Good afternoon.

This message brings the good news that GSA payments are expected to be released this month. We also begin to look ahead to the next school year with an announcement of the agenda for the September Superintendents’ Regional Conference.

Note: Last week an item explained the change in deadlines for teachers seeking national certification. The direct link for the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is http://www.isbe.net/profprep/nbpts.htm.

June Meeting of the State Board of Education

The regular monthly meeting of the State Board will be held June 16–17, 2003, at  the State Board offices, 100 North First Street, Springfield. In Chicago, interested parties may listen to the meeting at the ISBE office on the 14th floor of the James R. Thompson Center, 100 West Randolph. The agenda is posted on the ISBE Web site at http://www.isbe.net/board/meetings/june03meeting/schedule.htm. Supporting reports will be posted later this afternoon.

July GSA Payments Accelerated and Vouchered

Due to the Governor’s advancing both July GSA payments into June, the Illinois State Board of Education has been able to accelerate the final two FY03 General State Aid payments (23^rd and 24^th payments). Moreover, due to the Governor’s signing the FY03 supplemental appropriation this week, all districts will receive the full amount of their FY03 GSA entitlement. The State Comptroller is expected to release these final two payments on or before June 30.

Superintendents’ Regional Conferences – September 2003

The State Superintendents’ Conference this year will be offered at six regional meetings. We worked together with IASA to work out a choice of dates and locations that would provide both convenience and cost-savings. These regional meetings will replace the traditional multiday conference in Springfield.

Dates and Locations:

September 3              Champaign

September 4              Matteson

September 9              Galesburg

September 15            Mt. Vernon

September 22            Naperville

September 23            Lincolnshire

District superintendents, regional superintendents, association leaders, and others will receive a mailing in July with specific registration and conference site information.

The proposed agenda for these meetings is appended to this message. We selected the topics for their high degree of relevancy to the current challenges facing school districts and their leaders throughout the state.

New Superintendents’ Meeting

The annual New Superintendents’ Meeting, cosponsored by the IASA and ISBE, will be held at the State Board office in Springfield on September 30–October 1, 2003. A separate mailing to new district superintendents will provide details of the meeting schedule.

 

 

Robert Schiller

State Superintendent

   of Education

statesup@isbe.net

 

 

 

Proposed Conference Agenda for Superintendents’ Regional Conferences

September 2003

8:30–9:00 a.m. Registration/Refreshments

9:00–10:15 a.m.           Breakout Session I (see descriptions below)

10:15–10:30 a.m.         Break

10:30–11:45 a.m.         Breakout Session II (see descriptions below)

Five breakout sessions: participants may attend 2 of the 5:

Accountability: Keeping Our Heads While Those About Us Are Losing Theirs

Learn the facts and fallacies about the newly adopted legislation for testing and accountability that aligns Illinois law with No Child Left Behind; walk through how adequate yearly progress (AYP) is determined and how to project progress for your schools; view the new e-Report Cards and the Illinois Interactive Report Card Web site; review the new “assessment frameworks” that will guide test development for the next five years.

Offered in breakout sessions I & II

School Improvement: Using What We Know to Improve Performance

Focus on four components of school improvement, highlighting strategies that really work: data analysis that drives targeted improvement plans; classroom curriculum, instruction and assessment aligned with the Learning Standards; teacher and administrator enhancement; and support services for students, families and communities.

Offered in breakout sessions I & II

Finance and Funding: Gearing Up for the Real Reform We Need

Understand the new state financial profiles—what they are and are not; preview proposed legislation to assist districts in significant financial difficulty; review the status of the state education budget; discuss “life after EFAB,” potential funding recommendations and next steps; review options for legislative and public support strategies.

Offered in breakout sessions I & II

P-Card: Adding Efficiency and Accountability to the Purchasing Process

With the Procurement Card, school leaders are able to increase the efficiency of the purchasing process while improving on accountability. This session will explain in detail the new P-Card program, provided through the sponsorship of the IASA/IASB/IASBO, which has a proven record of streamlining the P.O. process, saving time and money while improving control over expenditures.

Offered in Breakout Session I

Financial Projections: Looking Five Years Out

A critical part of local school management is making timely and accurate financial projections. The ISDLAF+ sponsored by the IASA/IASB/IASBO has a relationship with PMA for fund management and advisement. A new PMA service allows for such projections. This session will provide you with a close look at the system.

Offered in breakout session II  

11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Lunch

12:30–1:00 p.m            Introductions and Keynote Address by Dr. Robert E. Schiller, State Superintendent of Education

1:00–2:00 p.m.             Open Q&A Session with the State Superintendent and Cabinet-Level ISBE Staff.