Friday Focus Workshops Announced

The Illinois Association of School Boards has announced the Friday Focus Workshops taking place at the 2023 Joint Annual Conference.  

Previously known as Pre-Conference Workshops, the Friday Focus Workshops are scheduled for November 17 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. These half-day and full-day sessions are designed to provide knowledge, skills, insights, and resources to school board members. Attendees can choose to focus on topics including student voice, superintendent evaluation, equity, collective bargaining, school safety and security, and more.  

Full-Day Friday Focus Workshops take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include continental breakfast and lunch. Half-Day Morning Workshops start at 8 a.m. with continental breakfast and conclude at 11:30 a.m. Half-Day Afternoon Workshops open with lunch at 11:30 a.m. and adjourn at 3 p.m. Individuals can attend one or both of the half-day sessions; selected topics are offered twice. 

Registrants for Friday Focus Workshops must first be registered for the Joint Annual Conference; that registration opens on June 5. The Workshops offer credit in IASB’s Board Leader Recognition Program. For additional information contact Haylie Noltensmeier at (217) 528-9688, ext. 1103. 

The Friday Focus Workshops are listed below. Details on each, plus registration information are available on the Workshops page of the Conference website.  

• The Job of the Board President in Leading Leaders  
• Breaking Down the Walls: Bringing Student Voice to the Board Table. Developed by Phil Boyte. Board members are encouraged to invite student representatives.  

• Superintendent Evaluation: The Essential Work of the Board 
• Real-World Board Scenarios 
• Influence Redefined … Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be, Monday to Monday® 
• Introduction to Collective Bargaining for School Board Members and Administrators 
• School Safety and Violent Event Incident Management and Reunification Overview  
• Unconscious Bias: Understanding Bias to Unleash Potential™ 

• Equity: An Educational Imperative 
• Influence Redefined … Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be, Monday to Monday® 
• Introduction to Collective Bargaining for School Board Members and Administrators 
• School Safety and Violent Event Incident Management and Reunification Overview Unconscious Bias: Understanding Bias to Unleash Potential™