AnRept2018

Message from the President:

I don’t need to tell you that school superintendents face more challenges today than ever before. One can become cynical about new mandates, lack of adequate funding, and the endless attacks upon public education. We get swept up in the chaos of the close of the school year. It is easy to forget to pause to reflect upon all the good things that are happening for children every day in our public schools. I hope you take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments and to express gratitude to those who helped you get where you are today. I am grateful that I witnessed historic school funding reform that reflects consideration of the unique challenges our students and districts face. This year we took one large stride toward equity of opportunity and access for every child.

I am grateful for the support and perseverance of my peers who tirelessly advocated for equity for every child. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to lead the nation’s premier association for school leaders. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to coach outstanding peers through the Illinois School for Advanced Leadership and to see a fourth cohort of dedicated colleagues graduate and grow personally and professionally. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to affect change over an entire school system and for the support of a dedicated and talented staff. I am grateful to my board of education for giving me the opportunity to serve our wonderful students for 16 years as superintendent. I am grateful to a community that supports a school system that all three of my grown children attended for their entire school careers. In JuIy, I started my final year as a superintendent. I cut a ruler into one-inch segments. Each month I send a personal note along with a section of the ruler to a person who helped me get where I am today. It’s hard to measure how much their support mattered, but I wanted to let them know in a small way what a difference it made for me. As I close my term as President of IASA know that I am grateful for your service to our children and to our profession. I believe that we are called to do this work. Thank you for answering the call. Yours for better schools,

Thomas E. Bertrand IASA President

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