Position Statements

Educational Programs
Financing Public Education – State
Financing Public Education – Local
Financing Public Education – Federal
Financing Public Education – Other
Legislative Activity
Board Operations and Duties
Board-Employee Relations
Local – State – Federal Relations
District Organization and Elections

 

Educational Programs

1.01 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall urge its member districts to develop educational programs so as to maximize educational opportunities for students by fully utilizing teacher and staff potential, community resources, and physical facilities. The goal of each district shall be to serve the interest, talents, and needs of each child through an outstanding well-balanced program. The Association shall also encourage its members to increase their awareness of the Mental Health Code (405 ILCS 49/15) which supports developments and implementation of a plan to incorporate social and emotional standards as part of the Illinois Learning Standards. School personnel are encouraged to implement trauma-responsive practices to support student success within a trauma-responsive school framework.(Adopted 1959; Amended 1988, 2009, 2019)

1.02 CURRICULAR MATERIAL DETERMINATION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support the right and responsibility of each local school board to determine its curricular content including opposing any mandated curriculum. (Adopted 1981; Amended 1983, 1988, 2001, 2013, 2020)

1.03 PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support modifications to existing state mandates which shall allow boards of education to establish time requirements and appropriate exemptions for physical education at the K-12 level. (Portions Adopted 1982, 1986; Reaffirmed 1984, 1987; Amended 1988, 1995, 2013)

1.04 P. E. EXEMPTION FOR SHOW CHOIR
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall attempt to have legislation passed that would amend 105 ILCS 5/27-6 of the School Code of Illinois to grant an additional exemption for students, grades 9-12, enrolled in an ongoing Show Choir program for credit. (Adopted 2012)

1.05 STUDENT RETENTION AND HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall urge Congress and the Illinois General Assembly to commit the appropriate resources and develop programs that would reduce the dropout rate throughout the state of Illinois with specific emphasis on early intervention in the elementary level and continuous intervention at the secondary school level to facilitate graduation. (Adopted 1986; Amended 2003)

1.06 PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support full funding of early childhood programs operated by public schools as a priority with legislation providing new monies for both staffing and infrastructure costs associated with early childhood programs for preschool children, at-risk infants and toddlers, and grants for parental training. (Adopted 1986; Amended 2001, 2006, 2007, 2016)

1.07 DISCIPLINE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall develop and implement a legislative agenda at the Federal and State levels which urges the adoption of legislation easing the legal restrictions imposed on local school boards for disciplining students enrolled in special education programs, including the suspension and expulsion of such students, and providing for a less restrictive access to records of transferees due to expulsion. (Adopted 1994; Amended 1995)

1.08 STANDARDIZED TEST PROCEDURES
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall urge the Illinois State Board of Education to contract with a national testing company to develop a state assessment test that will test the Illinois Learning Standards on a yearly basis in compliance with, and only testing those areas required by, the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. Further IASB shall support legislation to:

• Require that the test be given no later than October of each year with results received by local school districts no later than December of that same year;
• Provide that assessments include both an annual overall performance measure as well as a system of formative classroom-level assessments that are linked to desired standards;
• Require that the test will remain the same for 10 years with only changes in the test items to maintain security;
• Require that the cut scores be set before the test results are tabulated, leaving the score ranges the same from year to year and from grade to grade; and
• Expedite and fully fund test development and implementation of an appropriate assessment instrument for English language learners.

(Adopted 2002; Amended 2003, 2008, 2016; Reaffirmed 2011, 2019)

1.09 STUDENT ASSESSMENT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation that will modify required State student assessments so testing does not go beyond what is required by federal law, and that prohibits the Illinois State Board of Education from pursuing activities designed to expand student assessment without legislative approval. Further, the Association shall support efforts to modify the Illinois and federal student assessment processes so that they will reduce costs to schools, the state, and therefore taxpayers;

• Enhance student achievement;
• Increase student instructional time;
• Facilitate test score comparability within and across state lines;
• Fairly test students who are English language learners so that their academic progress can be accurately assessed regardless of their fluency;
• Return test results in a manner that will allow school districts to maximize student learning;
• Comply with the federal accountability mandate tied to testing;
• Maintain a needed emphasis on the Illinois Learning Standards; and
• Develop a reporting process that reflects a school’s progress beyond simply student assessment scores.

(Adopted 2002; Amended 2008; Reaffirmed 2011, 2019)

1.10 STUDENT INFORMATION SHARING — MILITARY RECRUITMENT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall work with state and federal organizations to urge Congress and the General Assembly of Illinois to replace the opt-out burden on parents with an opt-in provision with regard to the requirement of secondary schools to disclose student information to military recruiters. (Adopted 2005; Amended 2016, 2022)

1.11 FUNDING FOR DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall seek administrative and legislative actions calling for the provision of separate and sufficient new monies to support programs of differentiated instruction for those students identified as having exceptional talents and abilities, permitting these students to reach their potential. Such student talents and abilities may be in areas that expand beyond the core curricula. To ensure efficiency and productivity in the implementation of these programs, school districts should be provided sufficient flexibility in the acquisition and expenditure of such State funds. (Adopted 2007)

1.12 BILINGUAL EDUCATION OPTIONS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall request the Illinois State Legislature to pass legislation to amend the current Illinois School Code to make Transitional Bilingual Education optional and not mandatory. (Adopted 2008)

1.13 STUDENT ACADEMIC PLACEMENT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support local school district and parent collaboration, evaluation, and decision-making regarding the grade-level placement of students based upon their academic, social, and emotional maturity and readiness to advance. When parental advancement requests deviate from normal school advancement, school districts maintain the authority to evaluate and place students. (Adopted 2010; Reaffirmed 2011)

1.14 VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOLS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall encourage the Illinois State Board of Education to develop regulations that ensure State-authorized virtual charter schools meet the full needs of Illinois students and follow the intent of current State laws prohibiting the use of public funds for profit-driven educational firms. (Adopted 2013; Amended 2020)

1.15 CHARTER SCHOOL — RENEWAL OF CHARTERS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall urge adoption of legislation that allows for participation of the host school district in the charter school renewal process for State Authorized Charter Schools. (Adopted 2019; Reaffirmed 2020, 2021)

1.16 CHARTER SCHOOLS — AT-RISK STUDENTS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall urge the adoption of legislation that defines the special expectations of State Authorized Charter Schools to educate at-risk students, including the requirement that the State Authorized Charter School’s program and operations be specifically designed to attract and service at-risk students, and that the State Authorized Charter School be required to report to the public its progress in achieving these expectations. (Adopted 2019; Reaffirmed 2020, 2021)

1.17 STUDENT DISCIPLINE PRACTICES
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall oppose legislative and rulemaking initiatives that enact statewide student discipline policies. The IASB encourages school districts to consider policies and procedures that develop sound discipline practices which may:

• Ensure a safe, responsive, and effective instructional environment.
• Strive to meet the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of all Illinois students.
• Strive to expedite investigations in response to alleged student misconduct and communicate findings and determinations to parents/guardians.

(Adopted 2014)

1.18 LONGITUDINAL DATA SYSTEMS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation allowing local districts to enter into the necessary student data sharing agreements to build, maintain, and utilize local longitudinal data systems in order to improve their student outcomes including college and career success. (Adopted 2014)

1.19 INDIGENOUS PEOPLE CURRICULUM INCLUSION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation to include the study of Native Americans/Indigenous People for Social Studies content and U.S. History. (Adopted 2021)

1.20 HEALTH AND SEX EDUCATION CURRICULUM
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support and advocate for local school district control of content and curriculum for health and sex education courses offered in their districts. (Adopted 2021)

1.21 DUAL LANGUAGE
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation affirming that the attainment of the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy satisfies the Illinois world language requirement for graduation. (Adopted 2024)
 

Financing Public Education – State

2.01 PRIORITY AND SUPPORT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall urge the Governor and General Assembly of Illinois to establish education as the number one priority of state government, to increase funding of education to such levels as would be necessary to implement the constitutional requirement that the state have primary responsibility for financing the system of public education, including full funding of the Evidence-Based Funding formula. (Portions Adopted 1973, 1977, and 1986; Amended 1988, 2020; Reaffirmed 2000, 2004, 2006, 2012, 2014)

2.02 FUNDING SOURCES
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support the enactment of additional sources of state revenue if, after thorough examination of state funding priorities, it is determined that such additional taxes are necessary. (Adopted 1975; Reaffirmed 1987, 2014; Amended 1988)

2.03 FUNDING MANDATED PROGRAMS
The Illinois Association of School Boards believes that legislation encroaching upon local and lay control of the public schools should be curtailed, and, therefore:

• Shall oppose programs or services mandated by the Illinois General Assembly, the State Board of Education, or any other State agency, unless there is clear evidence of need for the mandate and the Illinois General Assembly provides non-local revenues to fully fund the additional costs of those programs;
• Shall urge the members of the General Assembly to strictly comply with the State Mandates Act, including specifying and labeling in the descriptions of legislation containing unfunded mandates that such mandates occur, and to refrain from passing any legislation which contains an exemption from the Act, and urge the Governor to veto any such legislation that may reach the Governor’s desk;
• Shall urge State agencies and commissions that adopt regulations accompanying legislative mandates to specify required outcomes and criteria for determining compliance, and allow local districts to determine the specific methods and procedures by which required outcomes will be accomplished. Required time lines for accomplishment should reflect consideration of the human and material resources and amount of deliberation and development necessary to accomplish the mandate;
• Shall support legislation that causes all statutory and regulatory educational mandates to sunset if sufficient funding is not provided to implement such mandates and requirements.

Local school districts may choose to continue to implement the mandated programs voluntarily until such time that the General Assembly appropriates the funding necessary to cover the costs of the required programs. (Adopted 1976; Amended 1988, 1989, 2001, 2005, 2013; Reaffirmed 1980, 1991,1994,1999, 2002, 2009, 2014)

2.04 FUNDING SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall urge the Congress of the United States to adequately fund Public Law 94-142 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) commensurate with the mandates required by the Act; and:

• Shall strongly encourage the State of Illinois to totally fund with new monies, in a timely manner, the extra costs of educating children with special needs including transportation and accessibility costs;
• Shall seek changes in current practice to fund local districts for special education professional personnel at 51% of the prior year’s average salary for such professionals;
• Shall continue to oppose any requirement that local public school districts pay room and board costs for any handicapped child placed in private facilities;
• Shall encourage the state to create a new line item with funding from new dollars that school districts could request a one-time grant from, if a high-need child enrolls, or is identified, in the district after September 30 of the school year; and
• Shall support modifications to state laws that would equalize the reimbursement provisions so funds would be distributed through a placement neutral process.

(Portions adopted 1977, 1980, 1986; Amended 1988, 2000, 2001, 2019; Reaffirmed 1985,
1986, 2002, 2021)

2.05 CORPORATE PERSONAL PROPERTY REPLACEMENT TAX
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall oppose any attempt to reduce the Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax revenues provided by the current Act. (Adopted 1981)

2.06 IMPACT AID (STUDENT HOUSING)
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation reinstating Impact Aid to school districts where there are students residing in housing provided on state property from which no property taxes are received. The Impact Aid shall be based on the number of students generated from the state property. (Adopted 1986)

2.07 TAX ASSESSMENT SCHEDULES
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall seek and support legislation to promote the beneficial realignment of tax assessment dates and school levy deadlines. (Adopted 1988; Reaffirmed 1998)

2.08 RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENT COSTS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall inform the General Assembly and Governor’s Office that children who are wards of the State create a significant impact on local school district budgets when they are placed in temporary shelters and foster homes. Further, the State shall provide 100% of the cost of these placements. The Association:

• Shall work to increase the financial incentives to those local school districts which provide alternatives to residential placement for those students;
• Shall initiate and support legislation that will require the Department of Children and Family Services to involve local school districts in any plans for group placements of children in those districts and that funds for educating the placed youngsters must be earmarked (appropriated, planned for) in the agency’s budget prior to finalizing any plan; and
• Shall seek and support legislation for the State of Illinois to provide funds to local school districts for purchasing or constructing additional classrooms that are required to provide instruction for students who reside in state facilities located within the district.

(Adopted 1991; Amended 2001)

2.09 STATE AID PAYMENTS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation that requires the State of Illinois to make state aid funding formula payments to school districts, on a monthly basis, during the entitlement year in which they are appropriated. Furthermore, the Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation that requires the State of Illinois to pay interest at the current legal rate on any payments which are late. (Adopted 1991; Reaffirmed 2000, 2014; Amended 2011, 2020)

2.10 CAPITAL FUNDING FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall actively work with the Illinois General Assembly and the Illinois State Board of Education to increase capital funding for public school infrastructure improvement and development allocating School Construction Grant funds every year. Providing a Capital Grant Fund to address shortage of classroom space due to population growth and repair and maintenance needs of aging buildings. IASB shall advocate that the General Assembly study and consider additional forms of financial revenue for school construction needs, including but not limited to, sales tax revenue. Any new revenue shall supplement current school construction funds, not supplant them. (Adopted 1994; Amended 1998, 2006, 2022; Reaffirmed 2007, 2014)

2.11 SUMMER SCHOOL FUNDING
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation to provide adequate funding to school districts to provide summer school “at risk” academic programs. (Adopted 1996)

2.12 LOCAL TAX COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall seek legislation to amend the tax code, or other prescriptive procedures, to minimize the punitive effects of delinquent collection and disbursement to districts of tax moneys raised by local levy. In the event tax monies are not collected or disbursed as required by State law, it shall be the county’s obligation to reimburse the taxing district for any loss incurred. (Adopted 1996; Amended 1999)

2.13 TAX LEVY AMENDMENTS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall seek legislation to provide that a duly constituted Board of Education may submit an amended tax levy to avail itself of potential additional revenue through a change and increase in district EAV (Equalized Assessed Valuation), pro- vided the original levy was properly filed on time, based upon the best information available at the time of filing, and the change in EAV has occurred since the filing of the original levy. (Adopted 1996)

2.14 ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support adequate State funding for regional alternative schooling programs. (Adopted 1997)

2.15 TORT IMMUNITY FUND
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall oppose legislation that seeks to limit a school district’s legitimate use of the tort immunity fund. This includes amendments to the Local Government and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act that would prohibit the issuance of bonds or the levying of taxes by a school board to fund the costs of complying with equitable remedies or relief, or with an injunction agreed to by the school board or ordered by any court. (Adopted 1998)

2.16 SCHOOL FUNDING AND TAXATION REFORM
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall oppose school funding and tax reform proposals unless the State guarantees the payment of property tax relief grants will be made in a timely fashion with no loss of funds to the school district, and that school districts have continued access to local property tax revenues through levies and referenda. (Adopted 2004; Amended 2005, 2020; Reaffirmed 2014)

2.17 SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION GRANT PROGRAM
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall continue to support the current School Construction Grant Program and its provisions for grant applications, grant entitlements, grant awards, and local school district authority to select architects, engineers, contractors, and laborers. All school districts with an approved school construction grant entitlement shall be paid the amount of the entitlement in its entirety before a new school construction program can be implemented. Funding should be dispersed to school districts based on criteria of 1) a district’s “percent fully funded” number, based on the Evidence Based Funding Model, 2) a district’s borrowing capacity, 3) a district’s EAV per pupil, and 4) age of existing educational facilities (not to include sports facilities). School districts shall receive a priority ranking within 90 days of the end of the current year’s application cycle. The Illinois State Board of Education shall priority rank, by grant year, all school districts that have been waiting for longer than 90 days for school construction grant funds. (Adopted 2006, Amended 2014, 2022; Reaffirmed 2015)

2.18 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON SCHOOL FUNDING
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support passage of an amendment to the Illinois Constitution that would make education a fundamental right, would make it a par- amount duty for the State to provide a thorough and efficient system of public education, that equitably serves students and provides an equitable education to all students within the state of Illinois without regard to their race, social and economic status, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, nationality, immigration status disability, or zip code; and that would provide that the State has the preponderant financial responsibility for financing the system of public education. (Adopted 2006; Amended 2021; Reaffirmed 2007, 2014)

2.19 ISBE OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall work to modify state statutes governing Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) school district oversight panels or finance authorities. Statutory changes should include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Unless called for by the local school district, an oversight panel or finance authority shall not be imposed without a rigorous set of criteria proving the school district will not or cannot serve the needs of its students, staff and community;
• Clear benchmarks and goals shall be included in the establishment of an oversight panel or finance authority and once substantially met, the oversight panel or finance authority shall be dissolved;
• Bonding authority and issuance must remain the responsibility of the elected school board so that the duration of the oversight can be minimal;
• Progress toward benchmarks and goals must be reviewed and shared with the school district under oversight on a regular basis including any reasons or criteria for inability to make progress. Review should also recommend any modifications needed to achieve success;
• Due process and review by the Attorney General must be afforded school districts when appropriate; and
• ISBE authority to establish oversight panels or finance authorities shall not be broadened to facilitate imposition of a panel or authority or to expand their oversight once put in place.

(Adopted 2009; Amended 2010)

2.20 MULTI COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT GSA OFFSET
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation to modify calculation for multi-county PTELL (Property Tax Extension Limitation Law) school districts which have experienced a loss of state aid for current and prior years due to an estimate of Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) utilized by the county providing the limiting rate to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for use in calculating a District’s base funding minimum. (Adopted 2010; Amended 2020)

2.21 CATEGORICAL REDUCTIONS PROSPECTIVE ONLY
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation requiring that any reductions in line item funds for categorical payments which are subject to reimbursement by the State (e.g. transportation or special education) shall be prospective only and shall not affect such line item costs incurred by a school district prior to such reduction but not yet claimed or approved for reimbursement. (Adopted 2011)

2.22 STATE AUTHORIZED CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall urge adoption of legislation which would create a new methodology for the funding of State Authorized Charter Schools which would not have a negative financial impact on the host district, particularly in the spirit of evidence-based funding. With respect to State authorized virtual charter schools, further limit the withholding of State funds from host school districts in proportion to the per pupil expenditure used for building maintenance, classroom supplies, transportation, safety and security, and other costs unique to “brick and mortar” schools. For all State-authorized charter schools, require that proof of continuing enrollment and attendance be submitted quarterly, with prorated refunds to the host school district upon withdrawal of students from the charter school. (Adopted 2012; Amended 2013, 2014, 2019; Reaffirmed 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021)

2.23 SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENT TRANSPORTATION COST
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislative, administrative, or legal remedies to limit and equalize cost for Special Education Student Transportation. (Adopted 2014)

2.24 SCHOOL SAFETY GRANT PROGRAM
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall advocate for the creation and funding of a school safety grant program at the federal and state level that would assist school districts to support all costs of a comprehensive school security enhancements including, but not limited to cameras, technology, infrastructure, security personnel, staff training, and maintenance. Priority in the distribution of grants shall be based on both geography (school districts with lengthy response times from first responders) and financial need (Tier I and Tier II districts based on the Evidence-Based Funding model in that order) would receive priority in the awarding of the grants. In addition to grant funding, IASB shall support the establishment of state and federal resources to assist in establishing best practices, implementation, and monitoring for continued improvements to further enhance policies and procedures to increase school safety. (Adopted 2019; Amended 2022)

2.24a EBF AUTHORIZED CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall urge the adoption of an Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) formula for State Authorized Charter Schools that aligns with the funding formula used for every other public school in the state of Illinois. (Adopted 2024)

 

Financing Public Education – Local

2.25 PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall oppose the assessment and collection of property taxes at the statewide level. (Adopted 1987)

2.26 PROPERTY TAX BASE
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall oppose any reduction in a district’s access to local property tax revenue and shall oppose legislation that would erode the property tax base to educate children in the state of Illinois. (Adopted 1987; Amended 1988, 2001; Reaffirmed 2005, 2006, 2016)

2.27 STANDING ON TAX APPEALS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislative action to enable public school districts, in Cook County specifically, to (1) receive notices of assessment appeals in excess of $100,000; (2) become participants in assessment reduction proceedings at the administrative and judicial levels; and (3) allow the refund to be credited toward future property tax payments. Further, the IASB urges that the necessary resources be made available in order to facilitate the timely processing of property tax appeal proceedings. (Adopted 1975; Amended 1988, 2000, 2005, 2006; Reaffirmed 1985)

2.28 TAX INCREMENT FINANCING
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support changes in the current Tax Increment Financing statute that will model adoption procedures after those established for Enterprise Zones, continue to provide definitions for terms such as “blighted” used in the statute, develop procedures for disbanding TIF areas that do not produce anticipated growth, remove the requirement that all taxing bodies participate equally, to be monitored by the TIF Joint Review Board at each of its scheduled meetings, reduce the financial impact of the TIF area so that the percentage loss of Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) involved in the TIF will not exceed twice the average loss of EAV to each taxing body, limit its use in new residential development, and make the recommendation of the Joint Review Board binding. (Adopted 1986; Amended 1990, 1997; Reaffirmed 2006, 2016)

2.29 SITE DEVELOPMENT
The Illinois Association of School Boards supports requiring builders and subdividers to dedicate land for school purposes or to make cash payments in lieu of such dedications and to allow cash payments to be used for operational expenses. (Adopted 1971; Amended 2004)

2.30 PROPERTY TAX CAP
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall oppose any limitation which would require school boards to have to go to referendum to gain authorization to extend taxes to limits previously authorized by the voters. The Association shall support legislation designed to:

• exempt the districts in counties under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) from the restrictions of the tax cap in their Fire and Life Safety, IMRF, Social Security and Tort Immunity funds;
• base the property tax cap on the Employment Cost Index (ECI) rather than the Consumer Price Index (CPI);
• base any such index (CPI or ECI) on a method for calculating average over time to lessen the unpredictability of tax capped local resources; and
• to establish a “floor” to PTELL to ensure that the allowable percentage increase in the extension cannot be less than the allowable percentage increase in the 1998 levy year.

(Adopted 1990; Amended 2001, 2002, 2006, 2009; Reaffirmed 1991)

2.31 PROPERTY TAX CAP — GSA CALCULATION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation to modify the state aid calculation for school districts subject to PTELL (Property Tax Extension Limitation Law) such as that they are not penalized when successfully passing an operating fund rate increase referendum. (Adopted 2008; Amended 2020)

2.32 PROPERTY TAX CLASSIFICATION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall oppose any reduction in real estate assessment for residential property which is not offset on a one-to-one ratio. (Adopted 1991; Reaffirmed 2016)

2.33 EVIDENCE-BASED FUNDING MODEL
The Illinois Association of School Boards believes that adequate funding must be provided for each student in order to guarantee the opportunity for an appropriate public education, and therefore supports the Evidence-Based Funding Model for state aid distribution. This funding model meets the following principles supported by IASB:

• It takes into account the cost associated with delivering quality, research-based programming, geographic conditions, and student needs. Fully funding districts would ensure adequate funding for districts to locally determine and deliver appropriate and effective educational experiences to every student.
• It provides for a stable, reliable and predictable commitment of revenue.
• It is a function of the actual cost of providing an appropriate education based on research, data, and current best practices.
• It places high priority upon achieving the goal of equity in providing financial resources to local school districts.
• It does not reduce the access of school districts to the local property tax base.
• Funding differentials for various levels of schooling are based on verified costs.
• Consideration is given to regional differences in the cost of providing an appropriate education.
• The calculation of the number of students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds should be based on current, verifiable data.
• The size of a school district is important only to the extent that a district provides an appropriate education.
• A specified local tax effort is required to qualify for state aid.
• Authority for changing a district’s aggregate tax levy is retained by the local board of education.

(Adopted 1990; Amended 1996, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2020; Reaffirmed 2001, 2012)

2.34 CHANGES IN SCHOOL ACCOUNTING PRACTICES
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall oppose legislation or rulemaking proposing cosmetic and costly changes in the school accounting practices or fiscal year, including but not limited to, mandatory accrual basis accounting, major program determination, depreciation allocation, and management’s discussion and analysis. (Adopted 1992; Amended 2003)

2.35 TAX LAW AND ASSESSMENT PRACTICES
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation to create uniformity and equality in Illinois property tax laws regarding assessment practices. (Adopted 1993; Reaffirmed 2002)

2.36 IMPACT FEES FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall participate in the development and passage of statewide enabling legislation allowing local boards of education to impose residential development impact fees with the option of local municipal control through intergovernmental cooperation. (Adopted 1994; Reaffirmed 1996, 1998)

2.37 BOND AND INTEREST LEVY
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall attempt to have legislation passed that would permit a school district to increase the bond and interest levy to recover taxes lost from an adverse Property Tax Appeal Board Decision, that caused the district to expend operating funds to amortize debt. (Adopted 1994)

2.38 LOCAL TAXES ON SCHOOL DISTRICTS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation that would exempt public schools from all taxes imposed by state, federal, and units of local government. They shall neither seek to deprive or deplete public schools of their funds. Each public school district shall be issued its own district’s State and Federal Tax Exemption Identification Number for such exemption. It shall be the responsibility of the taxing body to notify the agency collecting the tax of its exemption and assure its implementation. (Adopted 1996; Reaffirmed 2001, 2008; Amended 2004)

2.39 PROPERTY TAX RATE INCREASES
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation that would require that new property tax rates levied immediately following successful passage of tax rate increases be used as the calculating rate and extended as required under the School Code (105 ILCS 5/17-3.2). (Adopted 2002)

2.40 TRUTH IN TAXATION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall seek a modification in the Truth in Taxation Notice that reflects the natural economic appreciation effect of changes in property values when reporting the percentage increase or decrease over the previous year’s tax levy. (Adopted 2006)

2.41 SALES TAX FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall advocate that the General Assembly study and consider legislation allowing school districts access to additional forms of financial revenue, both state and local sources, including but not limited to sales tax revenue. Further, any form of additional revenue for schools must provide that school districts determine the fund(s) in which to place the additional revenue. (Adopted 2006)

2.42 ABATEMENTS FOR HOME BUILDERS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation to amend the Illinois Property Code (35 ILCS 200/18-165, et seq.) to enable Boards of Education to develop criteria for awarding abatements of school property tax to individual homebuilders. Said legislation shall provide rural school boards that are struggling with declining enrollments and loss of assessed valuation with a tool to stimulate the growth of both tax base and population base of their districts. (Adopted 2008)

2.43 PTELL — DEBT SERVICE EXTENSION BASE
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation to modify the Debt Service Extension Base (DSEB) formula established by the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) to allow the limited number of school districts that do not have DSEB to have one established for them creating more equity among districts affected by the PTELL and equal opportunity in school funding. (Adopted 2011; Amended 2022)

2.44 EAV ADJUSTMENTS — TIMELY NOTIFICATION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation to require timely notification between county assessors of substantial adjustments to assessed values for a taxing district that has assessed property in multiple counties. (Adopted 2011)

2.45 PENSION-NORMAL COST SHIFT
The Illinois Association of School Boards recognizes that legislation to sensibly resolve Illinois’ current pension crisis must be fully compliant with prevailing actuarial scientific standards in order to achieve fully-funded and sustainable pension funds. The Illinois Association of School Boards therefore shall not support a “cost-shift” to local districts as a true sensible solution to the pension burden. (Adopted 2013)

2.46 SCHOOL FACILITY OCCUPATION TAX
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support an amendment to State Statute 55 ILCS 5/5-1006.7 School Facility Occupation Tax, to include the purpose to purchase or lease technology to aid instruction, education, or efficiency of the school district. (Adopted 2014)

2.47 TAX INCREMENT FINANCING
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support changes to the Tax Increment Financing statute to include the following: a municipality cannot reset a TIF district, which would extend the life of the TIF beyond the 23 years. (Adopted 2014; Reaffirmed 2016)

2.48 ENERGY SAVINGS FUNDING & BORROWING
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall recommend to the legislature that a bill be passed that allows districts to borrow or otherwise obtain money without referendum for the sole and specific purpose of purchasing and installing energy saving equipment relating to the utility usage (water, gas, and electricity). (Adopted 2018)

2.49 FUND BALANCES-MILLER RATIO ADJUSTMENT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall request that the Illinois legislature consider legislation barring claims for excessive accumulations when a school district’s Miller Ratio of amounts available to average annual expenditures is less than 3.0. (Adopted 2022)

2.49a TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF) ACCOUNTABILITY
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall advocate for the Illinois General Assembly and Governor to enact legislation that reforms the TIF process in a manner that is sensible and responsible, keeps communities whole, and prioritizes greater accountability to taxpayers.

Specific measures include:

• Create a TIF approval process that empowers taxing bodies to ensure fairness.
• Authorize the Joint Review Board to approve or disapprove the creation of a TIF.
• Ensure the voting structure reflects the proportional impact of a proposed TIF.
• Require disclosure to taxpayers on the cost of a TIF to the community prior to its approval.
• Include information about the impact of a TIF on tax bills of all taxpayers impacted by the TIF, and
• Publish annual tax revenues from the TIF and make that information available to the community.

(Adopted 2024)
 

Financing Public Education – Federal

2.50 STATE AND LOCAL FEDERAL TAX DEDUCTION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall work with state and federal organizations to defeat any legislation or regulation that would eliminate the federal income tax deduction for state and local taxes. (Adopted 1985; Amended 2022)

2.51 E-RATE DISCOUNT PROGRAM
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall urge Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to continue to support discount programs, including but not limited to the “E-Rate” program created in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, to provide affordable Internet access, distance-learning, and other educational programs for school districts and libraries. (Adopted 1998)

 

 

Financing Public Education – Other

2.52 NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING
The Illinois Association of School Boards opposes payment of state funds directly or indirectly to non-public elementary and secondary schools. Specifically, the Association is opposed to the use of any form of “Educational Voucher”, “Tax Deduction” and “Tax Credit” plan at the state or national level. (Portions Adopted 1970, 1975, 1982; Amended 1988; Reaffirmed 2006, 2012)

2.53 NON-PUBLIC STUDENT REPORTING
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation to require that non-public schools receiving the benefit of public funds or services, submit to the Illinois State Board of Education an annual report including the names, ages, and addresses of all students enrolled in their schools. (Adopted 1980)

2.54 TAX EXEMPT BOND USE
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall oppose any reduction by the Federal Government in the amount of tax exempt bonds which can be issued. In addition to this continuing opposition, IASB shall explore alternatives available should such limitation be forthcoming at the Federal level. This would include but not be limited to income tax credits for individuals, commercial bonds property casualty companies, etc., to provide incentives within the State of Illinois for the purchase of said bonds. (Adopted 1989)

2.55 LIFE SAFETY FUND USE
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation that allows the State Board of Education to approve the use of monies generated from the health/life safety tax levy or the sale of health/life safety bonds for building projects that, while not specifically listed as a State Board approved project, will directly result in the improved safety of the students and/or community. Specifically, such funds shall be eligible to cover the costs for the following purposes: 1) repair or replacement of property such as school sidewalks, driveways, parking lots and playground equipment, in instances when a specific safety hazard is demonstrated by a licensed architect or engineer; 2) mandated alterations to facilities and school property pursuant to requirements of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act; and 3) to provide air conditioning and climate control in the classrooms, and to provide for the lease and/or purchase of air-conditioning equipment under the tax for leasing (including lease purchase and installment purchase) of educational facilities. (Adopted 1989; Reaffirmed 1991; Amended 1993, 2006)

2.56 STATE AND FEDERAL GRANT CARRYOVER
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall encourage the state and federal governments to remove restrictions on grant programs which currently require local school districts to return grant fund balances back to the state. (Adopted 1991)

2.57 CANNABIS SALES
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall introduce and support legislation that would allocate 20% of state tax revenues from cannabis sales to public education programs that support youth development, violence prevention, and health education. These funds shall be divided equitably across the state based on the Disproportionately Impacted Area (DIA) maps that determine the R3 funding. (Adopted 2021)

2.58 HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTAL LAND USE
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall urge the Congress of the United States to provide federal funding to the school districts for landscaping and infrastructure improvements to mitigate the effects of environmental problems. These may include, but not limited to, rain gardens, pollinator gardens, stormwater detention areas, trees, and perennial plants whose root structure can help soil erosion, and sidewalks, bike paths, and covered bike parking to encourage students and staff to use active transportation to get to school. (Adopted 2021)
 

Legislative Activity

3.01 BOARD MEMBER INVOLVEMENT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall continue its legislative involvement and encourage increased legislative activity by local school board members at the district, division, and state levels while providing leadership in guiding those board members in their efforts to seek public support of legislation essential to good school government. (Portions Adopted 1974, 1981; Amended 1988; Reaffirmed 2006)

3.02 CANDIDATE SUPPORT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall actively encourage and assist school board members to effectively evaluate positions of legislative candidates relative to public education and to support those candidates who have demonstrated understanding and support for the principles of school management to ensure the best education for public school students in Illinois. (Adopted 1975; Reaffirmed 1986; Amended 2006)

3.03 LIMITED BILL INTRODUCTIONS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall encourage the Illinois General Assembly to limit the quantity of legislation introduced in each two-year period to allow time for each bill to be researched, debated, and thoroughly investigated before action by the General Assembly. (Adopted 1987; Reaffirmed 2012)

3.04 GENERAL ASSEMBLY RULES
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support changes in the operating procedures of the Illinois General Assembly which would promote maximum exchange of information between legislators and interested citizens and ensure enlightened debate on the merits of all proposed bills, and take the action necessary to prevent legislation from being changed by amendments which are not germane to the original purpose of the bill, or establish a time limit for such amendments sufficient to avoid last minute changes in the final weeks of a legislative session. (Portions Adopted 1980, 1984; Amended 1988; Reaffirmed 2012)

3.05 EFFECTIVE DATE AND STATE BOARD RULES & REGULATIONS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall encourage the Illinois General Assembly to allow a minimum of one year lead time for implementation of any regulation or legislation increasing costs in public schools. Any such changes to existing educational programs should not be implemented until the final regulations have been adopted by the State Board of Education. (Adopted 1981; Amended 1993; Reaffirmed 2012)

3.06 DATA UTILIZATION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation requiring the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent to base rules, regulations, and recommendations regarding legislation affecting public schools on empirical research, which shall be made available to the Illinois General Assembly and the interested public. (Adopted 1987)

3.07 LOCAL LEGISLATIVE VISITS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support and encourage each local Board of Education throughout the State of Illinois to make a “good faith” effort to initiate, undertake, and make an in-person visit with their local legislators in order to discuss specific issues and proposed legislation affecting local school districts. Further resolve that conducting any such visits will be part of any Awards Program adopted by the IASB that recognizes outstanding leadership and development activities by local Boards of Education. (Adopted 1995; Reaffirmed 2006)

3.08 ELECTED STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation or other appropriate action requiring that the members of the Illinois State Board of Education be elected on a regional basis. (Adopted 2002)

3.09 BUDGET STABILITY FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation requiring the Illinois General Assembly to determine the amount of funding for educational entitlements and General State Aid no later than March 31 (3 months prior to the start of the budget year) and enact a biennial budgetary cycle. Once the amount of funding for educational entitlements is determined, the General Assembly shall be required to vote on the funding in a stand-alone piece of legislation. (Adopted 2010; Reaffirmed 2011; Amended 2012, 2016)

3.10 EXPAND BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall actively present, support and advocate for legislation that expands broadband internet access for families across the State of Illinois. (Adopted 2021)

 

 

Board Operations and Duties

4.01 BOARD MEMBER — TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation which will allow members of Boards of Education to be reimbursed for mileage for school board meetings held in compliance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act and for events regarding school district staff. Mileage reimbursement would be paid at the federally allowable travel reimbursement rate. (Adopted 2008)

4.02 SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER TRAINING
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall oppose any legislation that includes additional requirements or expansion of mandatory training of school board members. The IASB encourages local boards of education to model continuous improvement by pursuing all professional development and training opportunities. IASB, with its unique combination of expertise and resources, is uniquely in the position to be the primary agency responsible for school board member training and professional development as recognized by Article 23 of the Illinois School Code, and any such legislation requiring school board member training shall specifically list the IASB as a training provider. (Adopted 2008; Amended 2012, 2020)

4.03 STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation that allows a school district to publish any notice, agenda, record, or other information or material required by law electronically instead of in a newspaper. (Adopted 2016)

4.04 BUSINESS ENTERPRISES — MINORITY OWNED
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation amending sections of statute that regulate contracting out for services to allow school districts to consider any goals set to address social responsibility, including preferences for businesses owned by minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans, in selecting companies to ser- vice contracts. (Adopted 2019)

4.05 FAITH’S LAW — CENTRALIZED STATE AGENCY FOR EHRS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall request that the Illinois Legislature require the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), or another appropriate entity, create a statewide database as a means to fulfill the Employment History Review (EHR) requirement of Faith’s Law Employment History Review (EHR) (105 ILCS 5/22-94). (Adopted 2024)

 

Board-Employee Relations

5.01 BOARD RIGHTS
The Illinois Association of School Boards supports local boards of education’s rights to determine and control, as duly elected representatives of the community, the employment, dismissal, and staff reduction of certificated and non-certificated employees. To this end, the Association shall support statutory, rules, and regulations changes that will:

• Enable the initial placement of employees on the salary schedule without regard to years of experience or graduate credit;
• Allow for greater flexibility in staffing patterns to improve efficiency and effectiveness of programs;
• Maintain the tenure rights of teachers in cooperatives in a single district but not in multiple districts; and
• Allow school districts to take action on reductions in force up to 60 calendar days following the date elementary and secondary appropriations bills become law.

(Portions adopted 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1988; Amended 1988, 1996, 2006, 2012; Reaffirmed 1992, 2011)

5.02 TEACHER SALARIES (LENGTH OF CONTRACT)
The Illinois Association of School Boards believes that teacher salaries should be determined at the local level; if teacher salary increases are legislatively mandated, they should be linked to an increase in the length of the teacher contract year for purposes to be determined locally. (Adopted 1985; Reaffirmed 2012)

5.03 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall strongly oppose legislation that diminishes the local school board’s ability to collectively bargain with employees and shall encourage the General Assembly to refrain from passing legislation and the Illinois State Board of Education or State Superintendent of Schools from promulgating administrative rules or issuing guidance documents that tips the balance of the bargaining process in favor of employee bargaining units. The Association shall continue to oppose any change in the collective bargaining law which fails to protect the rights of students, employees, taxpayers, and boards of education and their administrative staff. (Adopted 1981; Amended 1985, 2001, 2020; Reaffirmed 2012)

5.04 UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION (SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS)
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation which would exempt substitute teachers from being eligible for unemployment compensation. (Adopted 1986; Reaffirmed 2012)

5.05 PREVAILING WAGE ACT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall work to repeal legislation that regulates wages of laborers, mechanics, and other workers employed by school districts and those under contract for work being done in school districts, or amend the Prevailing Wage Act to exempt school districts from its scope, and advocate for any flexibilities that may reduce the costly burden of the Prevailing Wage Act. (Adopted 1978; Amended 1982, 1990, 2011, 2019; Reaffirmed 1985, 1988, 1996, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2016)

5.06 ESP CONTRACTS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation that allows local school boards to determine locally all contractual arrangements for education support personnel. (Adopted 1990)

5.07 ILLINOIS EDUCATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support the proposed amendment to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act, Section 10, which provides that an employer’s duty to bargain over specified matters does not include a duty to bargain over a decision to reduce the number of employees and the impact of a reduction of employees. (Adopted 1993; Reaffirmed 2012)

5.08 WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAW
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall actively support legislation to reduce the costs of Workers’ Compensation. (Adopted 1993; Reaffirmed 2012)

5.09 TENURE REPEAL
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall seek reform of the School Code to eliminate contractual continued service for teachers as currently provided by 105 ILCS 5/24-11. (Adopted 1995; Reaffirmed 2012)

5.10 SCHOOL EMPLOYEE STRIKES
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall strongly seek and support legislation forbidding public school employees from striking. The Association shall also work with legislators, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the teachers’ unions to develop alternatives to striking, including mediation and binding arbitration. (Adopted 1996; Amended 2009; Reaffirmed 2012)

5.11 THIRD PARTY CONTRACTING
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall strongly oppose legislation or rulemaking that regulates and restricts the ability of school boards to contract with third-parties for the provision of non-instructional services. The Illinois Association of School Boards shall seek to repeal or amend the provisions of the School Code which unreasonably restrict the ability of school boards to enter into contracts with third-parties for the provision of non-instruction services. (Adopted 2012)

5.12 BACKGROUND CHECKS SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support and encourage legislation that will develop a centralized process for Regional Superintendent Offices to submit certification results for each other to use in the hiring process for substitute teachers in their respective region. (Adopted 2019)

5.13 TEACHER PREP-READING INSTRUCTION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support initiatives in teacher preparation programming that prepare teachers to be trained in scientifically proven methods of reading instruction that promote student literacy. (Adopted 2020)

5.14 TEACHER SHORTAGE
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support efforts to direct the Illinois State Board of Education to expand the issuance of provisional teacher licenses to all curricular areas. (Adopted 2020)

5.15 PRE-SERVICE TEACHER EDUCATION AND LICENSURE IN LITERACY
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall advocate for legislation mandating the Illinois State Board of Education require pre-service teachers seeking licensure in the areas listed complete at least one undergraduate level literacy education course solely dedicated to scientifically proven methods of reading instruction. Before being granted licensure in the following areas, individuals must receive a passing score on the most recently published Foundations of Reading Exam using cut scores in the formal standard setting process. Licensure areas that should meet these requirements are: Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary Education, English Language Arts, Middle Grades Language Arts, Reading Specialist, Reading Teacher, Special Education, Speech Language Pathologist, and English Language Learner Teachers. (Adopted 2021)

5.16 REMOTE-VIRTUAL SCHOOL BOARD OPEN MEETINGS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall urge the Illinois General Assembly to pass legislation to allow school boards, and committees of school boards, subject to the Illinois Open Meetings Act to allow open or closed meetings to be conducted via audio or video conference, without the physical presence of a quorum of the members, so long as provisions are included: addressing verification of members present with full access and participation in the meeting; providing that public members attending in person at the location can observe all votes and discussion of the body; providing certain personnel are present at the posted meeting location; addressing the process for how votes are conducted to guarantee identification and proper recording; providing appropriate notice to news media and public regarding time, location, and methods of participation; providing appropriate verbatim record and recording of meetings are maintained and provided to the public; to remove restricting remote participation to only times of personal illness, disability, employment purposes, or family emergency. (Adopted 2021)

5.17 SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER FUNDING
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall request that the Illinois legislature consider legislation providing educational funding to all school districts to offset the cost of a school resource officer. (Adopted 2023)

5.18 BUS DRIVER REGULATIONS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support changes to the Federal and State school transportation regulations that return licensing requirements and driver trainer liability back to pre-February 2023 levels at minimum; allow LOCAL training and testing for bus driver candidates; and increase the transportation reimbursement rate from the State of Illinois to 100%. (Adopted 2023)

5.19 HEATH CARE COVERAGE
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support changes that requires the Illinois Department of Central Management Services to create a unified health plan for school districts to opt into to provide equitable insurance coverage to all school staff across the state of Illinois. (Adopted 2024)

 

Local – State – Federal Relations

6.01 LOCAL CONTROL
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall take all appropriate action to encourage members of the U.S. Congress, the Illinois General Assembly, related administrative agencies, and state and federal courts to refrain from introducing, supporting, or promulgating rules, regulations, and legislation which deprive local school districts of decision-making powers on matters in which there is not a clear and compelling state or national interest. In the event any such rule, regulation, or legislation is promulgated or adopted, the Association shall take all appropriate actions calling for amendment(s) to return the decision-making powers back to the local school district. (Adopted 1976; Amended 2014; Reaffirmed 2006, 2012, 2014, 2016)

6.02 PERIODIC REVIEW OF STATE AND FEDERAL MANDATES
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation for the creation of a Committee on Mandate Review. IASB shall support at the state and national level, periodic review of all mandates, rules, and regulations affecting local districts. Such mandates, rules and regulations should be broad in scope providing great flexibility in implementation, eased, or reduced during periods when state supporting funds are unavailable or reduced, and eliminated if not of benefit to educational opportunities and outcomes. All mandates shall be subject to a sunset provision. (Adopted 1981; Amended 1988, 2022; Reaffirmed 1985)

6.03 EDUCATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD PROCEDURES
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall work with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board to increase their sensitivity to the need for timely decisions and establish criteria to identify matters in need of expedited attention. Further, the Association shall utilize the legislative process to remove statutory barriers to timely and expedited decisions and support legislation to enhance the decision-making process. (Adopted 1989)

6.04 STATE BOARD COMMUNICATION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall continue to work with the Illinois State Board of Education to provide opportunities throughout the state each fiscal year to render local boards of education the time to express their concerns as well as to discuss their position on various pertinent educational issues. (Adopted 1982; Amended 1988)

6.05 ZONING HEARING PARTICIPATION
The Illinois Association of School Boards supports requiring planning commissions, zoning boards, and the governing bodies of the jurisdiction in which real estate developments or zoning changes are proposed to notify the school district affected about such proposals and hearings about them and, if any, about the effect of the proposed changes and developments before completing any action to approve or adopt such a change or development. (Adopted 1973; Reaffirmed 2006)

6.06 RAILROAD CROSSINGS
The Illinois Association of School Boards urges the Illinois General Assembly, the Congress of the United States, state and federal commerce commissions, and railroad industries to continue working toward the installation of adequate warning devices at all railroad crossings maintained for public use in Illinois. (Adopted 1976; Reaffirmed 2006)

6.07 ISBE RULES AND REGULATIONS REVIEW
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall encourage the Illinois State Board of Education to include school board members, administrators, and other practitioners on committees to review proposed rules and regulations. (Adopted 1990)

6.08 STUDENTS ON PUBLIC AID
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall seek and support legislation to mandate that students of families receiving State/Federal financial assistance maintain “regular” attendance as a stipulation for receipt of same. (Adopted 1995; Amended 2020)

6.09 HOME SCHOOLING POLICY
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation to enact appropriate laws and policies to demonstrate that the education received by home-taught students is of sufficient quality to ensure appropriate transfer to schools that have current certification and recognition status from the Illinois State Board of Education. (Adopted 1996; Amended 1998; Reaffirmed 2000)

6.10 STATUTORY JOB DESCRIPTIONS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall oppose legislation which allows job descriptions for employees of school district to be placed into state law. (Adopted 1997)

6.11 ADMINISTRATIVE CAPS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall not support Illinois State legislation concerning Administrative Caps and Superintendent’s Contracts as this legislation takes away local control from duly elected Boards of Education. Be it further resolved that IASB calls for the repeal of these provisions of PA 90-548 so that these provisions are again placed in the hands of local school boards. (Adopted 1998)

6.12 BILINGUAL EDUCATION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall promote legislative action calling for the Illinois State Board of Education, the U.S. Department of Education, and school districts to study the alignment of, and full financial support of, the implementation of second language, native language, and bilingual education programs. (Adopted 2004)

6.13 FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation at both the Federal and State levels to exempt school district employees from overtime and salary regulations as described in the Fair Labor Standards Act. (Adopted 2005)

6.14 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION SUPPORT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall actively participate in promoting a Constitutional Convention for the State of Illinois when the question is submitted to the voters and shall begin planning strategy and marshalling resources for the promotion of a vote in favor of conducting the Constitutional Convention. (Adopted 2005; Reaffirmed 2006, 2007)

6.15 BIDDING CONTRACTS-LOCAL BIDDERS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation that allows the local Board of Education to award a contract, under certain circumstances, to a qualified bidder that may not be the lowest responsible bidder. The bid must not be more than 2% over the lowest responsible bid and the bidder must be considered a local contractor by the local Board of Education. (Adopted 2006)

6.16 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CHANGES
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation to modify the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to facilitate school districts’ compliance with the Act and to remove unnecessary burdens on units of local government. The legislative changes should:

• Increase allowable FOIA response time from 5 business days to 10 business days.
• Exclude official school breaks in business day response time.
• Allow denials for commercial purposes.
• Allow denials for any request that is unduly burdensome.
• Clarify language that would allow a request to be denied if it is unduly burdensome to the public body if the public body deems compliance with the request would result in excessive response costs.
• Allow the imposition of reasonable fees regardless of the number of pages being provided.
• Remove the balancing test between the public’s interest and the employee’s right to privacy in the privacy exception.
• Expand the evaluation exemption to cover all school employees.
• Exempt employment applications to protect the privacy of individuals that apply for high profile employment positions.
• Delete provisions requiring public bodies to write a virtual legal opinion as to why they are claiming an exemption.
• Delete provisions requiring public bodies to prepare a virtual legal pleading before being challenged for a denial.
• Limit public bodies’ liability by limiting a court’s inquiry to violations of the FOIA Act and not the content of information provided.
• Force the Public Access Counselor to defend its decisions before a court of law if a public body is sued.
• Allow public bodies to seek review of a binding opinion of the Public Access Counselor in the county in which they are located rather than just Sangamon or Cook Counties.

(Adopted 2010)

6.17 HOMELESS STUDENT TRANSPORTATION
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation conforming Illinois law with federal law, specifically related to 105 ILCS 45 and the requirement for school districts to transport homeless students beyond district boundaries. (Adopted 2012)

6.18 MANDATE COST AND PERIODIC REVIEW
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support modifications to the Illinois State Mandates Act (30 ILCS 805) that will strengthen the ability of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to accurately and sufficiently provide timely information on the costs of mandates including input from local elected boards of education. In addition, the mandates report required for other local governments shall be required of ISBE to provide timely, updated information on the impact of new mandates as they are enacted. (Adopted 2013; Reaffirmed 2014)

6.19 SCHOOL SAFETY — TRAFFIC ZONES
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall urge adoption of legislation that urges increased traffic-calming measures in front of all schools that could include but not be limited to:

• Reduced speed limits to 20 mph or less within one block of the school from any direction on all federally designated municipal routes or Illinois Department of Transportation designated local roads.
• Enhanced speed limit signs to increase motorist awareness.
• Increased police enforcement of school zones, where feasible for local law enforcement agencies.
• Other traffic-calming measures that mitigate speeds and cut-through traffic in neighbor- hoods (e.g. striping, islands, speed bumps, etc.).
• Removing the designation “during school hours when children are present” from traffic signs or implementing other warning systems to accommodate after-school activities and use of facilities (e.g. playgrounds)

(Adopted 2019)

6.20 LOCAL CONTROL PANDEMIC
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall encourage members of the U.S. Congress, the Illinois General Assembly, related administrative agencies, and state and federal courts to take a regional approach in response to national health emergencies. (Adopted 2020)

 

 

District Organization and Elections

7.01 DISTRICT REORGANIZATION
The Illinois Association of School Boards favors school district reorganization and consolidation intended to facilitate educational improvement rather than changes in district organization based only on enrollment or geographical location. Further, IASB shall oppose any future attempts by the Legislature, Governor, and/or State Board of Education to mandate, by statute or rules and regulations, the reorganization and consolidation of school districts. Reorganization and consolidation studies should be initiated by local citizens. In addition, IASB shall oppose legislation containing financial incentives based solely on district size or organizational pattern intended to force school district consolidation or reorganization. (Adopted 1962; Amended 1985; Reaffirmed 2006)

7.02 SCHOOL DISTRICT REORGANIZATION VOTING REQUIREMENTS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall seek, encourage, and support efforts for school district reorganization — in all forms — to include a requirement that before such reorganization is deemed passed, a majority vote of voters in each of the affected districts is necessary. (Adopted 1987; Amended 1988, 2006)

7.03 ANNEXING DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall seek an amendment to Article 7 of The School Code providing that neither a petition initiated by the citizens of one school district nor a petition initiated by a local school board of education seeking to annex their entire school district or a portion of the school district above and beyond one (1) home to another should be permitted without the affirmative vote of the citizens of each of the school districts affected. Specifically, 105 ILCS 5/7-1 and 7-2 shall be amended to include the following language:

“When a petition is initiated by two-thirds (2/3rds) of the registered voters in one school district seeking to annex said district in its entirety to another school district or school districts and the board of education of such receiving school district or school districts has not adopted a resolution agreeing to such annexation, such annexation, if approved by the regional board of school trustees, shall not become effective until it is approved in an election called for the purpose of voting on the question of the voters in each school district affected.”

(Adopted 1988; Amended 1996, 2006; Reaffirmed 2000)

7.04 DETACHMENT FROM UNIT DISTRICT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall oppose any efforts to amend the Illinois School Code to allow for less restrictive procedures for school districts to detach and form a new district. (Adopted 2005; Amended 2006)

7.05 PUBLIC QUESTION VOTING DATES
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation to repeal the statute in the Election Code, amended by Public Act 84-739, which became effective January 1, 1986, which restricts school districts from placing a public question on the ballot other than when voters are scheduled to cast votes for any candidates for nomination for, election to, or retention in public office. (Adopted 1986)

7.06 SCHOOL BALLOT FORMAT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall urge the State Legislature to review and revise the school ballot formats as established in section 9-12 of the School Code to more clearly identify for whom the voter is casting a ballot. (Adopted 2001)

7.07 SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS NON-PARTISANSHIP
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall continue to support the non-partisan election of school board members at a non-partisan election. IASB strongly believes that school board candidates should not solicit, accept, or receive either a donation or financial contribution from special interest groups, political action committees or political parties. (Adopted 2003; Amended 2006, 2022)

7.08 POLLING PLACES IN SCHOOLS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation that amends the Election Code to allow a school district to refuse to be used as a polling place during elections for student safety reasons. If a school building is used as a polling place, the safety of the children and staff should not be compromised, and voters must be physically separated from students when the school is in session. School districts should not be mandated to close on Election Day if none of the buildings used by students within the district serve as polling places. (Adopted 2007; Amended 2009, 2024)

7.09 SCHOOL AS POLLING PLACE REIMBURSEMENT
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation that amends the Election Code and the School Code to mandate that the appropriate officer or board having responsibility for providing a polling place for the election reimburse the school district for any costs, included cost of security to ensure student safety, in acting as a polling place which estimated costs shall be provided to the appropriate officer or board in advance of any decision to use a particular public building in order to ensure the efficient use of public resources. (Adopted 2017)

7.10 SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS — SEATING NEW MEMBERS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation allowing newly elected candidates, who have been elected uncontested, to be sworn in or affirmed at the next regularly scheduled board meeting or special meeting, held at least 14 days after the Consolidated Election. (Adopted 2019)

7.11 SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS — TERMS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation that all school districts having a population of not more than 500,000 shall serve four-year terms and be seated at the first board meeting held at least 14 days following the school board election. (Adopted 2019)

7.12 REORGANIZE BOARD-FROM 28 TO 40 DAYS
The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation to change the legal requirement of reorganizing a newly elected board of education to “from within 28 days” to “from within 40 days” of the election. (Adopted 2021)