Page 9 - Leadership Matters March 2013 issue.pub

9
LeRoy’s ‘State of the Schools’ dinner whets appetite
By Michael Chamness
IASA Director of Communications
“Where’s the beef?”
Remember those Wendy’s TV ads that became a
national catchphrase?
Well, in LeRoy citizens show up for the annual
“State of the Schools” dinner not only for the rib eye
steaks (pork chops and chicken also are on the menu),
but also for the real meat of the evening -- an overview
of what is going on in their school district.
An idea that LeRoy Superintendent Gary Tipsord
initiated six years ago, the “State of the Schools”
dinner attracted a crowd of more than 100 that filled
the school cafeteria on a recent snowy Friday night.
John Morrell, a member of the LeRoy Community Unit
School District 2 School Board, said the value of the
evening far exceeded the free meal offered by the
school district.
“We may have spent $500 tops, but you can’t put a
price tag on the communication it generates with our
community. It’s about laying a foundation,” said
Morrell, who probably qualifies as an expert to talk
about return on investment considering his day job is
that of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). “I
remember being invited to attend this dinner before I
became a school board member. I thought I’d check it
out; I came away saying ‘Wow! There’s something
good going on here.’
“A school district is an anchor in a small
community,” added Morrell, who moved his family to
the McLean County community of about 3,500 six
years ago and was elected to the school board two
years ago. “For people to give up a Friday night means
they are involved.”
The attendees also included a visiting school
superintendent, Jon Kilgore of Pontiac Township
District 90, who along with a teacher and parent drove
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LeRoy Superintendent Gary Tipsord briefs crowd of more than 100 during his “State of the Schools” presentation.