IASB Board Finds Connections, Prepares for Delegate Assembly
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Date PostedAugust 31, 2025
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CategoryNews
The IASB Board of Directors met in August for its quarterly business meeting, board learning, and team building. Topics included outreach to members comprised of education and awareness efforts leading up to the Delegate Assembly.
Among actions taken, the board approved rules for the Resolutions Committee and Business Rules for the IASB Delegate Assembly on November 22 in Chicago. The board approved a plan for awarding Honorary Memberships to individuals who have rendered distinguished service to public education in Illinois or the Association. The board also approved in its Governance Policies the addition of a Legislative Committee to the work of the board.
Executive Director Kimberly Small updated the board on outreach to members to collect feedback regarding past Delegate Assembly attendance. Staff will be acting on the data collected to increase participation this year.
Small also highlighted communication to members about the IASB Constitution review timeline and board-approved constitutional amendment proposals. IASB plans to educate members about the amendments’ rationales and the process to register a delegate. Boards of education that pay membership dues to IASB are defined as Active Members by the IASB Constitution. Each such board can designate one delegate to vote on behalf of their board at the Delegate Assembly.
In an overview of the board-approved FY26 Areas of Focus, Small noted that a priority within the In-District Touchpoints focus area includes a membership-driven strategic plan. IASB is working with consultants from LBL Strategies, an IASB-Sponsored Program, to develop the plan, ensuring that members are actively engaged in the strategic planning process. In another focus area, the Association is planning an Advocacy Day in Springfield at the State Capitol for Spring 2026.
In a live demonstration during the meeting, members of the Board learned how to utilize IASB Community to connect with other school board members. Directors can use the platform to offer updates to their Division, spur new discussions, and share knowledge and resources.
Conference Committee co-chairs Liz Campbell and Nick Sartoris shared an update on registrations and activities planned for the 2025 Joint Annual Conference. The board also received updates from members about Service Associates, IHSA, and COSSBA.
Other activities for officers and directors held in conjunction with the quarterly board meeting included the annual Board Self-Evaluation, a process designed to assess the board's performance and identify areas for improvement. Members of the board were also invited to share personal stories about their board service and interest in public education as a form of storytelling to create connections, build trust, and learn from the diverse perspectives that make up the IASB Board.
The Board of Directors will meet in Chicago on November 20 for its next quarterly business meeting and on November 23 for reorganization.
Among actions taken, the board approved rules for the Resolutions Committee and Business Rules for the IASB Delegate Assembly on November 22 in Chicago. The board approved a plan for awarding Honorary Memberships to individuals who have rendered distinguished service to public education in Illinois or the Association. The board also approved in its Governance Policies the addition of a Legislative Committee to the work of the board.
Executive Director Kimberly Small updated the board on outreach to members to collect feedback regarding past Delegate Assembly attendance. Staff will be acting on the data collected to increase participation this year.
Small also highlighted communication to members about the IASB Constitution review timeline and board-approved constitutional amendment proposals. IASB plans to educate members about the amendments’ rationales and the process to register a delegate. Boards of education that pay membership dues to IASB are defined as Active Members by the IASB Constitution. Each such board can designate one delegate to vote on behalf of their board at the Delegate Assembly.
In an overview of the board-approved FY26 Areas of Focus, Small noted that a priority within the In-District Touchpoints focus area includes a membership-driven strategic plan. IASB is working with consultants from LBL Strategies, an IASB-Sponsored Program, to develop the plan, ensuring that members are actively engaged in the strategic planning process. In another focus area, the Association is planning an Advocacy Day in Springfield at the State Capitol for Spring 2026.
In a live demonstration during the meeting, members of the Board learned how to utilize IASB Community to connect with other school board members. Directors can use the platform to offer updates to their Division, spur new discussions, and share knowledge and resources.
Conference Committee co-chairs Liz Campbell and Nick Sartoris shared an update on registrations and activities planned for the 2025 Joint Annual Conference. The board also received updates from members about Service Associates, IHSA, and COSSBA.
Other activities for officers and directors held in conjunction with the quarterly board meeting included the annual Board Self-Evaluation, a process designed to assess the board's performance and identify areas for improvement. Members of the board were also invited to share personal stories about their board service and interest in public education as a form of storytelling to create connections, build trust, and learn from the diverse perspectives that make up the IASB Board.
The Board of Directors will meet in Chicago on November 20 for its next quarterly business meeting and on November 23 for reorganization.
