Joint Annual Conference

IASB understands that attending conferences can sometimes be financially challenging for school districts. This year, IASB will offer 42 scholarships — two individual scholarships (for two board members) in each of IASB’s 21 regional divisions. Each scholarship presents the opportunity for recipients to enhance their professional growth and to network with peers, colleagues, and other educational personnel at the nation’s premier statewide gathering of public education leaders. At the Conference, you can connect with like-minded individuals and enhance your professional development to benefit your local board, district, students, and community.

The scholarship will cover:

• Conference registration fee (value $520)   
• Daily meal allotment of $75 per day for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (alcohol is not reimbursable)  
• Expense reimbursement payment of $99.99 maximum per recipient (e.g. mileage, train ticket reimbursement, parking, etc.)  
• Access to reserve housing at one of the eight IASB housing block hotels*

Each scholarship recipient will be assigned an IASB Director, who will serve as a mentor and guide to maximize the learning opportunities at the Joint Annual Conference.

The Scholarship Application opened on April 22. The deadline to complete the online application is May 20. Scholarship recipients will be notified in writing of the scholarship award by May 28.

The mission of the Illinois Association of School Boards is to Light the Way for its members by developing their competence and confidence through premier training, networking opportunities, and providing a platform for collective voices in pursuit of excellence in local school board governance. The IASB Board of Directors has developed the Joint Annual Conference Scholarship program to support IASB member school districts in this mission. 

IASB staff is ready to assist if you have any questions or need further information. Please reach out to Carla Bolt at (217) 528-9688, ext. 1140.

*The scholarship does not cover housing. The recipient district is responsible for the non-refundable housing deposit and daily room charges, taxes and/or parking fees.

By participating in this Illinois Association of School Boards (hereinafter IASB) event, you are automatically authorizing IASB and its employees, agents, and assigns to use your name, photograph, voice, or other likeness for purposes related to the mission of IASB, including but not limited to publicity, marketing, websites, other electronic forms of media, and promotion of IASB and its various programs. 

IASB reserves the right to request and audit receipts of expenses paid with the scholarship funds. Scholarship recipients are advised to maintain receipts of expenses, including meals (detailed itemized receipts), for a period of one year following the conclusion of the Joint Annual Conference. 

Below is information regarding the Gift Ban article of the State Officials and Employee Ethics Act (Act). IASB includes this information to scholarship applicants as a reminder, but it does not provide legal advice to board members or district employees regarding the Act, nor will IASB be liable for any board member or district employee’s violation(s) of the Act. School board members and district employees should follow their boards’ Ethics and Gift Ban policies that are required by the Act when accepting food, beverage, and other item(s) from prohibited sources. 

Reminder: The Gift Ban article of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act 5 ILCS 430/10-10 et seq.) only allows school board members and school employees to accept from a prohibited source: (1) food or refreshments not exceeding $75 per person per calendar day, provided they are either consumed on the premises from which they were purchased or prepared, or catered (delivered and ready to eat); and (2) any item(s) during any calendar year having a cumulative total value of less than $100. Exceptions to the gift ban include, in relevant part, educational materials and missions, which are defined under State regulations as including those materials and missions that: (1) have a close connection to the recipient officer’s or employee’s State employment or mission of the office; and (2) primarily benefit the public and not the employee or officer. Educational materials and missions may include waiver of conference registration fees for invitees of a conference host.