Plan Your Conference by Topic Track
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Date PostedOctober 1, 2026
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CategoryConference
Attendees at the 2026 Joint Annual Conference with specific interests can follow any of several topic tracks, including Crisis Management; Current Events; Educational Equity; Finance and Funding; Governance, Leadership, & Accountability; Governmental Relations, Rural District Issues; School Law; Social Emotional Learning; and Student Learning & Achievement.
Some sessions will fall under more than one broad topic. Attendees who hope to participate in a variety of topical conversations can also use these tracks to select events from each. Here is a non-exhaustive sample of what’s available by topic.
Crisis Management
- School Security is a Board's Fiscal Responsibility
Friday, 2 p.m., Hyatt East, Ballroom Level, Grand Hall I - 5 Days’ Notice: From Resignation to Superintendent Success
Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Hyatt East, Concourse Level, Randolph 1AB - Beyond Reunification Plans: Lessons Learned
Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Sheraton, Ballroom Level IV, Chicago 8
Current Events
- ISBE Artificial Intelligence Guidance
Friday, 10:30 a.m., Hyatt West, Ballroom Level, Regency D - Keeping Kids in Class: Undesignated Rescue Asthma Medication
Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Hyatt East, Concourse Level, Roosevelt 3AB - No Phones, No Problem: Using Engagement to Create Change
Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Sheraton, Ballroom Level IV, Chicago 9
Educational Equity
- Elevating Student Voice and Leadership
Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Sheraton, Ballroom Level IV, Chicago 7 - The Power of We: Mobilizing Your Community for Schools
Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Sheraton, Ballroom Level IV, Chicago 6 - Pathways to the Illinois Seal of Biliteracy
Saturday, 3 p.m., Hyatt East, Concourse Level, Randolph 1AB
Finance and Funding
- Engaging the Community For Referendum Success
Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Hyatt East, Ballroom Level, Grand Hall L - Expenditures for the Novice
Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Hyatt West, Ballroom Level, Regency A - Revenues for the Novice
Saturday, 3 p.m., Hyatt East, Concourse Level, Roosevelt 1AB
Governance, Leadership & Accountability
- From Plan to Practice: Leading the Strategic Plan
Friday, 9 a.m., Hyatt East, Concourse Level, Michigan 1 - 100% All In: The Governance Shift That Changes Everything
Friday, 10:30 a.m., Hyatt West, Ballroom Level, Acapulco - Strategic Planning that Works: Vision, Action, Results
Friday, 2 p.m., Hyatt West, Ballroom Level, Regency C - All Eyes on the Board: Managing the Public Nature of Meeting
Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Sheraton, Ballroom Level IV, Sheraton 1 - Large Districts Networking
Sunday, 8:30 a.m., Hyatt East, Ballroom Level, Grand Hall I
Governmental Relations
- Under the Dome: Conversation with Illinois Education Leaders
Friday, 2 p.m., Hyatt West, Ballroom Level, Regency A - Looking Ahead to 2027: Education Policy on Capitol Hill
Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Hyatt East, Ballroom Level, Grand Hall I - 2027 Advocacy & Engagement Meet-Up
Sunday, 8:30 a.m., Hyatt East, Ballroom Level, Grand A
Rural District Issues
- Leadership, Policy & Voice: Rural Education Advisory Council
Friday, 2 p.m., Hyatt East, Concourse Level, Roosevelt 1AB - From Vacancy to Stability: Collaboration to Recruit & Retain
Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Hyatt East, Ballroom Level, Grand Hall K - Rural Realities: Creating Opportunity Where Distance Divides
Saturday, 3 p.m., Hyatt West, Ballroom Level, Regency A - Leadership, Policy & Voice for Rural and Small Schools
Sunday, 8:30 a.m., Hyatt East, Ballroom Level, Grand B
School Law
- Bridging Gaps for Students with Disabilities
- Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Hyatt East, Concourse Level, Randolph 3
- Curricular Opt-Outs: The Impact of Mahmoud v. Taylor
Saturday, 1:30, Sheraton, Ballroom Level IV, Sheraton 3 - Legally Stumped?
Sunday, 8:30 a.m., Hyatt East, Concourse Level, Michigan 1
Social Emotional Learning
- From Burnout to Balance: Supporting Educator Well-Being
Friday, 10:30 a.m., Hyatt East, Concourse Level, Roosevelt 3AB - Resilience-Supportive Schools Illinois
Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Hyatt East, Concourse Level, Michigan 1 - Brothers for Change
Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Sheraton, Ballroom Level IV, Sheraton 4
Student Learning & Achievement
- The Blueprint Behind One of Illinois' Most Improved Schools
Friday, 10:30 a.m., Hyatt East, Concourse Level, Randolph 1AB - Safe Passages: A District’s Collaborative AI Journey
Friday, 2 p.m., Hyatt East, Concourse Level, Michigan 1 - Accountability Isn’t Optional: A Boardroom Wake-Up
Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Hyatt East, Ballroom Level, Grand Hall I
Discover more sessions on each topic and plan your Conference days using the Event Schedule planner. Check the Conference webpage for updates and look for the 2026 Conference App, available to registrants in October. This year's Conference is November 20-22.