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4
PRESIDENT’S SYNOPSIS
I am continually amazed at the resiliency of my fellow superintendents in the
face of challenges that continue to grow almost exponentially. The 2014-15
school year saw General State Aid again funded at an historically low 89 percent of the
statutory foundation level, implementation of the new controversial PARCC statewide
standardized test and the list of unfunded mandates grow.
“Doing more with less”
appears to
have become the state’s new motto for public education.
Nevertheless, my colleagues throughout the state, their staffs, teachers, board members and
community members continued to provide the best possible educational opportunities for their
students. Consider, for example, that according to the most recent ACT data (2013), Illinois
ranked No. 2 in average composite score (20.6 behind only Utah at 20.7) among the 10 states
that administered the ACT to all students. Illinois ranked first in English, second in Math and
third in Reading and Science.
In their spare time
(snark intended)
, superintendents, board members, principals, school
business officials and other educators from every IASA region in the state worked
collaboratively to produce Vision 20/20, a blueprint for the future of public education in Illinois.
We now are in the process of trying to turn that vision into state policy and state law, an effort
that will carry on for years to come.
It has been my privilege and honor to represent so many wonderful educators and school
leaders in my role as President of IASA. I urge you to continue the fine work you are doing in
your school districts as well as your efforts with IASA to fight for what is best for students in all
parts of our state.
Yours for better schools,
Scott Kuffel
Geneseo Comm Unit 228