The menu below offers a selection of practical information designed to help a school board and its superintendent carry out their responsibilities. Check here often for additions and up-dates. These publications are available for download only.

SCHOOL BOARD PROCEDURES

Foundational Principles of Effective School Governance -- Six principles that describe the work of school boards. (PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)
For a text version of the Foundational Principles (with pop-up definitions for key terms), click here.

Seating New Members and Organizing the New Board -- Booklet suggests some procedures for the school board's organizational meeting following each board election - seating new members, electing officers and setting time and place for regular meetings. (PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Code of Conduct for Members of School Boards -- Statement adopted by the IASB Board of Directors (1976) espouses high ethical standards for boards of education and individual board members. (PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

School Board Self-Evaluation -- Flier explains benefits of a school board self-evaluation and how the help of an IASB staff member enables a school board to monitor its own performance. (PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

IASB Superintendent Search Service -- Flier describes the service IASB offers a school board seeking to fill its superintendency and the steps involved in a search. Current Information Online includes access to application form and live links to current searches.

Understanding Illinois Personnel Records Review Act -- Revised in 2011, this booklet explains the requirements of the Illinois Personnel Records Review Act and provides some forms to aid compliance. (PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

School Board Records -- Requirements of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. By James P. Bartley and Julie E. Lewis. Explains what school districts must do to comply with state laws governing public meetings and records and offers guidelines on how to do it. Revised March 2010. (PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

BOARD-SUPERINTENDENT RELATIONSHIP

Guidelines for a Superintendent's Contract -- Whether annual or multi-year, the board and superintendent should put their agreement in writing. This pamphlet presents suggestions on a multitude of items that should be considered. Available in hard copy only.

A School Board's Guide: Performance-Based Employment Contracts for Superintendents -- This "how to do it" guide will help the school board and superintendent develop the performance goals that are required by law in a school administrator's multi-year employment contract. Text available online.

How to Develop a Performance Evaluation Process -- Evaluating the superintendent means establishing clear expectations and then agreeing on how performance will be measured against those expectations. This brief guide explains why and how. (PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

ELECTIONS

Board Secretary as Gatekeeper -- Here are some guidelines for the board secretary to follow in accepting or rejecting the nominating papers of school board candidates. (PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Recruiting School Board Candidates -- For school boards interested in cultivating their next generation of local leaders, this packet of brochures is designed to help recruit prospective school board candidates. This material is intended to support an ongoing process of identifying, recruiting and mentoring future school board candidates, whether at the next election or during an appointment process.

Some Rules for Staying on the Ballot -- To overcome any possible legal challenges, school boards candidates should be sure their nominating petitions meet the letter of the law. (PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Illinois Laws Affecting the School Finance Referendum -- Here's a compilation of some of the laws that school boards and administrators should be aware of as they consider putting a finance proposition to referendum. Covers pertinent election laws, limits on uses of public funds, voter registration and related issues. Booklet is included in the Kit described above. (PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

COMMUNITY RELATIONS TOOLS

Public Opinion Survey Kit -- Tips on gathering information and assessing attitudes through local surveys. Includes examples of questionnaires, sampling procedures, survey methods and other materials. Hard copy only; one per district, please.

Community Relations Resources -- Publications and tools that help school officials inform their communities on some important issues.

OTHER RESOURCES

Orienting New Board Members -- New IASB publication targets district identity, board processes. (PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Tax Cap Limitations -- A video taped presentation of the effects on government services you can expect from the Property Tax Limitation Law. (Learn where to borrow a copy of the video.)

It's YOUR Association -- A brief summary of the Illinois Association of School Boards, including purposes, programs, services, activities, and governance. Explains what members get for their dues. (PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

IASB Constitution and Position Statements -- These documents present the constitution and the current Delegate Assembly resolutions of the Illinois Association of School Boards. Published annually in January. Text available online.

IASB Beliefs -- Small booklet reiterates Association belief statements adopted over the years by the Delegate Assembly. (PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

IASB Publications Catalog-- Describes books, reports and periodicals available from IASB, along with member and non-member prices and ordering information. Hard copy available. An on-line alternative: Visit the IASB Bookstore.

Guidelines for Authors for Illinois School Board Journal -- This flier describes what journal editors look for in meeting the needs and interests of school board members. Text available online

Directory, Illinois Council of School Attorneys -- Lists more than 200 school lawyers alphabetically by last name, along with addresses, telephones and websites. Also includes a geographical listing by city. Hard copy available. Also available online at www.iasb.com/lawdir/.

More IASB Resources