various roles across multiple districts, including Grinnell-Newburg, Sigourney, Tri-County and West Central. He started his career as an educator and coach at Pocahontas Area Community Schools and also served as a middle school principal at Manson Northwest Webster Community School District. Abrahamson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Buena Vista University as well as a Master of Arts and Certificate of Advanced Studies from Iowa State University.
todd.abrahamson@iowa.gov
Cassandra Halls
Cassandra Halls of Carlisle is the President of 2 THE TOP, a business consulting organization that focuses on strategy development, training facilitation, research and analysis for corporations, nonprofits, colleges, universities and governmental agencies. Cassandra holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from William Penn University along with an associate degree from North Iowa Area Community College. She serves on the Greater Carlisle Community Foundation and the Carlisle Friends of the Park and is a member of the Carlisle Chamber of Commerce.
cassandra.halls@iowa.gov
Jeff Henderson
Jeff Henderson of Hiawatha was appointed to the State Board in 2026. He served as a public school teacher and coach at districts in Titonka, Belle Plaine and Norman, Oklahoma. His administrative career included his role as principal at LaSalle High School in Cedar Rapids and later as chief administrator of both LaSalle and Regis High Schools, where he unified the two schools into Xavier High School. He also served as Xavier’s first principal. In 2005, Henderson became the Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Dubuque and starting in 2014, was responsible for stewardship development and pastoral planning for the Archdiocese until his retirement in 2022. Henderson has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Dubuque and a Masters of Arts degree and Educational Specialist degree from the University of Iowa.
Jeremy Lindquist
Jeremy Lindquist is the Training Director for the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #33, where he leads apprenticeship and continuing education programs focused on developing a highly skilled workforce in the pipe trades industry. A graduate of Southeast Polk High School, Jeremy began his career in 2006 as an apprentice and worked as a welder/pipefitter with Wolin & Associates before transitioning into education in 2011, teaching welding for Local #33. Jeremy holds an Associate of Applied Science degree from Washtenaw Community College, and he maintains numerous industry certifications. In addition to his professional role, he serves as President of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #33, a Board Member of the Iowa Apprenticeship Council and Chairman of the Central Iowa Apprenticeship Coordinators.
Mary Meisterling
Mary Meisterling of Cedar Rapids was appointed to the State Board in March 2023. She retired from Alliant Energy in 2022 as a manager supporting business/industry attraction and expansion in the State of Iowa. Mary is a graduate of Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio, with a bachelor’s degree in organizational management and business administration. She served on the Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Directors from 2002 to 2019, Grant Wood Area Education Agency Board from 2005 to 2018 and STEM Advisory Council from 2014 to 2022.
mary.meisterling@iowa.gov
John Robbins, President
John Robbins of Iowa Falls joined the State Board in 2020. He retired in 2019 as superintendent of schools in Iowa Falls and Alden after a tenure of 20 years. He was previously a high school principal in Iowa Falls, a secondary principal at CAL (Latimer), and teacher/athletic coach at CAL. Robbins has been actively engaged in school improvement for decades including leading efforts to embed improvement initiatives in his own school districts. Robbins holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Northern Iowa and a Ph.D. from Iowa State University.
john.robbins@iowa.gov
Erica Roth
Erica Roth of Sioux Center is the Director of Talent Acquisition at Interstates, where she helps lead recruiting for the organization that creates innovative solutions for industrial manufacturing and processing facilities across the globe. Erica holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Dordt University. She is known for her thoughtful approach to problem solving and her passion for serving and supporting people. She has previously served on the Interstates Foundation and regularly works with schools in the area through their CAPS program and other requests. She also contributes to leadership development initiatives through Interstates’ Excellence in Leadership (EIL) and EIL for Nonprofits programs and facilitates portions of the Leadership Sioux Center program.
Beth Townsend
Director Townsend is the Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development (IWD), a state agency that helps Iowans find jobs and employers find a skilled workforce. As a result of realignment in 2023, IWD now administers all WIOA programs including Vocational Rehabilitation, various state workforce programs, the unemployment insurance program and disability determination services for the state of Iowa.
Director Townsend has been in her current position since 2015, was reappointed in 2019 and 2023, and confirmed by the Iowa Senate each time. Director Townsend practiced law in Iowa until she was appointed as the Director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission in 2011. Director Townsend previously served in the United States Air Force as a member of Judge Advocate General and retired in 2010 as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Air Force Reserve after 21 years of active and reserve duty.
Cecelia Harris, Student Member
Cecelia Harris is a junior at Spirit Lake Community School District. She is a dedicated participant of Youth In Philanthropy, a program that teaches high school students how to effectively fundraise, understand grant requests and support local nonprofit organizations. She is also an active public speaker and participates in several activities through her high school, including Student District Cabinet and National Honor Society. She is highly interested in science and has interned at her local hospital to explore potential career pathways in health care. In her spare time, Cecelia enjoys dancing, running, traveling, boating and spending time outdoors.
Back to topStudent Membership
Each year the Governor appoints a student to serve as a nonvoting member of the Iowa State Board of Education. At the time of application, the student must be a full-time, regularly enrolled tenth or eleventh grade student in an Iowa school district.
Application
The 2027-28 Application for Membership on the State Board of Education will be posted on or before Feb. 1, 2027.
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