Cover Stories

• The School Board’s Financial Calendar

  By James B. Fritts, Ph.D. with Senior Editor Ann Williams, Ed.D.

  Excerpted from Essentials of Illinois School Finance, Tenth Edition.

• What's New with School Bonds?

  By Brittany Edwardes Keil

  How passing a school bond has changed over the past decade, nationally and in Illinois.

• Communicating Referendum Details to Your Community

  By Brett Clark

  When a school board has determined the need to place a bond issue or operating question on the ballot, the school district owes the constituents accurate, timely, and trustworthy information.

Regular Features

• Front Page: September/October 2024

  By Theresa Kelly Gegen

  One aspect of governance is, of course, school finance, including budgeting, scheduling, and planning for a referendum. You’ll find information on all of that in this issue of the Journal.

• On Outreach & Training: The Walk to the Baldridge Gold Award

  By Arlana Bedard

  John Smith, School Board President, and PJ Caposey, Superintendent, were interviewed by Arlana Bedard to share their story about the process and resulting Baldridge Gold Award. 

• Advocacy Angle: Advocacy in Action

  Advocacy can mean a lot of different things to people and each of these districts were given unique opportunities to advocate: Beardstown CUSD 15 and  Homewood School District 153.

• Communications Corner: Discover the New IASB Support Network

  By Kara Kienzler

  The new IASB Community offers members a new networking opportunity for mutual support and the sharing of valuable benefits, information, and expertise.

• ICYMI: Second Try is a Charm/Passing a Facilities Referendum

  By Fatima Cooke

  Lake Villa CCSD 41 learned to listen and to better engage the community on a second attempt at a referendum, which secured the support needed to succeed.

• Practical PR: Embracing New Beginnings on the Leadership Team

  By Karen Warner

  New school leaders can build a strong foundation with their communications teams.