Archived Webinars

Learn how Illinois school boards are driving their visions of equity and inclusion, and how they navigate challenges and still celebrate progress. IASB will share how the Association is prepared to assist members with workshops, webinars, and resources no matter where you are on your Equity Journey.

Join members of the ICSA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee to review current law and guidelines concerning students who are transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming. Four experienced school law attorneys will then offer practical insights into accommodating student requests while balancing the interests of other students, school personnel, families, and community members.

The final Summer Equity Institute webinar will feature three districts that will speak to unique issues that affect larger districts that serve thousands of students and larger communities. This will be a panel discussion feature representatives from Joliet PSD 86, Peoria SD 150 and Champaign CUSD 4 – all of which are making BIG moves in their equity journeys, including the adoption of anti-racism resolutions, implementing calming spaces and flexible learning environments for students, and the institutionalization of cultural knowledge for all. The panel will answer questions, as well as showcase equity initiatives unique to their districts and their student populations.

Park Forest Chicago Heights SD 163 is in the south suburbs of Chicago with six schools and has an enrollment of nearly 1,600. They have started implementing programs that have an impact on school communities. These programs include addressing teacher pedagogy and its connection to equitable instruction through staff book talks and coaching. They are also creating and extending community programs.

Evanston/Skokie SD 65 is on Lake Michigan and north of Chicago. It is a pre-K through eighth grade district serving over 7,000 students from Evanston and a section of Skokie. The district represents a range of different backgrounds. D65 equity journey has included creating the Equity, Family and Community Engagement program that builds relationships and creates teams that include stakeholders.

CHSD 230 is a diverse community with three public high schools, decided to embrace diversity through study, engagement, student programs, and inclusion of stakeholders, creating a sense of purpose around addressing equity. Join Robert Nolting, Superintendent, to learn about the initial "data dive" that led to experiences, initiatives, and continued focus through the Strategic Planning process.

Engage in important conversations around race and equity in education and develop the initial level of cultural competencies needed to impact teaching and learning. Join Sonya Whitaker, Ed.D., author and the Deputy Superintendent at Dolton West SD 148, to learn the core competencies school board members need to better ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are implemented successfully.

Join members of the Illinois Council of School Attorneys Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee to discuss how to identify where you are on your equity journey and where you want to be, while planning for potholes, traffic jams, or express lanes along the way.

The Equity Journey Continuum is an informational tool to help districts view data through an equity lens to identify gaps in student achievement, opportunities, and supports.

Discover how words are used and misused, how to make better word choices, and how to bring less bias and more inclusion and clarity to your words.

(11/12/2024) Interfund Loans and Transfers: What Boards Need to Know
Join Brittany Flaherty Theis, partner at Robbins Schwartz, and Steve Miller, Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations at Schaumburg School District 54, for an overview of interfund loans and transfers, what boards need to know, and pitfalls to avoid.

Huntley Community SD 158 was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with a Green Ribbon award for innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and costs, promote better health, and ensure effective environmental education. Huntley's green initiatives began nearly 14 years ago and have resulted in an annual energy cost savings for the district of approximately $1.5 million. Hear from members of the board and administrative team as they share their green initiatives journey.

School boards across the state are approving district budgets for the upcoming year. What do new board members need to know? What questions should be asked? How does the board monitor this work? Join Diane Robertson, a former superintendent and current Illinois Association of School Administrators Field Services Director for this timely topic.

The board plays a major role in the maintenance of facilities, including planning for summer renovations. Districts should review the five-year maintenance program at regular board meetings, selecting projects to be completed and finding the funding. Terry Fielden, Vice President at International Contractors and a former board member at Naperville CUSD 203, will be joined by a panel of practitioners regarding the expectations of board planning and funding for facility renovations.

How can solar, storage, and electric school buses earn district revenue and maximize energy savings? Join Econergy CEO Haj Young and Williamsfield CUSD 210 Superintendent Tim Farquer to learn about a collaboration that installed and utilizes megawatts of solar and have written for millions of dollars in grants.

When we hear about Illinois' pension funding challenges, what does it mean? While school districts have no direct control over the “pension problem,” this webinar will help you to understand how we got here at the state and local levels, how it impacts your district, and ideas for the future. Join Tom Reedy and Tom Crabtree from Stifel and Jim Snyder from Ice Miller for this timely discussion.

Illinois school districts are responsible for funding support staff pensions with the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. Join IMRF Field Representative Mandy Beedie-Powers for an informative session regarding the funding of the system, the benefits for employees, and your board's responsibility as one of almost 3,000 employers within the system.

The Illinois General Assembly created the Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS) in 1939 for the purpose of providing retirement annuities, and disability and survivor benefits for educators employed in public schools outside the city of Chicago. Join Rich Frankenfeld, Director of Outreach for an overview of the system and its relationship to Illinois School Districts.

Join Scott Beranek, Business Manager/CSBO from Lindop SD 92 and Katie Hannigan, Business Manager/CSBO from LaGrange Highlands SD 106 for an informative discussion of school district expenditure topics, including fund accounting, coding of expenditures, and the report of expenditures at the district level.

Learn about the property tax cycle, Evidence-Based Funding, and other sources of revenue for school districts from Kyle Harding, Partner at Chapman and Cutler LLP; and Steve Miller, Executive Director for Business Operations at Schaumburg CCSD 54.

Dive deep into roster management and learn the ins and outs of managing your district’s roster, before and after elections and all year long. This webinar will explore accessing your roster, adding board members, concluding terms, and making changes to names, positions, and other fields. Also discussed will be best practices and timelines.

Whether you are an experienced school administrative professional, or brand new to the job, let us help you navigate the IASB member database. Gather tips and tricks, including registering for events, locating information related to the Joint Annual Conference, printing statements and invoices, navigating the website, printing certificates, and more.

Do you ever doubt if you can do something? Or worse, do you ever think others doubt your ability to get the job done? This webinar will have you saying "I've Got This" about your work. Join Donna McCaw, Ed.D., for this presentation designed for district administrative professionals, although all are welcome. Come prepared to laugh a lot and leave with tools to use when self-doubt creeps in.

(6/6/2024) Welcoming Your New Superintendent: The Board's Role
You've hired a new superintendent, now what? The transition from one superintendent to the next plays a big part in the success of the new superintendent and the newly created board/superintendent team. Join Vic Zimmerman, IASB Executive Searches and IASA Field Services Director; and Lori Grant, leader of IASB's Board Development team, to learn how to set your new superintendent up for success.

(4/9/2024) PRESS and PRESS Plus Issue 114: Spring Policy Planting for Summer Blooms
PRESS Issue 114 is here! Join the PRESS Editors to review materials updated in response to bills that become effective during Summer 2024, bills passed during the 2023 veto session of the 103rd General Assembly, miscellaneous updates, and five-year review updates. Following the issue review, stay with us for an overview of customized PRESS Plus Issue 114.

(3/28/2024) Data Literacy III: Illinois Report Card Deep Dive and Questions Answered
In Part III of our Data Literacy series, get a fresh look at the new features and data visualizations of the Illinois Report Card. Join Rae Clementz, Executive Director of Data, Accountability and Assessment, and Maureen Font, Director of Data Strategies and Analytics from the Illinois State Board of Education as they take a deeper dive and share new elements of the Report Card, followed by a time for you to ask your data questions.

(3/14/2024) Data Literacy II: Understanding Summative Designations
Exemplary, Commendable, Targeted, Comprehensive, Intensive. These summative designations on the Illinois Report Card help families and communities understand how well schools are serving all students. In Part II of our Data Literacy series, learn about the key metrics, performance indicators, and methods used to determine the Annual Summative Designation for each school. Join Tiffany Burnett, Ed.D. Director of Accountability with the Illinois State Board of Education, to gain valuable insights on this data designation.

Are you eager to discover the secret behind retaining teachers? Hear from members of the Schaumburg School District 54 administrative and school board team to learn the steps and strategies they have taken to build a positive, collaborative culture that keeps teachers returning year after year.

Ready to turbocharge your meetings and drive impactful decisions? This webinar will equip you with the ultimate toolkit for mastering parliamentary procedure. Unveil the mystery behind meeting protocols, get a grip on motion magic, and learn the art of sparking dynamic discussions.

Explore the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its transformative potential in the field of education. Chris Lawton, IASB Director of Technology, offers a presentation that will demystify AI concepts and showcase how it can revolutionize teaching and learning experiences.

Join IASB Assistant General Counsel Debra Jacobson and Field Services Director Laura Martinez in this interactive session to gain clarity about board committees and how they work. Differentiate board and superintendent committees, identify the roles of committees in governance, and comply with the Open Meetings Act. Gain practical strategies for formation, responsibilities, and collaboration.

SuperEval is an IASB sponsored program that allows the school board to implement a superintendent evaluation process based on district annual goals, national standards, evidence, and reflection. Join Brian Bailey, Ph.D. from SuperEval and school Superintendent Allison Sherman of Oak Grove SD 68/Green Oaks as they show how an evaluation process can promote the growth of school leaders, demonstrate a system of accountability, and strengthen the board/superintendent relationship.

Selecting a superintendent may be the most important responsibility a board undertakes. Learn the steps and review critical aspects in a webinar designed to assist a district anticipating a superintendent, assistant superintendent, business manager, director, principal, or other key administrative change. Join the IASB Executive Searches team to hear more information and discuss your questions.

Communicating the right message at the right time to the right audience can be the difference between success and failure. Learn how to navigate district communications from Tom Jackson, APR, Director of Communications & Community Engagement, School District 45, DuPage County; Tom Hernandez, Director of Community Relations, Plainfield CCSD 202; and Brett Clark, APR, Director of Communications, Maine THSD 207.

How do you deal with social media criticism? Is it better to respond or remain silent? How do you handle an angry email? Join Brad Hughes, communications expert and former Kentucky School Boards Association staff member, as he covers these and other communications topics relevant to school board members.

(4/9/2024) PRESS and PRESS Plus Issue 114: Spring Policy Planting for Summer Blooms
PRESS Issue 114 is here! Join the PRESS Editors to review materials updated in response to bills that become effective during Summer 2024, bills passed during the 2023 veto session of the 103rd General Assembly, miscellaneous updates, and five-year review updates. Following the issue review, stay with us for an overview of customized PRESS Plus Issue 114.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) leads to beneficial outcomes for students and schools. Join Ryan Wamser and Matt Weld from ROE 40 and the Area 5 SEL Hub to learn what SEL looks like in schools and what current state initiatives can mean for districts as they strengthen their work in supporting student and staff mental health, resiliency, and equity.

Given the open nature of school board meetings and the contentious issues addressed, knowing how to handle hostile questions and comments in the horseshoe is a key success skill for board members. This skill is about treating the question and questioner with respect and thus earning respect as a leader. The skill makes it easier for others to hear your perspective, without changing or softening your point of view. This session will introduce a method for handling hostile questions and invite members to practice handling hostile questions in break-out groups. Jim Bolton, a consultant, trainer, and executive coach from Ridge Training, will present.

Conflict is defined as “competing needs accompanied by high emotion.” When people are flooded by emotions they become defensive, triggering defensiveness in others. Learn to de-escalate negativity and emotional gridlock that block the ability to address the important needs underlying strong points of view. Jim Bolton, a consultant, trainer, and executive coach from Ridge Training, will present.

Stress pushes us to primitive parts of our brain, focused on survival instead of essential problem-solving skills for decision-making. Understanding emotional regulation will help board members function in meetings and guide understanding of student dysregulation and the importance of emotional regulation in schools. Presented by Licensed Clinical Psychologist Doug Bolton, Ph.D.

Listening is the master skill underlying all communication. Intentional listening enhances board members’ understanding of the needs and goals of different viewpoints and improves relationships with stakeholders. Learn the skills required to be a better listener and to listen effectively when it counts. Jim Bolton, a consultant, trainer, and executive coach from Ridge Training, will present.

High-stakes conversations have “candor moments,” when we feel strongly but can’t articulate it. In such moments, some people “bail out,” overwhelmed or shut down. Others “bruise” (metaphorically) by being harsh or overly assertive. Learn a third way, the way of candor, for respectful and open conversation. Jim Bolton, a consultant, trainer, and executive coach from Ridge Training, will present.

Join us for the first in a series of leadership webinars for Illinois school board members. Learn the social and emotional dynamics that underlie success and the skills that can help you be more effective in your role. In any learning community, student social and emotional learning begins with the adults, and it is essential that school boards understand SEL and how it applies. Doug Bolton, Ph.D. and Licensed Clinical Psychologist, is our presenter.