Illinois School Board Newsbulletin Index January-December 2008 Accountability Differentiated accountability plan (August 2008, p. 6) ED posts NCLB rules proposal focusing on accountability, clarity (June 2008, p. 6) Achievement ‘Hope’ summit aims to help close achievement gap (October 2008, p. 8) Improved student performance is goal of High School Challenge in June (May 2008, p. 3) ISAT trends higher for Illinois elementary students: But scores are flat at the high school level (November 2008, p. 4) Public schools as good as private ones on student achievement: Study (July 2008, p. 2) Study to show value of superintendent as achievement leader (July 2008, p. 5) Administrators Friedman is ‘superintendent of year’, he urges patience (December 2008, p. 6) IASA conference to host Apple tech lab, speakers Ash, November (February 2008, p. 8) SAM project helps principals focus on instruction (March 2008, p. 4) Springfield reassigns high school principals under NCLB provisions (February 2008, p. 4) Superintendents urged to attend final seminar on IASB search program (December 2008, p. 9) Arts Arts education guide to aid superintendents (October 2008, p. 7) Bilingual Annual summit focuses on helping bilingual parents, educators succeed (June 2008, Back Page) Demographics Census data on school finance ranks Illinois as second-worst (July 2008, p. 1) Discipline How much can school leaders say to law enforcement? (February 2008, p. 11) Publications cover key school law topics (August 2008, p. 4) Diversity Annual summit focuses on helping bilingual parents, educators succeed (June 2008, Back Page) IASB offering first-ever diversity workshops soon (August 2008, p. 10) Dropouts Each high school dropout costs taxpayers $221,000 (November 2008, p. 5) Drugs/Drug Testing/Alcohol 58 town hall meetings set to fight underage drinking (May 2008, p. 6) Ethics 2008 economic interest statements due by May 1 (March 2008, p. 5) Extracurricular Activity Lines cast in newest extracurricular activity: fishing (December 2008, p. 4) Facilities Mobile classrooms can foster air quality concerns: Prevention action urged via EPA guide (June 2008, p. 4)

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) developments (October 2008, p. 10) Funding Census data on school finance ranks Illinois as second-worst (July 2008, p. 1) District finances improving statewide, nearly 70 percent now called healthy (April 2008, p. 2) Governor at odds over budget with Speaker Madigan, others (July 2008, p. 1) Governor’s ‘09 budget would mean real cuts for schools, says CTBA: Report: inflation costs to take more than $1.2 billion (April 2008, p. 1) IASA attendees hear bad news on funding (May 2008, p. 11) Illinois General Assembly wrestling with deficit estimated at $750 million amid darkening finances (May 2008, p. 4) ISBE proposes $300.8 million hike in FY’09 budget for public schools (February 2008, p. 2) National school boards group opposes Bush administration’s FY 2009 education budget (March 2008, Back Page) State revenue picture cloudy, financial report says (March 2008, p. 6) Funding/Finance/Budgeting Budget implementation bill enacted just in time to avoid deep damage (January 2008, p. 1) Governor’s plan for $300 million budget hike faces uphill climb (March 2008, p. 1) President Bush signs FY 2008 budget bill, hold on school-based Medicaid cuts for now (January 2008, p. 2) Grants Schools get NCLB funds for vital before-and after-school programs (August 2008, p. 2) Health Health, eye exams required for students to return to class (September 2008, p. 2) ISBE’s ‘junk food’ rules aim to limit school menus (April 2008, p. 7) Mobile classrooms can foster air quality concerns: Prevention action urged via EPA guide (June 2008, p. 4) New bill would ban trans fat from school cafeterias: Expert cite major health risks (November 2008, p. 5) State offers start-up funds for 2007-08 school meals program: Summer Food Service Program (May 2008, p. 10) State submits food service rules to lawmaker, public review (May 2008, p. 2) USDA warns about impact of soaring commodity prices (November 2008, p. 2) Wellness panel hits lack of implementation plans (February 2008, p. 5) High Schools Experts challenge high school grading practices (July 2008, p. 5) IASB 2008 Joint Annual Conference sets attendance mark (December 2008, p. 1) 2008 officer nominations set, board reviews IASB leadership (October 2008, p. 11) Board secretaries offered more training at Conference (October 2008, p. 5) Current IASB journal issue focuses on special education (January 2008, p. 5) Forms help IASB keep count of ‘Master Board’ work aimed at member excellence (July 2008, p. 7) IASB delegates reject concept of mandatory board member training (December 2008, p. 1) IASB directors meet, adopt new assignments (January 2008, p. 4) IASB launches Members-Only website to aid members (December 2008, p. 7) IASB mourns loss of Lombard staff member, friend Holly Jack (November 2008, p. 7) IASB offering first-ever diversity workshops soon (August 2008, p. 10) IASB officer nominations open for the coming year (June 2008, p. 11) IASB preps officials for 2009 board elections : Provides new workshops, packets on duties, dates (October 2008, p. 1) IASB’s 2009 Leadership Conference to detail ‘20% Challenge’ on training (December 2008, p. 7) IASB’s School Board Leadership Academy set for June symposium (March 2008, p. 5) IASB to offer 2008 job fair for teachers, administrators (January 2008, p. 5) IASB to offer annual job fair in March for teachers and school administrators (February 2008, p. 5) Metzger elected to NSBA board, Donna Johnson to head national search group (April 2008, p. 1) New school superintendents learn about IASB services : Speakers extend tips, welcome over lunch at both IASB offices (October 2008, p. 6) NSBA official urges Illinois school leaders to keep schooling relevant (March 2008, p. 1) Over 600 educator candidates attend 13th annual IASB Job Fair (April 2008, p. 9) Recently announced IASB hires include new CFO, four other staff (October 2008, p. 7)

IASB continued Resolutions would address key concerns, set course (July 2008, p. 6) Robert M. Cole Awards honor 14 newspapers for 2008 (November 2008, p. 8) Somogyi, Doyle earn Fellow honor in IASB board LeaderShop Academy (February 2008, p. 10) Staff changes to address growing IASB member needs (May 2008, p. 1) Superintendents urged to attend final seminar on IASB search program (December 2008, p. 9) Two IASB divisions boast new directors on IASB board (January 2008, p. 5) Illinois Bills on state board autonomy, AEDs at athletic fields move in legislature (March 2008, p. 9) Con-Con defeat may be clouded by questionable wording (December 2008, p. 10) Constitutional Convention idea supported by IASB (September 2008, p. 6) Governor at odds over budget with Speaker Madigan, others (July 2008, p. 1) Illinois General Assembly wrestling with deficit estimated at $750 million amid darkening finances (May 2008, p. 4) Illinois to help lead ‘early childhood’ talks (May 2008, p. 10) ISBE honors education contributors via Those Who Excel : Five board members and a full board chosen (November 2008, p. 3) ISBE proposes $300.8 million hike in FY’09 budget for public schools (February 2008, p. 2) ISBE rewards teacher of the year among 150 Excel award winners (November 2008, p. 2) ISBE’s ‘junk food’ rules aim to limit school menus (April 2008, p. 7) Lt. Gov. survey of school leaders uncovers prevalent concern on ISBE finance services (February 2008, p. Back Page) Lt. Governor’s survey forms are due by November 1 (October 2008, p. 3) Making ISAT test changes could impact district scores (March 2008, p. 2) New bill would ban trans fat from school cafeterias: Experts cite major health risks (November 2008, p. 5) Online sources tell rich story of ‘Con-Con’ events past and future (September 2008, p. 6) RtI self-assessment tool offered to school districts (April 2008, p. 2) State Board revises agency’s mission to lead student preparation for success (October 2008, p. 2) State Board seeking nominations by May 16 for Those Who Excel awards (March 2008, p. 2) State Board votes to let local school board decide drivers’ ed fee amount (February 2008, p. 6) State gets passing grade on quality of education system, new study finds (February 2008, p. 4) State lottery sale plan ruled out, legality of leasing is in question (December 2008, p. Back Page) State moves to expand Preschool for All program : Seeks proposals from skilled service providers (April 2008, p. 6) State offers start-up funds for 2007-08 school meals program : Summer Food Service Program (May 2008, p. 10) State revenue picture cloudy, financial report says (March 2008, p. 6) State seeks to implement Anna Plan for RtI training (April 2008, p. 2) State submits food service rules to lawmaker, public review (May 2008, p. 2) Leadership IASB’s 2009 Leadership Conference to detail ‘20% Challenge’ on training (December 2008, p. 7) Libraries School library support offered via set of books (March 2008, p. 5) Lobbying Leaders to lobby in DC at 35th FRN conference (January 2008, p. 2) Mandates Mandate waiver applications due at ISBE by Aug 8 (July 2008, p. 11) Media Robert M. Cole Awards honor 14 newspapers for 2008 (November 2008, p. 8) National School Board Association Metzger elected to NSBA board, Donna Johnson to head national search group (April 2008, p. 1) Speakers named for NSBA confab in Orlando, March 29-April 1 (February 2008, p. 8)

No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) AYP status reports on NCLB now available : Reports generated daily as schools complete data (August 2008, p. 8) ED posts NCLB rules proposal focusing on accountability, clarity (June 2008, p. 6) Election year may delay NCLB renewal until 2011 unless work completed soon (February 2008, p. 1) Feds OK pilot program to help more schools meet NCLB goals (August 2008, p. 1) ISAT delays cause AYP concerns for schools (September 2008, p. 1) ISAT trends higher for Illinois elementary students : But scores are flat at the high school level (November 2008, p. 4) ISBE’s final proposal for NCLB flexibility ‘pilot’ project is published online: Here’s an overview (August 2008, p. 6) NCLB opinion polls: Americans unhappy with act, penalties (April 2008, p. 3) NSBA official urges Illinois school leaders to keep schooling relevant (March 2008, p. 1) Schools aim to fix ‘broken system’ of NCLB law : Prevention action urged via EPA guide (June 2008, p. 6) Schools get NCLB funds for vital before-and after-school programs (August 2008, p. 2) Springfield reassigns high school principals under NCLB provisions (February 2008, p. 4) Nutrition Schools face up to rising prices of food, gas : Increase causes some to weight cutbacks, add fees (June 2008, p. 1) State offers start-up funds for 2007-08 school meals program : Summer Food Service Program (May 2008, p. 10) Policy Wellness panel hits lack of implementation plans (February 2008, p. 5) Preschool Illinois to help lead ‘early childhood’ talks (May 2008, p. 10) State moves to expand Preschool for All program : Seeks proposals from skilled service providers (April 2008, p. 6) Public Schools NSBA official urges Illinois school leaders to keep schooling relevant (March 2008, p. 1) Public schools as good as private ones on student achievement: Study (July 2008, p. 2) Reading State seeks to implement Anna Plan for RtI training (April 2008, p. 2) Referenda Referenda results find tax increases faring quite badly : But most bond issues win voter approval (February 2008, p. 1) School finance referenda given nod at sub-par rate in November (December 2008, p. 5) Twenty-nine districts to hold February finance referendums (January 2008, p. 1) Voters snub eight of nine county sales tax plans (December 2008, p. 10) Reform RtI self-assessment tool offered to school districts (April 2008, p. 2) Springfield reassigns high school principals under NCLB provisions (February 2008, p. 4) Religion Schools have power to limit religious messages in class (April 2008, p. 10) School ISBE honors education contributors via Those Who Excel : Five board members and a full board chosen (November 2008, p. 3) School Board Elections IASB preps officials for 2009 board elections : Provides new workshops, packets on duties, dates (October 2008, p. 1) Online handbook provides election forms most sought for April 2009 board balloting (November 2008, p. Back Page) School Board Meetings Army officer maintains service on local school board while in Iraq (November 2008, p. 1) Boardbook service for ‘agenda building’ offered to districts (November 2008, p. 1)

School Board Members 2008 economic interest statements due by May 1 (March 2008, p. 5) Army officer maintains service on local school board while in Iraq (November 2008, p. 1) Packets mailed for School Board Members Day (October 2008, p. 11) School Board Presidents Suburban board member Zendol wins board presidency award (December 2008, p. 6) School Board Role Service on school board requires real sense of humor and tough skin (April 2008, Back Page) School Board Training 2008 Joint Annual Conference sets attendance mark (December 2008, p. 1) Board secretaries offered more training at Conference (October 2008, p. 5) Election workshop set for school board secretaries serving as officials (September 2008, p. 2) ‘Focus’ and ‘value’ are 2008 IASB leaders’ symposium messages (August 2008, p. 1) Forms help IASB keep count of ‘Master Board’ work aimed at member excellence (July 2008, p. 7) IASB announces LeaderShop Academy Symposium plans: Leadership Academy sessions to promote board learning (May 2008, p. 8) IASB delegates reject concept of mandatory board member training (December 2008, p. 1) School Boards Election workshop set for school board secretaries serving as officials (September 2008, p. 2) School Law Bills on state board autonomy, AEDs at athletic fields move in legislature (March 2008, p. 9) Challenge to ‘moment of silence’ widened by judge: Court broadens action into class-action lawsuit (May 2008, p. 3) Constitutional Convention idea supported by IASB (September 2008, p. 6) Court cases may guide school districts’ tort levies (January 2008, p. 6) Federal judge widens ban on ‘silence’ to all schools in state (July 2008, p. 8) How much can school leaders say to law enforcement? (February 2008, p. 11) Online sources tell rich story of ‘Con-Con’ events past and future (September 2008, p. 6) Publications cover key school law topics (August 2008, p. 4) Recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) developments (October 2008, p. 10) Restricting student speech not always justified (June 2008, p. 10) School Code, law survey books now available from IASB, with CD ROMs (July 2008, p. 10) Schools have power to limit religious messages in class (April 2008, p. 10) School Safety Classroom video monitoring focused to address local concerns in Freeport (June 2008, p. 2) Journal examines board chores on school security (October 2008, p. 2) School Schedules Districts sensitive to parent concerns on school-day schedule (July 2008, p. 3) Special Education Current IASB journal issue focuses on special education (January 2008, p. 5) Publications cover key school law topics (August 2008, p. 4) State Board eyes special ed assistive tech services path (December 2008, p. 2) Standards International standards eyed on ‘what kids need to know’ (November 2008, p. 2) Student Records Privacy Law (FERPA) gives parents access to kid’s school records (February 2008, p. 10) Students Restricting student speech not always justified (June 2008, p. 10)

Superintendent Selection IASB expands Executive Searches to incorporate ‘team approach’ (November 2008, p. 6) Schools witness hefty decline in superintendent turnover numbers (November 2008, p. 6) Surveys Lt. Governor’s survey forms are due by November 1 (October 2008, p. 3) NCLB opinion polls: Americans unhappy with act, penalties (April 2008, p. 3) Taxes Calls for sales tax hikes must get on ballot soon: Resulting revenue can help pay for school construction (May 2008, p. 1) Court cases may guide school districts’ tort levies (January 2008, p. 6) Twenty-nine districts to hold February finance referendums (January 2008, p. 1) Voters snub eight of nine county sales tax plans (December 2008, p. 10) Teacher Retention Deadlines approach for any teacher RIF notices to be given (February 2008, p. 6) Teachers ‘Grow Your Own’ groups in state nurture hundreds of future teachers (December 2008, p. 2) ISBE rewards teacher of the year among 150 Excel award winners (November 2008, p. 2) ISBE seeks power to investigate charges of teacher misconduct (February 2008, p. 6) SAM project helps principals focus on instruction (March 2008, p. 4) Technology 34 Illinois districts represented at NSBA technology and learning (T+L) conference (November 2008, p. 7) State Board eyes special ed assistive tech services path (December 2008, p. 2) Testing Record numbers tackle placement exams, classes: AP test participation up 8.1 percent on year (October 2008, p. 4) Transportation/Buses Schools face up to rising prices of food, gas: Increase causes some to weight cutbacks, add fees (June 2008, p. 1) Schools face up to rising prices of food, gas: Increase causes some to weight cutbacks, add fees (June 2008, p. 1) Unions/Negotiations Teachers file intent-to-strike notices in 11 districts (October 2008, p. 8) Total of seven strikes called in four districts in 2007-08 school year (July 2008, p. 8)