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Illinois School Board Journal
July/August 2005

Mailbag: TAG participants appreciate IASB help

To the editor:

Recently, I was asked for my opinion on participation in IASB's Targeting Achievement Through Governance (TAG) program, which provides existing IASB services to districts, at no cost to that district, after they are identified under the No Child Left Behind Act as "in need of improvement." I believe the program is providing a win-win opportunity for Rock Island School District 41.

TAG provides training and support to our school board and administrative team, which permit us to look at our individual responsibilities through trained and knowledgeable lenses, allowing us to make better use of our time, energy and resources.

Before the Board Governance Review, I was very skeptical about what it had to offer that had not already been covered in our annual Board Self-Evaluation. I was reluctant to relinquish the time that filling out the BGR document required and dreaded giving up an additional evening away from my family. How-ever, I was pleasantly surprised at the information that was discussed and shared.

I believe the topics covered were not only useful for our recently appointed board member and our first-year superintendent, but for every member of the board.

We discussed and delineated our roles and responsibilities and worked on establishing guidelines to help us operate more efficiently. We also discussed programs or procedures that we could implement prior to or immediately following the school board election to make the transition easier for everyone.

TAG provides training opportunities that will help District 41 continue to move in a positive, upward direction - through the adjustments and changes we know are upcoming and inevitable. Qualified consultants are helping the members of our board and administration work together as a team, with each of the different TAG areas serving as a catalyst for discussion and planning. It is helping to guide and assure us that we are all headed in the right direction as we work together to determine the needs of our students and how we can best meet those needs - striving toward "Excellence Every Day."

Elma "Mooch" Gay
Immediate past president
Rock Island School District 41