This publication is also available as a PDF file
Member districts submit total of 20 position-setting resolutions for review
The IASB Delegate Assembly is held at the Joint Annual Conference to consider and vote on resolutions submitted by member districts. If passed, the resolutions are adopted as part of the Association’s official Position Statements. A list of 20 policy-setting resolutions have been submitted for this purpose to date.
The deadline to submit resolutions was June 19. The Delegate Assembly will vote on these resolutions on Saturday, Nov. 23. This year, 20 proposals will be considered.
A resolutions committee consisting of one elected member from each of the 21 IASB divisions will meet Aug. 2 to review resolution proposals. The panel, chaired by IASB Vice President Karen Fisher, will take testimony from the submitting districts, deliberate on each proposal, and then make recommendations to adopt or not adopt each measure.
A “Report to the Membership” will be prepared from that committee and distributed to all member districts. The report is intended to help districts decide how they will vote on each resolution that will be presented at the Delegate Assembly.
The resolutions are listed below by sponsoring district and subject:
St. Charles CUSD 303 – Support the moratorium on virtual charter schools and assist in developing a new collaborative approach with public schools rather than an oppositional approach.
Mercer County SD 404 , Aledo – Support legislation to amend state law regarding the distances from school that require free student transportation, increasing such distances in geographically larger districts.
Jasper County CUSD 1 , Newton – Support legislation to streamline petitions for school board candidates, limiting information required to name, address, office, and signatures, and put an end to frivolous challenges.
Woodland CCSD 50 , Gurnee – Support legislation on funding state-authorized charter schools so as to limit the withholding of state funds from host school districts.
Woodland CCSD 50 , Gurnee – Endeavor to monitor the Attorney General’s office website and notify school districts in writing of any binding orders, etc.
Lake Villa CCSD 41 – Support a law or laws to require the circuit court clerk of each county in the state to establish an education fund to distribute proposed new statutory assessments for traffic, misdemeanor offenses and felony offenses to school districts.
Alton CUSD 11 – Amend IASB’s position on preschool programs to include preschool students in each school district’s Average Daily Attendance, ending the requirement that the state use only new monies in fully funding preschool staffing and infrastructure costs.
Dunlap CUSD 323 , Peoria – Pass legislation to authorize a school board to excuse pupils enrolled in grades 9-12 from engaging in physical education courses.
Geneseo CUSD 228 – Oppose legislation or regulatory or executive action by ISBE to mandate statewide curriculum with the institution of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) Examination.
Geneseo CUSD 228 – Support legislation that causes all statutory and regulatory educational mandates to sunset if sufficient funding is not provided to implement such mandates and requirements.
Prairie Hills ESD 144 , Markham – Support legislation to revise the composition of the Education Officers Electoral Board designated to hear and pass upon objections to school board nominating petitions.
New Lenox SD 122 – Lobby to develop a set of laws, rules and standards that all school board members shall follow and, if broken, board members shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including removal from office.
New Lenox SD 122 – Change the requirement of designating a school electoral board to hear and pass upon an objector’s petition and instead have the county clerk and two other clerk-designated employees hear all school board election objections filed at the county clerk’s office.
CCSD 168 , Sauk Village – Support a state-wide mandate requiring Illinois Charter Schools to refund and/or return any state funding received for enrollment of a child when that child leaves or is no longer enrolled at the Charter School.
Wheaton Warrenville CUSD 200 – Support future state legislation to sensibly resolve Illinois’ current pension crisis.
Wheaton Warrenville CUSD 200 – Support legislation that ensures state-authorized virtual charter schools meet the full needs of Illinois students.
Wheaton Warrenville CUSD 200 – Urge adoption of legislation which would revise the current method of funding state-authorized charter schools.
Wheaton Warrenville CUSD 200 – Support legislation that ensures state-authorized virtual charter schools meet the intent and spirit of the Illinois code prohibiting the use of public funds for profit-driven educational firms.
O’Fallon CCSD 90 – Oppose the Prevailing Wage Act.
Glen Ellyn SD 41 and Naperville SD 203 – Support modifications to the Illinois State Mandates Act (30 ILCS 805).
“The resolutions we received cover a broad range of important topics of interest to school board members,” said IASB Deputy Executive Director Ben Schwarm.
“Several deal with financial concerns of school districts in these tough times or with current concerns about the funding of charter schools,” Schwarm said.
Existing IASB Position Statements are listed at: https://www.iasb.com/govrel/positions.cfm.
Atwood, Arthur begin merger after voters OK 2014 consolidation
After voters approved an April ballot question for consolidation of Atwood-Hammond CUSD 39 and Arthur CUSD 305, school officials and teachers have begun merging the two districts.
Atwood-Hammond Superintendent Kenny Schwengel said the districts will be busy during the 2013-14 school year getting ready for the merger, which takes effect on July 1, 2014.
Arthur Superintendent Travis Wilson says that beginning in the fall of 2014 the district will be known as District 305. “We will keep the same district unit number,” he said.
Atwood-Hammond students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade will continue to attend classes at their current school in Atwood, Schwengel said. But Atwood-Hammond High School will be closed, and the students in grades nine through 12 will attend classes at Arthur-Lovington High School, which will have about 300 students.
“Collectively, the students will play a role in determining the name of the high school,” Wilson said.
There are many such details to work out. “We have been working to coordinate the school calendars,” Schwengel said. “We are scheduling some in-service days during the upcoming school year where teachers and staff can concentrate on scheduling, curriculum and other issues.”
He said teachers from Atwood-Hammond and Arthur are beginning to work together in an effort to make the materials covered by the two schools more uniform so as to ease the academic adjustments when consolidation becomes a reality in the fall of 2014.
Schwengel doesn’t anticipate any teachers will be losing jobs as a result of the annexation as attrition among staff will suffice. He said the consolidation issue was put on the April ballot because of declining enrollment and shrinking fund reserves. A bigger district provides a larger tax base from which to draw funding.
The annexation of the two school districts figures to mean additional money to the larger Arthur district.
According to figures provided by the Illinois State Board of Education, the state will provide about $242,000 of “reorganization incentives” to the Arthur school district during the consolidation’s first and fourth years and about $662,000 during the second and third years.
Assuming adequate appropriations by the Illinois General Assembly, the new, larger district would receive $1.8 million of new money overall over the four years.
Illinois voters approved three of five school district consolidation proposals that appeared on local ballots during the 2012-13 school year. On April 9, 2013, voters approved two of three consolidation proposals. In one local election, as discussed above, voters agreed to dissolve Atwood-Hammond CUSD 39, and annex to Arthur CUSD 305. In the other successful April consolidation proposal, voters agreed to combine East Coloma SD 12, Rock Falls, with Nelson Public SD 8, Rock Falls.
Teaching-specialty awards single out more than 150 educators in Springfield ceremony
The Illinois State Board of Education recently hosted an Exemplary Teacher Recognition Award Luncheon, the third year the agency has partnered with teachers organizations to host this awards luncheon at the governor’s mansion in Springfield.
The program honors those teachers who have been singled out as being the best in their particular field of expertise by their respective education organizations.
According to State Superintendent of Education Christopher Koch, “This really is meant to recognize the content-area experts who have been chosen by their peers for their dedication to students and their specific area of expertise. This event is separate from our Teacher of the Year, which is part of our Those Who Excel program.”
Each fall the state recognizes more than 150 educators nominated by their own district or members of their communities for outstanding service through a separate program known as Those Who Excel. Schaumburg High school English teacher Brian Curtin was named the 2013 Illinois Teacher of the Year after being nominated by colleagues from Township High School District 211.
The thirty six content-area experts recognized by their teacher peers June 11 were:
Hillary Andrlik, Illinois Elementary Art Educator of the Year, Hinsdale-Clarendon Elementary District 181
Joe Barker, VFW Teacher of the Year, Lyons Township High School, LaGrange
Matthew Beck, GLSEN’s 2013 Educator of the Year, Erie Elementary School, Erie
Bryan Bergman, IAHPERD Young Professional Physical Education Teacher, Lyons Township High School, LaGrange
Joshua Bill, History Teacher of the Year/National History Teacher of the Year, Waukegan High School, Waukegan
Karen Brady- Popovich, Illinois High School Art Educator of the Year, Metea Valley High School, Aurora
Michael Caines, Illinois Promising New Teacher of Mathematics, Walter Payton High School, Chicago
Helene Caliva, Outstanding Economic Educator of the Year, Robert E Clow Elementary School, Naperville
Carol Cochran, Star in the Classroom, Grigsby Middle School, Granite City
Kraig Conyer, IAHPERD Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year, Hinsdale South High School, Darien
Jason Dane, IAHPERD Health Education Teacher of the Year, New Trier High School, Winnetka
Dawn Davis, IAHPERD Secondary Health Educator of the Year, Washington High School, Washington
Kerry DiFusco, Star in the Classroom, White Eagle School, Naperville
Linda Egnatz, Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Teacher of the Year, Lincoln-Way North High School, Frankfort
Carl Erbsen, Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year, Eastland Elementary School, Lanark
Patrick Fardy, Star in the Classroom, South High School, Downers Grove
Kathleen Gienko, Star in the Classroom, St. Bartholomew School, Chicago
Kimberly Greiwe, IAHPERD Dance Teacher of the Year, Maine East High School, Park Ridge
Christopher Grodoski, Illinois Middle School Art Educator of the Year, Franklin Middle School, Wheaton
Joshua Hess, IAHPERD Adventure Education Teacher of the Year, Highland Park High School, Highland Park
Audrey Hill, IAHPERD Middle School Teacher of the Year, Collinsville Middle School, Collinsville
Joan Kane, Outstanding Economic Educator of the Year, Whitney Young Magnet High School, Chicago
Rebecca Kinnee, Outstanding General Education Teacher of the Year, Libertyville High School, Libertyville
Lori Klein- Blazek, IAHPERD Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, Jungman Elementary School, Chicago
Dave Kush, Star in the Classroom, Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Kate Leckenby, IAHPERD Young Professional Elementary Teacher of the Year, Pleasant Ridge School, Glenview
Matt Maddox, National Veterans of Foreign Wars Teacher of the Year, Columbus Elementary School, Edwardsville
Dave Meyer, Star in the Classroom, Sycamore Middle School, Sycamore
Jerrine Roderique, T.E. Rine Secondary Mathematics Teacher of the Year, Waubonsie Valley High School, Aurora
Karen Sassetti, Star in the Classroom, Proviso West High School, Hillside
Brenden Schultz , Illinois Farm to School Teacher of the Year, Pecatonica High School, Pecatonica
Anne Singleton, Outstanding General Education Teacher of the Year, Libertyville High School, Libertyville
Mirsad Spahovic, Star in the Classroom, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Chicago
Alison Upton-Dunmore, Star in the Classroom, South Elgin High School, South Elgin
Terry Vaughn, Star in the Classroom, Germantown Hills Middle School, Metamora
Journal examines new technology in classes, changes at grade school
The July/August issue of The Illinois School Board Journal will be full of timely information about technology in the classroom as boards enter their new fiscal year. In addition to a lengthy cover story, there is an article on “How Technology is Changing the Grade School Environment,” plus a look back at changes in educational technology via a reprint of a 1961 Journal article titled “Television Instruction in Northeastern Illinois.” It also lists Conference panels on related topics.
Starting Right workshops and IASB publications
aid school boards in orienting new board members
Many school boards are welcoming new board members and new superintendents. Whenever this occurs, experts say it is valuable to go “back to the basics” to help acquaint the newcomers with the board’s governance processes and build the new team. IASB field services directors are now assisting member districts with this work via “Starting Right” workshops.
IASB also makes available a publication, “Orienting New School Board Members on the Way to Becoming a High-Performing Board Team .” It outlines the “nuts and bolts” work of boards in a process designed to facilitate conversations about a district’s identity, purpose and the board processes available to fulfill that purpose. Sample board meeting agendas for such conversations are provided.
While that orientation dialogue is designed to be self-directed, outside facilitators may also be used. IASB field services directors are available to discuss these materials, to support self-facilitation or to facilitate this work with district leadership teams .
Copies of the publication – a product of the collaborative work of IASB staff members from field services, board development, policy services, communications and the office of general counsel – can be obtained from any field services director or downloaded at https://www.iasb.com/training/orienting.cfm.
2013 Carousel of Panels to offer broad array of Conference presentations
Board members and superintendents attending the 2013 Joint Annual Conference can benefit from a wide assortment of panel discussions at this year’s “Carousel of Panels” scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 23, featuring presentations from many local districts.
In large adjoining rooms, 36 different presentations will be offered at one time. Over a one hour and 45 minute time block, visitors can participate in three different panels of 30 minutes each. The event will be held from 1:30 to 3:15 p.m., at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers.
Chosen topics (which are not the official panel titles in some cases), and the primary applicant to present on each subject chosen, are:
Common Core Standards: Let’s all Talk the Talk; Eldorado C.U. District 4
The Association Between School-Based Physical Activity and Academic Performance; Lake Bluff Elementary District 65
Implementing RtI Through a Successful Problem-Solving Team; Hillside District 93
Creative Ways to Maximize Fiscal Responsibility and Student Learning; Pecatonica C.U. District 321
Dual Language Education for All; Woodstock C.U. District 200
Effective Co-Teaching Supports to Achieve Student Success; Manteno C.U. District 5
How to Communicate without a Professional Communicator; Harvard C.U. District 50; Oswego C.U. District 308
Stress: What Superintendents and Boards Need to Know; Tri-Valley C.U. District 3 Board of Education, Downs
21st Century and STEM Learning at Low Cost; Indian Prairie District 204 Board of Education, Naperville
Common Core: Ensuring System Alignment to Promote Student Success; Plainfield C.C. District 202
Rising Star: Essentials for Board Members; Plainfield C.C. District 202
Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) & School District Responses; Eastern Illinois University, Charleston
Preparing for a Bond Rating; Benjamin District 25, West Chicago
Advancing Skills in High Stakes Test Taking for Students with Disabilities; Community High School District 117, Lake Villa
Homeless = Choice = Unfunded Mandate; Aurora University, and University of St. Francis
1:1 Computing from Planning to Implementation; Joliet Township High School District 204
Advanced Learners Left Behind: Red Alert for School Board Members; Western Illinois University, Macomb
Secondary Character Education: The Power of GRIT; Hononegah Community High School District 207 Board of Education, Rockton
Diversity: Supporting Students in the Digital Age; Wood Dale District 7
See Ice, Think Twice Safety Education; Project Skipper, Waterloo
Boardroom to Classroom High Expectations = Positive Results; Calumet Public District 132, Calumet Park
Common Core and Much, Much More: Our District Boot Camp; Calumet Public District 132, Calumet Park
Creating and Sustaining a Successful Professional Learning Community; Calumet Public District 132, Calumet Park
Place to Call Home; Calumet Public District 132, Calumet Park
Increasing Achievement by Improving Climate; Indian Creek C.U. District 425, Shabbona
Implementing Common Core Curriculum Through Shared Governance; West Chicago District 33
Your School Library Media Center at the Core of Learning; Aurora West District 129; Charleston C.U. District 1; Arthur CUSD 305, Lovington
Educating Students in the Least Restrictive Environment; Waukegan C.U. District 60
Utilizing Classroom Walk- throughs to Improve Student Achievement; Waukegan C.U. District 60
Model Academic and Behavioral Supports with Successful Outcomes; Waukegan C.U. District 60
Student Behavioral Threat Assessment: A Violence Prevention Strategy; Illinois School & Campus Security Training Program/Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System, Mt. Pulaski
The Challenges of Educating Students with ASD: It Can Be Done !; Illinois Autism Training & Technical Assistance Project, Westmont
Topics announced for pre-conference workshops Nov. 22 in Chicago
Six full-day, and two half-day sessions set
The 2013 Joint Annual Conference will offer board members the choice of six full-day and two half-day workshops. Registration is now open for this training, which will be held on Friday, Nov. 22.
The pre-conference workshops are open to those who have already registered for conference. The cost is $220 for full-day, and $140 for half-day, workshops. All eight qualify participants for School Board LeaderShop credit, with some listed as “core” courses and others as “elective” courses.
The core courses include:
The “Basics of Governance”workshop will focus participants on board and board-member roles and responsibilities and what effective school district governance looks like. Participants will also have a chance to try out some tools and procedures that make a board effective and to sharpen their own decision-making skills.
Topics will include:
The “Basics of School District Finance”will cover the financial knowledge board members need for informed decision-making.
Topics will include:
“The Board’s First Responsibility: Detecting and Communicating a Compelling Vision” is designed to help develop a process and a plan for doing just that. It is for board members looking for a way to move districts forward.
Topics will include:
The “Making Meetings Matter” workshop will challenge participants to consider:
“Professional Development Leadership Trainings (PDLT) and Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) Training for School Board Members” workshopsatisfies the requirements for mandatory board member training per Public Act 097-0008 and includes instruction in education and labor law, financial oversight and accountability and fiduciary responsibilities. It will also fulfill the requirement for Performance Evaluation Reform Act Training for school board members. Note: Every school board member elected or re-elected in 2013 is required to complete this training within a year of taking the oath of office.
The elective courses include:
“Leading Leaders: The Job of the Board President,” an interactive workshop that will explore the school board president’s challenging responsibilities and duties.
Topics will include:
The“Tough Talking: Initiating and Managing Tough Conversations” (half-day morning session) workshop deals with the difficult conversations that are necessary to keep moving forward both personally and professionally. Participants will learn the skills necessary to start and maintain uncomfortable discussions in a way that’s non-threatening and leads to better understanding. This is designed for managers, leaders and organizational teams who want to increase effectiveness without alienating others.
The “Leadership by Design” (half-day afternoon session) workshop is designed to help participants developa personal vision for their leadership — on the board and every other leadership position they hold. It features individual worksheets, small group discussions and individualized work time designed to allow you to outline your vision for your leadership.
The full-day workshops will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers. The fee includes all materials, a continental breakfast and lunch. The morning workshop includes continental breakfast, breaks and work-shop materials (lunch is NOT included); the afternoon workshop includes lunch, breaks and workshop materials (continental breakfast is NOT included).
More information, including detailed workshop descriptions and a registration form with instructions, are available at https://www.iasb.com/jac13/PreConWorkshops13.pdf .
Note: Workshop attendees who do not already have a Thursday night reservation at their conference hotel may find it convenient to stay in a suburban hotel and drive in on Friday morning.
Deadline near for Holly Jack board secretary award
The Illinois Association of School Boards is seeking nominations for the “Holly Jack Outstanding Service Award.”
The award was created in 2009 to honor the memory of Holly Jack, a long-time employee of the Association who served as an IASB field services administrative assistant and was instrumental in promoting and developing the secretaries’ program that is offered at the Joint Annual Conference.
The award’s purpose is to honor Jack’s contribution and memory and to recognize the extraordinary work and service provided by secretaries who serve and assist their local boards. The award will be presented at the IASB/IASA/ ASBO annual conference in Chicago on Friday, Nov. 22.
IASB invites school board presidents and superintendents to nominate their local district employee (superintendent’s secretary, superintendent’s administrative assistant, board recording secretary, etc.) who does the work required of the board secretary by The School Code.
To be eligible for the award an individual must be a district employee, and have been employed in that position, either by their school district or another, for a minimum of five years.
While it is not necessary to address each of the criteria identified, the nominee should demonstrate the characteristics similar to those shown by Holly Jack in her work with districts.
The nomination form must be signed by the superintendent and the board president. Additional pages may be added. Letters of support from individuals, either inside or outside the district, may be submitted with the form, but these must be limited to a total of five. The deadline for submitting all documents is Sep. 27.
The winner will be selected by a panel of impartial judges. The selected nominee and the nominating district will be notified immediately of the judges’ decision.
More information is available from Judy Williams, ext. 1103, email jwilliams@iasb.com, or Anna Lovern, ext. 1125, email alovern@iasb.com.
Video, flyer detail new board member in-district workshop
Starting right is what every school board and superintendent wants and needs to do. After the board election, each district seats its new members at the organizational meeting and, in many cases, conducts a formal orientation. But then what?
Perhaps IASB can help through an in-district workshop called “Starting Right: Board-Building for the New Governance Team.” For more about this workshop see the Starting Right brochure at: https://www.iasb.com/pdf/StartingRightbrochure.pdf . Hear about it from IASB Executive Director Roger Eddy at: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=o9Hi0N gLngs& feature= youtu.be .
2013 Cole Awards presented for top news coverage of school boards
Sixteen newspapers received awards in the annual Robert M. Cole Awards competition for 2013, including the Chicago Tribune, which earned first place in the large daily newspaper category.
The Cole Awards are sponsored by the Illinois Association of School Boards and conducted by the Illinois Press Association. There were 26 entries in this, the 33rd year for the Cole Awards program.
Other first-place Cole Award winners were: Woodford County Journal, Eureka, small weekly division; The Galena Gazette, mid-size weekly division; and The Daily Journal, Kankakee, mid-size daily division.
Here is a list of reporters, subjects and judges’ comments for each of the first place awards:
Named in memory of the first full-time executive director of IASB, the Robert M. Cole Award recognizes outstanding coverage of education issues that emphasizes the community’s connection with its local public school district. Entries are judged on:
Winners were announced Friday, June 14, at the annual convention of the Illinois Press Association in Springfield. James Russell, IASB associate executive director/communications, handed out the awards.
Members urged to keep track of ‘Master Board’ points via forms
IASB recently mailed out a form to board members to track their “Master Board Member” activities. Directions on the form include a list of programs and activities of the past year that qualify for credits toward Master Board Member status.
IASB recognizes and honors board members for the time and effort they devote to self-improvement and leadership activities. Master Board Member activities are a means to achieving the Association’s mission of excellence in local school governance.
Points are assigned to professional development programs, including conference attendance, IASB workshop attendance, and NSBA 2013 attendance. Points are also assigned for participation in IASB division programs and activities, board development activities, legislative work, and IASB/NSBA leadership activities. Points range from 5 to 30. Credits are awarded through June 30 of each year and awards are presented at the IASB fall division dinner meetings.
Awards were handed out last fall to over 300 Master Board Members.
Board members are urged to make a copy for their own records prior to completing and returning the activities summary document to the IASB offices. Deadline for receiving the updated forms is July 31.
Board members can access application forms and find their personal service database at IASB’s Members-Only website at: http://members.iasb.com.
The Master Board Member materials and records are under the “Your IASB Involvement” tab at the top of the Members-Only home page.
Forms are available for each school year back to 1999-2000 and provided in portable document format (PDF). Members may go to https://members.iasb.com/involvement/MBM2012-2013.pdf to complete the form. It may be mailed, faxed or saved and emailed as an attachment.
Questions about the program or forms should be directed to Judy Williams at 217/528-9688, ext. 1103, or e-mail at jwilliams@iasb.com.
Transaction fee of $10 to be charged to defray some credit card purchase costs
The fees for accepting credit cards for transactions with IASB have continued to increase. To hold these rising costs in check, the Association is now limiting the kinds of transactions for which it will accept credit cards and some transactions will charge a $10 fee to accept a credit card.
According to the Association’s business office, IASB will still accept a credit card but will charge the $10 transaction fee for:
IASB will accept credit cards without charging a fee for:
The Association will not accept credit cards, however, for:
Any questions about these changes in credit card acceptance should be forwarded to Jennifer Feld, Associate Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer, at ext. 1152.
Arlington Heights (June 14, Chicago Tribune) Township High School District 214 will hold classes on Veterans Day for the first time in the fall of 2014. The day is observed on Nov. 11 each year as a federal holiday, but a state law has allowed districts to decide whether to require school attendance on certain legal holidays as long as the matter is reflected in the day’s curriculum. If school is held on Veterans Day, another state law also requires a moment of silence for veterans of foreign wars. In May, the District 214 board held a public hearing where no one commented on the proposal to hold classes on the holiday.
Cahokia (June 12, Belleville News-Democrat) School leaders in Cahokia Unit SD 187 have voted to close three facilities to save sports, arts, music and physical education, as well as jobs. School leaders said, however, the plans hinge on Gov. Pat Quinn signing a budget that pays for education at the level recommended by state lawmakers. Superintendent Art Ryan said the district is counting on 89 percent pro-rated funding from the state for the 2013-14 school year. With that money and closing the three schools, the district can maintain its programs and bring back some of the 70 employees given lay-off notices in February. The bottom line was that the district had to cut $1.5 million from its budget.
Danville (June 19, The News-Gazette, Champaign) Danville CCSD 118 and its largest teacher bargaining unit reached a tentative agreement June 19, roughly 14 months after they began contract negotiations. Details have not yet been made public. “It’s been a very long, time-consuming process, but both sides feel they have reached a meaningful agreement,” Superintendent Mark Denman said. “Neither side got everything it wanted. But it represents a good compromise.” The union represents about 600 teachers, teaching assistants, secretaries and learning resource clerks.
Northern Illinois (June 17, The Daily Herald) A suburban group wants to get rid of the Illinois State Charter School Commission, which they say should not be able to overturn decisions made by local school districts. About 10 members of Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice met June 15 at the St. Charles Public Library to kick off a campaign to repeal the legislation that created the commission in late 2011. “We have democratically elected school boards, and they represent the will of the people,” said NIJJ spokeswoman Mary Shesgreen.
Petersburg (June 18, The State Journal-Register, Springfield) PORTA CUSD 202 could soon add more solar power to its alternative energy portfolio. Former-student Bob O’Hara, who works for Joule Solar Energy in New Orleans, has nominated PORTA Central School for a program that aims to bring solar panels to schools.
Licensure system updated
A fact sheet on the state’s new Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS), which went into effect July 1, has been updated to reflect distinct criteria for out-of-state applicants. Educator certificates have sometimes been unclear about which subjects or grade levels the holder is qualified to teach. To clarify this, the state is transitioning from a certificate system to a licensure system, moving from having 60 kinds of certification to just three licenses. An ELIS fact sheet is online at: http://www.isbe.net/certification/pdf/elis-fact-sheet.pdf .
National Board Certification
Also beginning July 1, the state began recognizing National Board Certified Teachers ( NBCTs) as master teachers with a special designation on the Professional Educator License. Illinois has more than 5,000 NBCTs in public schools and ISBE encourages districts to invite teachers and counselors to consider certification and to support educators in the yearlong assessment process. For information visit: http://nbrc.illinoisstate.edu/.
Waiver deadline nears
State waiver applications to be decided this fall must be postmarked by Aug. 16 to be added to the Fall 2013 Waiver Report due to the legislature by Oct. 1. Waivers can be sought to modify mandates and regulations where the district shows it can meet the intent in a better way, but are not allowed on NCLB, special education, eligibility of voters in school elections, teacher tenure, or certification or seniority. Applications are available at http://www.isbe.state.il.us/isbewaivers/html/application.htm. Direct questions to the Rules and Waivers Division at (217) 782-5270 or email waivers@isbe.net.
New superintendents invited
Invitations are going out soon for new superintendent luncheons at two locations and dates in August. The aim is to welcome these new top administrators, and to explain about IASB’s resources, services and training aid. Luncheons are set for Aug. 7 at IASB offices in Lombard and Aug 15 at IASB offices in Springfield. New superintendents and superintendents new to Illinois can register by contacting Judy Niezgoda, ext. 1220, and at jniezgoda@iasb.com; or Brenda Watkins, ext. 1116, and at bwatkins@iasb.com. Online registration is also available at: https://www.iasb.com/calendar/calendar.cfm.
Digest of legislation prepared
Descriptions of bills now on the governor’s desk are contained in the 2013 edition of IASB’s Digest of Bills Passed. It can be found on the Association’s Web site at: https://www.iasb.com/govrel/digestofbillspassed2013.pdf.
Centennial at Conference
A committee drafted plans for the IASB’s yearlong centennial, which began in January with the publication of daily “factoids” on the top of the home page on the association’s website. The latest Journal article on IASB appears in the July/August issue.) The largest portion of the celebration, however, will take place at the Joint Annual Conference, Nov. 22-24 in Chicago. Mementos will be available there – all with some version of the centennial logo – including: a baby bib, can coolie, mug, yardstick, key chain ornament, pedometer, cotton visor, coaster set and license plate holder. Conference participants also won’t want to miss a visit to the Comiskey Room, where the centennial commemoration will be in full swing.
August 7 – New Superintendent Luncheon, IASB, Lombard
August 10 – Leading Leaders: The Job of the Board President, Naperville
August 15 – New Superintendent Luncheon, IASB, Springfield
August 23-24 – IASB Board of Directors’ Meeting, Oak Brook
August 24 – Leading Leaders: The Job of the Board President, Carbondale
August 24 – Leading Leaders: The Job of the Board President, IASB, Springfield
September 10-10 – IASB/IASA Professional Advancement Seminar, IASB, Lombard
September 18-18 – IASB/IASA Professional Advancement Seminar, IASB, Springfield
September 24 – Illini Division Fall Dinner Meeting, Rantoul
September 26 – Wabash Valley Division Fall Dinner Meeting, Lawrenceville
September 30 – West Cook Division Fall Dinner Meeting, Elmwood Park
For more current information, see www.iasb.com/calendar/