Bertrand’s Next Move Will be to Lead National Organization 

Current IASB Executive Director Thomas Bertrand, Ph.D., has been appointed to lead the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) in his next role. Bertrand will begin his role as the inaugural Executive Director for COSSBA on July 1, 2023. 

COSSBA’s mission is to be a non-partisan, national alliance dedicated to sharing resources and information to support, promote, and strengthen state school boards associations as they serve their local school districts and board members. Its members represent 23 states and serve the largest collection of school board directors and students. Illinois is a founding member of COSSBA. 

Bertrand’s appointment was announced on January 21 at the COSSBA Leadership Seminar in Savannah, Georgia, attended by state school board associations leadership.  

“I look forward to Dr. Bertrand's continued leadership in public education representing state school board associations, including IASB, at the national level,” said IASB President Simon Kampwerth, Jr., who chaired the COSSBA Transition Steering Committee. “He's been instrumental in developing the Consortium's bylaws and governance structure as the new organization has evolved.” 

Last fall Bertrand announced plans to retire from IASB at the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2023. The IASB board’s search for the next IASB executive director is underway.