LM June-July 2022_hi

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Three Illinois School Districts Recognizedas “Lighthouse” DemonstrationSystems

AASAElectionResults In March, a call for nominations to the AASA Governing Board was issued for the Northeastern Super Region and Southern Super Region. The election resulted in a new representative being named to the Northeastern Super Region and a re-election in the Southern Super Region. In total, Illinois holds five seats on the AASA Governing Board. In addition, Dr. Steve Webb, superintendent of Goreville CUSD #1, serves on the AASA Executive Committee. Dr. Webb is in his second year of a three-year term. The Illinois representatives on the AASA Governing Board are: • Northcentral —Dr. Kristin Humphries, East Moline SD #37 (term expires June 30, 2023). • Northeastern —Dr. Michael C. Connolly, superintendent of Wheeling CCSD #21 (replaces Dr. Judith Hackett, supt. at Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (term expires June 30, 2025). • Northeastern —Dr. Bhavna Sharma-Lewis, superintendent of Diamond Lake SD #76, (term expires June 30, 2024). • Northeastern —Dr. Jennifer Kelsall, superintendent of Ridgewood CHSD #234 (term expires June 30, 2023). • Southern— Dr. Scott Doerr, superintendent of Nokomis CUSD #22 (re-elected, term expires June 30, 2025). The AASA Governing Board meets twice per year at the AASA National Conference and during the summer. Impact of Chief EquityOfficers: HelpNeeded for ResearchStudy Dr. Teresa Lance, Jacqueline Johnson and Lisa Jackson are leading a new research project focused on the impact Chief Equity Officers are having in their respective organizations and what, if any, the role is having on their health. To complete the research project, Dr. Lance has asked for help from IASA members. Please forward the link to this short survey to your district’s Chief Equity Officer (person who was explicitly hired for diversity, equity, and/or inclusion related tasks). The survey will close on Tuesday, July 12.

Three Illinois superintendents were among a nationwide group of school leaders and their respective teams who gathered in Washington D.C. June 28-30 for the first-of-its-kind AASA Learning 2025 National Summit, an event that convened more than 900 school system leaders from across the country. Hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, and the Successful Practices Network, the 13 school districts recently recognized as “Lighthouse” demonstration systems, as well as other demonstration systems that are serving as models of positive change on behalf of learners, families and communities, presented bold, actionable steps they’re taking in key areas of holistic redesign of American education. The three Illinois school districts are: “Our ‘Lighthouse’ school districts will light the path for other school communities in their collective efforts to create future- focused best practices to address the critical functions of leading, teaching and learning,” said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, AASA. “At a time when the one-size-fits-all approach is no longer being tolerated in our school buildings, our summit will provide ample opportunities for educational leaders to learn from one another in ways that will generate positive practice throughout our classrooms.” The selected “Lighthouse” designees are members of AASA’s Learning 2025 Network, a cadre of more than 120 demonstration systems representing forward-leaning, urban, suburban and rural school districts engaged in networking with each other to help drive education policy and ultimately improve student-academic performance. The goal of the network, which was created by the AASA National Commission on Student-Centered, Equity-Focused Education, is to guide Learning 2025 leaders as they chart their progress toward a “Lighthouse” designation in one or more areas of growth. • Harvard CUSD #50; Dr. Corey Tafoya. • Township HSD #214; Dr. David Schuler. • Naperville CUSD #203; Dr. Dan Bridges.

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LM Summer 2022