LM Sept. 2018

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NewsInBrief
October is National Principals Month, which includes Principals
Week (October 21–27) and Principal Appreciation Day
(October 26). These designations are used to recognize the
essential role of principals in creating great schools.
National and state resolutions are made supporting the
events, and top government officials often make public
acknowledgements about the importance of principals. Here
are some ways you can celebrate the principals in your district:
• Write a note of encouragement and thanks to your principals.
• Write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper highlighting
what your principals do for your district (and make sure to
mention it’s National Principals Month).
• Use social media to highlight the hard work your
principals do.
• Recognize your principals at a school board meeting.
See more ideas on how to recognize your principals.
#ThankAPrincipal
Public Acts 100-465, 100-578, and 100-582 require that
public school districts and laboratory schools that serve
any students in kindergarten through 12th grades shall
describe in a district-level spending plan how they will
utilize the Evidence-Based Funding (comprising Base
Funding Minimum and Tier Funding) they receive from
this state. Note that the annual spending plan is separate
and in addition to Annual School District Budgets already
submitted annually to ISBE. This plan is designed to be
incorporated into the annual budget process and submitted
to ISBE by Sept. 30 of each year. The Acts require specific
identification of the intended utilization of resources for low-
income students, English Learners, and special education.
Resources for completing and submitting EBF spending
plans are available on the including
Any
questions specifically regarding the EBF spending plan
may be directed to
The Illinois State Board of Education released its report
on its one-year study investigating the teacher shortage in
Illinois. The report, “Teach Illinois: Strong Teachers, Strong
Classroom,” is posted
As part of the study, ISBE and the Joyce Foundation
conducted over 40 focus group sessions and heard from
more than 400 teachers, parents, students, principals,
superintendents, college of education deans and
other partners.
There is still time for your voice to be heard on this issue—
one of the most critical facing public education in Illinois.
The ISBE report will be open for public comment through
October 2. Commenters can submit feedback to
We strongly encourage you to review
the report and provide feedback to ISBE. Here’s a quick
overview of policy recommendations put forth by ISBE:
IASA will continue to monitor these proposals and will have
more information for you as it proceeds.
National PrincipalsMonthComing
up inOctober
2018–2019MoonScholarshipProgram
Evidence-BasedFundingSpending
PlanResources
Your Chance toWeigh Inon ISBE
Year-LongTeacher-ShortageStudy
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Are you a superintendent or an aspiring superintendent?
Are you pursuing graduate study to become the best
superintendent you can be? Do you know there are
scholarships available through the Illinois Association of
School Administrators (IASA) to help offset the costs of your
coursework? Established in 1993 in memory of Dr. James V.
Moon, a former superintendent at Morton High School District,
the James V. and Dorothy B. Moon Scholarship program is
committed to improving the education and qualifications of
school administrators. Since its inception, 111 scholarships
totaling over $241,658 have been awarded to current or
aspiring superintendents.
Practicing school administrators in Illinois qualify if they are
college graduates pursuing an advanced degree in educational
administration at an accredited college or university. Several
scholarships ($2,500 minimum each) are awarded each year
and are paid directly to the college or university to cover
tuition, fees and/or textbook expenses.
To obtain more information on the application and awards
process , or contact Jodi Gillespie at 217–753–2213
or email at