Active Members: Local Boards of Education
As an organization of local school boards, Active Membership in IASB is open to the board of education of any legally organized school district in Illinois. A board of education may become an Active Member upon written application to the Executive Director of the Association and the payment of dues.
In addition to local boards of education, IASB membership opportunities are also available to former board members and other organizations within the public education community.
Affiliate Members: Other Agencies
The governing board of any educational service agency authorized by the School Code of Illinois, other than a board of education of a legally organized school district, shall be eligible to become an Affiliate Member upon written application to the Executive Director and the payment of dues. The Board of Directors shall determine the amount of dues and the membership privileges of Affiliate Members, except that the Board of Directors may not grant the privilege of holding elective office or membership in the Delegate Assembly.
Associate Members: Retired School Board Members
Any former member of an Illinois board of education shall be eligible to be an Associate Member upon written application to the Executive Director and the payment of dues. The Board of Directors shall determine the membership privileges of Associate Members, except that the Board of Directors may not grant the privilege of holding elective office.
Service Associate Members: School Vendors
Any person, firm, or corporation which provides services or products to school districts may be eligible to be a Service Associate Member upon written application to the Executive Director, approval by the Board of Directors, and the payment of dues. Service Associate Members shall be entitled to such privileges, except holding elective office, as the Board may determine. These Service Associate Members may name one member as a Special Director to the Board, who shall be without vote.
Service Associates provide a pool of specialized knowledge accessible to school boards confronting difficult problems. The group authors a nationally-recognized manual (Good School Maintenance), conducts information sessions at the annual conference and other meetings, and sponsors an annual exhibition of educational environments.
Illinois Council of School Attorneys (ICSA)
The attorney of any Illinois School District is eligible for joint membership in the Council of School Attorneys of IASB and the National School Attorneys Association. The Council provides educational programs and assists the Association in addressing difficult legal issues facing schools.
Interested attorneys may obtain additional information from the IASB Executive Director or General Counsel.
Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA)
IASB is a member of the Consortium of State School Boards Associations. COSSBA is a non-partisan, national alliance made up of state school board associations to share resources and information to support, promote, and strengthen school board associations that serve local school districts and school board members. Membership in the Consortium is only available to state school board associations, which then provides local districts and state association members access to COSSBA training opportunities, resources, and services.
Learn more about COSSBA, the services and training available, and the governance of the Consortium in this Frequently Asked Questions document.
Consortium of State School Boards Associations