LM Sept.2019

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Dr. Brent Clark
Message From the Executive Director
Strategy-Setting Time in Full Swing;
Join Us for IASA’s 55th Annual Conference
3
LM September 2019
Annual
Conference
55th
I was rejuvenated by how school leaders across
Illinois once again made the first day of school
extra special for students. Also in this issue, we
highlight some of that work with stories about
Diamond Lake SD #76 and Bunker Hill CUSD
#8. Along with those stories is a highlight video
featuring all the back-to-school photos and videos
schools submitted to IASA. We will show that video
at the conference as a reminder that maximum
educational success for students is at the center of
everything we do.
To close, I want to address some questions about
the capital construction program. Legislation
passed in the spring charges a new task force
with developing the criteria used in determining
how the grant program will be implemented. By
law, the task force will issue guidance by March 1.
I assume the grant application period will open
in June or July 2020, with the idea of having
numerous groundbreaking ceremonies before the
November election.
In the meantime, if your school district has capital
needs you will want to get everything prepared
at the local level so you’re ready to submit a
more comprehensive application to the Capital
Development Board early next summer. The state
will be looking for a local match on these projects.
Thank you for all you do, and I hope to see you in
Springfield soon.
It’s September, so that means planning and strategy-
setting time for IASA is in full swing.
Around this time every year, the Governmental
Relations and Advocacy, Professional Development
and Membership and Communications committees,
as well as our Region Presidents and Board of
Directors, convene to discuss ways to meet the
needs in the field and move the association forward.
I greatly appreciate the input and feedback
IASA members provide to make our association
stronger and help superintendents become even
better leaders.
Later this month (September 25–27), I hope to
see everyone at IASA’s 55th Annual Conference.
The annual conference is always a great time to
connect with others and learn from educational
leaders about innovative practices and important
public education issues.
This year, we again have an impressive lineup of
keynote speakers, Ignite presenters and breakout
sessions geared toward assisting you in your
mission to provide the best educational environment
for students. In this issue of Leadership Matters, we
have a breakdown of the 20-plus breakout sessions,
keynote speakers, pre-session activities and Ignite
presenters. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to
for the annual conference.