CPS to allow in-person graduations for class of 2021
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, April 28
New scholarship targets CPS grads seeking to teach in CPS
Zinya Salfiti, Chicago Sun-Times, April 28
Six Illinois schools put on financial watch list. Three are in St. Clair County
Megan Valley, Belleville News Democrat, April 29
School Board reorganizes with new member, one new officer
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, April 28
Christner ready to serve Alton schools
Dylan Suttles, Alton Telegraph, April 28
Illinois’ new student safety hotline was delayed by COVID-19. Now it’s debuting ‘at a time kids need it most.’
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, April 28
Outgoing Decatur school board tables 4 contracts for new board members to consider
Valerie Wells, Herald & Review, Decatur, April 27
Dist. 229 schools double summer session size
Mike Helenthal, Star Courier, Kewanee, April 27
Dave Hinton, The News-Gazette, Champaign, April 28
Biden to propose free preschool, a $200B investment
Associated Press, Mary Clare Jalonick and Josh Boak, Chicago Sun-Times, April 27
In today’s Leading News, districts are planning how to spend federal coronavirus pandemic funds. High schools in McLean County are planning flexible graduation ceremonies. One district debates what type of uniforms school resource officers should wear. Also in the News, a student speech case involving Snapchat will be heard by the Supreme Court.
Schools to get updated HVAC systems
Nicole Lauer, Dispatch-Argus, April 26
Naperville 203 to use COVID-19 relief funds for free summer school class, other relief efforts
Lauren Rohr, Daily Herald, Chicago Suburbs, April 26
McLean County high schools plan flexible graduation ceremonies under COVID
Kelsey Watznauer and Lenore Sobota, Pantagraph, Bloomington, April 24
Uniform or no? Dress of Peoria school resource officers up for debate
Leslie Renken, Journal Star, Peoria, April 26
Student’s Snapchat profanity leads to high court speech case
Associated Press, Chicago Sun-Times, April 26
Two Southland school districts that increased in-person teaching see rise in COVID-19 isolations
Mike Nolan, Daily Southtown, April 25
The soaring number of students in quarantine is the latest obstacle for schools and sports teams trying to get back to normal
Karen Ann Cullotta and John Keilman, Chicago Tribune, April 23
School cops won’t return to CPS high schools this spring, district says
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, April 23
District 205 reaches 3-year deal with teachers; details still not released
Matt Koester, Galesburg Register-Mail, April 23
Biden expanding summer food program for 34M schoolchildren
Josh Boak, Associated Press, Alton Telegraph, April 26
Bement Schools Leader Weighs In On Student Assessment Decision
DeWitt Daily News, April 9
One year after approval, Glenview District 34′s $119 million referendum projects continue with construction bids, plans for groundbreaking
Kaitlin Edquist, Chicago Tribune, April 6
With everyone 16 and up now vaccine-eligible, Chicago-area high schools look to help students get their shots
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, April 20
District 25 board remains divided in vote approving daily in-person learning
By Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, April 9
East St. Louis extends school year to help students make up COVID-19 losses
Megan Valley, Belleville News Democrat, April 21
In today’s Leading News, school districts work on “normal” decision making, all with the background of coronavirus concerns and including a Journal-Star profile of IASB President Tom Neeley of Morton CUSD 709.
Results Not Available, So Teutopolis School Board Waits to Discuss Election Matter
Greg Sapp, WXEF, Effingham, April 20
Oak Park District 97 likely to hire two interim superintendents for 2021-22 school year
Steve Schering, Pioneer Press/Oak Leaves, April 19
Galesburg District 205 adds back staff to address elementary student reading skills
Galesburg Register-Mail, April 15
Unit 4's new technical, wood shops provide more space, equipment for hands-on learning
Anthony Zilis, Champaign News-Gazette, April 22
With 32 years on Morton's School Board, Tom Neeley has seen decades of changes in education
Steven Stein, Peoria Journal Star, April 22
In today’s Leading News, COVID coping continues, and school districts make decisions on moving forward. Also in the news, Asian American students and families consider return-to-school options.
Rise in cases could be due to sports, school-mandated COVID-19 testing, McHenry County officials say
Kelli Duncan, Northwest Herald, April 20
120 students in quarantine as Geneva High School takes ‘adaptive pause’ from in-person learning
Clare Proctor, Chicago Tribune, April 15
CPS to promote all elementary students this year, nix standardized tests for competitive high school admissions
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, April 15
Normal Community High School students to perform play outdoors
Lenore Sobota, Bloomington Pantagraph, April 15
Asian Americans wary about school amid virus, violence
Philip Marcelo, AP/Belleville News-Democrat, April 19
In today’s Leading News, read recent media coverage of coronavirus numbers and school district responses.
Knox County clinics address youth COVID rates
Matt Koester, Galesburg Register-Mail, April 19
155 students and staff in Hinsdale High School District 86 in quarantine; COVID-19 cases linked to sports teams
Zareen Syed, Pioneer Press/The Doings, Hinsdale, April 19
Oswego East High School to enter adaptive pause, return to remote learning from April 22-May 1
Shea Lazansky, Kendall County Now, April 21
What you need to know about Peoria Public Schools' proposal for a balanced calendar
Andy Kravetz, Peoria Journal Star, April 19
CPS is getting $1.8B in federal relief funding. Parents and students are demanding a say in how it’s spent
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, April 16
Newly adopted Mundelein High School Dist. 120 racial and education equity policy an effort ‘to fix the system’
James T. Norman, Pioneer Press/Mundelein Review, April 15
Maine South Students Demand District Put Inclusivity Banner On School Building
Igor Studenkov, Journal and Topics, Chicago suburbs, April 8
Champaign council set to discuss program to help Black students in Unit 4
Ben Zigterman, Champaign News-Gazette, April 17
New Beardstown superintendent excited about diversity
Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree, Jacksonville Journal-Courier, April 15
‘The first day of school, in April’: CPS high schools reopen 13 months after COVID-19 shutdowns
Clare Proctor and Hannah Leone, Chicago Tribune, April 9
In today’s Leading News, CPS high schools are re-opening for in-person learning. Also in the news, last week’s media headlines include the General Assembly consideration of education-related bills.
Hundreds of CPS students and staff are in quarantine, but as high school get set to reopen, COVID-19 cases remain isolated in the district so far
Hannah Leone, Chicago Tribune, April 19
Competitive high schools to see greatest numbers of students return Monday
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, April 18
Illinois representatives unanimously approve sexting education bill
Mike Miletich, WGEM, Quincy, April 15
Bill would allow dental services in Illinois schools
WICS/WRSP, Springfield, April 15
Another day, another elected Chicago school board bill advances in Springfield
Rachel Hinton and Andrew Sullender, Chicago Sun-Times, April 15
CPS has a tentative deal with the teachers union to reopen high schools Monday. Will expansion of in-person classes beyond two days a week be the next fight?
Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas and Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, April 14
Elected Chicago school board, expanded fertility treatment coverage, teaching Asian American history advance in Springfield
Rachel Hinton and Andrew Sullender, Chicago Sun-Times, April 14
Do gifted Peoria students miss out on educational programs because of where they live?
Andy Kravetz, Peoria Journal Star, April 14
Barrington District 220 considers remote learning option for 2021-22 school year
Bob Oswald, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, April 13
Coal City District 1 Endorses Climate Union Jobs Act in Bid to Help Save Dresden Nuclear Station
WCSJ, Morris, April 9
In today’s Leading News, school district governance teams work through decisions. Also in the news, the IHSA updates its COVID guidelines, including mask-wearing and state series schedules for spring sports and activities.
Decatur school board votes to release portions of closed session recordings
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, April 13
High school students get unique look at FBI
Alton Telegraph, April 8
Bement Schools Leader Weighs In On Student Assessment Decision
DeWitt Daily News, April 9
East St. Louis 189 is considering extending the school year. What would it cost?
Megan Valley, Belleville News-Democrat, April 1
IHSA alters in-game mask guidelines for spring sports including baseball, softball, tennis
Dave Eminian, Peoria Journal Star, April 13
In today’s Leading News, COVID response media coverage includes plans for federal funds and students choosing to stay with remote learning. As IHSA traditional spring sport seasons start, other teams are shut down due to coronavirus. Officials in Moline are assessing a report of a racist incident and hazing on a high school football team. Also in the news, and update on the re-naming of two Waukegan schools.
School districts strategically planning how to best use federal relief money
Dave Hinton, Champaign News-Gazette, April 7
Even as schools reopen, many students learn remotely: survey
Collin Blinkley. AP/Chicago Sun-Times, April 7
Team sports sidetracked by COVID
Marilyn Thomas, Homewood Flossmoor Chronicle, April 13
Moline police complete investigation into racist video involving Moline football players
Thomas Geyer, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, April 11
Waukegan schools renamed for civil rights icons John Lewis and Edith M. Smith, replacing historical figures with slavery ties
Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun, April 14
In today’s Leading News, districts use current events to plan for the coming academic year. Looking back and forward, Glenview SD 34 proceeds with projects supported by a 2020 referendum. Also in the news, a few more takes on last week’s Consolidated Election.
In-Person Learning This Year Gives Schools A Head Start For Planning Next Year
Susie An, WBEZ, Chicago, April 8
One year after approval, Glenview District 34′s $119 million referendum projects continue with construction bids, plans for groundbreaking
Kaitlin Edquist, Chicago Tribune, April 6
How unions, political groups influenced school board elections
Madhu Krishnamurthy, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, April 9
Teachers' contract top of agenda for new D205 board members
Matt Koester, Galesburg Register-Mail, April 8
McHenry County recount shows all four Huntley 158 incumbents secured reelection
Madhu Krishnamurthy, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, April 9
CPS high school staff will refuse in-person work starting Wednesday without movement toward a reopening agreement, teachers union announces
Diana Wallace and Hannah Leone, Chicago Tribune, April 12
CPS high school reopening agreement remains elusive
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, April 8
Without tax hike, Warren Township High athletics to be axed in 2023, superintendent says
Doug Graham, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs April 7
McHenry County clerk's office figures out why results were misreported
Kelli Duncan, Northwest Herald, April 8
West Aurora School Board talks about future of STEM Partnership School
Linda Girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, April 8
In today’s Leading News, a Friday look at school board election coverage from Illinois newspapers.
Remote learning backlash appears to have little effect on Naperville school board races, where incumbents lead
Rafael Guerrero, Naperville Sun, April 8
Contested area municipal, school board races decided in Tuesday's election
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, April 7
What was decided in Tuesday's election?
Dave Fopay, Journal Gazette and Times Courier, Charleston/Mattoon, April 7
Equality Illinois lauds election of Alana Banks, first Black trans woman on a school board
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, April 7
Voters decide township, school board races
Alton Telegraph, April 7
Final results: Illinois metro school board election roundup
Anthony Watt, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, April 7
Calderon, Saunders, Rediger, Strahle win Ball-Chatham school board seats
Natalie Pierre, State Journal-Register, Springfield, April 7
Bloomington District 87 returns 3 incumbents, adds newcomer
Lenore Sobota, Bloomington Pantagraph, April 7
4 incumbents ousted from Bourbonnais school board
Stephanie Markham, Kankakee Daily Journal, April 7
With union support, establishment candidates turn back critics of gradual school reopenings
Eric Peterson and John Lampinen, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, April 7
Incumbents hang on in several Fox Valley school, college board races
Madhu Krishnamurthy, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, April 7
'Pretty minimal' voter turnout in Tuesday night's consolidated election
Isaac Smith, Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, April 7
A new routine for custodians:
School districts and janitors continue to spend extra time, money due to pandemic
Brandon Behlke, Galena Gazette, March 29
An $11 saliva test for COVID-19 helped dozens of Chicago-area schools reopen. So why are administrators scrambling to defend it now?
Elyssa Cherney, Karen Ann Cullotta and Steve Schering, Chicago Tribune, April 2
Illinois schools to get $7 billion in federal money. How much for local districts?
Megan Valley, Belleville News-Democrat, April 4
Parents encourage others to vote in school board election
Alyssa Hui. WICS, Springfield, April 5
COVID-19, new superintendent seen as key issues in Bloomington District 87
Lenore Sobota, Bloomington Pantagraph, March 31
What to do about do-rags? Dress code splits Unit 40 board
Andrew Adams, Effingham Daily News, March 23
Rogers Elementary School in North Pekin to close at end of school year
Mike Kramer, Pekin Daily Times/Peoria Journal Star, March 25
Families of balanced-calendar students weigh options for unusual year
Anthony Zillis, Champaign News-Gazette, March 23
In today’s Leading News, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the April 6 school board elections have prompted increased interest and conversation. Also in the news, “fixing the damage” and the ISBE’s funding request.
Why pandemic drove so many challengers to run for school board
Madhu Krishnamurthy, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, April 3
Decatur Middle School Civics Club students question school board candidates
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, April 1
Hey procrastinators, here’s your last-minute guide to voting in southwestern Illinois
Mike Koziatek, Belleville News-Democrat, April 5
Glenbrook North and South students organize rally to support school board candidates
Joe Lewnard, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, March 31
Pritzker unveils ‘toolbox’ guide to begin to fix COVID-19’s damage to education — and $7 billion in federal tools
Rachel Hinton, Chicago Sun-Times, March 31
State School Board Makes Case for Funding Increase
Peter Hancock, CNI/WSIU, Carbondale, April 2
Illinois governor announces $7B for schools to return to classrooms, including more than $77M for Rock Island County schools
Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, March 31
State releases 180-page guide to school reopening
Peter Hancock, CNI/Champaign News-Gazette, April 1
Warren High athletics would get ax in 2023 if voters reject tax hike, administrators say
Doug T. Graham. Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, March 31
Lightfoot hopes to spark CPS student engagement over spring break in ‘Spring Forward’ initiative
Chicago Sun-Times, March 26
Air Force’s highest-ranking female tells East St. Louis youth ‘the sky’s not the limit’
Abigail Cole, Air Mobility Command Public Affairs, Belleville News-Democrat, March 29
Residency forces contested race for Orion school board
Lisa Hammer, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, March 31
Ball-Chatham school board election: Meet the 6 candidates and see what they hope to add
Natalie Pierre, State Journal-Register, Springfield, March 30
Error on ballot for Urbana school board unlikely to affect voter choices, authorities say
Debra Pressey, Champaign News-Gazette, March 30
Five candidates vying for four seats on Carbondale District 95's school board
Isaac Smith, Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, March 30
COVID-19, equity and finances high priorities for Unit 5 board race
Kelsey Watznauer, Bloomington Pantagraph, March 31
Leading News
IASB's News Clip Service
The links to articles posted here are selected daily from news sources across Illinois, and sometimes beyond, provided as a service to our membership. These links go directly to the original source (print, broadcast, or online media) of the article. The purpose of sharing these links is to give readers of this site a wider perspective on state and local issues impacting public education. IASB neither endorses nor verifies the content.