LM Oct 2021

NewsInBrief

ISBE Announces $100 Million Grant To Support Mental Health Of Students And Educators The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recently announced a $100 million grant to support the social- emotional well-being and mental health of students and educators. The grant will fund partnerships between school districts and community organizations to address the trauma students and educators have experienced during the pandemic. The Community Partnership Grant will help engage both schools and community health and services providers in the treatment of students’ and educators’ mental health needs. The partnership model promotes alignment in identifying and addressing the needs of students and school staff both in and out of school. The partnership model also supports sustainability beyond the initial funding by deepening connections between schools and communities. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 12. Find more information on ISBE’s Mental Health webpage.

Disgusted By Abuse And Politicization, Many School Superintendents Considered Quitting Last Year A new survey by the National Superintendents Roundtable confirms that many school superintendents encountered so much over-the-top rage amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that they wrestled with whether to continue in their jobs. Responses from 400 district leaders over the summer shed light on the intense pressure school leaders are experiencing amidst the pandemic. Respondents described abusive online behavior and physical threats, plus the whiplash of navigating ever- changing state and local policies. The pandemic was coldly politicized, superintendents say, and their workload became outsized as they pivoted to virtual school and introduced safety measures to protect children. “School superintendents are resilient. They turned on a dime to meet the needs of their students during COVID-19. But the highly charged atmosphere around schools has been destructive to our schools and our nation during a time of crisis,” says James Harvey, executive director of • Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of respondents said they considered quitting during the 2020-2021 school year. One said he considered quitting three times. • 83 percent stayed in their current position, while 10 percent reported retiring. Their reasons for staying included dedication to the work; unwillingness to abandon their students, communities and staff during a crisis; a hope the next school year would be better; and protection of their retirement and insurance benefits. • Superintendents weren’t overly concerned about principals leaving their jobs, except in small rural districts. They did predict more teacher turnover for the 2021-2022 school year, however. Wrote one superintendent: “I expect to replace 85% of our teachers this year.” Click Here to read the story. the Roundtable. Other findings:

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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LM October 2021