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Leadership Matters April 2026 LEARN BETTER TOGETHER Join a Professional Learning Community

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NEW SUPERINTENDENTS CONFERENCE

8 IASA is proud to offer a full slate of collaborative learning experiences that offer educators the opportunity to build relationships with peers and engage in sustained learning. On pages 8-22, learn how PLC’s can accelerate growth and boost student impact PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES

IASA Recognizes Superintendents of Distinction

Legal Workshops: 3 more sessions in May

Superintendents of Distinction

Note of Gratitude: See message from Shannon Anderson Illinois Accountability: Register for opportunities to learn about new system IASA Illinois Education Job Bank: Making it easier to attract candidates

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Aligned to Lead: How summer workshops can benefit your district

Elevating Education: Dr. Ben Collins, Superintendent of Park Ridge CCSD #64

Volume 13, Issue 12 April 2026 Leadership Matters

2648 Beechler Court Springfield, IL 62703-7305 217.753.2213 800 Woodfield Road, Ste. F109 Schaumburg, IL 60173-4717 847.466.5075

Jason Nevel Director of Communications jnevel@iasaedu.org

Brandon Turley Graphic Designer bturley @iasaedu.org

1200 West Main Street Marion, IL 62959-1138 618.364.0501

www.iasaedu.org

Scan here with your phone’s QR code reader to get the IASA APP— Don’t have a QR reader? Go to or and search for IllinoisASA.

Message From the Executive Director

Connected Leaders, Stronger Schools, Better Outcomes for Students

Dr. Brent Clark

One of the fundamental reasons professional associations like IASA exist is to bring people in the same profession together to network, collaborate, and learn from one another. That need is especially pronounced for superintendents because, unlike most professionals, there often is no one else locally in your role — and yet the decisions you make affect every student, family, and employee in your district. For decades, IASA’s regional structure provided that framework for connection. Superintendents gathered with colleagues from their part of the state, built relationships, and shared what was working. That model served the profession well — and still does. But what superintendents have told us, and what we have observed over time, is that regional connection alone doesn’t go deep enough to meet the modern-day demands of the role. The challenges are too complex, the stakes too high, and the need for trusted peer relationships too great. In 2010, we launched the IASA School for Advanced Leadership. The program was unlike anything else avail able to Illinois superintendents — designed to integrate professional and personal growth while cultivating lifelong connections. The relationships formed over 16 years of ISAL cohorts revealed something we couldn’t ignore: this kind of learning, deep, relational, and sustained, shouldn’t be limited to one cohort of 25 superintendents.

That evolution has produced a portfolio of professional learning communities designed to meet Illinois educators where they are — at every stage of leadership, in every kind of district. As you read this issue, I encourage you to explore what we have built and consider where you might find your place. But don’t take our word for it. For each of these programs, we reached out to past participants and asked them three questions: what led them to participate, what they took back to their districts and what they would tell someone considering joining. Their answers speak for themselves. As districts wrap up the school year and begin planning summer learning opportunities for students, this is also the moment for leaders to invest in their own growth. The pace shifts a little. The school year’s urgency gives way to a different kind of work. It’s a natural moment to reflect on the year, consider what you need, and make an intentional decision about how you want to grow as a leader heading into next year. Because at the end of the day, investing in yourself as a leader is investing in the students who depend on you.

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i s t n Awards Luncheon i n ct i o

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Superintendents of Distinction are selected by their peers based on professionalism, communications, community involvement and leadership for learning. Recipients were honored April 23 at a luncheon in Springfield along with honorees from the Illinois Principals Association. Dr. Steven Isoye, Chair of the Illinois State Board of Education, was the keynote speaker. Thank you to Stifel for again sponsoring the luncheon.

Dr. Kent Stauder Okaw Valley CUSD #302 Abe Lincoln

Dr. Rachel Savage Moline-Coal Valley CUSD #40 Blackhawk

Dr. Eric Heath Peoria Heights CUSD #325 Central Illinois Valley

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Exceptional leadership creates opportunities for students and strengthens communities. The forward-thinking approach and dedication of our Superintendents of Distinction have transformed districts across Illinois in meaningful and measurable ways.

—Dr. Brent Clark, IASA Executive Director

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Superintendents of Distinction

Dr. Laurie Heinz Palatine CCSD #15 Cook North

Dr. Victoria Stockton Bellwood SD #88 Cook West

Dr. Tina Halliman SPEED S.E.J.A. #802 Cook South

Dr. Jean Barbanente DuPage HSD #88 DuPage

Dr. Tammy Beckham Spring Garden CCSD #178 Egyptian

Dr. David Mouser Bloomington SD #87 Corn Belt

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5 LM April 2026 continued... “ “The superintendents honored as regional Superintendents of Distinction exemplify the depth of leadership and personal commitment that exceptional superintendents bring to their districts to serve students and staff to be the best they can be. Stifel’s longtime commitment to IASA culminates in honoring these amazing superintendents and thanking them for all they do for the students of Illinois” —Anne Noble, Managing Director of Stifel

Superintendents ... cont’d.

Scott Amerio Rantoul Township HSD #193 Illini

Dr. Scott Doerr Nokomis CUSD #22 Kaskaskia

Dr. Neil Lesinski CHSD #155 Kishwaukee

Bob Gold Big Hollow SD #38 Lake

Dr. Kelly Mandrell Polo CUSD #222 Northwest at u l a

Dr. Judy Kaegi Gallatin CUSD #7 Shawnee ti o n s

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Dr. Jason Henderson Triad CUSD #2 Southwestern

Dr. Dan Stecken Seneca Twp HSD #160 Starved Rock

Dr. John Palan Grant Park CUSD #6 Three Rivers

Erica Smith Central CUSD #3 Two Rivers

Kevin Haarman Neoga CUSD #3 Wabash Valley

John Meixner ROE #26 Western

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Why Professional Learning Communities Accelerate Leadership Growth and Student Impact

DR. DAWN BRIDGES Associate Director of Professional Learning, IASA

This month, we are highlighting the power of Professional Learning Communities across Illinois — and for good reason. In a time when the demands of leadership continue to grow in both complexity and urgency, one truth remains constant: we get better, faster, when we learn together. Professional learning is no longer about isolated work shops. It is about building systems where leaders think together, challenge one another, and collectively move their organizations forward. PLCs create the conditions for that kind of learning to happen. Studies on adult learning and leadership development consistently show that growth is accelerated when learn ing is collaborative, job-embedded, and sustained over time. The foundational work of Illinois educator and former superintendent Richard DuFour continues to shape how we understand that the most effective educators work interdependently to improve outcomes for students. And the research is clear.

Research on learning organizations further reinforces that organizations improve when individuals continuously expand their capacity through shared inquiry and reflection. More recent leadership research points to the power of peer networks in strengthening decision-making, reducing isolation, and increasing a leader’s ability to navigate complexity.

In short, when leaders learn together, they lead better. This is the foundation of the work we are building across Illinois.

At IASA, we are intentionally building a leadership ecosystem where professional learning communities serve as the foun dation for sustained growth. We are proud to offer a range of PLCs designed to meet leaders where they are and support them throughout their journey. Whether through Elevate for women superintendents, rural cohorts, Super PALS, ISAL, aspiring superintendent programs, or experiences like Align to Lead, each opportunity is intentionally designed to bring leaders together around shared challenges, shared learning, and shared growth.

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Professional Learning

GETHER While each PLC has its own focus, they are all grounded in the same belief: leadership development is most powerful when it is collective, not isolated.

Check Out PLC Opportunities on Pages 10-24.

meaningful, sustained ways. At IASA, we remain committed to expanding these opportunities and continuing to build networks that strengthen leadership across our state. As you consider your own growth, we invite you to reflect: Where are you learning alongside others — and how might that accelerate your impact? Across IASA, there are multiple entry points into this work. Whether through formal cohorts or more flexible learning experiences, each is designed to connect leaders around shared challenges and meaningful growth. Even offerings like AA #4201: Leading with Resilience and Relevance reflect this commitment. While structured as an Administrator Academy, it is intentionally designed as a yearlong cohort experience where superintendents come together to navigate the political, social, and educational landscape in real time. Participants engage in relevant, job-embedded learning while building trusted networks — earning academy credit while engaging in work that directly supports their day-to-day leadership. Because the most impactful professional learning does not feel like “one more thing.” It feels like the work itself — strengthened through connection.

These communities do more than provide support. They create space for leaders to: • test ideas and learn from one another • engage in honest dialogue about challenges • build trust and psychological safety • strengthen clarity around priorities and decision-making

And perhaps most importantly, PLCs help leaders realize they are not alone in the work.

In a role that can often feel isolating, the ability to connect with peers who understand the complexity of the work is not just valuable — it is essential. Those connections build confidence, sharpen thinking, and ultimately strengthen leadership practice in ways that benefit entire systems. Across Illinois, we continue to see the impact of these communities. Leaders return to their districts with stronger clarity, renewed energy, and a deeper sense of purpose. They make better decisions because they have engaged in richer thinking. They move faster because they are not starting from scratch. They lead more effectively because they are supported by a network of colleagues committed to the same work.

So the question becomes:

Which community will you join?

That is how outcomes improve — not just through individu al effort, but through collective learning.

When leaders come together to learn, they do more than grow individually. They accelerate outcomes — for their teams, their systems, and most importantly, for our students.

Illinois has long been a leader in educational innovation, and the strength of our professional learning communities reflects that commitment. Our willingness to invest in collaborative leadership development positions our state as a model for how associations can support leaders in

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NEW SUPERINTENDENTS CONFERENCE 2026

CONFERENCE DETAILS Welcome Reception — Monday, July 13 | 5–7 p.m. | Capital View Room Day One — Tuesday, July 14 | 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Dinner at 6 p.m. | Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum Day Two — Wednesday, July 15 | 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m. The first year of the superintendency is unlike anything that comes before it. The IASA New Superintendents’ Conference is built around that reality — a gathering designed exclusively for new district leaders, focused on the fundamentals every new superintendent needs and the peer connections that last throughout a career. This is the first of three gatherings IASA has built for new superintendents. A second checkpoint takes place at the IASA Annual Conference in the fall, and a third gathering in the spring brings the cohort back together to continue growing and deepen the community forged here. Topics covered include board-superintendent relations, school finance fundamentals, strategic leadership practices, legal guidance, best practices and common pitfalls, and personal wellness. The conference is led by IASA Executive Director Dr. Brent Clark, Associate Director of Professional Learning Dr. Dawn Bridges, and IASA Field Services Directors — retired superintendents who mentor early-career district leaders across the state.

CROWNE PLAZA SPRINGFIELD-CONVENTION CENTER No registration fee. Meals provided. Lodging at your own expense. Register by June 19, 2026.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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The conference reinforced an important message early on: that building relationships must come first. It also allowed me to build a strong network of support and develop both personal and professional relationships that I leaned on throughout my first year.

DIMITRI ALMASI Region: Central Illinois Valley District: Illini Bluffs CUSD #327 Enrollment: 827

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The most impactful aspect of the experience was the unwavering support from the IASA team. From the initial in-person session in July to ongoing phone calls, Zoom check-ins, and the thoughtful month-by-month outline of key focus areas, their guidance was intentional, practical, and perfectly aligned to the real demands of the first year in the superintendency.

DR. ERIN KNOLL Region: Lake District: Diamond Lake SD #76 Enrollment: 800

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SEE HER FULL ANSWER

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Perhaps most importantly, IASA has helped me build connections — with superintendents and professionals across the state — that have expanded my resources and given me a sounding board I can rely on. IASA is a lifeline for new superintendents. I have no doubt it has kept people in their positions because of the continued support it provides.

DR. RUSS TEPEN Region: Two Rivers District: Pikeland CUSD #10 Enrollment: 1,193

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SEE HIS FULL ANSWER

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There is something deeply reassuring about knowing you are not navigating this role alone. That sense of support and shared experience is what made this program so impactful for me — and it’s something I would strongly encourage every new superintendent to take advantage of.

DR. ERICKA PATTERSON Region: Cook South District: Park Forest SD #163 Enrollment: 1,504

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SEE HER FULL ANSWER

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Unique PLC for Central Office Leaders

Sponsored By:

SESSION SCHEDULE Each session runs Day 1: 4–6 p.m. Day 2: 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

Women in the superintendency are leading boldly, navigating complexity, and delivering for kids and communities every day — often without a community of peers who share their specific experience and understand the road they’re on. ELEVATE was built to change that. The first program of its kind in Illinois, ELEVATE is a two-year leadership journey designed specifically to support, recognize, and celebrate women serving in one of the most influential roles in education. Across eight sessions, participants build deep relationships with fellow superintendents while engaging in meaningful dialogue about leadership, resilience, and impact — creating the kind of con nections that shape careers and sustain leaders through the long haul. DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, EXPANDED FOOTPRINT Sessions are hosted at locations across Illinois, with opening and culminating sessions in Springfield.

Year One December 1–2, 2026

March 4–5, 2027 June 9–10, 2027 Year Two

September 8–9, 2027 December 1–2, 2027

March 8–9, 2028 June 7–8, 2028

Cost: $2,750/year (2 year commitment = $5,500 for program) Application Deadline: July 31

Click HERE to Register

DR. EMILY WEIDNER Region: Abe Lincoln District: Cerro Gordo CUSD #100 Enrollment: 454

“The women in this group serve districts from the northern border to the southern tip of Illinois. Some are new superintendents and some are preparing for retirement after more than a decade of service. The wisdom, experience, and knowledge among the ELEVATE members is incredible. Belonging to a group of talented and inspiring women who you can call on at any time for advice, resources, support, and encouragement is priceless.”

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SEE HER FULL ANSWER

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TIFFANY ELSWICK Region: Kishwaukee District: Alden Hebron SD #19 Enrollment: 415

“I was navigating significant imposter syndrome and recognizing that many of the real challenges of the superintendency simply aren’t taught in graduate programs. Joining ELEVATE was an intentional step toward growing into the role with support rather than trying to figure it out alone. It’s a supportive space where you are encouraged to share your strengths while also being guided to improve without ever feeling inadequate.”

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SEE HER FULL ANSWER

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Recruiting and retaining staff. Stretching limited budgets. Navigating connectivity gaps. Doing it all at once. If that sounds familiar, Reimagining Rural Leadership was built for you. CONNECTING RURAL LEADERS. ADVANCING FUTURE-FOCUSED LEARNING. IASA is designing a Professional Learning Community built around the specific needs of rural educators across Illinois — superintendents, principals, central office staff, and teacher-leaders who understand that most professional learning wasn’t built with their reality in mind. Drawing on what we have learned from previous cohorts, we are building a stronger, more impactful experience. Your feedback is shaping this PLC from the ground up, ensuring it is as impactful and accessible as possible for rural communities across the state. REGISTRATION OPENING SOON Details including session dates, presenters, and registration information are being finalized. Be on the lookout for an email in the coming weeks.

Jason Grey Region: Kishwaukee | District: Riley CCSD #18 | Enrollment: 255

Dr. Chuck Lane Region: Kaskaskia | District: Centralia HSD #200 | Enrollment: 869

What made you decide to join the initial Reimagining Rural Leadership PLC? At Centralia High School, we’re always looking for ways to give our kids more opportunities without losing what makes our community special. The PLC really stood out because it was built for schools like ours. A lot of the conversations around education don’t always fit rural districts, but this one did. I also liked the idea of connecting with other administra tors across Illinois who are dealing with the same things— staffing, resources, and just trying to do more with less. It felt like a good opportunity to learn from others and see how they’re tying their work into things like EBF and College and Career Readiness. What’s one thing you took back to your district from the experience? One thing that really stuck with me was being more in tentional about how we talk about the work we’re already doing. At Centralia, we’ve put a big emphasis on dual credit and career pathways, and we’ve got a lot of students taking advantage of those opportunities. The PLC helped me think about how that connects directly to the CCR piece of the EBF model and, more importantly, how we communicate that to our board and community. It’s not just about offering the classes—it’s about making sure people understand the impact, whether that’s kids graduating with college credits, saving money, or having a clearer path after high school. What would you tell a rural educator who’s on the fence about joining? I’d tell them it’s worth it. Rural leadership can feel pretty iso lating at times, and this gives you a chance to connect with people who really get it. You pick up ideas you can actually use, not just theory. For me, it helped sharpen our focus at Centralia and better connect what we’re doing to bigger things like EBF and CCR. If you’re even thinking about it, I’d recommend going for it—you’ll get something out of it!

What made you decide to join the initial Reimagining Rural Leadership PLC? I joined the Reimagining Rural Leadership PLC because I believe strongly in the power of collaboration among rural leaders. We face unique challenges like staffing, resources, and isolation. This group gives us an opportunity to share solutions and learn from other rural leaders from around the state. What’s one thing you took back to your district from the experience? One thing I took away from the Cohort was learning about different ways and solutions other Rural School District’s from across Illinois are using to deal with staffing shortages and hard to fill positions. Those shared ideas have helped us in our own recruitment efforts. What would you tell a rural educator who’s on the fence about joining? The cohort is a great way to find real support from other leaders with similar issues. It is a great reminder that we are not alone as rural educators, and the cohort is a great way to make connections.

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Foundations in Leadership and Vision Hybrid Format | Multiple Sessions | Grounded in School Leader Paradigm

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Are you a building-level or central office leader ready to take the next step toward the superintendency? Foundations in Leadership and Vision — part of IASA’s Aspiring Superintendent Pathway — is now forming its FY27 cohort, and we’d love for you to be part of it. This high-impact hybrid PLC equips aspiring superintendents with the core competencies, strategic mindset, and leadership clarity needed to lead in today’s educational landscape. Participants will sharpen their ability to craft a compelling vision, lead through an equity-centered lens, and build the resilience needed to sustain leader ship over the long haul — all through a schedule designed to fit your day. The majority of your learning happens virtually from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. — after the school day ends. No substitutes to arrange. No time away from your district. Foundations in Leadership and Vision is facilitated by Dr. Dawn Bridges, IASA Associate Director of Professional Learning.

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PROGRAM EXPERIENCE • Four interactive virtual learning sessions | 3:30–5:00 p.m. • Two individualized mentoring sessions with Dr. Bridges • One in-person immersive workshop at the IASA Annual Conference FY27 SESSION DATES • October 12, 2026 • December 14, 2026

• April 13, 2027 • June 8, 2027

COST: $750 APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 31

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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DR. MARIANNE CUCCI Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instructional Technology New Lenox School District 122 Region: Three Rivers | Enrollment: 4,935 What made you decide to join the Foundations in Leadership and Vision PLC? I joined the Foundations in Leadership and Vision PLC to strengthen my leadership skills while also expanding my professional network. I was looking for an opportunity to learn practical tools and strategies that I could apply directly to my work. The chance to collaborate with other leaders across Illinois made it especially appealing. What’s one thing you took back from your experience? One of the most valuable takeaways was the opportunity to learn from others in similar roles. The PLC helped me clarify my vision for the future while also focusing on building capacity, strengthening connections, and cultivating a positive culture within my organization. Hearing different perspectives from other leaders was incredibly impactful. What would you tell an aspiring superintendent who’s on the fence about joining? I would strongly encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity. The experience has been highly beneficial, providing both practical leadership strategies and meaningful connections with peers that support your growth as a leader.

MATT WRIGHT Principal United Township High School Region: Blackhawk | Enrollment: 1,840 What made you decide to join the Foundations in Leadership and Vision PLC? As I have progressed in my career and as my superintendent nears retirement, I joined the PLC to further my understanding of the superintendent position and what all it entails. I hoped to get varying levels of information ranging from HR, school finance, and general school governance — and I have not been disappointed. While I did not initially intend this as a goal, it has also been a great networking opportunity. What’s one thing you took back from your experience? My favorite session thus far was visiting with a superintendent from the suburbs. He offered a myriad of things to consider and as he shared, it also provided great perspective on how different one superintendency can be from another. It gave me a lot to think about — including how small or large some districts can be and how that can completely alter the way the job is done. What would you tell an aspiring superintendent who’s on the fence about joining? Take the leap. At the very least, you’ll get some great information that can help inform your decision and you’ll get to meet some great people along the way.

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A NEW COHORT FOR SUPERINTENDENT-PRINCIPALS IS TAKING SHAPE

AND WE WANT YOUR VOICE IN IT.

Do you serve as both superintendent and principal? If so, you already know this role comes with a distinct set of challenges — and that mostn professional learning wasn’t built with you in mind. IASA is changing that. We’re building the SuperPals Cohort, a new peer network designed specifically for superintendent-principals — and we want your input before we finalize the program. Your feedback won’t just tell us whether there’s interest. It will help shape what this cohort actually looks like.

Complete Interest Survey

• Quarterly virtual sessions — flexible, no travel required • A peer network of Illinois superintendent-principals who get it • Practical strategies tailored to the demands of leading both a district and a school • No cost to participate

HERE’S WHAT WE’RE ENVISIONING:

— Dr. Dawn Bridges, IASA Associate Director of Professional Learning

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Superintendents are under constant pressure to elevate student achievement, manage finances, handle personnel, stay visible in the community, and still find time for a life outside the office. Instead of adding more to your plate, ISAL helps you better handle what’s already on it. IASA’s School for Advanced Leadership is an 18-month professional coaching program that integrates personal and professional growth with the cultivation of lifelong relationships. Since 2010, 175 Illinois superintendents have been named ISAL Fellows — a distinction recognized statewide as a mark of advanced leadership. WHAT MAKES ISAL DIFFERENT Each cohort accepts 25 superintendents, pairing every participant with a leadership coach — a current or retired superintendent and ISAL graduate — available anytime for professional or personal guidance. Over eight sessions in Springfield, participants engage in focused learning on student achievement and work/life balance, with nightly dinners that build the kind of relationships past participants have called life-changing.

APPLICATIONS FOR ISAL IX OPEN THIS SUMMER. QUESTIONS IN THE MEANTIME? CONTACT KRISTY PONSLER

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AA#4201

New Administrator Academy + Professional Learning Community Leading with Resilience and Relevance: Navigating the Political, Social and Educational Landscape Program Review This unique, yearlong academy is designed specifically for today’s superintendents, offering a supportive cohort mode focused on real-world leadership challenges. What makes this program truly stand out is its dual nature as both an administrator academy and a professional learning community, where participants will engage in multiple sessions throughout the year.

What You’ll Experience • Problem of practice sessions

• Develop tools and strategies to navigate political pressures. • Learn to foster community trust and communicate transparently. • Build resilience to sustain through change. • Engage in case studies and collaborative discussions. • Participate in leadership planning and reflective exercises. • Benefit from interactive, solution-oriented meetings. • Create a personalized leadership action plan.

Next Steps & How to Participate Dates, times, and locations for this dynamic session are all set locally at the regional level.

Contact Dr. Dawn Bridges or your IASA Region President to learn how to get your region approved to offer this session!

#24401

Aligned to Lead Building the teams that move districts forward

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Franklin Covey’s research identifies four essential roles that leaders play to drive genuine engagement in their organizations. The first, inspire trust, is about the credibility you build through character and competence — creating a culture where people feel safe and motivated to do their best work. The second, create vision, goes beyond simply having a destination; it’s about bringing your people into the development of that vision so they feel ownership over where the district is headed. The third, execute strategy, is where many districts struggle most: narrowing focus to the few priorities that will actually move the needle, rather than spreading effort across everything at once. And the fourth, coach potential, means shifting from managing people to developing them — creating the conditions for everyone on your team to grow into their best. To explore the thinking behind the workshop, IASA Associate Director of Professional Learning Dr. Dawn Bridges joined three partners on the IASA Podcast: Dr. Candace Singh, Franklin Covey Education leadership coach and consultant; Dr. Michael Karner, Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools; and Dr. Anthony Marinello, Executive Director of the South Cook Intermediate Service Center. The highlights below are drawn from that conversation. Listen to the full episode at iasa.org/podcast. 1 THE FRAMEWORK IASA has partnered with FranklinCovey to offer Aligned to Lead, a 1.5-day leadership summit designed to help superintendents and district leaders align their teams around a shared vision heading into the 2026-27 school year. South Cook ISC 4 — July 20-21 | Lake County ROE — July 23-24

— Dr. Candace Singh

CLEAR YOUR PLATE, DON’T ADD TO IT

You know the feeling: the school year starts, the calendar fills, and before long you’re responding to what’s in front of you rather than leading toward what matters most. Every item on your list seems urgent. Every initiative has a champion. And somewhere in the noise, your actual priorities get crowded out. The four roles framework isn’t another thing to add to your plate — it’s a way to finally get intentional about what’s already on it. It gives your team a shared language and a clear filter for deciding where your energy actually goes.

— Dr. Candace Singh & Dr. Dawn Bridges

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HOW THE DAY IS STRUCTURED 3 ALIGNMENT DRIVES RESULTS 4 5 AFFORDABLE TEAM RETREAT 6 WHY JULY

The workshop is designed to move in layers. Teams start with the foundational Franklin Covey framework — getting a shared understanding of the four roles. From there, the work gets more specific: job-alike breakout groups give participants a chance to explore what each role looks like in their particular position. Then it comes back to the team level, with dedicated time for each district’s cabinet to work together on what this means for them — their priorities, their dynamics, their coming year. It’s not a lecture. It’s a structured process that ends with your team walking out with something real.

— Dr. Dawn Bridges

The research is clear: successful teams don’t just have clarity — they have alignment. When everyone knows where the district is headed and why, traction follows. That’s when you start seeing the results you’re looking for.

— Dr. Dawn Bridges

July provides a rare window to reflect, reset, and build team alignment before the school year’s urgency takes over. Work done in July ripples through not just the coming year, but the years that follow.

— Dr. Anthony Marinello

Many superintendents do some version of a leadership retreat on their own — booking a venue, pulling a facilitator together, hoping it lands. This is a high-quality alternative at a fraction of the cost, with a proven framework, expert facilitation, and the added dimension of learning alongside other Illinois districts. It’s a day and a half. The return on that investment shows up all year.

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OPEN TO ALL ILLINOIS LEADERS

While hosted at two regional locations — South Cook ISC 4 and the Lake County ROE — the workshop is open to any school district leader in Illinois. Both sites are conveniently located near interstates.

— Dr. Michael Karner

DATES & FORMAT

One and a half days, offered twice: South Cook ISC 4 on July 20–21, and Lake County ROE on July 23–24. Both sessions include a first-evening social opportunity for informal connection across districts.

— IASA

To listen to the full interview on the IASA Podcast, CLICK HERE.

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Dr. Ben Collins Superintendent of Park Ridge CCSD #64

Four months into his superintendency at Park Ridge CCSD #64, Dr. Ben Collins faced a hard truth: he couldn’t accomplish what the Board hired him to do without significant improve ments to aging facilities. “Our options were limited,” Collins said. “To bring students back from out-of-district place ments and provide the programs our families deserve, we needed better spaces.”

Park Ridge CCSD #64 needed over $100 million in improvements: major infrastructure upgrades, expanded learning spaces, and specialized special education facilities. Collins knew passing a referendum of that size would require more than just making the case for better facilities—it would require a compre hensive strategy to build community trust and demonstrate responsive leadership.

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He launched a community coffee series where residents could meet informally with district leadership at local spots around Park Ridge. Collins kept the events small and strategic, organizing themed sessions tied to specific programs. His team routed feedback through parent advisory groups before bringing it back to the broader community. “You’re positioning people to use their expertise and have their voices heard,” Collins said. “When you direct energy into the right channels, people leave feeling heard and valued.” That groundwork paid off. In fall 2024, voters approved an $89 million referendum—part of a $120 million construction project over four years. The funding is making it possible for Park Ridge to bring students with significant dis abilities back from out-of-district placements through centered programs at the elementary and middle school levels. Students with au tism, Down syndrome, and cognitive disabil ities now have specialized spaces that meet ADA compliance and allow them to participate in the broader school community. “We thought our kids deserve that,” Collins said. “They deserve to be part of the school community—to go to all the school events, PTO evenings, dances, pizza parties, movie nights, all the stuff that’s awesome to do in third grade.” The word is getting out. Families are moving into Park Ridge specifically because of the special education programs. “It’s a collaborative effort at every level,” Collins said. “The success belongs to the team doing the work every day.”

Beyond facilities, the district has seen significant academic gains with a third school added to the state’s exemplary rolls Park Ridge has increased the number of schools achieving exemplary status on state assessments, and the district has reduced suspensions by more than 50 percent over the past three years. Collins attributes the progress to alignment and improved curriculum. The district’s curriculum work is now more rooted in research and best practices. Board goals align directly to building improvement plans and classroom instruction, with instructional coaches supporting teachers on those same priorities. “When you have that alignment from the Board to the classroom level, it creates parity,” Collins said. “That’s why we’re seeing academic improvement.” Another major focus of Collins’ first three years has been labor relations—applying the same philosophy of structured communication and responsive leadership to the district’s three bargaining units. Union leaders now have direct access to district leadership in ways that are productive, with opportunities to give feedback well in advance so they feel like part of the team. Outside of Park Ridge, Collins remains active in professional associations. He previously served on the Illinois Principals Association Board and is currently involved in the School Leader Collaborative Conference. “If you have a great education experience, you have to give back in some shape or form,” Collins said. “It’s the best networking possible, and you’re really giving back to the profession.”

Want to nominate someone?

Contact Jason Nevel at jnevel@iasaedu.org

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News In Brief

A Note of Gratitude Dear Colleagues, I am deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from the IASA family following the storms that took our home earlier this year. When you are standing in the middle of a devastating loss, it is easy to feel alone. But the generosity of my colleagues across Illinois reminded me that I am anything but. Your donations, messages, and prayers carried my family through some of our most challenging days. I have spent my career in public education because I believe in the power of community. What you showed me — and my family — is that the IASA community is something truly special. You showed up when it mattered most, and we will never forget it. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Shannon Anderson, Superintendent, Momence CUSD #1

Shannon Anderson

Applications Open for 2026 Illinois Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), in partnership with Governor JB Pritzker, today announced that applications are now open for the 2026 Illinois Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools program. The state-led initiative continues the long-standing tradition of recognizing schools that demonstrate academic excellence or make significant progress in closing achievement gaps. After the U.S. Department of Education abruptly ended the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program in 2025, Illinois established the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools program to ensure that the accomplishments of students, educators, and school communities continue to be honored. Click here to learn more. Free Webinar: AI Weapon Detection in Illinois Schools — May 6 Your cameras are already watching. Volt AI makes them intelligent. Join IASA on Wednesday, May 6 at 10 a.m. for a spotlight webinar on Volt AI, a platform that transforms your existing security cameras into real-time threat detection systems — identifying weapons, fights, medical emergencies, and unauthorized access, while tracking threats across your campus even after a weapon is concealed. You’ll hear from Dr. Joe Salmieri, superintendent of Laraway CCSD 70C, on what Volt looks like in a real Illinois district — plus a senior Volt executive who will walk through implementation, costs, and how the system works.

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Understanding Illinois’ New Accountability System IASA is partnering with leading organizations to help school leaders make sense of what’s changed — and what it means for your district. IASA + ECRA: Beyond the Headlines Illinois’ accountability system is complex — and the stakes for misreading it are real. These sessions draw on original ECRA Group research to show how the system actually behaves across the state, where districts commonly go wrong, and what the data says about which interventions move the needle. Participants will leave with a practical playbook for aligning district practices to accountability expectations and making smarter resource decisions.

Navigating Illinois’ revised accountability system requires more than familiarity — it requires the ability to access, model, and interpret the data driving consequential decisions for your district. This five-part series, offered in partnership with ISBE and IPA, gives school leaders the practical skills to apply accountability data confidently and drive continuous improvement at the building and district level. https://ilprincipals.org/illinoisaccountabilityseries/

ISDLAF+ Monthly Update Click here to view the most current ISDLAF+ rates, economic indicators and general economic news brief. To obtain additional information regarding this IASA sponsored service, contact Audra Braski, Senior Vice President, LGIP Director at 630–657–6422, or email: audra.braski@ptma.com . Website: www.ptma.com.

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CLICK HERE!

IASA has created three short instructional videos to help employers understand how to create a custom application, manage sections and fields, and create a job posting with a custom application. Questions about Custom Job Applications?

*Click the Play Button to Access Videos

“ “The Custom Job Bank Application has allowed our Unit Office staff to streamline processes in terms of applications and hiring. We are using much less paper than we were before. We were 100% paper before. We have found that applicants are used to submitting items digitally, and we were potentially missing out on hires by not offering this opportunity. Being able to clone an application and then tweak it to fit specific positions is extremely beneficial.”

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— Tony Shinall, Superintendent of Princeville CUSD #326

Additional Questions? Email IASA or call 217-753-2213

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