Joint Annual Conference

November 21-23, 2025

Administrative Professionals' Program

A professional development opportunity designed to enhance the roles and skills of the individual(s) in every district who perform the duties of the school board secretary or administrative assistant.

Dates and Location

Friday and Saturday, November 22-23 at the Swissötel

Additional Registration Required

All attendees must be paid registrants for the 2024 Joint Annual Conference and register for the Administrative Professionals' Program; however there is no extra cost to attend this event.

REGISTER

Additional Event Registration Instructions
 

Build Knowledge, Grow Professional Skills, and Network with Peers

All individuals registered for Conference as an administrative professional are invited and encouraged to attend this unique professional development opportunity.

The two-day training includes breakout panels, a keynote speaker, networking opportunities, and the chance to schedule a one-on-one appointment with an IASB policy consultant. These sessions are developed to build knowledge and grow professional skills for both those who are new on the job, and those who have many years of experience.

Download the Administrative Professionals' Program Flyer

For additional information contact Tasha Levy at (217) 528-9688, ext. 1127.

Friday, November 22

Opening Session

9-11 a.m.
Welcome and Presentation of the Holly Jack Outstanding Service Award

Keynote: Dan Meers, KC Wolf, Kansas City Chiefs Mascot, and Motivational Speaker – “Courageous Leadership ─ Living a Life of Influence."
 

Friday Panels

12:45-1:45 p.m.
D-47 Tech Team
  • Presenters: Clare Bourne, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, Crystal Lake CCSD 47; Tommy Chanthasene, Director of Technology, Crystal Lake CCSD 47; Dave Jenkins, Assistant Superintendent of Technology Services, Crystal Lake CCSD 47
FOIA and Open Meetings Act Updates: Legislative Amendments and Recent Decisions
  • Presenter: Leah Bartelt, Public Access Counselor, Illinois Attorney General’s Office
Illinois Records Act
  • Presenters: Steve Colaizzi, Field Representative, Local Records Unit, Illinois State Archives; Marikay Hegarty, Field Representative, Local Records Unit, Illinois State Archives
2-3 p.m.
Collaborative Leadership: Superintendents and Secretaries Working Together for Positive Change
  • Presenters: Panel Discussion led by Anna Alvarado, Ed.D., Superintendent of Freeport SD 145; Greta Harrell, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent/Secretary to the Board of Education, Freeport SD 145 and winner of the 2023 Holly Jack Outstanding Service Award
Google's Lesser-Known Tools
  • Presenter: Lisa Schwartz, Regional Educational Technology Coordinator, Learning Technology Centers of Illinois
IMRF
  • Presenter: Michael Scaramelli, Member Counselor, IMRF Member Education Team

Saturday, November 23

Panels

10:30-11:30 a.m.

AP Power Hour
  • A Roundtable Networking Event led by the Administrative Professionals Committee Planning Team   
1:30-2:30 p.m.
From the Trenches: Stories and Strategies Shared by Experienced APs
  • Presenters: A panel discussion led by Clare Bourne, Executive Administrative Assistant, Crystal Lake CCSD 47, Tiffany Taylor, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, Bremen CHSD 228, and Linda Wehrheim, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, Winnetka SD 36
Exploring AI
  • Presenter: Lisa Schwartz, Regional Educational Technology Coordinator, Learning Technology Centers of Illinois
3-4 p.m.
Policy and/or Procedure Manual Maintenance
  • Presenter: John Fines, Director, Policy Services, IASB
Transparency Talk
  • Presenters: Nicki Bazer, Attorney and Member, Illinois Council of School Attorneys, Franczek P.C.; Brian Crowley, Attorney and Member, Illinois Council of School Attorneys, Franczek P.C.; Emily Tulloch, Attorney and Member, Illinois Council of School Attorneys, Franczek P.C.
Agendas and Minutes
  • Curt Richardson, Attorney and Member, Illinois Council of School Attorneys, McLean Co. Unit District 5