Joint Annual Conference

November 21-23, 2025

Administrative Professionals' Program — Enhance Your Skills and Grow Your Networking Group

A professional development opportunity designed to enhance the roles and skills of the individuals in every district who perform the duties of the school board secretary or administrative assistant.

  • Gather tips and tricks for dealing with tough questions and difficult situations that arise in your district.
  • Find innovative solutions to daily issues you encounter in the administrative office.
  • Meet fellow administrative professionals from districts across the state and build a support framework you can turn to.
     

Build Knowledge, Grow Professional Skills, and Network with Peers

The two-day training includes breakout panels, a keynote speaker, networking opportunities, and the chance to schedule a one-on-one appointment with an IASB policy consultant. These sessions are developed to build knowledge and grow professional skills for both those who are new on the job, and those who have many years of experience.

Dates and Location

Friday and Saturday, November 21-22 at the Swissötel

Registration Information

All attendees must be paid registrants of the 2025 Joint Annual Conference and register for the Administrative Professionals' Program; however there is no extra cost to attend this event. School district administrative professionals are encouraged to participate in this unique professional development opportunity.

Registration Instructions

For additional information contact Shantel Rotherham or Nesa Brauer.

Friday, November 21

9-11 a.m.

Opening Session
Welcome and Presentation of the 2025 Holly Jack Outstanding Service Award

Keynote: Marianne Renner, Leadership Coach, Speaker, and Trainer — How to Be Your BEST when Things are at Their WORST

12:45-1:45 p.m.

Manage Your Time or Time Will Manage You!
Presenter: PJ Caposey, Ph.D., Superintendent, Oregon CUSD 220 and Superintendent, Meridian CUSD 223

FOIA/OMA Updates: Legislative Amendments, Recent Decisions
Presenter: Benjamin Silver, Supervising Attorney, Public Access Bureau, Office of the Illinois Attorney General

Work Smarter with Google Gemini and AI Tools
Presenter: Lisa Schwartz, Regional EdTech Coordinator, Learning Technology Center

Understanding IMRF Benefits
Presenter: Rebecca Alanis, Member Education Counselor, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)

2-3 p.m.

Embracing Self-Care & Supporting Well-Being in the Workforce
Presenter: Shalonda Randle, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent of Equity and Curriculum, Freeport SD 145

Policy and Administrative Procedure Manual Maintenance
Presenter: John Fines, Director, IASB Policy Services

AI for Go-Getters: Advanced Tools for Efficiency
Presenter: Eric Santos, Regional EdTech Coordinator Chicagoland, Learning Technology Center

Moving Forward in Chaos: What’s Normal in a District Office?
Presenters: DeAnn Heck, Ed.D., Superintendent, El Paso Gridley CUSD 11; and Kate Ringger, Administrative Assistant and 2024 Holly Jack Outstanding Service Award Winner, El Paso Gridley CUSD 11

Saturday, November 22

10:30-11:30 a.m.

AP Power Hour
A roundtable networking event led by volunteers of the Administrative Professionals Committee Planning Team. Table topics this year include:
  • Board Member Handbook
  • Staying Motivated
  • Leveraging Technology
  • How to Wear Many Hats
  • Beyond the Board Meeting
  • Working Through Emotional Situations with Professionalism
  • Making Connections – Creating and Cultivating Your Personal Network (Districts under 1,500 enrollment)
  • Making Connections – Creating and Cultivating Your Personal Network (Districts over 1,500 enrollment)

1:30-2:30 p.m.

From Agendas to Action: Legally Sound Board Documentation
Presenter: Trisha Olson, Chief Legal Officer, School District U-46 and Member, Illinois Council of School Attorneys

AI for APs: Supercharge your Daily Workflow
Presenter: Jim Boswell, Ed.D., Director of Operations and Technology, Bremen CHSD 228

2:45-3:45 p.m.

Transparency Talk
Presenters: Brian Crowley, Partner, Franczek P.C. and Member, Illinois Council of School Attorneys; Brittany Begley, Associate, Franczek P.C. and Member, Illinois Council of School Attorneys

Stay Strong, Stay Kind: A Playbook for Difficult People
Presenters: Kelly Stewart, Ph.D., Associate Professor, McKendree University; Jay Goble, Ph.D., Director of Graduate Programs, School of Education, McKendree University; and Julie Brown, Ed.D., Instructor/Lecturer, McKendree University