LM March 2021_lg

March 2021 LeadershipMatters

CONFERENCE 56th Annual

Registration Now Open

• 35 Breakout Sessions • Ignite • Virtual Exhibit Hall

• Dynamic Keynote Speakers • New: Mindfulness Sessions • New: Supt2Supt Sessions

Plus

Female Leaders Discuss Their Successes & Obstacles

March is Women’s History Month

Dr. Terri VandeWiele Silvis SD #34

Dr. Janiece Jackson Lindop SD #92

CONFERENCE 56th Annual

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Registration is now open for IASA’s 56th Annual Conference, set virtually for April 7–8. Check out the impressive lineup of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, Ignite presentations and more. CELEBRATING THE SUPERINTENDENCY

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IL CTE Graduate Profile Book

Women’s History Month—Q&A With Two Female Superintendents

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March is Women’s History Month

Can’t Miss PD Offerings

Education Elevat g

Legal Corner

Dr. Von Mansfield and Aletta Lawrence are Elevating Education

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IASA News in Brief

Treasurer Bonds: What You Need to Know

22 Making a Difference Series Resumes

PartXV

IASA Calendar of Events

Volume 9, Issue 3 March 2021 LeadershipMatters 21022 Jason Nevel Director of Social Media and Publications jnevel@iasaedu.org

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

Marjorie Gladish Graphic Designer mgladish@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.

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Message From the Executive Director Annual Conference Remains Best Opportunity to Connect; Funding EBF is Needed NowAsMuch As Ever

Dr. Brent Clark

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, IASA, the IASA Board of Directors and the IASA COVID-19 Transition Team have stressed the need for superintendents to support each other through unprecedented challenges. That’s ultimately what propelled the decision to hold the 56th IASA Annual Conference virtually April 7–8. Even in a virtual format, the conference remains the best opportunity for school administrators to come together in one place to connect, network and learn from each other. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to make time on your calendar and register for the IASA Annual Conference. We are working tirelessly to provide an engaging, fast- moving and uplifting experience that maximizes the virtual experience for all attendees. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to hear best practices from your peers and get recharged by our keynote speakers, Inky Johnson and Don Yaeger. Plus, we have scheduled a one-on-one conversation with House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch on what could be coming for K–12 education and State Superintendent Dr. Carmen Ayala will share a welcoming message on Day 2. Check out the Annual Conference layout on pages 5–10 to see a more detailed breakdown of sessions and speakers. Fund theFormula I also want to bring your attention to the return of our Making a Difference series on page 22. We started the feature in August 2018 and now have heard from 85 superintendents about how Evidence-Based Funding has benefitted their districts. What’s clear from these most recent profiles is how much EBF helped school districts manage new challenges caused by the pandemic, and why a sustained investment into the formula is needed now as much as ever. The

additional school nurses, social workers and reading and math interventionists that were hired as a result of EBF have been critical in helping school districts navigate immense challenges this past year. Properly funding the formula over time will be essential in addressing new obstacles that will manifest in the future and help level the playing field so districts across the state can move closer to their adequacy targets. We once again plan to share this series with the General Assembly and governor’s office. Hopefully, it serves as a reminder that another year of flat funding is the wrong path, even with an influx of federal funds. Assessments TBD Lastly, we continue to have a dialogue with the Illinois State Board of Education on providing districts with flexibility on standardized assessments. At this time, ISBE says it continues to work with the U.S. Department of Education to determine how to move forward, but it plans to apply for the maximum possible flexibility for accountability, including seeking the available waivers for summative designations and the 95 percent assessment participation requirement. In her most recent weekly message, State Superintendent Ayala noted there will be an opportunity for public comment. There is no doubt in my mind the decision to require a standardized assessment is not in the best interest of students. Like we have the past year, this will be another time where it will be critical to consult your peers and support each other. To close on a positive note, the weather is warming up and many educators have received their vaccine. It feels like the worst is behind us and some of the normal things we previously enjoyed can return to our lives. Once again, thank you for your leadership and dedication this past year. Illinois school leaders truly stepped up. See you virtually April 7–8!

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IllinoisCTE Launches GraduateProfile FlippingBook This past fall, the Illinois Career and Technical Education Innovative Curriculum Resources Project (ILCTE) began a new initiative—Illinois CTE Graduate Profile Flipping Book. ILCTE is headed by Illinois State University and funded by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006. ILCTE focuses on providing innovative curriculum, professional development sessions and resources to CTE teachers and career counselors. This book showcases the talented CTE graduates of Illinois and is used by many groups beyond our state. Information for each graduate includes career pathway, employability skills needed for this particular career, advice to high school CTE students and how CTE made a difference in their life/career. “The CTE Graduate Profile Book is a tremendous tool for schools to promote the success of their graduates and specifically those in the CTE area,” said Rod McQuality, Project Director for the Innovative Curriculum Resources Project. “In the education world, teachers, students, career counselors, administrators and parents utilize this book to encourage current students to get involved in high school CTE classes. The book is a direct reflection on the success many of our graduates have had, and continue to have, in their careers. You can search by career, pathway, school, county or any other word that would help your students.” Want tobe included in thebook? If you are involved in education or have a former CTE student that you think would be a good addition to this book, visit the Illinois CTE Graduate Profile Flipping Book web page.

The CTE Graduate Profile Flipping Book is an ongoing project for the ILCTE Team. New submissions are consistently being added. The Flipping Book link is a ‘live’ link, which means it automatically updates when you click on it. Feel free to share this book with others and invite your CTE graduates to submit their data form. Here’s what graduates said appearing in the book: CaitlynMorris PlainfieldSouthHighSchool Bachelor of Science in Nursing Registered Nurse “To be in the Graduate Booklet is such an honor. I hope that I am able to inspire younger students everywhere to explore their passion in a career field. Thank you for giving me this opportunity!” JadaSims

RomeovilleHighSchool Bachelor of Science in Nursing Registered Nurse

“Being part of the Graduate Booklet was an honor for me. I am proud to share how far I have come on my career journey. I hope to

have inspired others through sharing my journey.”

If you have any questions, email Rod McQuality at rdmcqua@ilstu.edu.

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CONFERENCE 56th Annual

April 7–8, 2021

Dr. Courtney Orzel, IASA Associate Director of Professional Development

2021 SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR We will hear encouraging and inspiring remarks from our very own, Illinois Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Donna Leak. You don’t want to miss this! SPEAKER EMANUEL “CHRIS”WELCH Speaker Welch and Dr. Clark will join us on Day 2 to have a dialogue about the Speaker, his goals and what’s coming for A new twist this year will be two sessions offered during the lunch time on Day 1 to gather with your colleagues around the state surrounding topics of interest to all superintendents and district leaders. Grab your lunch and join in to listen, learn and grow together! GAMIFICATION For those who love a good competition, we’ll be launching a game filled with opportunities for you to engage with the conference before and during the event. HASHTAG Start using #IASA2021 for this year’s conference...we’ll be pushing out great information about all of the conference events! MINDFULNESSMATTERS If you haven’t had a chance to experience meditation and motivation with Dr. Nancy Blair yet, then here is your chance! Join us each morning at 7 a.m. to hear from Dr. Blair and get yourself into the right mindset to take on the day! K–12 education. SUPT TO SUPT

We are excited to launch the 56th Annual IASA Conference to be held virtually on April 7 and 8. This year’s conference will be interactive, informative, engaging and a celebration of YOU! KEYNOTES We will launch on Wednesday morning with a welcome from Dr. Clark and Dr. Zimmerman and then get ready to be inspired by INKY JOHNSON (watch videos of Inky). We’ll wrap up on Thursday with DON YAEGER. This is a great opportunity to have your leadership teams listen in with you on these keynotes, and leave you all feeling ready to take on every challenge! IGNITE Ignite is back, and it will be on fire! Dr. Donna Leak will share her experiences serving on the Illinois State Board of Education; Jon Green and Brett Elliott will light the stage with energy, passion and purpose; Hillary Stanifer will share her story of entering the superintendency during a pandemic; and Tony Sanders will share words of wisdom on the importance of building and maintaining relationships. BREAKOUT SESSIONS With over 110 amazing submissions for breakouts, we have selected 35 sessions to be highlighted by superintendents across the state. Breakouts will include board/superintendent relations, mental health, equity, innovation, finance and many, many more topics of interest for every IASA member.

continued... This year’s conference, while virtual, will be interactive, engaging and FUN...don’t miss it!

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CONFERENCE 56th Annual

April 7–8, 2021 Superintendency the

Hear Dynamic Keynote Speakers Join us at 8 a.m. Wednesday for the First General Session to hear a powerful and inspirational Don’t miss the Third General Session at 10:45

a.m. Thursday to learn more about what characteristics made sports legends and business leaders great. As a sports writer

message from our keynote speaker, Inky Johnson. The presentation

Inky Johnson speaker, athlete, author

Don Yaeger speaker, editor, author

is intended to empower and

inspire all to remember in life people don’t burnout because of what they do—people burnout because life makes us forget “WHY” we do it. Johnson’s presentation is high energy and personal as he brings a unique perspective about overcoming life’s challenges. In college, he seemed destined to the NFL before his future was dramatically altered due to a severe injury. Through it all, Johnson never gave up hope. Don’t miss this dynamic and empowering message that will help you recharge and be reminded about how to not only be great in your career, but every aspect of your life.

and author of more than two dozen books, Don Yaeger had a front row seat with some of the greatest winners in athletics. Using rich personal accounts gathered from more than 25 years of interviews, Don has distilled Sixteen Consistent Characteristics of Greatness. Join us for an easy and engaging presentation that will help you better understand how you can achieve a higher level of personal success.

State Superintendent Dr. Carmen Ayala will share a welcoming message at 8 a.m. Thursday.

Chris Welch, Speaker of the House with Dr. Brent Clark, IASA Executive Director

Join us April 8 at 10 a.m. for a fast-moving conversation between new Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and IASA Executive Director Dr. Brent Clark. They will discuss the Speaker’s background, experience in education and what he sees coming for K–12 in 2021. This is a can’t miss opportunity.

Dr. Carmen Ayala, IL. State Superintendent

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Register Here

IASA Executive Director Dr. Brent Clark and Associate Professional Development Director Dr. Courtney Orzel join Dr. Vic Zimmerman, IASA President, in this video highlighting why you shouldn’t miss this conference!

Superintendent to Superintendent Sessions Grab your lunch and learn with other superintendents across Illinois in our new Superintendent to Superintendent virtual session. This session is a perfect opportunity to come together with your peers from across the state to discuss the topics that matter the most. Participants will be able to choose two different sessions to attend that will be facilitated by other superintendents. Wednesday 12:05 and 12:30 p.m. Mindfulness Sessions The past year has been challenging, chaotic, stressful and tested everyone’s overall mental and emotional health. In order to make it through this marathon and continue to be the strongest leader possible, superintendents need to be mindful of their personal health and wellness. Join Dr. Nancy Blair for a mindfulness session that will get you centered for the conference while reflecting on your own mindfulness as a leader. 7–7:30 a.m. both days. Mindfulness matters !

NEW!

NEW!

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35 Breakout Sessions

Wednesday: 10:15 to 11:05 a.m. • Who are the Exemplars in YOUR Organization? • Playing to Win: How Springfield 186 Played by Their Own Rules to Win Big in 2018 • SUPERMOMS: You Can Have the Cake and Eat It Too! • Building Capacity for Opportunities—Rethinking the Elementary • Pretend we are at the Celtic Mist right now (aimed at 1st through 3rd year Supts) • Combining data and digital systems to expand work-based learning experiences • Why Police Academy? Wednesday: 11:10 a.m. to Noon • Planning for a Strike: Creating a Strike Plan that Considers the Needs of Students, Families, Employees, and the Community • Born from Crisis: An Emerging Framework for Leadership in an Ever-Changing World • Innovation & Inquiry: Teaching & Leading in 21st Century Classrooms • Greatest Lessons Learned during the Superintendency • So, What’s YOUR New Normal Look Like? • Be Aware and Reflect on the “Nine Lessons from the Black Parents” and gauge where they are along their leadership journey • Launching Illinois Personal Learning Network! Wednesday: 1 to 1:55 p.m. • Oversight Strategies for School Finances • It’s the ADULTS. How and Why Adult Learning Drives Student Learning • Practical Preparation—Lessons Learned from a Crisis Averted • LTE Tower: Breaking the Connectivity Barrier • Hit Your Turbo Button • Building Your District’s Social Media Presence: Using Social Media to Tell Your District’s Story and Manage the Message in Time of Crisis • When Your Board Falls Out of Love With You Wednesday: 3 to 3:55 p.m. • Poker, Proverbs, and Interpersonal Prowess: Reading and Managing Emotions at the Meeting Table • Non-Traditional Funding Strategies for K–12 Facilities • Achieving Work/Life Balance by Managing Our Communication and Digital Lives

• The Good Side of COVID: Lessons we can use to build a better education • Personalizing Education Through a Focused Lens of SEL, Equity & Innovation • A Culture of Trust: Board & Staff Relations During the Pandemic • Education in a Violent World: A New Era of Violence Thursday: 8:30 to 9:25 a.m. • Watch Your Language!

• Addressing the Impact of COVID-19: Blending Research and Data to Personalize Instruction • Mental Health: Why It Matters and How School Boards Can Support and Improve the Mental Health of District Staff and Students • Paddling in the Same Direction: School & District Alignment for Success • So, What’s YOUR New Normal Look Like? • The Unfinished Leader • Small School Superintendents and Large School Superintendents: Differences, Similarities and Lessons About Unity

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Ignite Sessions

We will once again be utilizing the fast-paced Ignite format for two virtual sessions. Ignite includes a series of presenters giving 5-minute presentations on a variety of topics using 15–20 slides. The slogan for Ignite presentations is “Enlighten us, but make it quick!” As noted below, the superintendents will share leadership strategies, plans to address the complex challenges caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic and more. Join us at 10 a.m. Wednesday and 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

Session One—Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Dr. Donna Leak Dancing in the Balcony

This session will share the experiences and lessons learned from the perspective of the first practicing superintendent serving on the Illinois State Board of Education.

Jon Green Commit to LSA!

A successful leader must Lead, Serve and Advocate! This quick session will promote, remind and hopefully inspire you to take new actions to Lead, Serve and Advocate for your district.

Session Two—Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

Dr. Hillary Stanifer Becoming a Superintendent during A Global Pandemic...”You’re On Mute” Becoming a superintendent is a challenge. Becoming a superintendent in the midst of a global pandemic...well, enough said! Join this session to hear about the challenges, struggles and successes of a 1st year superintendent leading through the pandemic. Brett M. Elliott P.H.E.A.R.C.E: A Philosophy for Creating the Ultimate Learning Environment A major role as an educational leader is to live by a daily philosophy that creates the Ultimate Learning Environment for students, teachers and staff. In the face of adversity due to the current global pandemic, it has never been more crucial to create a high energy, positive learning experience for students and staff based on shared leadership, strong relationships and trust in our relentless pursuit of excellence. Tony Sanders Leading Large: A Guide to Building and Maintaining Relationships There are many factors to why most leaders of large school districts don’t survive for seven years. The key to success is a lesson familiar to any superintendent— building and maintaining relationships. Join this session to hear strategies and tips in relationship building that have been cultivated over the past seven years that will help you survive in your current role.

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2021 Illinois Superintendent of the Year

A virtual exhibit hall will be open, providing an excellent opportunity to get a quick look at the latest products and services available to Illinois school districts. More than 20 exhibitors have signed up to date, and we expect that number to grow as we get closer to the conference. Dr. Donna Leak, superintendent of Community Consolidated Schools District #168, was named the 2021 Illinois Superintendent of the Year. Don’t miss this session where Dr. Leak will deliver an inspiring message about the challenges school districts navigated this past year and why she believes schools will emerge even stronger. Dr. Leak has been an educator for 32 years and is in her 11th year as superintendent. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Illinois State Board of Education. She is the first active superintendent to ever serve on the ISBE Board. Virtual Exhibit Hall IASA Annual Meeting Active members—join us for the IASA Annual Meeting. You’ll hear an update from IASA Treasurer, Dr. Roger Alvey and a State of the Association Report from Dr. Brent Clark, IASA Executive Director.

NEW!

NEW!

2:30–2:45 p.m. Wednesday.

CONFERENCE 56th Annual

Don’t forget to use our hashtag: #IASA2021

Register Now

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IASA’s 56th Annual Conference Is Made Possible by These Generous Sponsors: Please take time during the conference to visit the virtual exhibit hall and our sponsors. A Contact Us page will be listed on the Virtual Attendee Hub once the site is live. Please take a fewminutes to share a thank you to both sponsors and exhibitors for helping support school administrators.

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March is Women’s History Month

Two Female Leaders Discuss Their Path to the Superintendency And the Successes and Obstacles Each Faced in Their Career

March is National Women’s History Month, which provides a perfect opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of female leaders in Illinois. For this issue, IASA is proud to highlight two tremendous leaders, Dr. Janiece Jackson and Dr. Terri VandeWiele. Dr. Jackson has served as superintendent of Lindop SD #92 since 2015. Lindop is a preK-8 grade district in IASA’s Cook West Region that serves approximately 400 students. Dr. VandeWiele has led Silvis SD #34 since 2015. The preK–8 grade district serves about 640 students in IASA’s Blackhawk Region. IASA asked both Dr. Jackson and Dr. VandeWiele five questions about their journey into the superintendency, successes and challenges each faced in their career, advice for younger superintendents and the progress that has been made to increase the overall number of female superintendents.

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Dr. Terri VandeWiele Blackhawk Silvis SD #34 Enrollment: 640 Type: preK–8

Dr. Janiece Jackson Cook West

Lindop SD #92 Enrollment: 400 Type: preK–8

What made you want to pursue your first superintendency? I had the distinct pleasure of having two very skilled female superintendents that formally and informally mentored me. I always had a keen curiosity about the position and what it entailed, even though I thought that my consideration would be realized more towards my retirement. I sought to leave the classroom because my classes could run themselves, and it was time for a new person to take on that position with new and more innovative ideas. I needed to be challenged differently. My first administrative role was curriculum director and later as personnel director, which provided me the opportunity to work very closely with the superintendent and members of her cabinet. As important as I knew curriculum was to the district, it was not until I became personnel director that I recognized the critical balance that must be created between theory and practice. Although I was an active participant, I observed intently. In fact, I already knew how I would have handled the issues facing my superintendent on a daily basis (or at least I thought I knew). It was clear in my state of unconscious incompetence that all she needed to do was control her Board and speak up. Her style was caring, flexible, collaborative, nurturing and endearing. She was essential for the sake of the climate and culture that she would create in the midst of being in the dead center of the storm. The morale of the district was improving. She made me love my career. I knew that I had no communication issues and that if I touched the heart of teachers and administrators, I could incite the desire to create opportunities for children that were innovative and provided exposure to that which was outside of their normal purview. I continued to be intrigued by the sheer mystery of it all. My takeaway was that things aren’t always as they seem. I had a responsibility to seek understanding before passing judgment. I received my first dose of politics the hard way. My next district was similar in size to the first but an upgrade. A high level of professionalism and customer service was expected and required. The leadership style and dominant traits were polar opposite from my prior experience. My superintendent urged me to work in and/or familiarize myself with each position that I could possibly oversee. I was given the opportunity to serve as dean, assistant principal and

What made you want to pursue your first superintendency? An internal desire to be a servant leader, as well as several influential people in my life, are the reasons I decided to pursue the superintendency. After settling into my career as a high school chemistry teacher, I decided I wanted to continue my education. My superintendent at the time, Dr. Craig Whitlock, encouraged me to pursue a degree in leadership. After earning my principal licensure, he hired me to be a Division Chair at United Township High School. The fact that he believed in me was instrumental in setting me on the path to becoming a superintendent. I have also had the privilege to be mentored by another great United Township High School superintendent, Dr. Jay Morrow. After he was hired to be the superintendent at UTHS, he hired me to be the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Morrow knew that I eventually wanted to be a superintendent, so he allowed me to participate in meetings, phone calls and events that would prepare me for the role. The leaders at United Township provided mentoring and encouragement and the professors at Western Illinois University laid the foundation that I was able to build upon as I developed my leadership skills. They opened my eyes to the complexities of how school systems work and the importance of effective leadership in schools. I quickly learned that, as a teacher, I could impact the lives of the students in my classroom, but as a superintendent, I could impact the lives of all the students in the district. I loved teaching, but after I made that connection, there was no turning back. The actual moment I decided to finally take “the leap” was after I attended a Women in Leadership event that was moderated by Senator Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos. I will never forgot Sen. Duckworth stating that when men apply for a leadership position they assume they are ready for leadership. Women wait to pursue a leadership position until they feel they have enough experience to be ready for leadership. That was the moment that I realized I would never be 100 percent ready for the superintendency and that at some point I would just have to take a leap of faith. Shortly after that meeting, I applied for my first

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Jackson ... cont’d.

not want to remain in the district. When they knew that I cared, the shift began. I am entering my 7th year in the same district, and I am the longest sitting superintendent to date with a 7–0 board in this season. I am a firm believer that with competence, efficiency, a high level of emotional intelligence, patience, prayer and perseverance anything can be accomplished. What have been the biggest keys to your success as a superintendent? My success has been anchored in the remembrance of and commitment to my why, persistence, high expectations, approachability and emotional intelligence. My why is directly connected to my parents. I am the evidence of their relentless efforts to ensure that I was exposed to things outside of my neighborhood and to attain a level of success that they were not privy to. I am a first-generation doctoral degree recipient. I am my parents’ dream come true. Persistence is a characteristic of motivation that is demonstrated by the initiation or production of behavior toward a goal; continued efforts or determination to achieve a particular goal, often in the face of obstacles; greater vigor in responding that usually accompanies motivated behavior. Having the persistence to push through any obstacle that might have been presented allowed me to get through the first five years of my tenure. The superintendency requires that you continue the journey no matter what. Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing, stay the course and NEVER give up. High Expectations drive every decision that I make for children, and the well-being of the district. My mantra has always been: “It is our reasonable duty to educate all children and act as though it is impossible to fail, because good enough—never is. Approachability plays a significant role in building relationships and creating trust. Being approachable has allowed me to connect with staff and show them that we are in this together, no matter what comes. My staff knows that I am never too busy to simply listen, brain partner or be available for them. Emotional Intelligence has served me well. When you reach the heart, you reach the soul and core of any situation that you are presented with. The goal is to be acutely aware of what is needed at the time it is needed and communicate with people in a way that they will receive your message. Reach the heart and you will not go wrong. What advice do you have for first- and second-year female superintendents about the job? My advice for first and second-year female superintendents is to read Games Mother Never Taught You: Corporate

finally principal—a position that I never wanted but loved more than any of my other positions. Having this opportunity allowed me to understand the complexities of each role, but more importantly how to provide resources and remove barriers that might have otherwise been misunderstood. Our administrative team meetings were based on data analysis and providing a plan to move to the next level. At times, I wondered if anything would be good enough. Having high expectations and not accepting excuses was the overall climate and culture of the district. The comparisons and contrasts of my two female mentors evidenced that, although there were different means to an end, the main thing must remain the main thing—student achievement. The fruits of intense monitoring and targeted tasks directly attributed to increased test scores and a nationally-recognized Blue Ribbon School. During those critical experiences, I realized that I had been given a solid foundation and that my actions as a superintendent will impact the lives of future generations. My path to creating a legacy is the unique ability to harness both experiences and provide the necessary resources to remove barriers while communicating in a way that will be received. This requires a vested interest in relationships and a keen understanding of emotional intelligence. It also became evident that although the leadership styles were starkly different, both are critical. At that moment, I knew that I was absolutely capable of being unapologetically relentless in the pursuit of organizational excellence while attending to the heart of the work. I became consciously competent that I must persevere while providing the system what it needs at that moment in time. What were the biggest challenges/ obstacles you faced early on in your superintendency? The biggest challenge/obstacle that I faced early on in my superintendency was being the new kid on the block with no prior relationships at all. I was introduced to a one-school district that was very closely knit. There had not been one superintendent to successfully complete a contract since early 2000. Not only did the staff and other administrators think that it was just a matter of time, but they also thought to just wait me out. Although I had to manage the board as well as my staff, I knew that culture and climate were paramount to any amount of success I could attain. I am grateful to be an introvert because I was truly alone at that moment in time. My goal was to listen, observe and be my authentic self. I began to meet with grade-level teams and simply asked them what their “why” was for remaining in the district and why they might

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VandeWiele ... cont’d.

Gamesmanship for Women, by Betty Lehan Harragan (1978). Even though the copyright is 1978, the message is relevant and appropriate in 2021; stay the course; learn as much as you can about the past because it impacts the future; continue to reinvent yourself; always be receptive to opinions that might differ from your own; listen to seek understanding rather than to respond; don’t be afraid to try something new; remain your authentic self; lean on those who have walked the path that you are currently walking; make every decision with the impact on children at the forefront and NEVER, EVER GIVE UP. How much progress has been made to increase the overall number of female superintendents and what else can be done? Efforts to increase the overall number of female superintendents have increased in the following areas: accessibility and information that is available to access the superintendency. However, there are several equity issues that are unsettling and have not been addressed, including salary, duration of contracts, access to established systems as well as professional networks. In order to create a system that is fully inclusive and intentional, the planning must be consistent as well as systemic. There is no one-size-fits-all magic bullet to remediate a system that has been flawed since its inception. Until these critical issues are addressed, there will remain a status quo of the haves and have nots. It is egregious that those impacted by inequities in the aforementioned are not required to be included in the overall decision-making process for change.

superintendency and got the job. I continue to stay in touch with Rep. Bustos and made sure to thank her for her encouragement. What were the biggest challenges/ obstacles you faced early on in your superintendency? Without a doubt, it was balancing the demands of family and work. Before accepting the position as superintendent of the Silvis School District, I sat down with my children and husband to discuss how things would change if I took the job. They all encouraged me to “go for it” and have supported me every step of the way. My husband in particular has been my biggest cheerleader and believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. I did underestimate the stressors inherent in this job and the impact that it would have on me personally and consequently my family. At the IASA New Superintendents’ Conference, Dr. Tom Bertrand spoke about the importance of self-care and Sara Boucek talked about the importance of being present for your family. At the time, I appreciated what they said, but until I lived the day-to-day stressors of being a superintendent, I didn’t really get it. Over the years, I have learned that I don’t have to do it all alone and that I can’t be everything to everyone. In retrospect, it seems like a simple thing, but for me it was not. Mom guilt is a real thing, and thanks to the Illinois School for Advanced Leadership program, I was able to reframe my thinking around having to do it all. Thank you to my coach, Dr. John Ahlmeyer, Dr. Nancy Blair, Dr. Gary Zabilka and my ISAL V family for helping me grow personally and professionally. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the steep learning curve inherent with this job. When you walk in the office, you don’t know what you don’t know. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new and every challenge is an opportunity to grow as a person. I have found that if I keep my eye on what is best for the students of my district, I can’t go wrong. What have been the biggest keys to your success as a superintendent? I believe the two biggest keys to being a successful superintendent are developing good working relationships and effectively communicating with all stakeholders. It might sound cliché, but it really is true. REALLY getting to know the people in your district and involving employees and families in solving problems is critical. If people feel you really continued on page 17...

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VandeWiele ... cont’d. listen to what they are saying, understand their concerns and employees feel valued, you can accomplish just about anything. Part of effective communication is being sure you don’t isolate yourself. Reaching out to colleagues, asking for help, being vulnerable and knowing it’s alright to not have all the answers is critical. I’m thankful for the network of amazing superintendents that I can call when I have questions. Getting advice and multiple perspectives, particularly from someone who has experienced a similar situation, helps to make better decisions. Being a good superintendent also requires hard work and a vision for the future. Every day, there are many specific tasks and small projects that need to be completed. These small tasks and projects must align with the big picture and the vision for the future. There are only so many hours in the day, so implementation of any new project or program has to align with what you want the district to look like in the future. What advice do you have for first- and second-year female superintendents about the job? Give yourself grace. This is the most challenging job you will ever have, but also the best job you will ever have. Build relationships with everyone you meet, including the board, employees, parents, students and community members. Communicate effectively with the board of education. Your board members should never hear important news about the district from anyone other than you. Listen. Know it’s alright to tell someone that you don’t know the answer to their question. Find out the answer and get back to them. Stay true to yourself. Don’t let someone influence you to make a decision that you don’t truly believe in and that is not best for kids. Understand that you will encounter individuals that have a preconceived notion of your ability, based on your gender. At Augustana University, I was the only woman in my graduating class to earn a chemistry degree. There were MANY times, when stereotypes were projected upon me and inappropriate comments made about my ability, based on my gender. That phenomenon has persisted throughout my professional career. As a new superintendent, I would walk through the vendor exhibits at the Joint Annual Conference

and vendors would immediately start talking to my husband about their product or service. He would kindly explain that I was the superintendent. Gender stereotypes are alive and well, but I refuse to take it personally. The opinions of someone about my gender are their problem, not mine, and it’s not worth wasting my energy worrying about the insecurities of others. How much progress has been made to increase the overall number of female superintendents and what else can be done? I believe progress has been made, but more needs to be done to encourage dynamic women to pursue the superintendency. The last statistic that I read indicated that approximately 70 percent of all K–12 educators in this country are women, while only about 24 percent of superintendents are women. In my opinion, the importance of mentoring cannot be overstated. Mentoring promising female leaders is critical because women may not see in themselves what leadership potential you see in them. It is also critical to have individual conversations with women. The encouragement that I received during personal conversations with people throughout my career is the reason I felt comfortable pursuing the superintendency. Over the last few years, I have encouraged up-and-coming female leaders to pursue a career in educational leadership. If a woman moves into a leadership position, I am going to be there cheering them on. Women also need to support and lift up other women rather than feeling they are in competition with them. I will continue to encourage promising female leaders and let them know they should not be limited by what others think they may or may not be able to do.

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Education Elevat g We continue our series highlighting tremendous educators across Illinois who have given their time and energy to ele- vating the superintendency and public education as a whole. Each month, we will feature two educators who are going the extra mile and truly making a difference beyond their school districts and local communities. While we are aware of many of the contributions administrators are making, we are open to any suggestions for someone to feature next month. To make a recommendation, contact Jason Nevel, IASA Director of Social Media and Publications, at jnevel@iasaedu.org or by calling 217–753–2213. Dr. VonMansfield Homewood Flossmoor CHSD#233 AlettaLawrence Mount Vernon SD#80

Who: Aletta Lawrence, superintendent What: Role model to

Who: Dr. Von Mansfield, superintendent What: Expanded challenging course placement and opportunities for all students to include: College Preparatory, Honors, Advanced Placement; First public high school in the Chicago suburbs to offer a two-year International Baccalaureate program; Offers seven- day-per-week free tutoring for students.

superintendents on how to navigate unique challenges in a high poverty district in rural southern Illinois; Expanded after school programs; Offered summer school; Maximized grant opportunities.

Where: Mount Vernon SD #80, Egyptian When: Superintendent of Mount Vernon SD #80 since 2015. Why: Aletta Lawrence has worked in Mount Vernon SD #80 for 27 years, including the past six as superintendent, three as assistant superintendent, 10 as the district’s preschool principal and the remaining years as the eighth grade math teacher. During that time, she has witnessed the poverty rate in the school district rise from 50 percent to 83 percent. “I have lived in Jefferson County my entire life, and I want to do my part to make it a better place,” Lawrence said. Lawrence is a respected leader and someone her peers turn to when they have questions about how to navigate unique challenges in a high poverty district in rural southern Illinois.

Where: Homewood Flossmoor CHSD #233, Cook South When: Superintendent of Homewood-Flossmoor CHSD #233 since 2008. Why: Dr. Von Mansfield may have been blessed with enough athletic ability to get drafted into the NFL in 1982, but he never lost sight of the importance of an education and his passion to help others. As superintendent, Mansfield continues to elevate the quality of education for students and staff. The district is consistently ranked as one of America’s most respected high schools and has been profiled in the Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, The Daily Beast and Niche. Homewood-Flossmoor CHSD #233 has quadrupled the number of AP courses available to students with 27 AP courses currently offered. State and national district

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Lawrence ... cont’d. Elevat g Despite limited funding, Mount Vernon SD #80 offers both after-school and summer-school programming to students. The district is one of the few in the area with a 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant, which provides federal dollars for after-school programs. “It’s been such a major help for our students and families,” Lawrence said about the after-school program. “In addition to the academic support, we provide the students with meals. This pandemic has shown us how dependent a lot of families are for meals.” Lawrence also encourages her staff and other school leaders in the area to take advantage of grant opportunities to offset funding shortages. In addition, Lawrence has been someone her peers consult with questions about how to provide additional social-emotional support to students. Mount Vernon SD #80 has hired additional social workers and provided professional development for staff in recent years. “We have a lot of students dealing with trauma and our teachers were struggling with how to handle that trauma in the classroom,” Lawrence said. “Our students were hurting, so we needed to come up with a way to better support them.”

Mansfield ... cont’d. leaders have reached out to Mansfield about how to expand AP programming. Mansfield’s knowledge and passion for preparing students for college and careers also established a long connection with the College Board. Mansfield has served as a trustee and chaired the Membership Committee consisting of over 6,000 members world-wide. He has chaired conferences serving national and international educators sponsored by the College Board that focus on academic programming and addressing access and equity for all students. In addition, Homewood Flossmoor CHSD #233 became the first public high school in the Chicago suburbs in 2013 to offer a two-year International Baccalaureate program. “We needed to take down the walls and silos surrounding higher level courses,” Mansfield said. “We’re very proud of what we have accomplished with expanding access to our students through additional supports and resources. We’re one of only a few schools to offer both AP and IB programs.” Under Mansfield’s leadership, Homewood Flossmoor CHSD #233 also became one of the first schools to offer seven-day- per-week free tutoring to students. “It’s really another way we can support all students and not just those who may be struggling with a course,” Mansfield said. “We are providing another layer of support and assistance to ensure student success.”

Looking for the Perfect Candidate? IASA’s Illinois Education Job Bank can help you. • Set up the RSS feed option to automatically post your district vacancy to your district website. • Easily flag your favorite applicants. • Create job posting templates to save you time in the future.

illinoiseducationjobbank.org

IASA Professional Development Opportunities:

For more details, click here to see IASA’s interactive online PD Calendar

When: Dates scheduled each month between now and June.

When: Thursday, March 18.

When: Tuesday, March 16.

When: Wednesday April 21; Wednesday, May 12.

When: Wednesday, April 14; Thursday, May 27. Check with your IASA region to see if a special session is scheduled.

When: Wednesday, May 5; Tuesday, June 15.

When: Tuesday, June 1

The application must be completed by Friday, March 19, 2021.

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LegalCorner

Virtual School BoardMeetings and Electronic Communications

Chad Watkins IASA Associate Director/General Counsel To help school leaders navigate these uncertain times, IASA has partnered with leading law firms throughout Illinois to provide districts with critical guidance during the 2020–21 school year. In every issue of Leadership Matters, the IASA Legal Corner will showcase an article, sometimes several articles, written by attorneys who specialize in legal matters related to education. We have also begun a monthly legal issues podcast to discuss some of your most vital concerns. It is our hope you find the content insightful, timely and helpful in addressing the critical matters you face.

This month, Ottosen DiNolfo Hasenbalg & Castaldo, Ltd. writes about virtual school board meetings and electronic communications. The author is attorney Maureen Anichini Lemon. As a reminder, the articles are provided for informational purposes only, and you are advised to contact your district counsel for legal advice. Click on the link below to access the article.

Please Unmute Yourselves: Virtual School BoardMeetings and Electronic Communications

One year ago this month, Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-07 which suspended the provisions of the Open Meetings Act (OMA) requiring in-person attendance by members of an Illinois public body and limiting when remote participation by such members is permitted. That Executive Order “encouraged” public bodies to postpone consideration of public business. Expecting this to be a short-term concern, many school districts cancelled their March or April 2020 board of education and school board committee meetings.

As the pandemic lingered, school districts could not further postpone their meetings. Some continued to meet in person while others cobbled together virtual meetings. These early remote meetings were wrought with technical difficulties including the risk of being hijacked by outsiders seeking to create havoc. Stories abounded of virtual meetings being interrupted by individuals yelling obscenities or showing pornography. Throughout the next few months, the platforms used for virtual public meetings enhanced their security features... (continue reading)

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Series Part XV

MakingaDifference: WhytheFormula NeedsToBeFunded

Dolton SD #148

Morris SD #54

FiveMoreSchoolDistrictsShare HowEBFBenefitsTheirStudents By Jason Nevel IASA Director of Social Media and Publications

Lincoln CHSD #404

Danville CCSD #118

Hardin County CUSD #1 In August 2018, IASA launched the Making a Difference series to better understand how Evidence-Based Funding is helping Illinois students. Between August 2018 and March 2020, we profiled 80 school districts. One thing was abundantly clear from our conversations with superintendents—the dollars have made an impact. STEM programs were created, social workers and counselors hired, class sizes reduced, electives restored, learning opportunities were expanded and student safety improved, all as a result of the state’s investment into public education. For the second straight year, Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed a spending plan that does not include any additional state dollars into the Evidence-Based Funding Formula. We know not investing in EBF will push districts further away from their adequacy targets and make it harder for schools to provide additional academic and social-emotional support for students. This month, we restart our Making a Difference series with five more stories on how the dollars are improving student outcomes. Telling these stories is important as IASA continues to advocate for the EBF formula to be properly funded over time. You can also find an interactive map on our website with the stories of all 85 schools we have profiled so far.

University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute study as the least healthy county in the state of Illinois. “The need here is huge, and we felt the need to step up,” Geddis said. “Our district is now the second largest health services provider in our county, only trailing the veterans hospital.” The additional funding allowed Danville CCSD #118 to develop numerous partnerships with local and statewide providers. The services include child psychologists, substance abuse counseling and mental health services. In addition, EBF made it possible for the district to hire numerous home-program intervention coordinators that perform much- needed wellness checks on students and families. “The additional support really is a game changer for our students and families,” Geddis said.

Danville CCSD #118

Enrollment: 5,363 FY18: $2 million

FY20: $1.1 million

Type: preK–12

FY19: $1.2 million FY21: Flat Funding

How EBF has made a difference The state’s investment into Evidence Based Funding allowed Danville CCSD #118 to greatly expand social-emotional supports and offer summer school at an elementary school that serves the district’s neediest students. Dr. Alicia Geddis said the district needed to rethink school and seek new ways to support students in response to extensive needs in the community. Danville CCSD #118 is located in Vermillion County, which was ranked by a 2019

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