Training for School Board Members
IASB Pre-Conference Workshops are designed to give school board members knowledge,
skills, and resources to provide effective board leadership. Participants can mix and match two half-day sessions (morning/afternoon) or choose one full-day workshop. All workshops are designated for credit in IASB's Board Leader Recognition Program.
Friday, November 18 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago (one level above the main lobby).
Three Full-Day Workshops Offered
Full-day workshops available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. include continental breakfast, lunch, and workshop materials.
Professional Development Leadership Training (PDLT) and Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) Training for School Board Members
Presenters: Carrie Hruby, Ed.D., Superintendent, O'Fallon CCSD 90; and TBD
This four-hour professional development leadership course fulfills the training requirement contained in the school code. Course content includes instruction in education and labor law; financial oversight and accountability; and fiduciary responsibilities. Every new school board member elected or appointed must complete this training within the first year of the first term. Also covered in this course is Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) training, required for board members prior to voting on a dismissal based on an “optional alternative evaluation dismissal process for PERA evaluations.”
The Trust Edge Experience
Presenters: Patrick Allen and Lori Grant, Field Services Directors, IASB
The Trust Edge Experience builds high-performing teams and creates a common language to build connection, improve clarity, and increase productivity. Led by a certified Trust Edge coach, participants will explore the 8-Pillar Framework™ for building trust and identify how trust impacts every area of work and life. Participants will practice methods to clarify expectations, improve relationships, and reduce interpersonal conflict, as well as methods for appreciating others, building an accountable culture, and recognizing how to rebuild trust when it has been broken.
Leading Leaders: The Job of the Board President
Presenters: Laura Martinez, Field Services Director, IASBDo you know that you impact the tone and expectations of the governance team and district as the board president? As a servant leader, the board president has the influence and ability to impact the quality of the board's work which ultimately affects the entire educational system. An effective president does far more than "run the meeting." A board president must keep the board focused on setting district direction; maintain open lines of communication with the superintendent, other board members, and the public; be knowledgeable of legal board requirements; galvanize the board towards collaboration and successful leadership; and much more. This interactive workshop will explore the board president's crucial role and responsibilities, including having productive meetings, managing board conflict, establishing effective communications, engaging in teamwork, and leading boards in today's educational world.
Six Half-Day Workshops Offered
Mix and match a morning and afternoon half-day session; 9-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3 p.m. Morning workshops will include a continental breakfast and workshop materials; afternoon workshops include lunch and workshop materials.
A.M. Workshops (9–11:30 a.m.)
Making Meetings Matter (registration closed)
Presenters: Sandra Kwasa, Director, Board Development; and Reatha Owen, Field Services Director, IASBThe only authority board members have is when they are engaged in a legally convened board meeting. Meetings matter … a lot! Join us if you dread your meetings and are wondering if, “There has to be a better way.” This workshop will challenge you, whether you are a new or veteran board member, to evaluate your board meetings and learn best practices necessary to conduct an effective board meeting, which makes good use of valuable time.
School Finance for School Board Members (registration closed)
Presenters: Bill Phillips, Former Field Services Director, Illinois Association of School Administrators
Join Bill Phillips for this informative, next-level look at Illinois school finance. Explore such topics as district bonding, property tax levy, annual school district budget, and the calculation and impact of the Evidence-Based Funding formula.
Get Ready to Govern
Presenter: Timi Tullis, Associate Executive Director, Association of Alaska School Boards
Though there may not be a lot of things that Illinois and Alaska have in common, one thing we know is once an individual is elected to the school board the real learning begins! How do we get this to work? What does it mean to govern vs. manage the district? How does the board work to develop mutual trust with the superintendent and have a clear understanding of their respective roles? Join Timi Tullis of the Association of Alaska School Boards for this engaging and interactive session.
Partnership Is the New Leadership (registration closed)
Presenters: Ty Bennett, Author and Entrepreneur
Join bestselling author and speaker Ty Bennett and learn how to create transformation in your organization, how to be a relevant leader who creates deep connection with people, and how honest communication creates collaboration and trust. Consider the adage, “Old ways won’t open new doors.” In Ty’s view, that is the rallying cry for leaders all over the globe. The world is changing. Communication is light years from what it was. Expectations are at an all-time high, and tolerance is at an all-time low. It’s time to open new doors. Adopt new skills. Challenge old mindsets. And embrace innovation. Ty Bennett has the tools you need to do all of these things and then some.
P.M. Workshops (12:30–3 p.m.)
Setting District Goals and Direction
Presenters: Perry Hill IV, Ph.D. and Reatha Owen, Field Services Directors, IASB
The board’s primary task is to define and articulate the direction of the district. This direction includes the benefits the school district should deliver, thereby providing the entire system with clarity of purpose and a clear direction. District Goals articulate priorities and desired outcomes to accomplish its mission and vision for all students.
This session provides an opportunity to:
- Understand the role of the board in setting district goals and direction.
- Explore practical methods to develop and monitor goals that guide the work of the board.
- Understand how all these elements tie into overall success of the district.
Re-Examining the Board’s Role in Community Engagement (registration closed)
Presenters: Sandra Kwasa, Director, Board Development, IASB; David Schuler, Ph.D., Superintendent; and Patrick Mogge, Director of Community Engagement and Outreach, THSD 214Superintendents and school leaders communicate to and engage with various stakeholders such as parents, students, and staff on a regular basis to connect with the community. But how do individual board members and the board as an entity accomplish this goal?
The past several years have brought a new level of community members and others engaging with local school districts. In this session, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on the current environment impacting public education and begin to reconsider how boards communicate with and engage their community to support student success.
School Finance for School Board Members (repeat of the a.m. session)
Presenters: Bill Phillips, Retired Field Services Director, Illinois Association of School Administrators
Join Bill Phillips for this informative, next-level look at Illinois school finance. Explore such topics as district bonding, property tax levy, annual school district budget, and the calculation and impact of the Evidence-Based Funding formula.
Get Ready to Govern (repeat of the a.m. session)
Presenter: Timi Tullis, Associate Executive Director, Association of Alaska School Boards
Though there may not be a lot of things that Illinois and Alaska have in common, one thing we know is once an individual is elected to the school board the real learning begins! How do we get this to work? What does it mean to govern vs manage the district? How does the board work to develop mutual trust with their superintendent and have a clear understanding of their respective roles? Join Timi Tullis of the Association of Alaska School Boards for this engaging and interactive session.
Partnership Is the New Leadership (repeat of the a.m. session)
Presenters: Ty Bennett, Author and Entrepreneur
Join bestselling author and speaker Ty Bennett and learn how to create transformation in your organization, how to be a relevant leader who creates deep connection with people, and how honest communication creates collaboration and trust. Consider the adage, “Old ways won’t open new doors.” In Ty’s view, that is the rallying cry for leaders all over the globe. The world is changing. Communication is light years from what it was. Expectations are at an all-time high, and tolerance is at an all-time low. It’s time to open new doors. Adopt new skills. Challenge old mindsets. And embrace innovation. Ty Bennett has the tools you need to do all of these things and then some.