Conference Registration Opens June 1
Board members and all school leaders are invited to the 2026 Joint Annual Conference, November 20-22 in Chicago, where innovation, leadership, and real-world solutions come together to move Illinois schools forward. Registration for this year’s event will open on Monday, June 1. Before you register, take a look at the webinar, A Guide to Joint Annual Conference Registration, which was presented on May 21 and is available on-demand (log in required). IASB staff demonstrate the registration process and provide tips and instructions for individuals registering members of their district. IASB News shares What’s New at the Conference, and the Joint Annual Conference website has all the latest.

IASB Resolutions Process: Submit Resolutions Proposals by June 24
IASB member boards of education have until June 24 to submit resolutions for consideration by the 2026 Delegate Assembly. Successful resolutions become IASB Position Statements, which guide the Association’s advocacy efforts and legislative agenda. School boards interested in proposing a new resolution or amending an existing Position Statement should review the FAQ to prepare. Each proposal must include a statement of resolution and a statement of rationale and be approved by a majority vote of the school board prior to submission. Proposals will be presented to the Resolutions Committee on August 7.

Examine AI and School Governance in the Journal
The latest edition of the Illinois School Board Journal features a look at Artificial Intelligence in education and governance. Join educators from across the state to hear their perspectives on AI, values, vision, and risk, as well as ethical considerations. The Journal presents the first in a series on AI and governance by Director of Outreach and Training Gary Fasules. IASB members can find the May/June issue in their postal mailboxes. Plus, Journal content is available on the IASB website, and a complete, accessible digital flipbook edition is also available.

Now Available from the Bookstore: Illinois School Law Survey 2026-2028
The Nineteenth Edition of Illinois School Law Survey is now available from the Illinois Association of School Boards. This popular reference book, released every two years, provides practical answers to more than 1,600 school law questions across 27 chapters, with citations to relevant statutes, administrative rules, and court decisions. The Nineteenth Edition is authored by David J. Braun, of Champaign. He is an attorney with Franczek P.C., a firm he joined after practicing for 18 years with his father, the late Brian A. Braun, who authored previous editions of the Survey for IASB. Free digital access is included with every print copy, offering a keyword-searchable version with direct links to cited laws and cases. The title is available to purchase from the IASB Bookstore for $70 for IASB Members, $85 for non-members. Shipping charges apply.

Effective School Board Member Publication is Updated and Available 
The Effective School Board Member, a handbook that provides an overview of what a school board member needs to know, has been updated for 2026 and is now available in the IASB Bookstore. The publication includes a school board member’s duties and responsibilities, the structure of school governance, financing the schools, relations with administration and staff, board meeting procedures, and other information. The handbook has been revised and updated to ensure that it remains true to principles of governance endorsed by experienced school board members and IASB staff.

Applications Are Available for School Board Governance Recognition
IASB’s School Board Governance Recognition program acknowledges school boards that learn and practice effective governance behaviors as identified in IASB's Foundational Principles of Effective Governance through participation in and support for board development programs and events, with a focus on full board development and participation. Review the application submission guidelines and prepare your materials for your board of education’s Governance Recognition Application. The submission deadline for the award is August 1. Learn more about the program on the School Board Governance Recognition webpage.

Holly Jack Outstanding Service Award Nominations
Nomination forms for the 2026 Holly Jack Outstanding Service Award are now available. Named in memory of longtime IASB Administrative Assistant Holly Jack, the annual award is given to one administrative professional who exhibits a passion for public education and goes beyond the expectations of their position. The deadline to submit application forms and nomination letters is September 15.