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School Board News Bulletin
February 1998

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Schools and Libraries Corporation web site is now open for e-rate applications

Governor Edgar urges school funding tax swap, Education Department

New state construction program rules OK'd

RESEARCH REPORTS

Delayed kindergarten start helps

"Regular" education spending share declines

More Americans finishing high school

TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS

Offer violence prevention video, program guide

Board members are profiled

FEDERAL UPDATE

Congress, White House developing education plans

THE NATIONAL SCENE

NAACP, People for the American Way Foundation examine equitable funding

Board information is on family Web site

Student achievement is top priority for NSBA

21st Century Schoolhouse program goes global

NEWS FROM IASB

1998 FRN Conference is successful

Awareness of sexual abuse facts key to preventing harm to students

Shine a light of appreciation and recognition of heroes for education

WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS

Multicultural teachers job fair planned

1998 business & education conference set

Violence in workplace seminars set

The Schools and Libraries Corporation web site, http://www. slcfund.org became operational on Friday, January 30, 1998. With the opening of the web site, applications were accepted for the Universal Service Fund that will provide discounts for telecommunications services, internal connections, and Internet access for schools and libraries across America.

At the SLC web site, schools and libraries are now able to file their Form 470 applications electronically (those who choose to file manually are welcome to mail their applications to Schools and Libraries Corp., P.O. Box 4217, Iowa City, IA 52244-4217).

All schools and libraries that file applications for the program will have their requested technology services posted on the web site to invite competitive bidding from vendors.

The opening of the web site also triggers the 75-day window during which all applications received by schools and libraries will be treated as if they had arrived simultaneously. To qualify during this window, two forms must be submitted by April 14: Forms 470 and 471. After April 14, funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Users who go to the web site also will find background information and instructions for using the site.

For more information, schools, libraries, and service providers can call the SLC Client Service hotline, 888-203-8100, or send e-mail to: question@slcfund.org.

Source: Robin Kazcka, Manager, Connect-Ed Project, Federation Member Services and Outreach, National School Boards Association, e-mail: rkaczka@nsba.org or phone: 703/838-6200.

Governor Edgar urges school funding tax swap, Education Department

Governor Jim Edgar, perhaps seeking to be remembered as the education governor, wants to fundamentally repair the system for financing Illinois public schools. In his State of the State address January 28, Governor Edgar also said he would seek an amendment to the state constitution to place state education offices directly under the governor's authority, creating a cabinet-level Department of Education.

The General Assembly would have to pass a resolution this spring to place the constitutional amendment proposal on the ballot this November. Although details are sketchy, the State Board of Education could still exist in an advisory role.

Edgar also said he would soon appoint a blue ribbon panel to study sweeping funding reform for schools. The panel will study how to implement a "tax swap, less reliance on local property taxes and greater reliance on fairer taxes, like the income tax," the Governor said.

Tim Bramlet, President of the Taxpayers Federation of Illinois, will head the commission, which must study the issue and present a plan by December 31.

"We've taken care of the poor schools," Edgar said. "Now I'm saying we ought to turn our attention to the other part (of funding reform) that we weren't able to get done."

With state studies predicting more than $1 billion in revenue surplus this year, Edgar told lawmakers he would not preside over a "spending binge," either to provide tax cuts or to bankroll pork barrel-type public works schemes.

The Governor also asked lawmakers to institutionalize a now-temporary food program to serve immigrant children, as well as elderly and disabled immigrants. Governor Edgar created the temporary program last year to feed thousands of legal immigrants after the federal government cut off their food stamps.

The Illinois State Board of Education recently approved emergency rules so that local school districts can begin applying immediately for the state's new School Construction Program (SCP).

The emergency rules, applications and all necessary paperwork were mailed to local districts January 16. Local school districts could begin applying January 20 for SCP grant entitlements designed to help offset the cost of school repairs or new construction.

Forty-nine local school districts have indicated they will seek approval of referenda on the March 17 ballot to raise funds for capital improvements. That timing required the Board to create emergency rules to govern the SCP. The State Board will develop permanent rules for the SCP, which will take effect when the emergency rules expire in 150 days.

All school districts holding a March 17 referendum will be notified by March 6 whether they are entitled to SCP funds, according to the State Board. The SCP was approved by the legislature in December to help local districts address school construction needs, with the top priorities being replacing or rebuilding schools.

The State Board is to determine eligibility based on minimum enrollment levels, and districts' local property wealth compared to the local wealth at the 90th percentile for all districts of the same type.

Districts with local property wealth at or above the 99th percentile will not be eligible for funding. All others will receive between 35 and 75 percent of their project costs from the state.

The State Board and Capital Development Board (CDB) will jointly administer the program. The CDB will award the grant money based on the State Board's determination of district eligibility.

The SCP includes both debt service and construction grants. The new law allows the state to issue up to $200 million in construction grants in fiscal 1999. About $42 million is appropriated for fiscal 1998. In all, the SCP will distribute $1.4 billion over five years.

The State Board is requesting $30 million for FY 99 debt service grants. The debt service grants will be available for school districts that have successfully passed school construction referenda between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 1997. Districts also must have sold bonds and applied to the State Board before June 30, 1999. (The Senate Education Committee recently amended HB 1685 to state that any school district that passed a referendum in 1996 or 1997 for a school construction project, but has not yet issued the bonds that were authorized, would be eligible for the school construction grant program. Drafters of the law that established the school construction grants say it was their intent that the legislation include these districts; they say the State Board of Education interpreted the act differently.)

School administrators can get additional information from the School Construction Program hotline at 217/785-8779.

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RESEARCH REPORTS

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Delayed kindergarten start helps

Do kids who start kindergarten a year later than their peers do better in first and second grade than those who start as five-year-olds? A new study from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that may be true. The study, "The Elementary School Performance and Adjustment of Children Who Enter Kindergarten Late or Repeat Kindergarten: Findings from National Surveys," is available at the Department of Education's Web site, http://nces.ed.gov/ncespub1.html. Highlights include:

* The school performance of first-and second-graders who had been held out of kindergarten was higher than for children who enter school at the prescribed age. In contrast, children who were required to repeat kindergarten did worse than those who were not retained.

* Boys were reported to have been held out of kindergarten more often than girls. Boys also were more likely to have been retained in kindergarten.

* African-American children were less likely to have been held out of kindergarten until they were older.

"Regular" education spending share declines

In the past five years, per-pupil spending by public school districts increased only 0.7 percent, according to a report by the Economic Policy Institute. During that period, the share of spending on "regular" education fell by 2 percent, while spending on special-needs programs grew. The study, "Where's the Money Going? Changes in the Level and Composition of Education Spending, 1991-1996," examines shifts in the amounts and composition of spending in nine representative school districts. Among the findings:

* By the 1996 school year, regular education accounted for only 56.8 percent of all school spending, down from 58.6 percent in 1991.

* Special education spending grew to 19 percent of all school spending in 1996, up from 17.8 percent in 1991.

* School lunch and breakfast programs grew to 4.8 percent of total school spending in 1996, compared to 3.3 percent in 1991.

* Bilingual education programs increased from 1.9 percent of total school spending in 1991 to 2.5 percent in 1996.

* Some districts have had to reduce per-pupil spending on regular students in response to the combined pressures of enrollment growth, inflation and the need to spend more on special populations.

More Americans finishing high school

The percentage of the population that has completed high school and college has increased dramatically over the past generation. In March 1970, only 55 percent of the population aged 25 and over had completed four or more years of high school. Twenty-five years later, that total had jumped to 81.7 percent. Over the same time period, the percentage of 25 year-olds who had completed four years of college increased from 11 percent to 23 percent.

So reports the fourth edition of "Mini-Digest of Education Statistics," a compilation of data from the National Center for Education Statistics and other sources.

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TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS

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Offer violence prevention video, program guide

Each day 16 children are killed in a gun-related accident, homicide, suicide or unintentional shooting. For every child killed, 10 more are seriously wounded, disfigured or disabled. Yet acts of violence are learned behaviors, which means education could prevent much of the carnage.

That's why schools are being offered a free gun violence prevention and teaching resource program called "In a Flash," from the National Emergency Medicine Association. The program, featuring a video for youngsters, aims to educate youth to the danger and damage caused by gunshots and to deter young people from reaching for a gun to solve their problems.

Targeted to the middle-school age group (ages 10 to 14), the program provides an upbeat, MTV-style video that can be offered in one or two segments, with an accompanying teachers' resource guide and appropriate supporting follow-up activities. Producers say the format adapts readily to any classroom teaching schedule and allows teachers to address the issue several times for increased retention.

Bold camera technique, computer graphics and popular music enhance the appeal to a young, video-sophisticated audience. The program introduces scenarios wherein kids are most likely to feel they need a gun, shows the probable results of choosing gun violence, and deals with the very real and often crippling effects--pain, disfigurement, permanent disability.

Many schools in Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi and New York are already using the video in their school programs.

"In a Flash" is recommended as a teaching resource by the Safe and Drug Free Schools program and the National YWCA Week Without Violence campaign. It is available FREE to schools (others must pay a nominal fee). To obtain a copy, contact the National Emergency Medicine Association, by phone: 410/494-0300; or fax: 410/494-0725.

Board members are profiled

The latest survey on the characteristics of board members shows strength and stability at the helm of the nation's school boards. School board members bring years of experience and professional expertise to board service, according to a survey by The American School Board Journal (ASBJ) and Virginia Tech University. The survey results are published in "Education Vital Signs," a special section in a recent issue of ASBJ, the magazine published by NSBA.

This tradition of strong leadership lays a solid foundation for school and student success. But tradition also can mean that change comes slowly. Case in point: Demographically, school boards are far from catching up to the changing makeup of U.S. public school enrollment.

Although the number of women on school boards is increasing (44 percent--up 7 percentage points from 10 years ago), minorities remain generally underrepresented in school board service.

Seventeen percent of American students are black, but only 5 percent of board members are black. And, only 2 percent of board members are Hispanic, even though 14 percent of public school students are Hispanic.

The survey found that nearly half (46 percent) of the nation's board members have graduate degrees, and 29 percent have four-year college degrees but no advanced degree.

The higher levels of education clearly pay off: roughly 60 percent of board members earn $50,000 or more per year, the survey found. About 44 percent are employed in professional and managerial positions, and 13 percent own their own businesses.

Most board members (55 percent) characterize themselves as politically conservative, and 38 percent as liberal. The rest fall somewhere in between.

Having a child enrolled in a public school is obviously not a prerequisite for getting elected to the board. About 43 percent of board members do not have children currently attending public schools, according to the survey.

Turnover among school board members is not especially high, the survey found. Although 37 percent have three or fewer years of experience, almost as many (33 percent) have served on the board for seven years or more, and 28 percent have served from four to six years.

Education issues change, but the survey found that certain issues are consistently on the minds of board members. As was the case a decade ago, finance, facilities, enrollment, parent involvement, state mandates, and personnel relations were among the top 10 concerns of board members in this year's survey.

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FEDERAL UPDATE

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Congress, White House developing education plans

The White House and U.S. Congress are preparing an ambitious list of education initiatives--many aimed at troubled urban schools--that almost certainly will guarantee school reform a prominent spot on the national political agenda in 1998.

But these initiatives, which focus on issues as diverse as school construction, teacher training, and school choice, also are expected to face tough scrutiny in Congress as Republicans and Democrats pursue sometimes opposing approaches to the issues. Election-year politics also will play a role in upcoming legislative debates.

The attention being focused on education is a welcome convergence of political determination by congressional leaders and President Clinton to respond to the public's strong interest in education issues, says Laurie Westley, NSBA's assistant executive director for federal relations.

"Although there are hugely different proposals being offered by the Republicans and Democrats, this movement potentially could lead to some exciting progress on issues of importance to local school boards," she says.

Much attention is currently focused on the plans of President Clinton, who is expected soon to announce a number of programs aimed at urban education. One plan would provide new grants to high-poverty urban school districts in return for greater staff accountability and higher academic standards for students.

The White House also is exploring a plan discarded during last year's budget negotiations with Republicans to provide $5 billion to repair aging, dilapidated school buildings.

It's too early to judge how Congress will respond to these initiatives, but interest in helping urban schools is gaining support.

Another issue that's gaining a lot of attention among federal policymakers focuses on projections that the nation will need 2 million new teachers in the next decade because of booming enrollments and an aging teacher workforce.

Last summer, President Clinton proposed spending $350 million for scholarships and college aid to provide 35,000 new teachers for urban and rural school districts.

A number of new legislative proposals are in the works. The Administration has discussed a plan to forgive the student loans of tens of thousands of people who become teachers.

A bill by Sen. Bill Frist (R., Tenn.), chair of a budget committee task force on education, would set up a $250 million grant program for teacher colleges and new partnerships between school districts and colleges. Another proposal by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D., N.M.) would forgive student loans and provide grants for teacher training partnerships.

Most recently, President Clinton has proposed spending and tax breaks totaling $21.7 billion over five years to provide low-income parents with affordable child care--a plan NSBA hopes will have a positive impact on the issue of preparing children for school.

Approximately $3.8 billion would be allocated to expand Head Start programs. "If we can spend time to create high-quality child care, then children may be better prepared for school," Westley says.

These initiatives face challenges in Congress, however, where conservatives are proposing education initiatives with a different focus.

For instance, the Republican leadership is making a top priority of legislation that would provide taxpayer-funded vouchers to inner-city students who want to attend private schools.

The issue is expected to spark a fierce political battle. Vouchers are adamantly opposed by the President, who has vowed to veto any voucher legislation. Instead, President Clinton has expressed support for a more limited form of school choice that allows students to attend any public school within their district.

As the months pass, however, legislation could fall victim to election-eve politicking, Westley warns. "Once you add to the shortened session the heightened partisanship going into the November elections, you've got a recipe for a lot of debate but precious little getting done."

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THE NATIONAL SCENE

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NAACP, People for the American Way Foundation examine equitable funding, American public education

Equitable funding for schools, hotly debated in the most recent session of the Illinois General Assembly, was the centerpiece of a conference sponsored by the NAACP and the People for the American Way Foundation on February 12. According to the sponsors of the conference, although a tuition tax credit bill--which would have diverted public dollars from public schools to religious and other private schools--was vetoed by Gov. Jim Edgar, opponents of public education have vowed to continue to fight for similar measures. The day-long conference was part of a national campaign, Partners for Public Education, being launched nationwide.

"Public schools are important to society," said Carole Shields, president of the People for the American Way Foundation. "Their value goes beyond teaching children how to read, write and realize their dreams. We are all affected by how well the nation's future citizens are educated. Our families, public institutions, businesses, and even the crime rate are influenced by how well we prepare the next generation. We all have a stake in educating every child."

Chicago parents, teachers and community activists concerned with public education attended the February event, which followed similar Partners for Public Education events in Baltimore and Philadelphia.

For more information, contact the People for the American Way Foundation, phone 202/467-4999 or fax 202/293-2672.

Board information is on family Web site

A grant from the AT&T Foundation has allowed the National School Boards Foundation to develop information about school boards and share it online via the Family Education Network's Web site. The information is targeted for parents, so school board members might want to alert their constituents that it is there.

The material is organized into six sections: school board member demographics, including profiles of several school board members; school board elections; communication between school board members and parents; technology as a tool for school boards and parents; a brief history of the development of school boards; and an overview of the issues facing school boards.

You can find it by opening the Family Education Network site, http://www.familyeducation.com, and selecting "Best Practices" and going to the school governance section.

Contact: Ann Meier Baker, director, National School Boards Foundation, 703/838-6222.

Student achievement is top priority for NSBA

The need to raise student achievement now is NSBA's top priority, the national organization of schools boards has announced.

The association's strategic plan, approved by the Board of Directors in September, states: "NSBA will succeed in making increased student achievement the top national priority, including working with local school boards to measure and report progress to their communities." To achieve this objective, the plan calls for NSBA, over the next few years, to:

* develop the expertise and organizational capacity to undertake research, produce informational materials, and develop policy proposals on student achievement issues;

* position itself as a recognized national leader on student achievement;

* implement a comprehensive, multiyear student achievement program that actively involves Federation Members; and

* become a key resource for local school board to be effective leaders in promoting student achievement in their communities.

To help NSBA carry out these goals--and to help local school boards and state school boards associations focus on raising student achievement--NSBA is working on the following initiatives:

1) NSBA is developing a primer on student achievement to be released at the NSBA National Conference in April in New Orleans. The primer, being written by Gerald Bracey, will be a reference tool for school board members and will cover issues involving curriculum, standards, testing and professional development. NSBA Associate Executive Director Michael A. Resnick, who chairs NSBA's Student Achievement Working Group, will contribute a section on the school board's role in leadership on student achievement.

2) One day of NSBA's National Conference--Monday, April 6--will be "Student Achievement Day." General sessions and clinics scheduled for that day will be devoted to the theme of raising student achievement.

3) NSBA has conducted a survey of school districts to determine their most successful activities to raise student achievement. The results will be published in a report released this spring profiling successful practices.

4) An anthology of articles on student achievement from School Board News, The American School Board Journal, and other NSBA publications will be available online this spring.

21st Century Schoolhouse program goes global

Students at South Salem (Oregon) High School study environmental issues while collaborating with their peers in five other schools across the globe. The six schools are part of an international network that makes up the 21st Century Schoolhouse.

Students at South Salem High and at schools in Australia, Brazil, Israel, Japan, and South Africa collaborate with each other via the Internet to learn about the conservation of natural resources and develop strategies that promote social equity, ecological integrity, and economic prosperity.

South Salem teachers Molly Kellar and Andrew Goldstein compare their small, personal 21st Century Schoolhouse to the little red schoolhouse of yesteryear. Unlike the traditional school of old, however, it spans the globe and its students speak Portuguese, Japanese, and Hebrew, as well as English. Its hours and vacations vary because its students live in different time zones and hemispheres.

At South Salem High, the global connection is woven into a year-long sophomore course called Environmental Issues. The two-hour block combines economics, science, government, and technology through classroom projects and community service.

The international component was added when South Salem students began studying global environmental issues. A call went out over the Internet for high schools interested in forming a global partnership using a common framework. Responses flowed in and, within a year, six schools from six continents formed the 21st Century Schoolhouse.

United Airlines signed on as a sponsor and sent Kellar and Goldstein to each of the five foreign schools to conduct three-day workshops and training sessions.

For more than a year, schoolhouse participants collaborated via the Internet on environmental issues affecting their communities. In the process, they also learned much about the daily lives of their peers--from the price of Air Jordans in Japan to the constant threat of war in Israel.

Kellar and Goldstein have received a $34,000 Christa McAuliffe Fellowship to show schools around the country how to create an "international cyberclassroom" using the framework of the 21st Century Schoolhouse.

Contacts: Molly Kellar or Andrew Goldstein by phone at 503/ 609-9133, by e-mail at schools @viser.net, or visit their Web site: http://www.viser.net/gs21.

The 21st Century Schoolhouse Summer Institute for Educators will be held August 10-14 at Western Oregon University. Contact: Karlene Adams by phone, 503/838-8472, or e-mail, adamsk@wou.edu.

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NEWS FROM IASB

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1998 FRN Conference is successful

Meeting February 1-3 in the nation's capitol, the 1998 Federal Relations Network (FRN) Conference was labeled a success by participants. Illinois was represented by seven school board members who attended two days of briefings on federal education issues and spent a day on Capitol Hill. The event is sponsored annually by the National School Boards Association (NSBA).

FRN members visited congressional offices February 3 to discuss private school vouchers, mandate relief and school funding. While some congressmen were available to confer with FRN attendees, other meetings were held with legislative aides.

The Illinois FRN delegation did meet privately with U.S. Senator Richard Durbin and with U.S. Senator Carol Moseley-Braun. FRN board members forcefully articulated their case on the major education issues of the day. Such contacts are invaluable in the advocacy of public education, according to IASB governmental relations experts.

The conference began Sunday morning, February 1 with orientation programs for new and veteran FRN members.

On Monday morning, the NSBA staff presented four hours of intense legislative and issue briefings. After breakout sessions to go deeper into some of the legislative issues, the afternoon was highlighted by addresses from Congressman Dick Armey (R-TX) and Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher (D-CA).

Those attending from Illinois: Dorothy Whitted, West Harvey District 147; Earline Wilson, Hazel Crest District 152 1/2; Donna Gayden, Hazel Crest District 152 1/2; IASB President Jay Tovian, Villa Park District 45; IASB Past President Barb Wheeler C.U. District 99; IASB Past President Stan Morgan, Bismarck-Henning District 1; and John Moss, Glenbard Township High School District 87.

Awareness of sexual abuse facts key to preventing harm to students

Unfortunately, the sexual molestation of children is becoming more common in today's society.

The Workers' Compensation Self-Insurance Trust (WCSIT) and the Illinois School District Agency (ISDA) Property/Casualty Programs believe it is crucial, however, for everyone involved in the educational process to do all they can not only to prevent, but to recognize the sexual abuse or molestation of a child.

The following are basic points ISDA has passed along to help make educators more aware of trends in this area. Awareness of such trends is the key to preventing any harm to students.

Sexual abuse is defined as:

* Fondling

* Intercourse

* Rape

Three- to six-year-olds are most vulnerable.

Offense characteristics:

* Two-thirds of all cases occur near or in a toilet facility

* 93% of all cases involve some form of penetration

* A majority of cases involve only one perpetrator

Offender characteristics are as follows: only 8% of offenders have a previous arrest record for sex crimes; 67% of offenders are men; most offenders maintain a normal adult sex life as well; the average offender against boys will molest 32 in his lifetime; the average offender against girls will molest 62 in his lifetime.

Children often don't tell. Reasons include: lack of awareness that what is happening is wrong; fear of punishment; a belief that they are responsible; mixed feelings toward the offender.

Knowing the above facts, educators should look for the following as symptoms of sexual abuse or molestation: a change in a child's behavior or personality; increased aggression; lowered self concept; declining scholastic performance; disruptive behavior; school avoidance.

What districts can do to help prevent sexual abuse and molestation of students in their schools:

* Develop policies regarding the identification and reporting of abuse

* Provide staff training on the identification of abuse and proper reporting procedures

* Perform background checks on all employees/potential employees for past criminal history

* Develop strict procedures on early dismissal of students to both parental or non-parental adults

* Implement screening interviews of all volunteers

* Screen all outside organizations using school facilities

* Screen all outside service providers (contractors, transportation, food service).

Children spend a large portion of their day in school, it is the responsibility of the school district to assure that the schools remain places where children can feel safe and protected.

For more loss control tips on this matter, please contact the WCSIT and ISDA at 800/654-9504.

Honor those individuals, agencies, corporations or non-governmental organizations whose actions have contributed to excellence in education for Illinois children. Nominations are being sought for the Harold P. Seamon Award for Distinguished Service to public education in Illinois.

Recipients of this award must do one or more of the following: 1) display exceptional service and commitment to public education in Illinois; 2) provide innovative and creative approaches to meeting the challenges facing public education; 3) enhance local, lay control of, and responsibility for, the governance of public education by school boards.

The activity for which the nomination is made should extend statewide or have an impact on a large region of the state -- NOT just a district-wide impact. Only one Distinguished Service Award can be given annually. Outstanding nominees are sought from all walks of life -- not just from the realm of professional education.

The award is presented at a general session of the IASB/IASA/ IASBO Joint Annual Conference in November. Past Distinguished Service Award winners include the Chicago Tribune, Harold P. Seamon, and Brian Braun.

Honorary Memberships--Nominations are also being sought for IASB Honorary Memberships for Exceptional Service. Honorary Memberships are given to people who have rendered distinguished service to the Association or to public education in general. These contributions may extend district-wide or regionally. Up to three Honorary Memberships statewide may be awarded each year. They are presented at regional meetings.

If you wish to make a nomination for either award or if you have questions, contact the awards committee liaison, and a nominating form and brief instructions for submitting the nomination will be sent to you. The deadline to submit forms and supporting materials for both awards is April 15, 1998. Current school board members are not eligible to receive IASB awards.

Service Awards--In addition IASB offers the IASB Service Award to an individual who: 1) has given 25 years of service to schools and children, though that service need not have been continuous; 2) has had a positive impact through that service; and 3) has had a close affiliation with and direct service to schools, either as an employee or volunteer. Service Awards are issued to as many people as meet the requirements to receive them; they are presented at regional meetings. There is no deadline by which names must be submitted. Contact the awards committee liaison at any time.

Contact: Illinois Association of School Boards, Awards Committee Liaison, 2921 Baker Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703-5929, 217/528-9688, x1139, Fax 217/753-2485, or e-mail dcape@iasb.com

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WORKSHOPS & MEETINGS

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Multicultural teachers job fair planned

The IASB-endorsed Multicultural Teacher Placement Job Fair will be held Saturday, March 14 from 2:30 to 6 p.m. The event will be located at the Oak Brook Marriott Hotel, 1401 West 22nd Street, Oak Brook (phone 630/573-8555).

Last year at the fair, more than 50 school districts from across the state interviewed over 400 candidates for teaching positions. The candidates came from 10 states and 100 different universities--some were experienced, others were seeking their first job in the teaching profession.

School leaders, particularly those who anticipate vacancies on their teaching staff, are urged to attend the event. This year's fair is open, as well, to those seeking administrative positions.

Advance registration is required. Space is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Sanetta George-Jackson, Director of Field Services, 1 East 22nd Street, Suite 20, Lombard, IL 60148; phone 603/629-3776.

1998 business & education conference set

With the theme, "Technology in education is everybody's business," employers, educators and community leaders have announced plans for the 1998 Business and Education Conference, May 7-8 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City.

Conference organizers say speakers will describe how community partners can build effective, practical solutions using technology tools to:

* promote student learning and achievement

* empower teachers and families to help students learn

* use emerging business applications to teach

* link schools to the world of work

The conference registration fee is $1,050 ($350 for educators or $450 for non-profit organization representatives). To register call the Conference Board customer service line at 212/339-0345 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Violence in workplace seminars set

Ray Basiaga, WCSIT and ISDA loss control manager, will be presenting WCSIT and ISDA-member school districts valuable information on violence in the workplace at meeting sites across the state in March. The loss control seminars are scheduled as follows:

March 10 Galesburg

March 12 Mt. Vernon

March 18 Springfield

March 19 Rockford

March 20 Lisle

WCSIT and ISDA members who would like additional information or would like to register for the seminar location closest to their districts may contact Ray Basiaga at 312/930-6141 or 800/654-9504.

Illinois Association of School Boards

2921 Baker Drive
Springfield, Illinois 62703