State-mandated training requirements for new school board members
Illinois requires mandatory school board member training. IASB offers resources and training to help school board members understand and meet the necessary requirements.
The training chart identifies the statute and effective date, the training requirements, who must receive the training, the timeline for that training, and the professional development opportunities offered by IASB to fulfill the training requirement.
The sample policy exhibit 2:120-E2, can be adopted by local school boards. It states how districts should publicly report those board members who have successfully completed mandatory board training requirements.
Local districts can use this sample table to report board member training activity. This list should be updated as board members complete and submit their training activities to the board secretary.
Two online courses are available to satisfy mandatory training requirements.
- Professional Development Leadership Training (PDLT) and Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) Training for School Board Members includes instruction in education and labor law, financial oversight and accountability, fiduciary responsibilities, and trauma-informed practices. In addition, it includes training on PERA evaluations for school board members who will participate in a vote on a dismissal based upon the Optional Alternative Evaluation Dismissal Process.
- IASB includes the new, state mandated trauma-informed practices content within the Professional Development Leadership Training. It is available as a standalone option for veteran board members interested in the training.
- Open Meetings Act Training focuses specifically on the law as it applies to school board meetings and members.
IASB offers a New Board Member Online Training Bundle designed to meet the needs of recently elected school board members.
Available through IASB’s Online Learning Center, the package includes Professional Development Leadership Training (with PERA), Open Meetings Act training, the Basics of Governance, and newly mandated training on trauma-informed practices. These comprehensive courses deliver everything a new board member needs to get started on the road to success.Note: Completion of the New Board Member Online Training Bundle satisfies the state mandated training requirements outlined on this page.