IASB Journal January February 2023

TThis is the 50th issue of the Illinois School Board Journal that I have had the honor to edit for the members of the Illinois Association of School Boards. Over that time the look has changed a lot, the tone has changed a little, but the mission remains the same: to serve school board members with information and insights to be effective in their governance role.

This issue includes two usual topics of interest to our readers — coverage of the Joint Annual Conference, and the annual study of administrator salaries. Our reporting of each of these has had some twists and turns over the years.

The administrator salaries series began in 1995. From then through the 2010s, teams of academic researchers, mostly over time from Western Illinois University, surveyed school districts for salary information. Nowadays, the state requires districts provide that information to the Illinois State Board of Education, and further requires ISBE to make it publicly available. Technology, and the School Code, have ultimately simplified the work needed to continue this series. And that’s a

good thing, if reader reaction and requests are any indication. We are pleased that our readers use this information. This year’s installment in the Administrator Salaries series begins on page 7.

In the old days, the Joint Annual Conference would fill the an extra-large issue of the Journal Every panel session had a reporter, and IASB printed them all, with a few small black-and-white photographs. For example, following the 1980 Conference, the Journal was 78 pages, all of them black, white, or grey except a spot-color cover that is extremely early ‘80s. This feat of publication engineering was published in January 1981 — the same timeline we use now. And I thought I was busy.

In the intervening 40 years, the Journal cut back its Conference coverage to almost nothing before reinstating it and arriving at where it is today — an overview plus highlights and scenes from each day — in color. If you missed the 2022 Joint Annual Conference, or if you attended and want to see if you “made” any of the photos, our colorful coverage starts on page 12. If you

didn’t find yourself in these pages, there’s many more in an online photo gallery at iasb.com/conference.

As always, IASB publishes the Journal with our readers in mind. We’d love to hear from you, especially if you wish to suggest a topic that would help you, or contribute a column or article that might help others, as we serve you with information and insights to be effective in your governance role. And thanks for reading.

Theresa Kelly Gegen is Editor of the Illinois School Board Journal

Table of Contents

COVER STORY 7

Watching the Numbers: Administrator Salaries

By Theresa Kelly Gegen

The latest installment in IASB's Administrator Salaries Series takes us through the time of the coronavirus pandemic. Salaries and their incremental changes have remained fairly consistent.

FEATURE ARTICLES

12 Partners in Excellence Gather In Chicago

By Kara Kienzler, with Michael Hudson Photography

Revisit the moments and highlights of the 89th Joint Annual Conference, which gathers Illinois school district leaders committed to providing all students with the best possible educational experience.

First General Session Takes Conference to the ‘Next Level’

REGULAR FEATURES

2 Front Page

4 From the Field Unlocking the Team of 8 20 Practical PR The Need for Verification in Social Media 26 ICYMI Innovation for Equitable Access 27 ICYMI 10 Things I Hate About Bargaining: Trends in Collective Bargaining 30 Milestones 31 Insights

Kara

Kienzler, Associate Executive Director

Theresa

Kelly Gegen, Editor

Bridget Kusturin, Advertising Manager

Jennifer

Nelson, Copy Editor

Katie Grant, Design and Production

Jeff Armbruster, Typesetting

ILLINOIS SCHOOL BOARD JOURNAL (ISSN-0019-221X) is published every other month by the Illinois Association of School Boards, 2921 Baker Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703-5929 (217) 5289688. The IASB regional office is located at One Imperial Place, 1 East 22nd Street, Lombard, Illinois 60148-6120 (630) 629-3776.

The JOURNAL is supported by the dues of school boards holding active membership in the Illinois Association of School Boards. Copies are mailed to all school board members and the superintendent in each IASB member school district.

Non-member subscription rate: Domestic $20 per year. Foreign (including Canada and Mexico) $25 per year.

Publication Policy

IASB believes that the domestic process functions best through frank and open discussion. Material published in the JOURNAL, therefore, often presents divergent and controversial points of view which do not necessarily represent the views or policies of IASB.

Copyright © 2023 by the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), the JOURNAL is published six times a year and is distributed to its members and subscribers. Copyright in this publication, including all articles and editorial information contained in it is exclusively owned by IASB, and IASB reserves all rights to such information. IASB is a tax-exempt corporation organized in accordance with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Unlocking the Team of 8

By Laura Martinez

SSomething I think about a lot is how unique the team of eight is: seven laypeople elected to govern a school district and one educational professional hired to manage it. A school board is responsible for a multi-million dollar budget and is also the boss of a highly educated professional. How on earth does this work? In my eight years working with board members and superintendents, I have noticed four key answers to that question.

One way this team of eight works is that board members must understand the magnitude of their responsibility. It is not merely attending board meetings monthly and handing out diplomas yearly. It is making tough decisions, sometimes not in the best interest of their own children. It is making sure there is enough money for the district to run. It is evaluating the superintendent, a key endeavor in accountability. It is taking action on personnel decisions, both hiring and terminating. It is making sure its policies are legally compliant and being informed about the pertinent laws. And, as we have seen recently, it is listening to angry, sometimes aggressive, stakeholders. When board members understand the full responsibility, they are eager to make sure they are doing a good job.

The second way the team of eight works is when board members understand their governance role. This work is probably unlike anything they’ve encountered. Governance is not necessarily intrinsic, and in governance, things move slowly. The board doesn’t manage the district, but instead ensures the person in place to manage it is doing their job. The board empowers and gives latitude. Board members who want to be more active often leave their place in the balcony and start creeping onto the dance floor. But the best way to be more active is to direct energy towards knowing the role, living it, learning more about it, and helping fellow board members do the same.

A third way that the team of eight works is when the board has plans in place that will help transitions go

IASB Board of Directors

As of December 15, 2022

PRESIDENT

Simon Kampwerth Jr. VICE PRESIDENT Mark Harms

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT omas Neeley

TREASURER Tim Custis

ABE LINCOLN

Christopher Gordon BLACKHAWK Vacant

CENTRAL ILLINOIS VALLEY Tim Custis CORN BELT Nick Sartoris DUPAGE omas Ruggio EGYPTIAN Lisa Irvin

ILLINI Michelle Skinlo KASKASKIA Linda Eades KISHWAUKEE Robert Geddeis LAKE Marc Tepper NORTH COOK Alva Kreutzer

NORTHWEST Chris Buikema

SHAWNEE Sheila Nelson SOUTH COOK Joyce Dickerson

SOUTHWESTERN Mark Christ

STARVED ROCK Jim McCabe THREE RIVERS Liz Campbell TWO RIVERS Tracie Sayre

WABASH VALLEY Mandy Rieman WEST COOK Janice Roeder WESTERN Sue McCance SERVICE ASSOCIATES Mark Jolicoeur

The vision of the Illinois Association of School Boards is excellence in local school board governance supporting quality public education.

The mission of the Illinois Association of School Boards is to Light the Way for its members by developing their competence and confidence through a robust toolkit designed to build excellence in local school board governance, including

• Premier training experiences;

• Networking opportunities for mutual support;

• Valuable benefits, pooled services, information, and expertise;

• Advocacy on behalf of public education; and

• A platform for a strong collective voice on common interests and concerns.

smoothly when the board turns over. Clear board policy is key, because it spans transitions and provides continuity for the district’s work toward its mission, vision, and goals. Board protocols put in writing the ways the board has agreed to work together, such as the importance of the confidentiality of closed session, and whom to contact with questions about the meeting agenda. Maintaining a positive board culture is another factor. This can look different for each board, but key components that I’ve seen are trust, respect, and communication. A robust orientation process for new board members — beyond a handshake, a binder, and the dates of Joint Annual Conference — is important as well.

Finally, the team of eight is people, and that means relationships, which is the fourth answer. Relationships among team members are vital because people who know each other work better together. Knowing each other’s stories, quirks, communication styles, and passions will help the team connect. The superintendent should make an effort to get to know each board member as well. The boss is the board, but the board has seven individuals who all have a story.

The team of eight is a unique concept, though it exists in 800plus school districts in Illinois. Each team member wants the best for the district, and unlocking the team of eight is how to get there effectively and successfully. 

Laura Martinez is Field Services Director with the Illinois Association of School Boards for the Kishwaukee, Northwest, and Lake Divisions.

IASB Administration and Sta

As of December 15, 2022

OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

omas Bertrand, Executive Director

Tulsi Srinivasan, HR Director Chris Montrey, Admin. Assistant

EXECUTIVE SEARCHES

omas Leahy, Director Tim Buss, Consultant

Jim Helton, Consultant Dave Love, Consultant Alan Molby, Consultant

Patricia Sullivan-Viniard, Consultant Mary Torgler, Admin. Assistant

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Chris Lawton, Director Patrick Shea, Assistant Manager

MEETINGS MANAGEMENT

Carla S. Bolt, Director Natalie Duke, Assistant Manager

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Jennifer Feld, Chief Financial O cer/Associate Executive Director Karen Faith, Assistant Business Manager

Camille Gillette, Specialist III Ruth Ann Ferris, Receptionist Sally Kimmel, Receptionist

COMMUNICATIONS

Kara Kienzler, Associate Executive Director eresa Kelly Gegen, Director Heath Hendren, Director Jennifer Nelson, Director Isaac Warren, Assistant Director Bridget Kusturin, Admin. Assistant

PRODUCTION SERVICES

Katie Grant, Director

Toby Chiles, Lead Print Shop Operator Je Armbruster, Print Shop Operator/Graphics

GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

W. Bryan Soady, Associate Executive Director

Zach Messersmith, Director Mary Ellen Buch, Admin. Assistant

OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL

Kimberly Small, General Counsel/Associate Executive Director

Maryam Brotine, Assistant General Counsel

Debra Jacobson, Assistant General Counsel

Ummehani Faizullabhoy, Assistant Director Michael Ifkovits, Legal Assistant

POLICY SERVICES

Angie Powell, Senior Director

Nicholas Baumann, Director

Boyd Fergurson, Director Tammie Ng, Director

Breanna Rabacchi, Assistant Manager

Emily Tavernor, Assistant Manager

John Fines, Admin. Assistant Tasha Levy, Admin. Assistant Jennifer Robinson, Specialist

BOARD DEVELOPMENT

Dean Langdon, Associate Executive Director

Sandra Kwasa, Director

Kathryn Bulava, Assistant Director

Rhonda Cass Mackiney, Assistant Director

Haylie Noltensmeier, Admin. Assistant Linda Zulaski, Admin. Assistant

FIELD AND EQUITY SERVICES

Nakia Hall, Associate Executive Director Reatha Owen, Senior Director

Patrick Allen, Director

Arlana Bedard, Director

Lori Grant, Director

Perry Hill IV, Director

Laura Martinez, Director Natalie Williams-McMahon, Director Yolanda Chavez, Admin. Assistant Nancy Johnson, Admin. Assistant Chelsea Reimann, Admin. Assistant Cindy Rispens, Admin. Assistant Shantel Rotherham, Admin. Assistant Miranda Smith, Admin. Assistant Gretchen Watson, Admin. Assistant

Sta emails: First initial and last name preceding iasb.com

Watching the Numbers: Administrator Salaries

By Theresa Kelly Gegen

TThe next installment of the Administrator Salaries Series, a long-running semi-annual feature in the Illinois School Board Journal, takes us through the time of the coronavirus pandemic. Unlike nearly every other facet of public education, however, salaries and their incremental changes have remained fairly consistent.

We look this year at salaries for district superintendents and assistant or associate district superintendents, principals and assistant

principals, and other administrators, as reported by the school districts to the Illinois State Board of Education as required by the Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/10-20.47 and 5/34-18.38). The data are publicly available and nomenclatures, including position descriptions and titles, are established by ISBE. The Journal’s work organizes the data as has been historically done in this series by year, position, and region. Historically, this study does not count Chicago Public Schools,

which due to its outsized numbers, nomenclature, and governance structure make comparisons ineffective. We also eliminate charter schools, many of which use non-standard position titles or have incomplete entries, and as a result are statistically insignificant. An adjustment this year was made to incorporate full-time equivalent salaries instead of using only full-time personnel for 2020 and 2021 comparisons. This change is to incorporate the data available with as much

clarity as possible. This makes the total personnel count slightly higher, but proves statistically insignificant for comparing year-to-year. It does mean the salary numbers used in our 2020 report are slightly different from what readers will find below. We again include, where appropriate, monetary benefits as found in the reported data. In a few cases, benefits and retirement packages as reported were significant enough to skew the numbers for an entire category. Such salaries with outlier numbers were omitted from our study.

From 2020 to 2021, across all categories, statewide, salaries increased, but by smaller percentages than in the past year. We’ve seen this pattern before, where a year of overall 2-3% increases in average salaries by category is followed by smaller incremental increases — but still increases — in the next year.

Superintendents

Taking a look at the statewide data (Table 1), in 2020, districts reported salaries for 1,297

Table 1: Superintendent Salaries

superintendents, 853 district superintendents and 444 assistant/associate superintendents. The average, full-time equivalent salary plus benefits for all was $187,035. The 2020 average was $187,904 for district superintendents and $185,370 for assistants and associates.

A year later, in 2021, our tables show districts reported salaries for 1,308 superintendents, 846 district superintendents and 462 assistants or associates. The average full time equivalent salary plus benefits for all superintendents was $190,082. The average for district superintendents was $191,323 and for assistants/associates was $187,765.

One might expect a greater difference between the chief executives and assistants. There is a statistical explanation for this: Most of the associate or assistant superintendents (369 of 462, or 79%) are in the state’s Northeast Region where in all categories and subsets, salaries are the highest.

Thus, the average salary for district superintendents rose 1.8% from 2020 to 2021 and for assistants

and associates the average salary increased 1.3%.

Principals

Statewide in 2020 (Table 3), districts reported salaries for 5,267 total principals, counting 3,116 principals and 2,151 assistant principals. The average, full-time equivalent salary plus benefits for all was $124,268. The 2020 average was $130,374 for principals and $115,424 for assistants.

A year later, in 2021, districts reported salaries for 5,279 total principals, including 3,102 principals and 2,177 assistants. The average, full-time equivalent salary plus benefits for all was $125,733. The 2021 average was $132,636 for principals and $115,897 for assistants.

Thus, the average salary for principals rose 1.7% from 2020 to 2021. In that same span for assistant principals the average salary increased 0.4%. Retirement incentives and benefits for principals made up most of the renumeration for many individuals in this category. Regionally (Table 4),

Average Salary Comparison 2020 to 2021, Statewide

District Superintendents

Years Number High Average % Change Median

Reported Salary Salary of Average

2020 853 $396,030 $187,904 $181,723 to 2021 846 $410,248 $191,323 +1.8% $178,646

Assistant/Associate Superintendents

Years

2020 444 $333,321 $185,370 $185,002 to 2021 462 $323,544 $187,765 +1.3% $190,132

All Superintendents

Years

2020 1,297 $396,030 $187,035 $181,723 to 2021 1,308 $410,248 $190,082 +1.6% $185,728

Full-time equivalent salary plus benefits. Source: ISBE

Table 2: Superintendent Salaries Regional Salary Comparison, 2020 to 2021

2020 Number Low High Average Median

Northwest 121 $50,000 $354,394 $172,709 $166,626

Northeast 318 $31,423 $396,030 $240,210 $242,420

West Central 112 $76,397 $292,174 $160,199 $155,363

East Central 101 $62,999 $299,885 $164,394 $159,801

Southwest 92 $42,550 $285,251 $149,387 $150,429

Southeast 109 $39,000 $239,937 $133,467 $130,274

All 853 $31,423 $396,030 $187,904 $181,723

2021 Number Low High Average Median

Northwest 124 $52,000 $372,241 $173,296 $170,964

Northeast 321 $50,200 $410,248 $246,286 $249,559

West Central 110 $66,716 $280,513 $162,952 $159,919

East Central 101 $72,000 $308,869 $167,364 $161,292

Southwest 95 $76,511 $244,204 $151,893 $151,782

Southeast 95 $31,579 $248,174 $137,733 $136,247

All 846 $31,579 $410,248 $191,323 $178,646

Full-time equivalent salary plus benefits for district superintendents. Source: ISBE

the principal numbers align with those of superintendents, with the Northeast salaries the highest and Southeast the lowest, on average.

Other Administrators

The other administrator category includes such position titles (designated by ISBE) as Special Education Director, Dean of Students Admin (admin endorsement held), Head of Gen Ed (Depart chair admin endorsement held), and Chief School Business Official but not anyone listed as a superintendent or principal.

Statewide in 2020 (Table 5), districts reported an average salary of $129,530 for 1,704 other administrators. One year later, in 2021, the data show an average salary of $131,059 for the 1,791 persons in this category, an increase of 1.2% from 2020 to 2021.

Regionally

By popular demand, we continue to offer data by region of Illinois (Tables 2, 4, and 6). These regions were established in the early days of this ongoing series and we maintain them for consistency. As was the case last year, the Northeast Region is an outlier, both in reported numbers of administrators and their salaries.

Of the 10 school districts that educate the most students, only one, Rockford CUSD 205, is not in the Northeast.

Of the 7,914 administrators counted in this study, 4,799 (61%) are in the Northeast. Cook County has 147 school districts, Lake County has 45, and DuPage County has 43. These numbers are approximate because some school districts are in more than one country. The average

Regions: EC/East Central NE/Northeast NW/Northwest SE/Southeast SW/Southwest WC/West Central

Regions: EC/East Central NE/Northeast NW/Northwest SE/Southeast SW/Southwest WC/West Central

and median salaries in all categories are the highest by far. The Northeast’s nearest statistical companion is the Northwest. Even so, the average superintendent salary in the Northwest, $173,296, is 70% of that in the Northeast and much closer to

Table

3: Principal Salaries

the third highest of $167,364 in the East Central. This east-west alignment with salaries continues north to south: The numbers from West Central and East Central reflect similar salaries to each other, as do Southwest and Southeast. The

Average Salary Comparison 2020 to 2021, Statewide

Principals

Years Number High Average % Change Median

Reported Salary Salary of Average

2020 3,116 $259,345 $130,374 $127,776 to 2021 3,102 $268,915 $132,636 1.7% $129,017

Assistant Principals

Years Number High Average % Change Median

Reported Salary Salary of Average

2020 2,151 $236,463 $115,424 $109,957 to 2021 2,175 $236,270 $115,897 0.4% $109,982

All Principals

Years Number High Average % Change Median

Reported Salary Salary of Average 2020 5,267 $259,345 $124,268 $120,096 to 2021 5,277 $268,915 $125,733 1.2% $121,350 Full-time equivalent salary plus benefits. Source: ISBE

Table

Southeast Region is typically the site of the state’s lowest average administrator salaries. A trend we noticed last time continues: The Southeast continues to draw closer to the mean and median. For example, the median district superintendent salary in

4: Principal Salaries

Regional

Salary Comparison, 2020 to 2021

2020 Number Low High Average Median

Northwest 569 $43,214 $215,643 $118,289 $117,583

Northeast 3,005 $43,273 $259,345 $136,128 $133,886

West Central 512 $40,000 $252,599 $108,143 $105,162

East Central 478 $40,500 $193,112 $106,032 $105,086

Southwest 411 $18,974 $250,290 $106,922 $105,452

Southeast 292 $32,299 $151,234 $96,407 $95,947

All 5,267 $18,974 $259,345 $124,268 $120,096

2021 Number Low High Average Median

Northwest 564 $44,121 $223,726 $117,396 $117,650

Northeast 2,989 $38,535 $268,915 $138,606 $135,619

West Central 507 31,008 223,352 109,091 105,699

East Central 499 $32,516 $232,206 $105,149 $102,801 Southwest 414 $35,371 $241,705 $109,211 $107,627 Southeast 304 $34,291 $250,000 $99,357 $97,918

All 5,277 $31,008 $268,915 $125,733 $121,347

Full-time equivalent salary plus benefits for all principals. Source: ISBE

Table 5: Other Administrator Salaries

Average Salary Comparison 2020 to 2021, Statewide

Other Administrators as Defined

Years Number High Average % Change Median Reported Salary Salary of Average

2020 1,704 $297,011 $129,530 $125,580 to 2021 1,791 $306,441 $131,059 1.2% $127,584

Full-time equivalent salary plus benefits. Source: ISBE

Table 6: Other Administrator Salaries

Regional Salary Comparison, 2020 to 2021

2020 Number Low High Average Median

Northwest 87 $59,349 $201,034 $81,618 $86,702

Northeast 1,435 $30,687 $297,011 $134,636 $130,421 West Central 76 $42,582 $161,005 $94,820 $96,831

East Central 40 $38,091 $218,666 $100,613 $92,454

Southwest 34 $28,872 $172,788 $100,726 $106,770

Southeast 32 $25,523 $187,500 $89,579 $82,852

All 1,704 $25,523 $297,011 $129,530 $125,580

2021 Number Low High Average Median

Northwest 92 $65,647 $212,381 $115,361 $107,666 Northeast 1,489 $44,432 $306,441 $136,628 $133,106 West Central 86 $31,718 $165,214 $98,007 $99,994 East Central 52 $50,000 $199,164 $98,848 $91,898 Southwest 35 $69,512 $167,491 $117,131 $116,014 Southeast 37 $25,496 $130,706 $86,436 $87,312 All 1,791 $25,496 $306,441 $131,059 $127,584

Full-time equivalent salary plus benefits for all other administrators. Source: ISBE

the Southeast was $130,274 in 2020, which was 71% of the state’s $181,723. In 2021, the Southeast median district superintendent salary increased to 76% of the statewide median.

Comparing the Northeast within itself, and using comparisons between the other five regions, would sensibly reflect administrator salary expectations in Illinois.

About the Series

Since 1997, IASB, working with researchers in the field of educational leadership, has published a report on the salaries of Illinois school administrators. Early data for the study was obtained through surveys with un-audited information, with relatively low rates of return.

In 2009, Public Act 96-0434 required Illinois school districts to report administrator and teacher salary information to ISBE. The Illinois School Code was amended in 2011 to reflect changes in the reporting dates. The data were briefly unavailable during the transition, and the series was paused for a few years.

With reporting standards in place and the data being made available to researchers, IASB’s “annual” study of administrator salaries was revived in 2014 and 2015 with a catch-all and catch-up from the missing years, followed by a normal annual analysis. The series paused again in 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic upended data retrieval and series publishing. It also concluded the ability of our longtime collaborators at Western Illinois University to participate. We are grateful for their work over the years to keep the series going. The installment in January of 2022 and this one, published in January 2023, adhere to their standards for identifying trends, reportage, and analysis as faithfully as possible. 

Theresa Kelly Gegen is Editor of the Illinois School Board Journal

The full administrator salary series is available on the IASB website, starting at bit.ly/IASBAdminSalaries.

Partners in Excellence Gather In Chicago

By Kara Kienzler, with Michael Hudson Photography

TThe 89th meeting of the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators, and Illinois Association of School Business Officials took place November 18-20, 2022 in Chicago. This annual event consistently brings together Illinois school district leaders who are committed to providing all students with the best possible educational experience. This year was no exception.

Members from the three organizations and other education leaders and advocates embraced partnerships through learning and networking activities. Representatives from 697 Illinois public school districts participated. With 4,810 registrations and their guests, the overall attendance this year topped 8,700, based on initial counts. Attendees include school board members, administrators, superintendents, attorneys, regional superintendents, ISBE board members, IASB Service Associates members, exhibitors, secretaries, special education district representatives, university personnel, and guests of registrants.

The three days of school board and leadership training included presentations on various topics, including education funding, crisis response, school law, collective bargaining, fiscal accountability, school safety and security, student assessments, local governance, social and emotional learning, and more.

The Conference featured three General Sessions Kicking things off on Friday, November 18 was Poetic Voice Sekou Andrews inspiring attendees with his unique voice and perspective in the First General Session. During the Second General Session on Saturday, author and investigative journalist Amanda Ripley opened minds on how to think about conflict. The Third General Session on Sunday featured Chef Jeff Henderson sharing his powerful story of personal transformation to empower change.

New in 2022

An exciting new Conference event on Friday included speakers, vendors, table talks, and activities

to help school leaders lead and grow in their equity work. The half-day Equity Immersion Event welcomed more than 160 attendees.

In another new and featured session, Clinical Psychologist Doug Bolton, Ph.D. presented “Rethinking Our Response to School Violence” to talk about how school leaders can respond to incidences of school violence, which continues to escalate in the country.

School Success Stories Shared

Over 120 hour-long Panel Sessions were offered Friday through Sunday to discuss education issues and share new ideas and solutions to district challenges. Panelists included school officials, state education agency representatives, legislators, school attorneys, and experts from various school service organizations. Twenty-nine IASB member districts presented Share the Success Panels this year.

Sessions with the highest attendance were: You Can’t Make This Stuff Up: Legal Review; Post-Election COVID Recovery, What’s Next For Schools?; Attracting & Retaining Diverse Staff in a Teacher Shortage; What Your Superintendent Wants to Tell You, But Can’t; College and Career Readiness System; 10 Things I Hate About Bargaining: Tips to Love the Process;

The Conference was a time for IASB to engage members with the merits of membership. Many attendees stopped at the IASB Info Center to engage with other attendees and Association representatives. Materials and conversations highlighted training, policy, resources, and expertise available to IASB members.

Legislative Roundtable; Extreme Student Behavior and the Law; and Curriculum Opt-Outs. The Carousel of Panels, a series of 30-minute roundtable discussions, offered 32 additional topics.

Targeted Training

Nine in-depth, info-packed workshops on school board leadership were presented as IASB Pre-Conference Workshops on day one of the Conference. Registrations for the full-day or half-day workshops totaled 858. Targeted sessions were also held for administrators, business officials, and school attorneys.

For more than 275 district staff who perform the duties of school board secretary or administrative

assistant, two days of sessions covered topics of legal compliance, policy basics, technology tools, and building successful relationships.

Sold-Out Exhibit Hall

A Conference staple now for 73 years, this year’s soldout floor included 220 exhibiting companies showcasing innovative products and services for public schools. There were giveaways and prize drawings, and attendees were encouraged to play IASB Service Associates Bingo.

First General Session Takes Conference to the ‘Next Level’

Attendees at the 2022 Joint Annual Conference danced their way through the First General Session on Friday afternoon with the motivating and inspiring words of Poetic Voice Sekou Andrews.

The first day of Conference was brought to an energizing and fitting end by Sekou Andrews, who had the crowd of school leaders on its feet with a magnetic delivery of the

afternoon’s keynote. Speaking about growth, the former teacher and self-proclaimed “soldier of the go-getter drive” asked the audience to question “humanity’s obsession of taking things to the next level.”

“How do we define the next level? It can’t always be about getting bigger,” said Andrews. “Maybe it’s a place we get back to. The next level is

telling our stories. The next level is a team, a community.”

“Storytelling creates the opportunity for you to find yourself in others and for others to find themselves in you. Storytelling fosters empathy and trust because you find the common experience in your purpose. Bonded by purpose,” continued Andrews. “Our symphony is stronger than our solo. The greatest

resource each of you have is each of you.”

Two awards were presented during the Conference kickoff session. The Binotti Award for Risk Management was presented by Dave Woodard of The Sandner Group to Jim Drombrowski, facilities director for Burnham Elementary School District 154.5.

Also announced were the winners of awards in the annual Exhibition of Educational

Environments, sponsored by the IASB Service Associates. All 17 entries of the school design competition were displayed in the main Conference concourse.

Elsewhere on Friday, in the Opening Session of the Administrative Professionals’ Program, the 2022 Holly Jack Outstanding Service Award was presented to Juli Gniadek, assistant to the superintendent and secretary for the Community High School

District 99 (Downers Grove)

Board of Education. The award is presented based on the criteria of performance, initiative, innovation, staff development, self-improvement, passion for public education, and dedication to the district and community.

“Working in District 99 is a privilege,” Gniadek said when accepting the award. “This is not work, it’s a calling. It’s not a job, it’s an adventure.”

School Leaders Explore Conflict in the Second General Session

Journalist and author Amanda Ripley kicked off the Second General Session of the 2022 Joint Annual Conference with a presentation on the differences between encouraging good conflict and managing bad conflict.

Ripley is a bestselling author and an investigative journalist who writes about human behavior and change for many national publications, including The Atlantic and Washington Post.

Ripley described high-conflict situations as “self-perpetuating and all-consuming.” Issues of race, religion, and even style can quickly become hot-button topics that can lead to unproductive, hurtful conversations. She shared her observation that humans are very good at coming up with reasons to engage in “us vs. them” conflicts.

Her suggestion was to redirect what could become a volatile conversation into a more productive “positive conflict.” She differentiated positive conflict by showing how these types of conversations have emotional variance, where there are times of positive emotion sprinkled

Juli Gniadek receives the 2022 Holly Jack Outstanding Service Award.

throughout. Bad conflict, on the other hand, was found to have mainly negative emotions with little to no variance.

In order to break the conflict pattern, Ripley suggested leaning in to learn about the other person’s perspective, attempting to understand the root cause of the conflict, and creating distance between yourself and the conflict source.

“Almost always, it’s about humiliation, fear, a desire to belong, and status,” said Ripley. “If we don’t talk about those things, we will never get out of this trap that we’re in.”

At the start of the session, Kevin Blankenship, president of the Illinois Association of School Administrators, announced PJ Caposey as the recipient of the 2023 Superintendent of the Year award which recognizes a nominee’s excellence in leadership for learning, communication, professionalism, and community involvement.

“One of the things that I had to do was restore hope and pride, and bring us back to the tradition of excellence that has denoted Meridian for years, prior to my arrival,” said Caposey, in his acceptance video. “I think that we’re back there, now.”

IASB past presidents and executive directors in attendance were also honored during the Second General Session.

PJ Caposey is IASA's Superintendent of the Year.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, politician and civil rights activist, paid a visit to the 2022 Conference, here meeting IASA Executive Director Brent Clark and IASB President Simon Kampwerth Jr.

Conference Concludes with Story of Personal Transformation

With school leaders preparing to head back to their districts at the close of the 2022 Joint Annual Conference, Chef Jeff Henderson delivered a power story of his own personal transformation and the importance of education to Sunday's Third General Session crowd.

Henderson began his culinary career in the unlikeliest of places: prison. After serving nearly 10 years on federal charges, Henderson was released and became executive chef at the Bellagio and Caesars Palace. He is an award-winning chef, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and television personality whose story has been featured in the national media.

In a point of reflection, Henderson asked those in attendance to remove themselves from their lifestyles and put themselves in the mindset of a child living in poverty.

“The power of education comes from success. When you don’t see education work, you don’t believe in it,” Henderson emphasized. “Let’s not focus on where they’re failing; focus on where they’re excelling. Put the investment behind where children excel, not where they suck.”

Henderson highlighted the importance of modeling behaviors to ensure children don’t slip into the wrong type of culture. “It’s important that school leaders that have lived experiences be the communicators,” said Henderson. “My job was to take my lived experience and model behaviors back to communities to help the kids out,” Henderson acknowledged when speaking about his past.

Chef Henderson left 2022 Conference attendees with words to remember, “Those closest to the problem are closest to the solution.”

Two awards showcasing local governance leadership and superior performance were presented at the final session. The Illinois Association of School Business Officials named Michael English of Forecast5 Analytics as this year’s Ronald E. Everett Distinguished Service Award recipient. The Everett Award recognizes individuals for their diligence, superior performance, and achievements in service to the school business public. The Illinois State Board of Education presented Evelyn Meeks of Harlem SD 122 with the 2022 Thomas Lay Burroughs Award for Outstanding School Board Member. Meeks has been a member of the District 122 school board for more than a decade and was the board’s first Black member. She currently serves as the leader of the district’s Social Justice and Equity Committee.

The Third General Session brought to a close the 89th Joint Annual Conference.

School Board Delegates Vote on Constitution, Resolutions

The Illinois Association of School Boards held its 2022 Delegate Assembly on November 19 in conjunction with the Joint Annual Conference in Chicago.

Representatives from 409 IASB member school boards reviewed three new resolutions and amendments to five existing positions in the Association’s Constitution, which establishes IASB’s positions on legislation and related matters of public policy.

Delegates considered proposed amendments to the IASB Constitution regarding officer terms of office, belief statements and a set of Advocacy Core Values, and appeals of committee recommendations. Following the approval by the Delegate Assembly, future resolutions will take a 2/3 majority to pass, and the Resolutions Committee can at its discretion change the timeline for appeals. A proposal to change the terms of IASB officers, from one year to two, was rejected.

The Delegate Assembly also serves as the Association’s Annual Business Meeting. IASB delegates elected Simon Kampwerth Jr., to a second one-year term as president of the Association. He is a member of the school board for Peru ESD 124. Mark Harms of Flanagan-Cornell USD 74 was elected for a second term as IASB vice president. Delegates also received the Association’s financial report and a written annual report from IASB Executive Director Thomas Bertrand.

The Assembly approved a resolution on school district ratios of available funds to average annual expenditures. Amendments to existing positions were approved under topics of capital funding for school construction, school safety grant funding, periodic review of state and federal mandates, and financial contributions in school board elections.

In the IASB Resolutions Process, a resolution is originally proposed by a local school board and reviewed by a 21-member Resolutions Committee before being sent to the Delegate Assembly. The adopted resolutions set IASB’s policies and establish the legislative direction of the Association and its member districts. Visit the IASB website for more information on the Resolutions Process, the Resolutions Committee Report, and the Delegate Assembly.

First Equity Immersion Goes ‘All In for Equity’

Hundreds of participants declared themselves “All In for Equity” at the inaugural Equity Immersion event at the 2022 Joint Annual Conference in Chicago. A Friday afternoon of guest speakers, table conversations, and interviews covered issues important to school leaders traveling on individual and district equity journeys.

Enthusiastic participants enjoyed music, engagement, and networking. The energetic atmosphere also included lunch, a photo booth and signing wall, a passport activity for visiting with vendors,

and prizes for attendees. Topics at the Equity Immersion were aimed at ensuring the needs of each and every student are met, regardless of existing factors that create barriers to student success and included social and emotional learning and supports, trauma sensitivity,

unconscious bias, empowering stakeholders and more. Attendees gathered information on equity audits, the educator shortage, and school safety and security with an equity mindset.

At the conclusion of the event, Nakia Hall, Ed.D., IASB Associate Executive Director for Field and Equity Services and IASB Executive Director Thomas E. Bertrand, Ph.D., had a conversation about the catalyst for the Association’s equity efforts and what is next for school districts pursuing excellence in equity. 

Highlights

• Share the Success panel presentations by and for member school boards

• Exhibit Hall connecting schools with industry leaders and innovative solutions

• Keynotes from General Session speakers who motivate and inspire

• Targeted training for school board members, administrators and their support staff, and more

• A voice on state and federal legislative priorities for IASB

Proven for Schools and Universities

IPRF is the Leader in Workers' Compensation Coverage

The Need for Verification in Social Media

Provided by NSPRA

SSocial media allows school districts to engage families in local education in timely and innovative ways, but without dedicated verification and reporting processes for schools, districts struggle to prevent the harm to students and staff caused by malicious and fraudulent accounts.

Administrators are spending countless hours each year reporting malicious accounts — some that impersonate school leaders and spread false information, some that show embarrassing photos of students, some that use footage of other districts’ students to mis-characterize local schools — and training staff on how to help report accounts, in the hope that more reports will lead to faster response times from the social media platforms.

Challenges like these have long been reported anecdotally during conferences, in online communities, and at meetings by members of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), which represents more than 2,500 school communication professionals, and the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), which represents technology leaders in over 1,100 school districts with 13 million students.

A formal member survey conducted in spring 2022 further confirmed the nature and extent of these challenges: Social media platforms’ lack of dedicated verification and reporting processes for federally recognized K-12 education institutions are causing a drain on educational time and resources in school communities across the United States.

Striking findings of Schools and Social Media: A Survey of NSPRA and CoSN Members include the following:

• For each individual social media platform, generally a third or fewer respondents indicated they were able to get their organizations verified.

• Overall, a quarter of respondents indicated that within the last two years their educational organizations have applied to be verified on social media and have been rejected (25%).

Respondents indicated that among their educational organizations:

• 59% have dealt with accounts that harass, intimidate, or bully students.

• 51% have dealt with mock (i.e., impersonation) accounts appearing with their logos/ branding.

• 45% have dealt with social media platforms not removing reported accounts/posts that harass, intimidate or bully their students.

With support from national education association partners, NSPRA and CoSN reached out during summer 2022 to several social media platforms — including Meta (Facebook, Instagram), Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn — to assess their awareness of these challenges and to collaboratively identify current and potential solutions.

Representatives for each platform were asked to respond to three key questions:

• Does your platform allow all federally recognized K-12 education institutions to verify their official social media accounts/pages?

Columns are submitted by members of the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association

• Does your platform provide a process for reporting fraudulent social media accounts/ pages that pretend to represent a federally recognized K-12 education institution?

• Does your platform provide a dedicated process for federally recognized K-12 education institutions to report social media posts and accounts that harass, intimidate, bully or otherwise negatively target their students?

CoSN and NSPRA staff had conversations, via email and/or virtually, with representatives from each platform. Many representatives indicated they were not aware of these issues facing school districts, and some were interested in exploring ways to resolve them.

While many of the platforms had general consumer verification processes at that time, none had a process dedicated to school districts’ social media accounts. Some also created inequities between larger and smaller school systems by prioritizing verification based on an account’s number of followers. However, LinkedIn, Meta (Facebook, Instagram), TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube indicated a willingness to explore solutions to this problem.

Similarly, none of the platforms had a dedicated process for school districts to report fraudulent social media accounts or to report posts and accounts that harass, intimidate, bully or otherwise negatively target students. However, YouTube has indicated interest in exploring a solution.

NSPRA and CoSN are appreciative of the various social media platforms’ willingness to engage in these difficult but constructive conversations. To further explore the issue, possible solutions, and this matter, CoSN and NSPRA have created a campaign toolkit, available via the link below. 

The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) provides school communication training, services, and professional development to school leaders, serving more than 2,500 members who work primarily as communication directors in public school districts and education organizations. Practical PR is a collaboration between the Journal and the Illinois Chapter of NSPRA. Resources associated with this article can be accessed at iasb.com/Journal.

Service Associates Directory

Appraisal Services

INDUSTRIAL APPRAISAL COMPANY Building and fixed asset appraisals for insurance and accounting purposes. Oak Brook (630) 575-0280

Architects/Engineers

ARCON ASSOCIATES, INC.

Full service firm specializing in educational facilities with services that include architecture, construction management, roof and masonry consulting, landscape architecture, and environmental consulting. Lombard (630) 495-1900; www.arconassoc.com; sjmattes@arconassoc.com

BERG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS, LTD. Consulting engineers. Schaumburg (847) 352-4500

BLDD ARCHITECTS, INC. Architectural and engineering services for schools. Decatur (217) 429-5105; Champaign (217) 356-9606; Bloomington (309) 828-5025; Chicago (312) 829-1987 www.bldd.com

CORDOGAN CLARK & ASSOCIATES Architects and engineers. Aurora (630) 896-4678; www.cordoganclark.com; Tpowers@cordoganclark.com

DEWBERRY ARCHITECTS INC. Architects, planners, landscape architecture, and engineers. Peoria (309) 282-8000; Elgin (847) 695-5840

DLA ARCHITECTS, LTD. Architects specializing in preK-12 educational design, including a full range of architectural services, assessments, planning, feasibility studies, new construction, additions, remodeling, O&M and owner’s rep services. Itasca (847) 742-4063; www.dla-ltd.com; info@dla-ltd.com

DLR GROUP

Educational facility design and master planning. Chicago (312) 382-9980; dlrgroup.com; mengelhardt@dlrgoup.com

ERIKSSON ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES, LTD. Site Planning/Studies, Civil Engineering, Tra c/Transportation, Landscape Architecture. Grayslake (847) 223-4804; Chicago (312) 463-0551; Mokena (708) 614-9720

FARNSWORTH GROUP, INC. Architectural and engineering professional services. Normal (309) 633-8436

FGM ARCHITECTS, INC. Architects. Chicago (312) 942-8461; Oak Brook (630) 574-8300; O’Fallon (618) 624-3364; St. Louis (314) 439-1601; Milwaukee, Wisconsin (414) 346-7282 www.fgmarchitects.com

GREENASSOCIATES, INC.

Architecture/construction services. Deerfield (847) 317-0852; Itasca, (847) 317-0852 Springfield

HEALY BENDER PATTON & BEEN ARCHITECTS

Architects/Planners. Naperville (630) 904-4300; www.healybender.com; dpatton@healybender.com

HURST-ROSCHE, INC.

Architecture, engineering, planning, and interior design. Hillsboro (217) 532-3959; East St. Louis (618) 398-0890; Marion (618) 998-0075; Springfield (217) 679-1671; www.hurst-rosche.com

JMA ARCHITECTS

Full service professional design firm specializing in K-12 educational design, construction management, strategic/ master planning, health/life safety compliance, building commissioning, and interior space design. South Holland (708) 339-3900; www.jmaarchitects.com; allison@jmaarchitects.com

KLUBER

ARCHITECTS + ENGINEERS

Building design professionals specializing in architecture, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, and fire protection engineers. Batavia (630) 406-1213

IASB Service Associates are businesses which o er school-related products and services and which have earned favorable reputations for quality and integrity. Only after careful screening is a business firm invited to become a Service Associate.

To learn more about IASB Service Associates membership, visit www.iasb.com or contact IASB at bkusturin@iasb.com

LARSON & DARBY GROUP

Architecture, engineering, interior design, and technology. Rockford (815) 484-0739; www.larsondarby.com; snelson@larsondarby.com

LEGAT ARCHITECTS, INC.

Architectural and educational planners who specialize in creating e ective student learning environments. Gurnee (847) 622-3535; Oak Brook (630) 990-3535; Chicago (312) 258-9595; www.legat.com; atranter@legat.com

PCM+DESIGN ARCHITECTS

Provide a full range of architectural services including facility and feasibility studies, architectural design, construction consulting, and related services. East Peoria (309) 694-5012; www.PCMPLUSD.com; whelmick@pcmplusd.com

PERFORMANCE SERVICES, INC.

An integrated design and delivery engineering company serving the design and construction facility needs of K-12 schools. Schaumburg (847) 466-7220

PERKINS AND WILL

Architecture, educational planning, programing, master planning, re-referendum services.

Chicago (312) 755-0770 mark.jolicoeur@perkinswill.com; aimee.eckmann@perkinswill.com; rick.young@perkinswill.com

RICHARD L. JOHNSON ASSOCIATES, INC.

Architecture, educational planning. Rockford (815) 398-1231; www.rljarch.com

STR PARTNERS

Architectural, interior design, planning, cost estimating, and building enclosure/ roofing consulting. Chicago (312) 464-1444

STUDIOGC ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS

StudioGC is passionate communityminded partner, committed to creating imaginative and well-designed facilities. StudioGC o ers innovative planning, programming, architectural, interior design, and cost estimates. Chicago (312) 253-3400

TRIA ARCHITECTURE

An architectural planning and interior design firm that provides services primarily to school districts in the Chicagoland area with an emphasis on service to their clients, and their communities. Burr Ridge (630) 455-4500; www.triaarchitecture.com

WIGHT & CO.

A fully integrated design, engineering, and construction firm that partners with education leaders to create progressive, inspiring, and sustainable learning environments, while helping to manage risk and provide accountability in the delivery of work. Darien (630) 969-7000; www.wightco.com; bpaulsen@wightco.com

WOLD ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS

Specializing in Pre-K-12 educational design including master planning, sustainable design, architecture, mechanical and electrical engineering, quality review, cost estimation and management. Palatine (847) 241-6100

Building Construction

BOLLER CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.

Construction Manager and General Contractor specializing in building and renovating schools. Waukegan (847) 662-5566

CORE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES OF IL., INC.

Professional construction management, design-build, and general contracting services. Peoria (309) 404-4700; COREconstruction.com; mikaylavincent@coreconstruction.com

F. H. PASCHEN

A general/construction manager with extensive experience in new construction and renovation of educational and institutional facilities in the public/private sectors. Chicago (773) 444-1525; www.fhpaschen.com; aizzi@fhpaschen.com

FREDERICK QUINN CORPORATION

Construction management and general contracting. Addison (630) 628-8500

HOLLAND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC.

Full service construction management and general contracting firm specializing in education facilities. Swansea (618) 277-8870

IHC CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES LLC IHC Construction Companies LLC is a full-service construction management firm that delivers new construction, additions, and renovations for School District clients on-time and within budget. Elgin (847) 742-1516

INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTORS, INC. (ICI)

An award-winning construction management firm specializing in K-12 facilities. Our firm is currently partnering with eight Illinois School Districts on capital improvement projects. Oakbrook Terrace (630) 641-6852

NICHOLAS & ASSOCIATES, INC.

Construction management, general contracting, design and build. Mt. Prospect (847) 394-6200 info@nicholasquality.com; nickjr@nicholasquality.com

PEPPER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

Construction management and general contracting services. Barrington (847) 381-2760; www.pepperconstruction; jripsky@pepperconstruction.com

POETTKER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY Specializing in construction management, design/build, construction consulting services, and energy solutions for education clients. Breese (618) 526-7213; www.poettkerconstruction.com

RUSSELL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. Russell provides successful, knowledgeable construction management and contracting services in the PreK-12 market from concept to completion and continuing care for your facility needs. Davenport, Iowa (563) 459-4600; www.russellco.com; sbaumann@russellco.com

SERVPRO TEAM WOLFE Servpro Team Wolfe specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial properties after a fire, smoke or water damage. Assist schools in developing a recovery plan to put things back to preloss condition quickly and e ectively. E ngham (314) 502-1337

S.M. WILSON & CO. Provides construction management and general construction services to education, healthcare, commercial, retail, and industrial clients. St. Louis (314) 645-9595; www.smwilson.com; kristyn.newbern@smwilson.com; amanda.bohnert@smwilson.com

TRANE

HVAC company specializing in design, build, and retrofit. Willowbrook (636) 305-3600

Computer Software, Supplies, Services

COMPUTER INFORMATION CONCEPTS, INC.

Infinite Campus student information System and Finance Suite, and Tableau Data Visualization/Analytics. Greeley, Colorado (312) 995-3342

EDMENTUM

We provide fully digital curriculum and assessment tools for educators to utilize in K-12 classrooms to establish blended and personalized environments and advance student learning. Bloomington, Minnesota (952) 832-1570

COMMON GOAL SYSTEMS, INC.

We o er cloud-based software solutions for student information management, student registration, state reporting, financial management and payroll, parent communication, scheduling, gradebooks, report cards, and more. Elmhurst (630) 592-4200; www.common-goal.com

Consulting

EOSULLIVAN CONSULTING

Illinois-based EOSullivan Consulting has developed a proven process the helps school districts with community engagement, survey research, messaging, informational campaigns and referendums. Libertyville (815) 353-1991

Environmental Services

ALPHA CONTROLS & SERVICES, LLC

We deliver energy cost justified solutions that make the learning environment comfortable, secure, and e cient. Rockford, Springfield, Champaign (815) 227-4000; www.alpaacs.com; jasonv@alphaacs.com

VEREGY

Dedicated to assisting K-12 education meet the challenge of providing healthy, safe, and educational appropriate learning environments.

St. Louis (636) 230-0843; Chicago (773) 633-0691; veregy.com; bsmith@veregy.com

ENERGY SYSTEMS GROUP

A comprehensive energy services and performance contracting company providing energy, facility and financial solutions. Itasca (630) 773-7201; jcohn@esg.email

GRP MECHANICAL CO., INC.

Renovating buildings through energy savings performance contracting to provide the best learning environment. HVAC, plumbing, windows, doors, and mechanical services. Bethalto (618) 779-0050

IDEAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING, INC. Asbestos and environmental services. Bloomington (309) 828-4259

ILLINOIS ENERGY CONSORTIUM

Sells electricity and natural gas to school districts, colleges, and universities. DeKalb (815) 753-9083; www.ILLec.org; hwallace@iasbo.org

ENGIE SERVICES U.S.

Turnkey partnership programs that enable K12 school districts in Illinois to modernize their facilities; increase safety, security and e ciency; reduce operations costs; and maximize the lifespan of critical assets. Chicago (312) 498-7792; sharon.uslan@engie.com

RADON DETECTION SPECIALISTS

Radon measurements in elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as all DCFS licensed spaces. We service the entire state of Illinois. Westmont (630) 325-4443 or (800) 244-4242

Financial Services

BERNARDI SECURITIES, INC.

Municipal bond specialty firm; o ers a full range of school bond underwriting services, including capital needs financing and debt refinancing. O’Fallon (618) 206-4180; Peru (815) 587-8972; Chicago (312) 281-2014; jvezzetti@bernardisecurities.com

BMO HARRIS BANK

BMO Harris Bank’s experienced specialists can help you build a sound strategy to help close budget gaps, manage day-to-day cash flow and maximize your resources. Chicago (312) 461-7895

EHLERS AND ASSOCIATES

School bond issues; referendum help; financial and enrollment studies. Roseville, Minnesota (312) 638-5250; www.ehlers-inc.com; tolszewski@ehlers-inc.com

GORENZ AND ASSOCIATES, LTD.

Auditing and financial consulting. Peoria (309) 685-7621

ICE MILLER, LLP

Nationally recognized bond counsel services. Chicago (312) 726-7127

KINGS FINANCIAL CONSULTING, INC.

Municipal bond financial advisory service including all types of school bonds; school referenda, county school sales tax; tax revenue forecasts/projections. Monticello (217) 762-4578

SPEER FINANCIAL, INC.

Financial planning and bond issue services. Chicago (312) 346-3700; www.speerfinancial.com; dphillips@speerfinancial.com; rmckenzie@speerfinancial.com

STIFEL

Full service securities firm providing investment banking and advisory services including strategic financial planning; bond underwriting; referendum and legislative assistance. Edwardsville (800) 230-5151; noblea@stifel.com

WINTRUST FINANCIAL Financial services holding company engaging in community banking, wealth management, commercial insurance premium financing, and mortgage origination. Rosemont (630) 560-2120

Human Resource Consulting

BUSHUE HUMAN RESOURCES, INC. Human resource, safety and risk management, and insurance consulting. E ngham (217) 342-3042; www.bushuehr.com; steve@bushuehr.com

Insurance

PREVENTIVE HEALTH PARTNERS, SC O er onsite vaccine services. We o er flu and other adult wellness vaccines including COVID-19. We also o er travel medicine advice and vaccines to students traveling abroad. Lake Blu ; Illinois (312) 641-6228 and Wisconsin (262) 240-1031

THE SANDNER GROUP Insurance program management, marketing & claims services for workers’ compensation, property & liability. Chicago (800) 654-9504

O ce Equipment

EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS BY FRANK COONEY COMPANY, INC. Furniture for educational environments. Wood Dale (630) 694-8800; www.frankcooney.com; gregory@frankcooney.com

Superintendent Searches

ECRA GROUP Superintendent searches, board and superintendent workshops. Schaumburg (847) 318-0072

Indispensable Law References

Illinois School Law Survey

Companion Resource: Illinois School Code Service

Includes

Innovation for Equitable Access

Reported by Octavio Casas Panelists: Todd Dugan, Superintendent, Bunker Hill CUSD 8; Matt Smith, Principal, Bunker Hill CUSD 8

TThe road can be lonely and systemically challenging for rural schools based on the Illinois evidenced-based funding formula. However, leaders of Bunker Hill Community Unit School District 8 (CUSD 8), Superintendent Todd Dugan and Principal Matt Smith, have assembled an array of resources to ensure that their students have equity and accessibility to rigorous and relevant career pathways. Through grant writing and community partnerships, the district has been able to provide students exposure to pathways they never could have imagined several years prior to the start of their journey.

CUSD 8’s success and award-winning programs took time to develop the necessary elements to foster a culture of innovation.

The district is located in Macoupin County in south central Illinois. It comprises nearly 600 students with two schools (one

elementary and one high school). The educational demographic of the school is 91% white students, of which 45% receive free or reduced lunch. The Equalized Assessed Value doesn’t allow it to the district to receive adequate resources from local and state tax bases. The district had to re-imagine how to provide innovation and accessibility to students.

During the presentation, the school leaders emphasized how important it was to establish committees designed to be a safe space for the learning community to collaborate and generate new ideas to improve students’ learning environment. Superintendent Dugan encourages his team to adhere to a quote that he coined, “Never shoot down ideas. Never pass up praise. Never stand in someone’s way.” This simplicity allowed CUSD 8 to create an innovative environment filled with multiple pathways to success. The community worked together to generate an action plan and timeline, which included securing grant funds, creating career pathways, staffing, and forming community partnerships.

and employment guarantees needed to participate in various pathways the district currently offers to students. In most situations, a district would hire a grant writer to secure such resources. However, Bunker Hill elects to save the money and apply for grants with its own internal capacity, which in turn saves the district money.

As a result of the district’s collective efforts, CUSD 8’s certified nursing assistant (CNA) program was highly successful. In the first year of launching the CNA pathway, all six students who enrolled earned both a school diploma and certified nursing assistant credentials.

ICYMI

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) features panel reports from the 2022 Joint Annual Conference. Reporters are participants in the Educational Administration Intern program, a collaboration of IASB and the Illinois Council of Professors of Educational Administration.

The key to Bunker Hill CUSD 8’s success in this endeavor was the ability to lower previously identified socioeconomic barriers to develop career pathway programs that were more accessible to their students. The district has a unique, innovative partner model, which provides students with tools, resources, transportation,

Looking toward the future, the district is focused on growth and replicability as it pilots various pathways including aviation, electrical engineering, and veterinary medicine. Bunker Hill CUSD 8 most recently received the Learning Technology Center Collaboration Award for its student-driven career pathways project at the 2022 Illinois Education Technology Conference and continues its commitment to providing innovation and accessibility for the students of Bunker Hill CUSD 8. 

Octavio Casas is a Leadership Coach at the Network for College Success at the University of Chicago and was a participant in the Educational Administrator Internship program at the 2022 Joint Annual Conference.

10 Things I Hate About Bargaining: Trends in Collective Bargaining

Reported by Amanda Pelsor Panelists: David Braun, Attorney, Miller, Tracy, Braun, Funk & Miller, Ltd.; Kyle Freeman, Ph.D., Superintendent, Washington CHSD 308

CCollective bargaining is like marriage, because you are living with the other party, and there really is no easy way out. But, like marriage, collective bargaining is also about giving a little and getting a little. It’s all about keeping the pendulum in the middle because if it swings too hard one way, it will swing back pretty hard the other way. If you know the rules of collective bargaining it can be fun, because the goal is to solve problems; and solving problems is why you joined your local school board. Many people hate collective bargaining because there is a fear that we are about to give something up. If you know the rules and stay focused on the targets, you should not have anything to fear. As presented in the panel session “10 Things I Hate About Bargaining: Trends in Collective Bargaining for

the 2022 Season” at the Joint Annual Conference, here are 10 rules to bargaining — and why you shouldn’t hate them.

1. Mandatory Subjects include wages, hours, and terms and conditions of bargaining. Terms and conditions can be nearly everything. If things are impacting your employees, it is going to impact them whether you are bargaining for it or not. You shouldn’t hate bargaining because you can implement your will over impasse or agreement with a mandatory subject.

board controls the pace early in the process, and the union controls it late in the process.

4. Humanity is vital in collective bargaining. It is important to resist the urge to be emotional about what you are “giving up” during negotiations and to be nice. Don't hate bargaining, because the union is people who educate our children.

5. Money doesn’t last — language does. Every new piece of language handicaps the board, not the union. The board has the rights to enforce what it needs to, but the language in the contract serves the union. You shouldn’t hate bargaining because tight, careful language prevents misunderstandings which can lead to lawsuits.

ICYMI

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) features panel reports from the 2022 Joint Annual Conference. Reporters are participants in the Educational Administration Intern program, a collaboration of IASB and the Illinois Council of Professors of Educational Administration.

2. Status Quo is either language already in the contract or past practice. Past practice is a pattern of conduct, not a single instance, recognized by both parties. Status quo cannot be changed except by collective bargaining. You should not hate bargaining the status quo because you have lived with it, but bargaining provides an opportunity to understand why it happened.

3. The board’s power comes through patience, not persistence. Well-spaced meetings at reasonable times produce the least emotional results. Be careful not to rush the union. Remember, the

6. Oftentimes a board’s instinct is to say “no” to proposals, but sometimes creativity can help solve a mutual problem. For example, if a union wants insurance and the board doesn’t want to give it, the solution may be something other than insurance — money is money, security can be invested in many different forms. You shouldn’t hate bargaining because creativity can sometimes solve the real

problem in a better way than the solution.

7. Working Groups can be beneficial for complex issues. These can be tough to solve at the bargaining table because it is a tough place to truly understand the depth of an issue. Working groups are a great way to encourage open thought without worrying about losing ground. Don't hate bargaining, because working groups can be structured to accomplish listening without the pursuit of positions.

8. Consider your spokesperson. Speaking succinctly and clearly are skills that the board and union may or may not have. Disinterest can be a positive

characteristic, which is why it can be beneficial to consider outside help. Experts have more experience negotiating, and they also have the benefit of providing perspective and neutrality. You shouldn’t hate bargaining because experts can lead to lower emotions and a better outcome.

9. Like it, love it, or hate it, politics are part of the bargaining process. The union goes first, sharing their demands. The board then responds, but should also have its interests heard as well. Remember that the board cannot negotiate directly with members, only with the union proper. You shouldn’t hate bargaining, because the union is your partner and can help

frame the issues, and share responsibility.

10. Rules are a permissive subject, so they cannot be imposed. It is important to consider how you bargain, and to remember that bargaining is fundamentally an adversarial process even when the parties are chasing the same ends. You shouldn’t hate bargaining rules because the solution to the problem will be defined as much by how you will negotiate as by what you negotiate. 

Amanda Pelsor is Director of Technology & Innovation for Brookfield-LaGrange Park SD 95 and was a participant in the Educational Administrator Internship program at the 2022 Joint Annual Conference.

In Memoriam

Joan W. Levy, a former president of the Illinois Association of School Boards, died November 5, 2022. She was 93.

Levy served on the IASB Board of Directors for 14 years and was elected president in 1984 and 1985. During her leadership, the Association advanced member services and adopted positions relating to student retention and funding preschool programs. Her leadership roles included local, state, and national committees and organizations.

“The IASB family has lost a past leader, officer, and president,” said current IASB President Simon Kampwerth Jr. “We were honored to have Joan as a part of our Association, and we continue her passion for public education and the students of Illinois."

Levy was a member and president of the board of education at Winnetka SD 36 from 1971 to 1977 and at New Trier THSD 203 from 1977 to 1993, serving a total of 20 years in the two North Cook districts.

In the 2013 publication commemorating the Association’s centennial, Levy said “You will find school board membership one of the most rewarding experiences of your volunteer life.”

After her board service, Levy maintained her presence in education with Hazard, Young and Attea, an administrator search firm. She also taught duplicate bridge, including at New Trier’s Adult Education Program.

“Joan was an amazing lady and contributor to advancing public education,” said Jonathan T. Howe, who preceded Levy as IASB president. “She asked the right questions before making decisions. It was a pleasure to have had the opportunity to work with her over the years.”

Levy grew up in Oak Park and attended Oak Park River Forest High School, the University of Michigan, and Columbia University. She was the “beloved wife and favorite bridge partner” of Arnold “Arnie” Levy for 64 years until his passing in 2016. Joan and Arnie Levy are survived by five children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. 

Milestones

Continued from page 30

Robert J. Pedelty, 89, died November 9, 2022. He served on the Ransom Board of Education in LaSalle County.

Russell M. Pelton Jr., 84, died November 27, 2022. An attorney and novelist, he was a past member of the school board for Wilmette SD 39.

Curtis Sauder, 86, died October 7, 2022. He was a past member of the school board for Cissna Park CUSD 6.

Augustus “Gus” Scott Jr., 69, died November 17, 2022. He worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections for 27 years, including 12 as Warden of Lincoln Correctional Center. During that time the facility transformed from an all-male prison to an all-female prison and Scott developed a program which allowed incarcerated women and their children an opportunity to bond outside of the prison gates. He was the first Black school board member for West Lincoln-Broadwell ESD 92.

John Winfield Slater, 90, died September 6, 2022. He was previously a member of the Bradley-Bourbonnais CHSD 307 school board

Larry Lee Thomas, 81, died November 7, 2022. He was a past member of the Edinburg CUSD 4 Board of Education.

Charles Edward Travis Sr., 84, died September 24, 2022. He previously served on the school boards for Lockport THSD 205 and Fairmont SD 89.

Jerry Wallace, 82, died November 4, 2022. He was a past member of the board of education for Rockton SD 140.

Maxine “Pete” Whittaker, 89, died October 9, 2022. She was a past member and president of the Perry School Board in Pike County.

Louis L. Wright, 101, died October 11, 2022. He was a past member of the Carthage ESD 317 Board of Education.

J. Michael Zimmers, 72, died October 5, 2022. At the time of his passing he was a member of the Springfield SD 186 Board of Education. A fund in his name has been established to support professional development for local teachers. A longtime leader in community education, he spent 35 years in public school education in Springfield as a teacher, coach, principal, and administrator. 

Gordon Anderson, 80, died October 23, 2022. He was a past member of the school board for Oakwood CUSD 76.

Arvid Ashdown, 75, died October 24, 2022. He previously served on the Riverdale CUSD 100 Board of Education.

Willard A. “Will” Barenz, 93, died November 26, 2022. He had served on the school board for Mokena SD 159.

Patricia Bennett, 91, died November 22, 2022. She was a past member of the board for the Wyoming Grade School in Stark County.

Marilyn L. Bielema, 83, died November 17, 2022. She was director of a Morrison daycare for 25 years and served on the Prophetstown School Board.

Deborah Ann Blum, 63, died November 18, 2022. She served on the Elwood CCSD 203 school board.

Richard L. Brunot, 90, died September 29, 2022. He served on the board of education for Lyons THSD 204.

Barry A. Buttz, 77, died October 24, 2022. He attended, taught, administered, and served on the school board for Decatur SD 61.

Roger J. Chamlin, 82, died October 19, 2022. He served 16 years, 14 as president, on the Peru ESD 124 school board.

Edward J. Conklin, 89, died October 10, 2022. He was a past member and president of the Rockford SD 205 Board of Education.

Robert “Crash” Crews, 73, died November 4, 2022. He previously served on the school board for Christopher USD 99.

Beverly A. Drager, 84, died October 14, 2022. She taught at Romeoville High School and was a longtime member of the board at Lemont-Bromberek SD 113A.

Jim Fogelmark, 73, died October 21, 2022. He was a teacher and speech coach at Peoria Richwoods and a member of the East Peoria SD 86 school board.

Thomas Edward Gibbons, 92, died November 21, 2022. He was a lifelong farmer and served on the Iola school board in Clay County.

Larry Lee Harber, 84, died November 1, 2022. He was a longtime mayor of Toluca and served on the Toluca school board.

Isaac “Ike” Hicks, 98, died November 10, 2022. He was previously a member of the school board for DeSoto Consolidated SD 86.

Arthur C. Holmes, 94, died October 3, 2022. He owned and operated Holmes Shoes in Moline and served on the school board for Moline-Coal Valley SD 40.

Brian E. Jicha, 45, died November 11, 2022. At the time of his passing, he was a member of the Komarek SD 94 Board of Education.

Kermit Kirby, 87, died October 8, 2022. He was a past member and president of the school board for Geneva CUSD 304.

Arthur L. Koetting Jr., 98, died October 7, 2022. He was Postmaster at the Okawville Post Office for 38 years and served on the West Washington Co. CUSD 10 school board.

Russell Koster, 96, died November 22, 2022. He was a past member of the Jordan Elementary School and Sterling CUSD 5 school boards.

Ben Lessen, 74, died November 10, 2022. He was a member and past president of the school board for West Lincoln-Broadwell ESD 92.

Joan Levy, 93, died November 5, 2022. She served on the Winnetka SD 36 and New Trier THSD 203 school boards and was a Past President of IASB. See page 29.

Ann F. Lewis, 82, died November 1, 2022. She was a past member of the Evanston THSD 202 Board of Education.

Ralph “Art” Mason, 81, died October 27, 2022. He previously served on the school board for Grand Ridge CCSD 95.

Alice L. Mason, 72, died November 28, 2022. She was a past member of the Tower Hill Board of Education in Shelby County.

Kenneth Lee Moffett, 79, died October 28, 2022. He was a past member of the St Joseph-Ogden CHSD 305 board and also drove the bus and kept the book for athletics.

Rick E. Musser, 69, died October 20, 2022. He was a past member of the Shelbyville CUSD 4 school board.

Charles Edward Negangard, 90, died October 24, 2022. He had served on the Sidney CUSD 7 Board of Education.

Raymond A. Paben, 96, died October 31, 2022. He was a past member of the Camp Point CUSD 3 school board.

Robert Lee Pahlmann, 84, died November 13, 2022. He was a 10-year member of the Triopia CUSD 27 school board.

Insights

“The need for districts to devote resources and personnel specifically to data privacy has become apparent over the last couple of years, as high-profile ransomware attacks and data breaches have made headlines. … Have schools staffed up positions dedicated primarily to safeguarding privacy? Well, yes and no. But mostly no. A number of states have mandated data privacy officers as a component of their larger student privacy legislation, or are considering doing so … But those efforts haven’t yet translated into change for most schools …”

“Most School Districts Still Lack Data-Privacy Personnel,” by Daniel Mollenkamp, EdSurge, December 5, 2022

“Great boards attract great people. Board members can make board service more attractive by

focusing their attention on ensuring their boards are effective. Highly qualified candidates will want to be on well-run boards that focus on their primary work of clarifying the district’s purpose, direction and goals and monitoring district performance. … If you want to bring in new perspectives and voices, think about whether your board composition reflects the community it represents.”

“Get on Board: Establishing your job description as a school board member,” Michigan Association of School Boards and Wisconsin Association of School Boards, 2022.

“Nationally, adolescent depression and anxiety — already at crisis levels before the pandemic — have surged amid the

isolation, disruption and hardship of covid-19. Even as federal  coronavirus relief money has helped schools step up their efforts to aid students, they also have come up short. It’s unclear how much money is going to mental health, how long such efforts will last or if they truly reach those who struggle most. … More than 75 percent of schools surveyed in spring said their teachers and staff have voiced concerns about student depression, anxiety and trauma, according to federal data. Nearly as many schools cited a jump in the number of students seeking mental health services.”

“The crisis of student mental health is much vaster than we realize,” by Donna St. George and Valerie Strauss, Washington Post, December 5, 2022