IASB Briefs for April 2024
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Date PostedApril 25, 2024
IASB Announces Staff Additions, Changes
Carmen I. Ayala, Ph.D., has joined IASB as a Consultant in the Executive Searches Department. Dr. Ayala has 40 years’ experience as a teacher, administrator, author, and most recently Illinois’ State Superintendent of Education. Her areas of expertise include deep curriculum alignment, English Learners, and leadership. Her professional passions are equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Dr. Ayala works with schools and districts using an inclusive and systemic approach where all educators and students can thrive and meet high levels of fulfillment and performance. IASB Executive Searches assists school boards in hiring top-quality leaders and building effective relations.
In other staff news, Reatha Owen, IASB Senior Field Services Director, is retiring after 10 years with IASB, during which she served the Blackhawk, Central Illinois Valley, Corn Belt, and Western divisions and guided many Association initiatives.
Katie Bulava is moving from Board Development to replace Owen as a Director in the Field Services Department. Bulava joined IASB in Policy Services in 2020 and moved to Board Development in 2022. Prior to joining IASB, she was Assistant to the Superintendent and to the Director of Special Education at Rochester CUSD 3A. IASB Field Services Directors serve as a direct link between member boards of education and the Association, which provides training, guidance, resources, and professional development to school board members in Illinois.
IASB Member Survey has Closed
The Illinois Association of School Boards 2024 Member Survey has closed. School board members, superintendents, and the administrative professionals who serve Illinois boards of education were invited to access the survey, which took approximately 0 minutes to complete and was anonymous. The Association invited members to opine on their satisfaction as an IASB member and to prioritize what public education or school leadership topics are important now. This feedback is critical to the success of IASB to support and engage members. Watch for more on the survey in an upcoming issue of the Illinoi School Board Journal.
PRESS Issue 114 is Available
The Illinois Association of School Boards has released the latest version of PRESS, the IASB policy and procedure information and updating service.
Boards and others that subscribe to PRESS may now find PRESS Issue 114, Update Memo, and Committee Worksheets at PRESS Online. Issue 114 features updated material in response to bills that become effective during Summer 2024, bills passed during the 2023 veto session of the 103rd General Assembly, miscellaneous updates, and five-year review updates.
Merits of Membership
IASB has updated the Merits of Membership snapshot for 2024, updating membership on the supports, services, and resources IASB provides its members in pursuit of its mission “to Light the Way for its members by developing their competence and confidence through a robust toolkit designed to build excellence in local school board governance.” The new document can accessed via the Benefits of Membership page on the IASB website.
Carmen I. Ayala, Ph.D., has joined IASB as a Consultant in the Executive Searches Department. Dr. Ayala has 40 years’ experience as a teacher, administrator, author, and most recently Illinois’ State Superintendent of Education. Her areas of expertise include deep curriculum alignment, English Learners, and leadership. Her professional passions are equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Dr. Ayala works with schools and districts using an inclusive and systemic approach where all educators and students can thrive and meet high levels of fulfillment and performance. IASB Executive Searches assists school boards in hiring top-quality leaders and building effective relations.
In other staff news, Reatha Owen, IASB Senior Field Services Director, is retiring after 10 years with IASB, during which she served the Blackhawk, Central Illinois Valley, Corn Belt, and Western divisions and guided many Association initiatives.
Katie Bulava is moving from Board Development to replace Owen as a Director in the Field Services Department. Bulava joined IASB in Policy Services in 2020 and moved to Board Development in 2022. Prior to joining IASB, she was Assistant to the Superintendent and to the Director of Special Education at Rochester CUSD 3A. IASB Field Services Directors serve as a direct link between member boards of education and the Association, which provides training, guidance, resources, and professional development to school board members in Illinois.
IASB Member Survey has Closed
The Illinois Association of School Boards 2024 Member Survey has closed. School board members, superintendents, and the administrative professionals who serve Illinois boards of education were invited to access the survey, which took approximately 0 minutes to complete and was anonymous. The Association invited members to opine on their satisfaction as an IASB member and to prioritize what public education or school leadership topics are important now. This feedback is critical to the success of IASB to support and engage members. Watch for more on the survey in an upcoming issue of the Illinoi School Board Journal.
PRESS Issue 114 is Available
The Illinois Association of School Boards has released the latest version of PRESS, the IASB policy and procedure information and updating service.
Boards and others that subscribe to PRESS may now find PRESS Issue 114, Update Memo, and Committee Worksheets at PRESS Online. Issue 114 features updated material in response to bills that become effective during Summer 2024, bills passed during the 2023 veto session of the 103rd General Assembly, miscellaneous updates, and five-year review updates.
A webinar, PRESS and PRESS Plus Issue 114: Spring Policy Planting for Summer Blooms, was held on April 9 and is available for viewing.
Merits of Membership
IASB has updated the Merits of Membership snapshot for 2024, updating membership on the supports, services, and resources IASB provides its members in pursuit of its mission “to Light the Way for its members by developing their competence and confidence through a robust toolkit designed to build excellence in local school board governance.” The new document can accessed via the Benefits of Membership page on the IASB website.
