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Charleston Schools See Impact of Resurrected CTE Program Leadership Matters Summer 2024

IASA Compliance Plus & PL Opportunities: How the Association is Supporting You IASA Board of Directors FY25: Messages from Past & Current Presidents

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Filling a need, Charleston CUSD #1 launched an innovative program for its high school students that paired renovated facilities with redesigned curriculum. The result: CHS Industries. CHARLESTON SCHOOLS SEE IMPACT OF A RESURRECTED CTE PROGRAM

FY 25 BEGINS

Meet the new IASA FY 25 Board of Directors

Enrollment for Safe School ID Open 60th Annual Conference Keynote Speakers Announced Compliance Plus Participants Share Benefits

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Stressed Leaders Retreat Offers Time for Reflection, Connection and Growth Check Out IASA’s Numerous Upcoming Opportunities for Professional Learning

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The Mess Can Consume Us

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Elevating Education Apply for 2025 Illinois Superintendent of the Year

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Volume 12, Issue 6 Summer 2024 Leadership Matters 24134

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

Jason Nevel Director of Communications jnevel@iasaedu.org

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 Helping IASA Members Feel More Prepared, Supported and Informed in FY 25

Dr. Brent Clark

IASA kicked off a new fiscal year on a high note last week by welcoming 70 new district leaders to the field at the 2024 IASA New Superintendents Conference. It’s a fun experiment every year to ask a poll question at the kickoff about how you’re feeling and then re-ask the question on Day 2. The responses reflect one of the reasons why IASA hosts the event each year. People begin the conference saying they are anxious, tired and terrified. On Day 2, the responses lean more positive, with participants noting they are more prepared, supported and informed. As the association looks ahead in FY 25, our hope at IASA is to offer high-level support and services that make members across our state feel like the respondents did on Day 2. A key part of that equation is adding Dr. Dawn Bridges as our new Associate Director of Professional Learning. Dr. Bridges comes to IASA with three decades of experience in both the public and private sectors as well as helping schools in suburban, urban and rural settings. She is a staunch advocate for ALL students and is already exploring enhancements for IASA members through increased opportunities for site visits and continuous professional learning events. We’re also hoping to provide better support with the addition of two new Field Services Directors in Dr. Brian Harris and Dr. Sheila Harrison-Williams as well as two Directors of Academic Empowerment through a partnership with ISBE. Dr. Gary Zabilka, our longest serving FSD, has stepped into a new role as Coordinator of Transitions and Connections. On the legislative front, IASA will be supporting and informing our members through the rollout of the Vision 2030 platform at the Joint Annual Conference in November.

The advocacy framework seeks to propel Illinois forward in designing a system that better serves the needs of diverse learners, attracts new people to the profession, redefines student success and continues the state toward long-term sustainable funding. Your help will once again be needed. We will need to build a groundswell of support through advocacy and the passage of Board Resolutions, which send a powerful message to legislators that the principles laid out in Vision 2030 are what educators stand for. The network of support and connections with your peers that IASA provides will also be critical as we head into a highly consequential presidential election. Being able to learn from your peers and communicate your district’s successes will be essential in maintaining support from your community and Board. Finally, in less than three months, IASA will host our 60th Annual Conference in Springfield. The event is always the perfect opportunity to network, learn about innovative programs and hear from inspiring speakers. Check out page 8 to learn more about this year’s keynote speakers. Lodging and registration will open in early August. To close, IASA remains committed to helping our members become more prepared, supported and informed by offering high-quality support and services. If there is ever a service you wish the association provided, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here for you. Thank you for your support and enjoy the rest of summer.

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Charleston Schools See Impact of a Resurrected CTE Program

Story Submitted by Charleston CUSD #1

Fast-Growing Program Recently recognized as the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year , CHS Industries currently consists of six “subsidiaries,” which include agricultural and manufacturing, a “Trojan Brew” café, a bakery, a design center for textile printing, an auto detailing center and a greenhouse. Rather than competing with local businesses, the subsidiaries are designed to generate revenues from product sales “so that these programs are not only sustainable but can be improved upon over the coming years,” according to Aaron Lock, Charleston High School’s principal. Lock added that, as a high school principal, he has “been blessed to be able to pursue real-world, real-life work experiences and opportunities for our students.” The impact on students was immediate and is growing. Within a year of launching CHS Industries, enrollment in Career and Technical Education classes increased from

In the March 2024 issue of Leadership Matters , IASA Executive Director Dr. Brent Clark made a plea for our public education system to adjust with the paradigm shift toward workforce readiness training programs. Recognizing such a need years ago, Charleston CUSD #1 launched an innovative program for its high school students that paired renovated facilities with redesigned curriculum. “We had a window of opportunity to do something special for our kids—to engage them through hands-on learning and interdependent experiences,” said Dr. Todd Vilardo, the district’s superintendent. “We would have squandered time and money by either only renovating our outdated vocational building or only re-writing our curriculum. We needed to do both simultaneously, so we envisioned students and teachers working across subject areas to design, create, market, and sell products—all while gaining workforce and business skills.” The result: CHS Industries.

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McKenzie Snoddy, one of the founding teachers of CHS Industries: “In the end, it’s for the students, by the students and with the students at Charleston High School.” Manolo Concepcion, CTE teacher: “The intersection between life-skills acquisition, project based learning and teamwork in a dynamic classroom environment where every student has a voice and opportunity to be transformational.” CTE Focus at the Middle School These changes for the district, however, are not exclusive to the high school. Charleston Middle School also added a CTE teacher and exploratory class in 2022, and the district is establishing eight Career Pathways and is redesigning its curriculum around competency based educational and leadership practices throughout each of its K–12 schools. Kristen Holly, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, highlights that the district’s “goals are ultimately to prepare our students for the future, for the day after high school. We work toward these goals through our Competency-Based Education instructional model, our Portrait of a Graduate, Career Pathways, Leader in Me and CTE programs. By giving students opportunities to learn about careers, set goals, develop essential skills and academic readiness, and participate in work-based learning experiences outside of school, they are getting a robust and individualized school experience.” continued...

97 to 305 students. As a result, the district needed to add a CTE specialist and two additional CTE teachers in the past two years, according to Chad Burgett, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services, who oversaw the design team that worked with the district’s architectural firm, The Upchurch Group, to create functional, safe learning spaces. In addition, the number of students signing up for internships within the business and industry community has recently doubled. CTE specialist Angie Niebrugge, who supervises the internship program, sees the change in students every day. “When I stepped into this role almost three years ago, we had around 20 students in our internship program. Next year, I’m excited to say that I have the chance to work with over 80 juniors and seniors. The goal is to provide an internship opportunity for every student before they graduate high school. The word is getting out about the opportunities available for our students and that excitement is spreading.” Views about the success of the program are widespread throughout the district. Ben Oakley, Agricultural Educator and FFA Advisory: “Since the birth of CHS Industries, and the remodel of the Trojan A&M center, I have seen students succeed who may struggle in a traditional classroom setting and get excited to come to school again.” Amy Jackson, CHS teacher: “Everyone has a place in CHS Industries to share their talents, interests, and/or explore a career in a safe environment.”

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and

introduce

Joint sponsors

Why Important? In Illinois, thousands of vendor employees enter schools annually. While there are background check systems in place for school parents, guests and district employees, there is no comprehensive system available to school districts to vet and manage their school vendor employees.

Introduce New School Vendor Security System

Enrollment for Schools and Vendors Portal Now Open

Missed Informational Session?

Ensuring student safety is multi-faceted, but one way to provide another layer of security, and manage risk, is to vet more of the people that enter school buildings and campuses. Safe School ID, a new jointly sponsored program by IASA and IARSS, provides the tools and the power to fully vet and manage every vendor employee who enters a school—at no additional cost to the district. SSID conducts background checks on all vendor employees, providing your district another tool in liability and risk management. The vendor management system is also designed to streamline access control by managing vendor entries with a sophisticated system that registers, verifies, and tracks all visitors. What’s unique about SSID is that schools retain 100% control over who they ultimately allow into their respective schools. SSID simply provides the tools, database, and tracking mechanisms for schools to make the most informed decisions.

Watch Recording on IASA Website

Questions: contact katie@safeschoolid.net.

How It Works

Since May 1, school districts have been able to opt into SSID through a Board resolution and registering online. Notices can then be sent to all vendors. A Board resolution template and a draft letter for vendors to streamline the process is available below. Since June 1, vendors can access the SSID portal to register and upload employee documents for background verification. The results of the verification process would be available to both the district and the vendor for each employee that is background verified and is in service to the district. If approved, verified employees will receive a personalized QR code validation badge that can be downloaded into iOS or Android wallet and/or accessed online via smartphone. Printed and laminated badges can be purchased by the vendor through a third party vendor at an additional cost. SSID performs extensive background checks on each employee registered. There will be quarterly, automated re-verification for frequent vendor employees and annual automated re-verifications for infrequent vendor employees. Districts will retain final control of who they allow on school premises. Once a vendor employee receives an SSID badge it would be usable at other participating districts, and the subsequent employee would not have to be re-verified for each district within the given timeframe.

Vendors Save with Early Bird Registration

There is a fee for this service and the vendor would be responsible for the fee. An early adopter period will run from June 1 through September 30 for vendors to process their employees at $99/badge; beginning in October the regular price of $129/badge would be in place. SSID badges are individually issued and cannot be shared amongst vendor employees.

Adopt Board Resolution

Sign Up at SafeSchoolID.net

Draft Letter to Vendors

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CTE ... cont’d.

Is it working? “We look for the results in the students themselves,” said Niebrugge, CTE specialist. “Many seniors have already secured jobs or enrolled in trade schools and are continuing the career path they discovered within CHS Industries. Only in its infancy, CHS Industries has provided so many opportunities for our students. We are just getting started and it is exciting to think of where we will be in the future.” One student, Parker Pounds, tells of the value of his experiences throughout his four years at Charleston High School in stating how “the A&M center was the place I would call home. From the teachers to the people, the A&M center was one of the main reasons I even showed up to school and was excited to go. I never enjoyed being stuck at a desk or learning something that was only a concept and was never

applied. I had to see it to understand or put it into action and the A&M center gave me that ability and showed me there is a world where I don’t sit behind a desk for the rest of my life.” Community support and partnerships are also vital to the program’s success. “None of this would be possible without the support of our Board of Education and the financial backing of the County Schools Facilities Tax and the Charleston Area Community Foundation,” said Vilardo. “This is a community that, while demographically diverse, has a collaborative culture—the benefits of which can be seen in the success of our youth.”

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LEVERAGING LEADERSHIP ANNUAL CONFERENCE 60 th Racing Toward Excellence

Sept. 25–27, 2024 BOS Center and the President Abraham Lincoln Springfield— A DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE Sponsor an Event, Meal or Speaker and be seen by over 650 Illinois superintendents and school administrators attending our conference over three days. Click here to learn more! For School Service Members Marlon Styles served as an educational leader for 17 years and was super intendent of Middletown City Schools in Ohio from 2017–2023. Under his leadership, the district was awarded the ISTE Distinguished District Award in 2019. He is a member of the District Administration Leadership Institute’s Advisory Board. He was also named K–12 Dive’s 2020 Superintendent of the Year in 2020 for his advocacy and leadership to close equity gaps on a national stage. Registration To Open Early August! FEATURED KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Meagan Johnson is a generational expert, speaker and author. While working for companies like Quaker Oats, Kraft Foods and Xerox in the 1990s, she began to hear negative comments about Gen Xers. Fascinated by the behav ior, she set out to debunk generational myths. Her research gave birth to thousands of presentations and the best-selling book, Generations Inc., From Boomers To Linksters: Managing the Friction Between Generations at Work. Joe Sanfelippo recently retired after serving 12 years as superintendent of the Fall Creek School District in Fall Creek in Wisconsin. The district was named an Innovative District by the International Center for Leadership in Education twice during that time. In addition, Joe was selected as 1 of 117 Future Ready Superintendents and 1 of 50 Superintendents as a Personalized Learning Leader by the US Department of Education. Education Dive named Joe their National Superintendent of the Year in 2019.

New IASA Board Of Directors for FY 2025 FY2025

The four IASA regions that will have new representatives on the board are: • Dr. Scott Dearman, Central Illinois Valley, replaces Dr. Chad Wagner (term expires June 30,2025) • Dr. Brad Detering, Kaskaskia, replaces Dr. Scott Doerr, (term expires June 30, 2026) • Sheri Smith, Northwest, replaces Timothy Schurman, (term expires June 30, 2027) • Dr. Carrie Hruby, Southwestern, replaces Matt Stines, (term expires June 30, 2027) Lastly, we want to say thank you and goodbye to the following school leaders for their service on the IASA Board of Directors. Their vision and passion helped move IASA forward. • Dr. Kevin Blankenship, Past President (board member since 2018) • Dr. Chad Wagner, Central Illinois Valley, (board member since 2022) • Timothy Schurman, Northwest

A new fiscal year ushers in changes to the IASA Board of Directors—the primary decision-making body of IASA consisting of members of the 21 IASA regions and an at-large representative. IASA is also divided into three Super Regions: Northcentral, Northeastern and Southern. Each consists of seven IASA regions from which the board rotationally elects the IASA president. On July 1, the IASA Board of Directors welcomed four new faces, as well as some changes to the five officer positions. Here is a look at the FY 2025 officers: • President: Dr. Anthony Scarsella, Palos CCSD #118, Northeastern Super Region • President-Elect: Dr. Scott Doerr, Nokomis CUSD #22, Southern Super Region • Past President: Dr. Roger Alvey, Illini Bluffs CUSD #327, Northcentral Super Region • Treasurer: Barb Thompson, Fisher CUSD #1, Illini Region • Secretary: Dr. Steven Wrobleski, La Salle-Peru Twp HSD #120, Starved Rock

(board member since 2018) • Matt Stines, Southwestern (board member since 2021)

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BOARD ... cont’d.

New IASA Board Of

Goodbye Message from Dr. Roger Alvey, Past President

As I reflect on my tenure as President of the Illinois Association of School Administrators, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and pride. It has been an incredible journey, one that has enriched my life both personally and professionally. When I assumed this role, I shared with you the profound influence my upbringing as the son of a lifelong educator had on my values and aspirations. As I bid farewell to this position, I am more convinced than ever of the enduring importance of those values: dedication, integrity and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of our students. The role of a superintendent is fraught with unique challenges. We navigate complex educational landscapes, balance diverse stakeholder interests and face ever-evolving policy demands. Yet, amidst these challenges, lies a tremendous opportunity— to mold and shape the future. Every decision we make, every initiative we champion and every relationship we build has the potential to profoundly impact the lives of children across Illinois. Our guiding principle has always been, and must always be, doing what is best for kids. The relationships I have built as a school superintendent, and as your President, have been some of the most rewarding aspects of my career. IASA has played a pivotal role in these experiences. This organization has been a steadfast ally, offering support in myriad ways—from legal assistance and mentoring to networking opportunities, professional development and legislative advocacy. The services provided by IASA are unparalleled, and they have been instrumental in helping me navigate the complexities of our profession. Our collective strength as an organization lies in the commitment and camaraderie of our members. I have had the privilege of getting to know so many dedicated professionals across the state. Your passion for education and your relentless pursuit of excellence are truly inspiring. Together, we have

faced challenges head-on, celebrated our successes and learned from our experiences. The bonds we have forged, and the knowledge we have shared, are testaments to the power of collaboration and mutual support. As I step down from my role as President, I am confident that IASA will continue to thrive and grow under the leadership of Dr. Anthony Scarsella as President, Dr. Brent Clark as Executive Director and the talented and dedicated IASA staff. In addition, the passion and expertise of IASA members will ensure that we remain a formidable force in advocating for and advancing public education in Illinois. Thanks to Vision 2030, a roadmap has been created to design a system that better serves the needs of diverse learners, attracts new people to the profession, redefines student success and continues the state toward long-term sustainable funding. I encourage each of you to stay engaged, continue to support one another and remain steadfast in our shared mission. Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving as your President. It has been an unforgettable journey, and I look forward to continuing our work together as a proud member of this extraordinary organization.

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Directors for FY2025

Welcome Message from Dr. Anthony Scarsella, President

I have been fortunate to serve Palos School District 118 for the past 17 years as an administrator. In June, I completed my 10th year as its superintendent. As I reflect upon the last 10 years, I’m heartened by the many successes we’ve celebrated in District 118. Since becoming superintendent, we’ve passed two successful referendums, won a National Blue Ribbon Award, achieved Exemplary School designations from ISBE all while enjoying strong support from families and the community. Our students have surpassed pre-pandemic achievement in both reading and math, even as student needs continue to grow at an unprecedented pace. I share these successes not to brag about my own leadership. I owe these accomplishments to so many who have supported me along the way. Growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, I was fortunate to have a family that instilled in me the importance of education at a young age. I had a mentor, the late Dr. Joesph Dubec, who encouraged me to earn my doctorate and pursue the superintendency, ultimately succeeding him at District 118. These people saw something in me I didn’t necessarily see in myself. I would have never been a superintendent if it were not for them. I also owe my success to my colleagues. The superintendents in the High School District 230 feeder group—Bob Nolting, Jeff Stawick, John Bryk, Mark Fleming and Dan Callaghan. Merryl Brownlow at Palos Heights School District 128, with whom I serve the Palos Heights community. Jeannie Stachowiak, the recently retired superintendent of North Palos School District 117, who I have learned so much from these past 10 years. And, lastly, all my current and past friends in the IASA Cook South region. These superintendents make up my network of support; a network so strong I have yet to confront a challenge they haven’t helped me overcome. IASA has played a crucial role in my professional support system, so it’s a privilege to serve as IASA President for FY 25. The opportunity to serve as a representative for superintendents across Illinois is both an honor and a responsibility that I approach with utmost seriousness and appreciation. The supports IASA offers has been incredibly impactful on my career, especially my participation in the IASA School for Advanced Leadership—a program that I encourage all superintendents to consider

whether you’re new to the position or nearing retirement. The Annual Conference in September has provided me with great learning opportunities and a place to catch up with friends. The online legal seminars have been outstanding, and who doesn’t like free legal advice? Our IASA advocates in the General Assembly give me a voice in Springfield I might not otherwise have. If you haven’t taken advantage of the many supports IASA offers superintendents, I encourage you to consider doing so. I promise you it is worth your valuable time. During my year as President of the IASA Board of Directors, my focus will be on making sure every superintendent has an equally strong network of support as I do. This job is too difficult to do alone. Only our colleagues know and fully understand the demands both professionally and personally our positions place on us and our families. With each other’s support, we can ensure our collective success and the success of the students we proudly serve. I have heard many times that the superintendency is a lonely place. I plan on spending the next 12 months dispelling that myth. I firmly believe it is only as lonely as you make it. There are over 800 of us in Illinois ready and willing to lend support, all you have to do is ask. And, when you’re building or expanding your network of support, don’t limit yourself to just those serving in your region. I have had the great pleasure and honor of serving on the IASA Board of Directors with some of the most outstanding leaders from all regions of the state. We have so much more in common than you might think, first and foremost the kids we serve. To close, I will admit I never thought being IASA President was in the cards. I didn’t seek the position and am completely humbled to have been chosen. I promise to spend my short time as President doing everything I can to support you and all our colleagues across the state. I wish everyone a very safe and joyous summer and look forward to meeting you at the various IASA events this year!

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BOARD ... cont’d.

New IASA Board Of O F F I C E R S

Treasurer and Illini Barbara Thompson

Secretary and Starved Rock Dr. Steven Wrobleski Superintendent La Salle-Peru Twp HSD #120

President Dr. Roger Alvey Superintendent Illini Bluffs CUSD #327

President-Elect Dr. Scott Doerr Superintendent Nokomis CUSD #22

Past President Dr. Roger Alvey Superintendent Illini Bluffs CUSD #327

Superintendent Fisher CUSD #1

Abe Lincoln Tip Reedy Superintendent Williamsville CUSD #15

Blackhawk Dr. Jay Morrow Superintendent United TWP HSD #30

Central IL Valley Dr. Scott Dearman Superintendent Dunlap CUSD #323

Cook North Dr. Donald Angelaccio Superintendent Prospect Heights SD #23

Corn Belt Dr. Ryan McGuckin Superintendent Woodland CUSD #5

DuPage Dr. Hank Thiele Superintendent CHSD #99

Cook West Dr. Kevin Skinkis Superintendent Riverside-Brookfield Twp HSD #208

Cook South Dr. Jeff Stawick Superintendent CCSD #146

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Directors for FY2025

Lake Robert Gold Superintendent Big Hollow SD #38

Kaskaskia Dr. Brad Detering Superintendent Salem CHSD #600

Kishwaukee Stephen Wilder Superintendent Sycamore CUSD #427

Egyptian Richard Towers Superintendent Christopher USD #99

Three Rivers Dr. John Palan Superintendent Grant Park CUSD #6

Shawnee Dr. Lori James-Gross Superintendent Unity Point CCSD #140

Southwestern Dr. Carrie Hruby Superintendent O’Fallon CCSD #90

Northwest Dr. Sheri Smith Superintendent Forrestville Valley CUSD #221

Two Rivers Dr. Kelle Bunch Superintendent Liberty CUSD #2

Wabash Valley Andrew Johnson Superintendent Effingham CUSD #40

Western Christopher Janssen Superintendent Spoon River Valley CUSD #4

At-Large Dr. Kimako Patterson Chief of Staff, ISBE

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Need Help With Compliance?

licensure

mandates

RISK MANAGEMENT

CERTIFICATIONS

TRAINING

audits

restrictions

reports

requisites



TORT FUNDS

employment

ISBE Systems

grants

regulations

RECORDS

IASA Compliance Plus Provides On-Demand and Customized Support

Renewed for 2nd Year

Supports offered include: • Navigating ISBE financial systems and website. • Templates and checklists. • Systems for tracking licensure requirements and mandates. • Support and guidance on employment requirements. • Expenditure report assistance. • IARSS Electronic Compliance Instrument/probe.

IASA launched Compliance Plus last year to help districts save time and navigate ISBE and ROE compliance more efficiently. What participants found was the program extended well beyond compliance, helping district leaders maximize transportation claims, utilize indirect costs and implement more streamlined procedures. Based on overwhelmingly positive feedback, IASA Compliance Plus is returning for the 2024–25 school year. Sign up today to be among the 40 districts that have access to facilitators Cheryl Graff, former Regional Superintendent, and Robert Wolfe, former Chief Financial Officer at ISBE. Cheryl and Robert provide on-demand and customized support to your questions on a wide range of matters dealing with school finance and compliance. Cost Flat rate of $5,200 per district. This service will likely align with your district’s Risk Management Plan, making tort funds available. Contact your district’s legal counsel.

Facilitators

• Cheryl Graff served as Regional Superintendent in ROE #30 for 6 1 /2 years before retiring. • Robert Wolfe recently retired from ISBE after 33-plus years as Chief Financial Officer.

Availability

Exclusively to the first 40 districts who confirm interest and intent of payment for this additional IASA membership service.

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Participants Share How Compliance Plus Benefitted Their Districts:

Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, Peoria SD #150, Central Illinois Valley Region

• Described Compliance Plus as “best investment district has ever made.” • Saved and generated funds for Peoria SD #150 through a better understanding of indirect costs. • Facilitators met regularly with new staff to answer financial questions and create an inventory system for purchases.

Joshua Stafford, Vienna HSD #13-3, Shawnee Region

• Increased district revenue through realization district could claim additional expenses in transportation claims. • Received feedback and corrections on a 200-plus page district consolidation study, saving hours of time. • Leveraged knowledge to streamline teacher licensure, renewals, transcripts and hiring practices.

Sydney Stigge-Kaufman, East St. Louis SD #189, Southwestern Region

• Ensured district was up to date and aware of state grant opportunities. • Staff received in person and virtual training on student record keeping and other processes. • Received a website review and task calendar to help district remain on track with compliance issues.

Dr. Paul O’Malley, Butler SD #53, DuPage Region

• Saved district leaders significant time by reviewing grant documents to prevent errors and bounce backs • Notified proactively of grant opportunities and upcoming deadlines. • Freed up time to focus on educational issues rather than compliance matters

Next Steps

Complete CompliancePLUS interest form.

Learn more about how IASA Compliance Plus has benefitted districts by watching testimonial clips (above) from past participants and then complete the Interest Form. Please note filling out the form does not lock your district into participation. IASA will follow up for confirmation and send an invoice later.

Questions? Contact Jason Nevel at jnevel@iasaedu.org or call 217–753–2213

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The Mess Can Consume Us

Stressed Leaders Retreat Empowers Leaders to Face, Tackle and Rise Above the Challenges of Leadership

By Dan Stecken, Superintendent Seneca Twp HSD #160

with like-minded leaders, and think about what needs to happen for us to be at our best, especially in times of crisis.” I was hired as superintendent of Seneca Twp HSD #160 in July 2021. This concept came to me as I listened, intently, to those colleagues of mine at meetings and conferences, who seemed to be drowning in the problems that we all face. “The mess” can consume us, and I wanted to provide an opportunity for professional development that gives back to our leaders and empowers them to face, tackle, and rise above the challenges of leadership. I shared with the group about struggling with “The Striver’s Curse,” and a need to “Shock the System.” Mike Donatelli, a fitness coach, shared his experience training and

Rochester Superintendent Dan Cox shared that powerful reflection to a crowd of 25 educational leaders at the first Stressed Leaders Retreat, held at the tranquil setting of Camp Aramoni in the Starved Rock area. Dan, along with other educators and leaders in the public and private sector, met to tackle stress When was the last time you did something for the FIRST TIME?

coaching leaders who struggle to put themselves first and led us on a networking hike. Then, we explored Starved Rock Country on the Saint Genevieve River Boat and wrapped up day one at the Lone Buffalo Brewery. Here elementary school teacher Sara Olson shared her journey of being a transformational leader, who always put herself last, until a heroic fight against cancer changed her life. Her story made an impact on the group.

management techniques as well as to come together as like-minded leaders to grow professionally and personally. For two days, the group shared stories, successes and challenges superintendents face in the spirit of being our best, to lead those we serve. “The retreat accomplished the goals of being just that, a true empowering leadership retreat,” an attendee said in an evaluation survey. “We could all retreat from the everyday workday,

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“I was a bit skeptical, but the retreat was more than I ever expected,” a participant said in their evaluation survey. “Taking care of me was really put into perspective. I have been making what would be considered a small commitment to working out, etc. The ideas I gathered from the retreat have lit a fire to push me to commit to doing more hard things.” Day 2 of the event began with an optional “Earn Your Sunrise” Fun Run led by Dan Cox and Mike Donatelli, two running enthusiasts who preached to our group to “Just Start” and challenged the group to “Do Hard Things.” Back at camp, professional photographer Jake Carr, of J7 Images, shared a powerful message of the meaning of our portrait and offered

professional headshots to our leaders. Dan then told his story of loss and triumph as he challenged the group to Do Hard Things by embracing a team-building event of a Ruck Hike at Starved Rock State Park. As the two-day event wrapped up, I shared a vision with the group for leadership accountability measures that continues post conference in an app-based platform for growth. We learned a lot from this first event and are already gearing up for a second retreat next summer. The goal is to hold the retreat on June 23rd and 24th in Starved Rock Country. More information will be posted at a later date at stressedleaders.com.

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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 some one to feature next month. To make a recommendation, contact Jason Nevel, IASA Director of Communications, at jnevel@iasaedu.org or by calling 217–753–2213. Mark Jontry Regional Office of Education # 17 Dr. Terri Bresnahan Community Cons SD # 59

Who: Mark Jontry, regional superintendent What: Expanded professional development offerings; Enhanced alternative programs; Helped develop The Math Center; Helped launch the Central Illinois Bridge Academy; Past President of IARSS

Who: Dr. Terri Bresnahan, superintendent What: Embedded a culture of continuous school improvement; Improved literacy and math scores districtwide; Enhanced dual language programs; Added additional supports for newcomer students; Partnered with Wheeling CCSD #21 to add a Director of School Safety; Vision 2030 Workgroup Chair; IASA

Where: Regional Office of Education # 17, Corn Belt

Superintendent Transition Team member; Executive Board member for the Suburban Superintendents Association; Board member for the Suburban Superintendents Roundtable. Where: Community Cons SD #59, Cook North When: Superintendent of Community Cons SD #59 since July 2021; Superintendent of Berkeley SD #87 from July 2015 to June 2021 Why: In her 10 years as superintendent, Dr. Terri Bresnahan has served as a leader who is both student-centered and teacher-centered. “The role of a superintendent has the privilege and responsibility to advocate and serve on behalf of all children,” Dr. Bresnahan said. “It’s one of the most impactful roles in terms of service to public education. I want to serve in a way that gives voice to those who are working with our kids. Teachers are our most vital partners in doing this work.”

When: Regional Superintendent in ROE #17 since 2008 Why: As a former teacher and assistant principal, Mark Jontry enjoyed the direct support he could provide to students. However, he also felt like he could positively impact education on a larger scale. It wasn’t hard to find a pathway. Jontry’s father, Gene, was a Regional Superintendent in ROE #17 throughout the 1990s. He was succeeded by Larry Daghe. When Daghe’s Assistant Superintendent retired, Daghe reached out to Jontry to gauge interest. “I saw opportunities to expand programs for at-risk kids in the four counties we serve and decided to take the plunge,” Jontry said. “I had some familiarity, but I quickly realized how much I didn’t know. I took the time to learn and understand. I have not regretted that decision.”

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Education Elevat g

Jontry ... cont’d. Jontry served as Assistant Regional Superintendent for four years before being elected to the top role in 2008, a position he’s held ever since. A major focus has been offering professional development to the educators in the 30 public districts and 20 private schools ROE #17 serves. The office even took the additional step of going through an accreditation process to ensure the PD being offered was high quality. One of the crowning programs has been The Math Center. Jontry facilitated a process that included over 200 educators convening to develop a math curriculum aligned to Illinois Learning Standards. Hundreds of educators have enrolled in the training over the past five years. “We’ve helped our teachers better align their math instruction and, at the same time, really dived into teaching and learning practices with a focus on having a growth mindset,” Jontry said. “The program has been phenomenally successful. Coming out of the pandemic, we’ve had multiple districts indicate they saw growth in their statewide math scores.” The expansion of alternative programming has been a major focus for Jontry. ROE #17 runs two alternative programs in Bloomington and Livingston County. His office recently partnered with Livingston County Special Services to bring all programs under one roof. Meanwhile, the Bloomington alternative program is set to expand in two years and serve more students thanks to a grant Jontry’s office secured and a partnership he helped facilitate with social service agencies. “We’re going to make it easier for families to get services such as medical, dental and psychiatric support,” Jontry said. “It’s going to be huge for us. We had a waitlist last year and this will greatly increase our capacity.” Jontry also helped launch the Central Illinois Bridge Academy. The program serves students with internalizing mental health concerns at risk of hospitalization or returning from hospitalization. The program started two years ago with five students and has since increased to 38 students in grades 6-12. “We’ve demonstrated we’re filling a need,” Jontry said. Jontry served as President of the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools from 2017-2019. During that time, he helped elevate the IARSS Teacher Shortage Survey, which has generated significant awareness around the depths of the teacher shortage in Illinois. “I have always had the philosophy that our office should be service oriented,” Jontry said. “The Teacher Shortage Survey is another way we can be in service to schools.”

Bresnahan ... cont’d.

As superintendent of Community Cons SD #59, Dr. Bresnahan has tried to embed a culture of continuous school improvement through the adoption of a robust curriculum, ongoing professional development, impactful interventions, the hiring of additional personnel and implementation of increased social-emotional support. The district recently completed Year 3 of its new math program and is heading into Year 2 of its new literacy program. The early results are encouraging. Community Cons SD #59 has made significant growth, outpacing the state average in growth in math and is anticipated to meet or exceed the state average in both literacy and math. “It really is a long-term sustainable plan deeply rooted at the classroom level,” Dr. Bresnahan said. “We’re proud of the work. It’s been implemented with fidelity and included a lot of pieces that have come together to produce significant gains on both state benchmarks and local assessments.” Community Cons SD #59 has also been at the forefront of offering dual language programs and focusing on continuous improvement. The elementary district of 5,660 students offers dual language programs in both Spanish and Polish. Dr. Bresnahan has actively sought to ensure authentic curricular resources and materials that are equitable to what students receive in monolingual classrooms. Supporting newcomer students has also been a priority. Last year, Community Cons SD #59 added 325 newcomer students representing 39 different countries prompting the district to invest in language translation programs as well as additional ESL staff. “We have done some innovative things for newcomer students, including expanding our leadership team, offering unique professional learning opportunities to support teachers, and providing academic and SEL supports for students and families,” Dr. Bresnahan said. Safety has also been a focus. Community Cons SD #59 partnered with Wheeling CCSD #21 to share a Director of School Safety, providing another layer of security. Outside of her school district, Dr. Bresnahan served on the IASA COVID-19 Transition Team and is chair of the Accountability subcommittee for the Vision 2030 Workgroup. She also serves on the Executive Board for the Suburban Superintendents Association and is on the board for the Suburban Superintendents Roundtable.

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Membership Drive FY 2025

ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

RENEW OR JOIN IASA TODAY

OR

Online Registration FY 2025 Now Available here.

Download here and print your copy of the IASA Active Membership Invoice for 2025

TO ALL SUPERINTENDENTS:

Have you changed your email address? @

Will you be retiring this year?

Are you a new superintendent?

Will you be changing districts this year?

Please let us know your status change immediately. We don’t want you to miss any important IASA news or information!

If you have questions about IASA membership, contact Ashleigh Knudson at 217–753–2213, or aknudson@iasaedu.org by September 1, 2024

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School Service Membership

ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

DOES YOUR COMPANY SEEK MORE VISIBILITY AMONG IASA MEMBERS? Supporting IASA via School Service Membership is your entry point to IASA and our members! Maximize your marketing dollars and gain visibility with more than 1,000 school superintendents and administrators in Illinois. You gain:

IASA Membership Directory: Annual publication, available in print and online, includes contact information for all Illinois public school district

Exhibiting Opportunities Be an exhibitor at the IASA Annual Conference, which attracts more than 650 school administrators to Springfield in September.

Advertising Opportunities School Service members can advertise in the Membership Directory, Annual Report, Superintendent’s Toolkit, Eye on Education, etc.

IASA Illinois Education Job Bank: Post job listings on Illinois’ premier education job site.

superintendents and other key personnel.

If you have any questions on IASA membership, please contact Ashleigh Knudson at 217–753–2213 or aknudson@iasaedu.org.

Upgrade to IASA’S Corporate Partner Program. IASA Corporate Partners enjoy School Service Member benefits plus enhanced opportunities for facetime with IASA members. By becoming an IASA Corporate Partner, you significantly increase your visibility with those who make the daily purchasing decisions that affect their schools. Sponsorship opportunities include: WANT EVEN MORE VISIBILITY?

Silver Level Gold Level Platinum Level President’s Circle Level School Service Membership LEVELS OF VISIBILITY:

IASA Annual Conference Whether it’s the conference program, app, website or an in-person event, multiple sponsorship opportunities are available.

Receptions Sponsoring a reception at an IASA event is the perfect opportunity to gain visibility with IASA members in person.

IASA Publications and Podcast Gain recognition by

IASA Events Throughout the year, IASA hosts various academies, workshops, webinars and other events that attract hundreds of superintendents.

Video Library and IASA App Increase visibility by sponsoring IASA’s Video Library or the IASA App, which are utilized daily by IASA members across the state.

sponsoring or advertising in Eye on Education daily news brief, Annual Report, Superintendent’s Toolkit, Membership Directory, or the IASA Podcast.

Contact Cherry Middleton at 217–753–2213 or at cmiddleton@iasaedu.org for more information on Corporate Partnership.

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Looking for IASA Resources? Visit the IASA Website iasaedu.org

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14 22 LM Summer 2024 LM May 2024

Legal Corner

Chad Watkins IASA Associate Director/General Counsel

To help school leaders navigate uncertain times, IASA has partnered with leading law firms throughout Illinois to provide districts with critical guidance during the 2024–25 school year. In Leadership Matters , the IASA Legal Corner will showcase an article written by attorneys who specialize in legal matters related to education. It is our hope you find the content insightful, timely and helpful in addressing the critical matters you face.

This issue, attorneys from Kriha Boucek share their insights on the Title VI Fact Sheet distributed by the Office For Civil Rights. As a reminder, IASA Legal Corner 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.

Office for Civil Rights Title VI Fact Sheet

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a Title VI Fact Sheet on July 2, 2024, addressing the uptick in complaints alleging discrimination based on race, color, and national origin in PK–12 school districts and colleges/universities. The Fact Sheet was issued in direct response to protests held on school campuses (mostly post-secondary) in the wake of

the Israel-Hamas War. It follows on the heels of OCR’s Dear Colleague Letter dated May 7, 2024 on the same topic. As a quick reminder, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its implementing regulations prohibit discrimination or harassment in programs that receive... (continue reading)...

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Professional Learning

Dr. Dawn Bridges IASA Associate Director of Professional Learning

Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome to IASA. I am excited to build connections and help talented and dedicated district leaders improve outcomes for students. IASA can support you in your mission through our full slate of professional learning opportunities that can be brought directly to your district or region.

In addition to administrator academies and workshops, IASA can help with Administrative Retreats or Institute Days. Contact me if you are interested in learning more. To close, check out our full slate of scheduled professional learning opportunities and be on the lookout for information about cohorts. Registration is coming soon!

IASA Offering Initial and Retraining Academies for Principal and Teacher Evaluation, Student Growth Need Evaluator Credits?

If you or anyone in your district is in need of evaluator training to fulfill state requirements, IASA has you covered. Multiple sessions are being offered in FY 2025 beginning in July.

info•register

Budget

Starting at the

Basics

Beginning

This workshop is intended for new and early career superintendents/bookkeepers, but it may also be valuable to veteran superintendents in need of a thorough review of the budgeting process. The six-hour workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 3p.m.

Are you in need of an introductory workshop that will walk you through the budget process from development of the tentative budget through adoption of the final budget? IASA has you covered. Four sessions of our popular Budget Basics finance workshop, presented by Diane Robertson, a retired superintendent and IASA Field Services Director, are scheduled from July 15–22.

info•register

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