The next Joint Annual Conference is still 10 months away; but now is the time for local school districts to submit their proposals for presenting panels at the 2010 event. Feb. 19 is the deadline for submitting proposal applications. Both electronic and print applications are available. Learn more about how to submit a proposal HERE.

IASB has launched the LeaderShop Online Learning Center - online learning that is affordable and available anytime, anywhere. These online courses are designed to complement those available IASB in-district, regional and statewide workshops.

The December 2009 PRESS issue - the third in a series devoted to the policies and procedures amended due to 2009 legislation - contains the material updated in response to the revised Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 140/ and 120/, amended by P.A. 96-542, eff. 1-1-10). All three issues - September, November and December 2009 - are now available to subscribers by the PRESS login. For more information on the FOIA changes, please CLICK HERE.

The Joint Annual Conference set an attendance record in November, with 12,379 registered for the premiere school leadership event in the state. Nearly 89 percent of Illinois' 868 public school districts were represented at the event. This year's panel sessions drew 9,648, an increase of nearly 15 percent from last year. In other IASB news, workshops are set for January and February on the Basics of Law on Board Meetings and Practices.

What happens when a small district becomes a large district and many of the students speak a language other than English? Find out in "The Magnificent Story of District 202, A true tale of growing bilingual education." Also...

Compiled each week during sessions of the General Assembly and as needed during off-session times, Alliance Legislative Reports summarize major legislative activities and bills of interest to school leaders. Read the latest ALR here (2/4/10).