LM Nov2020

November 2020 L adershipMatters

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Superintendent Check-In: FromRemote to In-Person

New Sick Leave Rule May Affect Retirement

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If you’re searching for a new challenge that will grow you personally and professionally, IASA’s School for Advanced Leadership is for you. Learn more about the program and hear from graduates about how it changed their lives. ISAL VI: NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

How Dr. Carol Kelley and Dan Cox Have Elevated Education

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Professional Development: New Opportunities Continuing

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IASA News in Brief

Superintendent Check-In: Leaders Discuss Transition from Remote to In-Person Learning IASA Legal Corner: Recent Changes to Sick Leave Rule May Affect Retirement

LegalCorner

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Videos From Districts

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IASA Calendar of Events

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if nec., see orig. legal art prototype on pg 9 of summer 2020 issue

StudentResidency intheEraofCOVID-19 DeterminingResidency Of course, only a studentwho isa “resident” of thedistrict can attend tuition-free.Typically, thismeans thata student isa resident of thedistrict inwhichhis parentor legal guardian resides.There are,however,other factorswhichmay influence the student’s residency.As such,districtsmustmake five criticaldeterminations when registering a student: 1) Whether the student is eligible for specialeducation services.... (continue reading)... replace w/ new COVID-19 has impacted every area of school operations and student residency is no exception. Schooldistricts face verifying the residency of newly registered and returning students at the start of each new school year; but 2020 isanythingbut a usual school year.To help you in this process,we will look at bestpractice tips for verifying student residency,and thewrinkles involved in verifying student residency during theCOVID-19 pandemic.

Volume 8, Issue 8 November 2020 LeadershipMatters 20194 Jason Nevel Director of Social Media and Publications jnevel@iasaedu.org

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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 Goal Setting Is Key to Retaining Hope During Challenging Times

Dr. Brent Clark

the educational leaders in your community. As we look out over the horizon of our economy and society, I would encourage every one of you to set short, medium and long-term goals with a bright dot out on the horizon that signals the pandemic is behind us. You have to build the hope. It’s the only way that I know to suggest to you to lead and manage your way through this morass and back to better days and nights. Setting the goals is therapeutic as well as a sense of gaining a control mechanism over an otherwise unwieldly period of time in our society and world. Having put seven months behind us—the good weather is behind us—and facing the winter when we will all be indoors more, we really need a serious dedicated personal self-care path that we can follow out of the woods. And if it’s available, engage a friend’s group as goal setting partners as this could help you stay motivated and on track to collectively work our way forward. One day this all ends and life will return to many normal activities and routines, but until then, we have to have a personal strategy to help navigate the challenge. As superintendents, we need to not only go all in with our own plan but keep an eye out for our colleagues. The struggle is real and only we can understand and truly help each other along the path—we need every superintendent standing when this pandemic ends—and we can make that happen if we help each other along the way and begin to set goals for life after COVID.

In three decades in this business, I have never seen the struggle so real and immersive in every direction as it is right now, seven months into the COVID-19 pandemic. What superintendents are tasked with is making health decisions that they simply are not trained to make, all in the guise of “local control.” We’ve asked repeatedly for clear guidelines and health metrics to help school leaders make informed decisions around in-person, hybrid and remote learning. Instead, superintendents have been forced to interpret and act on public health data, often on their own. As a result, communities have been pitted against each other and are divided within. Caught in the middle of all this are superintendents. It didn’t have to be this way. I won’t rehash and re-litigate the past seven months. My concern is you—the Superintendent of Schools— and what I can do to help you push forward. My worries about the well-being of our school leaders grow by the day when we all assess the conditions on the ground, listen to what is happening in our state and realize that there’s truly no end to this in the short term. This can quickly erode hope and optimism for the future and a person can easily melt into the abyss. Today’s message is my attempt to tell you otherwise. Yes, all of the above is true IMO. However, as leaders we each know about retaining hope, goal setting and the necessary diligence of doing the work. That’s the essence of what I want to impress upon each of you as

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“” It enhanced everything for me... and allowed me to be a better parent and leader.

ISAL V Fellows Discuss the Program’s Impact and Why Superintendents Should Apply for ISAL VI

Dr. Terri VandeWiele enrolled in IASA’s School for Advanced Leadership (ISAL) in 2019 in a position familiar to many superintendents—on the fast track. The demands of the job and her desire to support and care for her family consumed her life, pushing her personal well- being to the back burner. “I had been so busy taking care of my school district, my family, including my parents, that I wasn’t taking care of myself,” says Dr. VandeWiele, superintendent of Silvis SD #34. “During ISAL, I discovered that I needed to be more mindful of what I was doing and why I was doing it.” Dr. VandeWiele was one of 25 graduates of the ISAL V cohort in August, earning her the distinction of being named an ISAL Fellow. She encourages her peers to consider enrolling in the ISAL VI cohort because of the value the program adds to both your personal and professional life. By Jason Nevel IASA Director of Social Media and Publications

“It enhanced everything for me and allowed me to get through personal tragedy,” VandeWiele says. “It also allowed me to be a better parent and a better leader.” Applications are now being accepted for the 18-month professional development program, available exclusively to IASA members. IASA’s goal is to hold ISAL VI in person, in Springfield, beginning April 8. Completed applications must be submitted by Friday, February 5, 2021. LifeChangingProfessional Development Since its inception in 2010, ISAL has produced 123 graduates, many of which have described the experience as “life- changing.” Each cohort typically includes 25 participants. What makes the program unique, according to one of its facilitators, Dr. Gary Zabilka, is that participants are partnered with a coach and create personal and professional growth plans. Each of the coaches are current or retired superintendents who graduated from ISAL.

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Hear From ISAL Graduates: S We asked ISAL V Fellows to record a 90-second video discussing their biggest takeaways from this professional development program. Click each person’s photo to view their video.

Dr. DeAnn Heck Central A&M CUD #21 Abe Lincoln

Michele Jacobs Deer Creek-Mackinaw CUSD #701 Central Illinois Valley

Dr. William Caron Scales Mound CUSD #211 Northwest

Larry Maynard Oakwood CUSD #76 Illini

Martha Ryan-Toye Riverside SD #96 Cook West

Dr. Michele Lindenmeyer Milford Area Public SD #124 Corn Belt

Dr. Kevin Suchinski Hillside SD #93 Cook West

Dr. Terri VandeWiele Silvis SD #34 Blackhawk

Dr. Lori Wilcox Aptakisic-Tripp CCSD #102 Lake

To Apply: SDon’t miss out on this opportunity to grow personally and professionally! Click the link below to fill out an online application for ISAL VI. The program is scheduled to be held the following dates: 2021: April 8–10, June 18–19, August 27–28, October 29–30; 2022: January 14–15, March 4–5, May 13–14, June 17–18. Completed applications must be submitted by Friday, February 5, 2021. Apply here.

Applications NowBeing Accepted for ISAL VI

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ISAL ... cont’d.

In addition, Dr. Zabilka says, the connection and network- ing that comes with being in an 18-month program with your peers from across the state creates bonds that last a lifetime. Throughout the eight weekends participants gather in Springfield for learning sessions, a social aspect is built in that includes nightly dinners where participants network and get to know each other better. “The program is designed to challenge your professional development and make you think a lot about what you are doing to elevate achievement in your schools, but also what you can do for yourself, so you can become a stronger leader,” says Zabilka, a retired superintendent, IASA Field Services Director and ISAL I Fellow. “I have seen more than 100 superintendents go through the program and can say with confidence that the people I have seen come in, and the people who come out, are different.” Larry Maynard, superintendent at Oakwood CUSD #76, says he applied to ISAL V in search of an opportunity to challenge and grow him professionally and personally. He had no idea how big of an impact ISAL V would have. “The relationships, the resourcefulness and the realness that I experienced through the quality of people and leadership and coaching—I am forever grateful,” Maynard says. Each ISAL cohort member participates in enriching and collaborative learning sessions aligned to leadership standards. Speakers are also brought in to address the group. The coach and ISAL participant are given the opportunity to meet outside of the formal cohort gatherings.

capacity distinction between change and transformation is change is trying to fix something that is broken. Transformation renews what is already there and good and uncovers the possibility people have in themselves.” For Dr. VandeWiele, the lessons she learned during ISAL V carry with her. “The beauty is it doesn’t end when the program ends, it’s actually just the beginning.” The training centers around the following five lenses: • Vision • Coherence • Change • Capacity • Culture A ceremony is held upon completion of the program and graduates earn the honor of being named an ISAL Fellow. “It’s a special distinction, and we have found that people who earn the title become more marketable,” Dr. Zabilka says. Transformational Growth The program is also led by Dr. Nancy Blair, Professor Emerita of Doctoral Leadership Studies at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr. Blair is a sought after consultant in leadership formation and sustainability. What attracted Dr. Blair to ISAL initially, and has made her return to lead each cohort over the past 10 years, is an unwavering commitment from IASA’s executive director, Dr. Brent Clark, to superintendent professional development. She describes ISAL as a once in a lifetime opportunity for people to step away from the normal way of doing and being. “It’s really become an extraordinary opportunity for transformational growth,” Dr. Blair says. “To me, the

vision culture coherence

change

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CONFERENCE 56th Superintendency CALLFORPRESENTATIONS Share Your Best PracticesWith Your Colleagues! April7–9,2021 Clickhere to submit aproposal topresent a Breakout Session KeyDate: SubmissionDeadline December31,2020

SCHOOL SERVICE MEMBERS: Take Advantage of Excellent Marketing Opportunities!

Clickhere to:

ReserveaBooth HostaHospitalitySuite forAttendees SponsoranEvent,Meal or General Session

Questions re: Break-Out Sessions or Booth Reservations—contact Jodi Gillespie at jgillespie@iasaedu.org 7 LM November 2020

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. Dan Cox Rochester CUSD#3A Dr. Carol Kelley Oak Park ESD#97

Who: Dr. Carol Kelley, superintendent. What: Advocate and leader in the areas of equity in education, inclusiveness in schools and restorative justice practices. Where: Oak Park ESD #97, Cook West. When: Superintendent at Oak Park Elementary School District 97 since 2015; superintendent at Branchburg Township School District in New Jersey

Who: Dan Cox, superintendent. What: Passionate about advocating for public education and students, helping and supporting his peers with strategic planning and communication strategies. Presented at numerous conferences and helped schools individually. Advocate for equitable and adequate funding for public schools.

Where: Rochester CUSD #3A, Abe Lincoln. When: First year as superintendent of Rochester CUSD #3A; Superintendent at Staunton CUSD #6 from 2015– 2020; Superintendent at Jasper CUD #1 from 2010–2015. Why: Dan Cox is passionate about helping. Throughout his career, he has helped his peers become stronger leaders and has joined the cadre of advocates who helped push for more equitable and adequate funding for Illinois public schools. “I enjoy helping schools,” he says. “I find I get as much value out of it because of what I learn from others.” Cox has presented at numerous conferences, including the IASA Annual Conference, Joint Annual Conference and IASA New Superintendents’ Conference. In addition, he’s worked with school leaders individually and regularly checks in with his peers to see how they’re holding up.

from 2012 to 2015. Why: Becoming an educator wasn’t Dr. Kelley’s original plan. She initially worked in project management at Johnson & Johnson. However, her heart was somewhere else and she began tutoring and mentoring boys who had been expelled for fighting. The experience was eye opening. She switched careers and, since then, has worked tirelessly to create spaces where all learners could be successful. Dr. Kelley is now recognized nationally for building equity in a diverse preK-8 district. At Oak Park District 97, equity and inclusiveness are at the forefront of every decision. That started early on working closely with staff, community members and students to develop a new strategic vision. “We educated the entire community on what it means to

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be a district that focuses on equity, inclusiveness and just what it means to have a positive learning environment that focuses on the whole child,” Dr. Kelley said. District 97 has strived to make sure all students have access to a rigorous curriculum, provided staff with access to the highest quality of instruction material, invested in instructional coaches, redesigned leadership teams, supported and encouraged staff to become National Board Certified Teachers and refined the district’s multi-tiered system of support. The efforts have helped the district narrow the achievement gap and elevate scores on the 5 Essentials Survey. “We want all students to feel like they belong and be confident, consistent achievers, as well as be empowered and passionate scholars,” Dr. Kelley said. Dr. Kelley is also passionate about restorative justice and is committed to focusing district practices through an equity lens. To support those efforts, District 97 partnered with the National Equity Project to help improve culture and climate. “We want all students to experience D97 the same,” she said. “We will continue to be persistent in our goals and meet the challenges in the future head on.” Elevat g Kelley ... cont’d.

Cox ... cont’d. With professional development, the two areas he’s most passionate about are strategic planning and communication. Cox focuses on helping school leaders build connections with stakeholders and set goals around the district’s vision. He also believes strongly in communication and has mentored his peers about how to better communicate with their Board, staff and community. Furthermore, Cox believes strongly that part of his duties include being an advocate for public education. He testified numerous times at the capitol and partnered with IASA and other groups to advocate for equitable and adequate funding for public schools. He also maintains a strong connection with local legislators and makes his voice heard on other issues that impact schools. “I really believe that public education is the best cornerstone of our democracy,” Cox says. “What we need is for all kids to have access to a high quality education and for the districts to have the resources they need to meet the needs of every kid. Superintendents have to be engaged in the process for that to happen.”

HR 101: An Overviewof Essential Employment Laws and Considerations

Don’t miss our latest podcast designed to refresh and improve legal knowledge on employment laws in Illinois. Our guests are Franczek P.C. attorneys Dana Fattore Crumley and Shelli Anderson. Click on the podcast icon below to listen.

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We are wrapping up the second part of Remote Learning 2.0 and have worked with hundreds of educators across the state to integrate remote learning. The Remote Learning Done “Right” session continues to be the most popular session for both administrators and teachers. If you are interested in this opportunity for your district staff, don’t hesitate to contact me. Professional Development IASAPDSTILLGoingStrong; NewOpportunitiesContinuing Dr. Courtney Orzel IASA Associate Director of Professional Development

Part 1: Mon., Nov. 9th from 10–11:30am via Zoom (Target Audience: Superintendents and Administrators) Register Here The first session is designed to provide school district leaders with specific strategies for identifying and actively addressing any potential racial inequities, whether in physical form and/or embedded curriculum, that exist within your respective school district. Leaders will also be provided the opportunity to engage in the initial stages of action planning for successfully expanding your work beyond participation in session one. Part 2: Thurs., Feb. 11th from 10–11:30am via Zoom (Target Audience: Superintendents, Administrators and Teachers) Register Here School administrators are highly encouraged to participate in session two with key teachers in the district. Session two will focus on the lens of a classroom teacher and is designed to provide teachers with a level of understanding related to how to implement equity based, culturally responsive instructional practices at the classroom level. Women inLeadership: Leading, LearningandLiving! Administrators’ Academy We have held two administrators’ academies thus far for Women in Leadership, which have received rave reviews. As a result of this success, we’re adding three additional academies in the spring. The next academy will be held December 8th, and you can register here.

What’sRaceGot toDoWith It? In the wake of tragic national events that highlighted race relations in our country, IASA is proud to partner with Dr. Donna Leak and Dr. Sonya Whitaker on a new workshop series designed to help educators implement more culturally responsive practices in their districts. The first two workshops are free and will be held virtually via Zoom. The hope is to offer Part 3 at the IASA Annual Conference April 7-9 in Springfield.

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Mindfulness matters

! A four-part virtual series to help support the mental and emotional health of superintendents

MindfulnessMatters For the past seven months, superintendents have been tasked with not only serving as the CEO of their school district, but also with making health decisions that they simply are not trained to do. It’s 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. That’s why IASA is launching “Mindfulness Matters!,” a new four-part series that will be held virtually via Zoom. Each session is $25 for IASA members. This four-part workshop offers the full-hearted support of Master Teacher Dr. Nancy Blair and Master Coach Sandye Brown to ensure your empowered engagement during these challenging times. Click Here to read bios of each presenter.

Your investment will yield a self-renewing source of energy and focus by cultivating a system of self-care through mindfulness practices, collegial sharing and commitment to individual growth. Attend all four or any one or more of the stand-alone sessions, scheduled flexibly for your convenience. What to expect: Each one-hour session will begin with a message from Dr. Blair and Ms. Brown. Participants will be placed into breakout rooms with their peers and engage in a meaningful conversation about that day’s topic and other relevant issues facing school leaders. The breakout rooms will provide superintendents an avenue to connect, network and support each other. Each session will end by bringing everyone back together. Don’t miss this opportunity to recharge, reset and focus on your mental and emotional health through a dynamic session led by two experienced leadership coaches. Register here.

WebinarswithWomen: Is theSuperintendency forMe?

Additionally, we are partnering with the Illinois Principals’ Association and will be hosting a five-part series for aspiring female superintendents. We ask all superintendents to send the information to your female cabinet, central office members as well as building principals, assistant principals and teacher leaders who could benefit from the series. Be on the lookout for information on this event. The first session will launch December 1.

I swear it was one of the most amazing workshops ever. Courtney Orzel was more than knowledgeable, shared practical resources, allowed time for reflection and challenged us. It is in my top 3 during the last 20 years of professional learning. Her style of helping you to reflect on practices and embrace the what I can do and how I can grow in this field was thoughtful and well organized. KUDOS for this workshop. I am recommending it to all I know. “”

Participant Testimonial

,

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PD ... cont’d.

Coaching for Leaders: BringingYourWhyBack toYou One of the most popular administrators’ academies right now for both district level teams and IASA regions is Coaching for Leaders: Bringing Your Why Back to You. Formally, this course offers superintendents and other leaders a framework for facilitative and instructional coaching to be used with building principals and others within an administrative team to maximize administrator evaluation effectiveness and impact. The academy is subtitled “Reconnecting With Your Why,” and is intended to be a fun, inspirational and reflective experience about you and your leadership. Participants will start by learning to coach themselves to recapture their spirit and purpose in leading. Contact me if you’re interested corzel@iasaedu.org. I recently attended IASA’s Administrator Academy titled, ‘Bringing Your Why Back to You.’ I chose this AA because it was hosted by Dr. Courtney Orzel, who I know and admire, and to satisfy the requirement for an annual AA. The session was described as ‘…a fun, inspirational, and reflective academy about you and your leadership,’ which proved to be a perfect description of the day. I knew Courtney would make it fun. What I didn’t know is that she would coach me through a reflective effort that reaffirmed and refreshed not only what motivates me every day, but also what I value as a person and leader. I am truly inspired to double down on the things I value with a refreshed energy and new clarity. Thank you to Dr. Orzel and to IASA for making the Administrator Academy requirement meaningful and valuable to us. “” This was the most motivating and powerful admin academy I have ever attended. I was pleased how it focused on our connections with our students and staff, as well as our administrative team. I am proud to be a leader and thankful for this Administrator Academy opportunity today. Thank you. —Dr. Jeff Stawick, Superintendent, CCSD #146, Tinley Park, IL Participant Testimonials “”

Teacher/Principal EvaluationAcademies: ComingSoon! IASA will be providing a list of upcoming academies to meet your requirements. Be on the lookout for these offerings! As always, we’re here to meet your professional learning needs at IASA. Contact me, Dr. Courtney Orzel, Associate Director of PD, with any questions!

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LegalCorner

Thinking About Retirement? Take NoteOf Recent Change To Sick Leave Rule.

Chad Watkins IASA Associate Director/General Counsel

For TRS Tier I members approaching or considering retirement, a recent change to a sick leave rule could have implications on your pension. As you may know, up to two years of service credit can be received for unused, uncompensated sick leave. TRS deems 170 sick leave days as one full year, so for the maximum two full years of service credit, you will need 340 unused, uncompensated sick leave days. As you approach retirement you should check with your district office to confirm how many sick leave days that you have available. If you’ve previously served in another district, I recommend calling TRS to confirm how many sick leave days that they have in your file. Here’s what’s different. TRS rules place several limitations on how districts can provide sick days, however, an April 24th rule change appears to loosen a previously important restriction on providing sick days to administrators. 1 The rule created a new definition of “normal annual sick leave allotment,” which could increase the sick leave allotment given to administrators toward the end of their career. Before the rule change, normal annual sick leave allotment was defined as the sick leave given by the district to its teachers, typically through the collective bargaining agreement or CBA. Under the previous rule, if the district provided administrators in their last four years with more sick leave than offered to the teachers, the district faced an additional employer contribution for providing excess sick leave (a penalty). Naturally, some districts were reluctant to provide any additional sick leave to its administrators for that reason.

Under the present rule, the normal annual sick leave allotment is redefined more favorably to administrators, as the sick leave granted by a district under a contract, removing the reference to the sick leave provided in the CBA. In accordance with the rule, if the CBA provides teachers with 14 sick leave days, and employment contracts provide the principals with 20 days and the superintendent with 25 days, the normal annual sick leave allotment for the employees would be as follows: Teachers: 14, Principals: 20 and Superintendent: 25. Accordingly, a board that provides its administrators with more sick leave than its teachers would not necessarily face a penalty. As such, your board might be more willing to provide you with additional sick days. Even with the rule change, however, there are still other TRS sick leave and retirement considerations that should be taken into account. If you have any questions about your personal sick leave or other matters related to your employment, please do not hesitate to contact me at cwatkins@iasaedu.org. This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal questions regarding your personal employment, IASA members can always feel free to contact IASA Associate Director/General Counsel, Chad Watkins. For district matters, you are advised to contact your district counsel for legal advice.

1 80 Ill. Admin. Code 1650.351

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3 Q uestions S uperintendents’ responses

Superintendent Check-In

Last month in Leadership Matters, we asked nine superintendents from across the state five questions about successes and obstacles in the areas of teaching and learning, social-emotional support and technology. This month, we narrow the focus to three superintendents who recently oversaw the transition from remote learning to either full in-person learning or a blended learning format. Each superintendent shares advice on how to make the transition go smoothly as well as how their districts continue to support remote learners and navigate positive COVID-19 tests. Plus, we once again ask superintendents to share tips for managing stress. We hope this feature is another way superintendents can support each other during this unprecedented time. We are all stronger together.

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3.

1.

Has your district had any positive COVID-19 tests since coming back? If so, how has your district responded?

What advice do you have for superintendents looking to return their districts to in-person learning? What were the most important steps your district took to ensure a smooth transition to in-person learning?

4.

How has your district continued to support remote learners?

2.

5.

What advice do you have for fellow superintendents on dealing with and managing stress associated with the job right now?

Dr. Maura Zinni Three Rivers Frankfort CCSD #157C Enrollment: 2,519 Type: preK–8 Full In-Person Learning

VIEW RESPONSES

Dr. Reginald Lawrence Blackhawk Rock Island/Milan SD #41 Enrollment: 6,337 Type: preK–12 Blended Learning

VIEW RESPONSES

Steve Murphy Shawnee Carbondale CHSD #165 Enrollment: 1,004 Type: 9–12 Blended Learning VIEW RESPONSES

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NewsInBrief

HowSchoolsCanReopenUsingData-DrivenDecisions

When there seems to be no right answer to the reopening question, data can help schools make informed decisions for when and how to return to in-person instruction. Emily Oster, Professor of Economics at Brown University, partnered with a collective of national education organizations to create the National COVID-19 School Response Dashboard. Join this live webinar with Professor Emily Oster and Noelle Ellerson Ng, Associate Executive Director, Advocacy & Governance from AASA, The Webinar: Tuesday, November 17, 10am

Click here to register. Dr. PJ Caposey Gives Education Evolution TED Talk We want to share a unique accomplishment by one of our members, Dr. PJ Caposey, superintendent of Meridian CUSD #223. Dr. Caposey recently recorded a TED Talk that is now available to watch online. TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). It stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. Here is the summary of Dr. Caposey’s Talk: School Superintendents Association, as they explore the data and share how schools across the country can make data-driven decisions about when to re-open. What you will learn in this webinar: • Why schools need accurate COVID-19 data collection and reporting on a national level. • How to enable your educators and community to take action. • How your school or district can benchmark with a personalized local dashboard.

“PJ Caposey is a leader in the education space and a 4 time cancer survivor. In the midst of the pandemic, his creative mind used his dual experiences with education and healthcare to determine a framework for education evolution. PJ’s talk inspires innovation in the education space like no other, by encouraging increased interdependence, for-profit partnerships, and a much faster speed of change. It is no longer about small adaptive steps. To learn from this pandemic and advance our public education to the next phase of its growth, we need evolutionary leaps. Watch PJ Caposey’s talk to envision what a realistic and immediate future for public education looks like.”

ISDLAF+MonthlyUpdate 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 Dr. Donald E. Weber, Senior Vice President, Corporate Relations/ISDLAF+ at 630–657–6435. To check daily rates, visit the ISDLAF+ website at www.isdlafplus.com.

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Focus Your Time and Energy on Students

2020-21 Senate Bill 7 Performance Rankings Tool software improves efficiency by generating reports needed to comply with SB 7 and related laws.

School districts face enormous challenges this year. Compliance with Senate Bill 7 doesn’t have to be an obstacle. IASA’s Senate Bill 7 Performance Rankings Tool improves efficiency in your district by generating reports needed to comply with Senate Bill 7 and other related laws, freeing you up to focus your time and energy more on supporting your students and staff. The program provides districts a method of managing district positions aligned to local qualifications, teacher’s credentials and performance ratings. It’s proven, affordable and used by districts across the state.

http://www.iasasurveys.org Affordable The cost of using this software has never increased. The annual licensing fee is $275 for members and $550 for non-members. Find the access request form at: What’s new? The 2020–2021 file has been enhanced with updates in response to user ideas and is ready for you to purchase and download. It’s never been easier!

“The single spreadsheet created by the SB 7 tool simplifies the categorization of large groups of staff for multifunction use from reports to communication of ratings. ”

—Dr. Scott Wakely, Superintendent Bradley-Bourbonnais CHSD #307

20153

Please note that previous versions of the IASA Senate Bill 7 Performance Rankings File are no longer supported. Also, the service method for the 2020–2021 software will be via email only.

This software was originally reviewed by the Senate Bill 7 teams from the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) and the Illinois Education Association (IEA). The 2020–2021 version of this software builds on the knowledge gained from hundreds of users.

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Videos fromtheDistricts

Martha Ryan-Toye, superintendent of Riverside SD #96 , shared a “day in the life” video with IASA produced by a teacher about the district’s hybrid/remote learning plan. The video is intended to capture the joy and challenges of the 2020–21 school year. A Day In the Life

Send your school videos to jnevel@iasaedu.org. We want to highlight what’s going on in your school districts.

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Calendar of Events IASA Event Professional Development Event

Click here to view the IASA interactive Calendar of Events online.

Legislative Event Region Meeting (Contact your Region President for details)

November 2020

December 2020

Tues. Dec. 1 Shawnee, Illini Tues.–Thurs. Dec. 1–3 GA Veto Session Wed. Dec. 2 Two Rivers

Tues. Nov. 3 Wed. Nov. 4 Thurs. Nov. 5

General Election Day

Northwest

Cook South, Corn Belt

Continuous Improvement in a Data- Driven World...Face of a Child Title IX: Sexual Harassment Complaints Online Training Lake, Southwestern, Three Rivers Webinar: “What’s Race Got to Do With It” DuPage Region Briefing

Fri. Nov. 6

Mon. Dec. 7 Tues. Dec. 8

DuPage Region Briefing

Women in Leadership Admin. Academy Blackhawk

Fri. Dec. 11 Lake, Cook North Mon. Dec. 14

Mon. Nov. 9

DuPage Region Briefing DuPage Region Briefing

Mon. Dec. 21

Tues. Nov. 10 Shawnee, Starved Rock Governmental Relations & Advocacy Committee meeting Wed. Nov. 11 DuPage Thurs. Nov. 12 Kishwaukee, Central IL Valley IASA Board of Directors meeting Fri. Nov. 13 Western Mon. Nov. 16 DuPage Region Briefing Tues. Nov. 17 Abe Lincoln Fri. Nov. 20 Title IX: Sexual Harassment Complaints Online Training Mon. Nov. 23 DuPage Region Briefing Thurs. Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day Mon. Nov. 30 DuPage Region Briefing

Fri. Dec. 25 Christmas Day Mon. Dec. 28

DuPage Region Briefing

Warmest Holidays to You and Your Loved Ones!

Tues.–Thurs. Nov. 17–19 GA Veto Session Wed. Nov. 18 Cook West

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2020–2021 Moon Scholarship Program Are you a superintendent or an aspiring superintendent? Are you pursuing graduate study to become the best superintendent you can be?

Established in 1993 in memory of Dr. James V. Moon, a former superintendent at Morton High School District, the James V. and Dorothy B. Moon Scholarship program is committed to improving the education and qualifications of school administrators. Since its inception, 123 scholarships totaling over $277,805 have been awarded to current or aspiring superintendents. Practicing school administrators in Illinois qualify if they are college graduates pursuing an advanced degree in educational administration at an accredited college or university. Several scholarships ($2,500 minimum each) are awarded each year and are paid directly to the college or university to cover tuition, fees and/or textbook expenses. To obtain more information on the application and awards process, click here or contact Jodi Gillespie at 217–753–2213 or email at jgillespie@iasaedu.org. Do you know there are scholarships available through the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA) to help offset the costs of your coursework?

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, January 1, 2021

School Administrators Foundation for Education

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