Annual Report FY 2015

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

4