Here is a Table of Contents for the September/October 2009 issue of Illinois School Board Journal. Highlighted articles are available here in full-text form. For other articles get in touch with:

IASB Publications
2921 Baker Drive
Springfield 62703
217/528-9688, extension 1131

• Prescription for financial health
  by Robert J. Maonia
  Practicing "preventative medicine" when it comes to school finances can help districts in any wealth category weather downturns in the economy.

• Achieving academic goals while cutting your budget
  by John Asplunc
  A superintendent offers guidelines for districts that want to make academic progress in the face of financial hardships.

• Superintendents mirror boards in hours, tenure
  by Linda Dawson
  Just like their board members, superintendents who responded to an IASB survey said they are spending more time on board work but staying with their districts for fewer years.
  Sidebar: Politics and regionalism in Illinois

• Avoid these pitfalls in teacher union contracts
  by George M. Kohut
  In the first of a two-part series, an assistant superintendent with negotiations experience explains the concept of "status quo" and how it affects teacher contracts.

• Discerning the differences between managers, leaders
  by J. Gregory Reynolds and Walter H. Warfield
  Schools have traditionally been full of quality managers, but escalating standards and changing demographics demand educational leaders … and those two are not the same.

• Practical PR: Communication eases mind-boggling finances.
  by Jennifer Bialobok

• Ask the staff: Board members' e-mail, Internet use increasing
  Answered by Linda Dawson