IASA Podcast

Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 IASA Aspiring Superintendent Academy scheduled for June 27-July 1, 2022, in Springfield.  This four-day academy is intended for school leaders wondering if becoming a superintendent is the right choice for them. Learn more about the academy in this podcast from its three presenters, Dr. Michael Lubelfeld, superintendent of North Shore SD #...

Tucked inside the state's gigantic new energy law is a unique provision that creates a pathway for school districts to install solar panels on site at no cost and reduce energy costs. In this podcast, IASA Executive Director Dr. Brent Clark and Haj Young, Associate Manager of the Future Green Energy Consortium , discuss how schools can take advantage of this special opportunity.  

This episode of the IASA Podcast focuses on one strategy two districts are deploying to close the digital divide in their community. Jon Kilgore, superintendent of Pontiac HSD #90, and Brian Dukes, superintendent of Pontiac CCSD #429, are partnering together to build a LTE system, exclusive to students, that will greatly expand and improve internet connectivity. Learn how the initiative will work,...

Dr. Carol Kilver, superintendent of Pikeland CUSD #10, and Angie Greger, Pikeland High School principal, join the IASA Podcast to discuss the district's plan to extend the school day by one hour for the remainder of the year and bring back high school students five days per week. Dr. Kilver shares how she worked with her board and teachers to implement another "big lift" on an already challenging...

Weekly yoga classes, self-care challenges, feeding frenzies, staff surveys, spirit wear days and the promotion of pop-and-sub are among the ways Sparta CUSD #140 has reduced burnout, promoted mindfulness and improved culture this past school year. Dr. Gabe Schwemmer, superintendent of Sparta CUSD #140, joins the IASA Podcast to discuss strategies superintendents can implement to keep your staff's...

Cindi DeCola , a partner with Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick & Kohn LLP , joins the IASA Podcast to discuss what work after COVID-19 could look like for schools. DeCola shares her thoughts on employees wanting to continue to work from home, collective bargaining issues in the future, expanded sick leave, potential demands for safe working conditions and much more in an informative podcast...

This podcast is a follow up to a webinar recorded with Dr. Victor Simon of Gower SD #62 on Point of Care Testing and CLIA Waiver process. In this episode, Dr. Simon is joined by Dr. Paul O'Malley, superintendent of Butler SD #53. Both districts are currently utilizing COVID-19 point of care rapid antibody and point of care rapid antigen tests on-site that are carried out by district staff with som...

Dr. Carol Kelley, superintendent of Oak Park ESD #97, is in a similar position many superintendents face. Her district began the year remotely and is now facing intense pressure from the community to provide in-person learning. In Part 3 of our series, Dr. Kelley discusses her district's journey this year and how she tries to remain calm while she navigates protests and pushback. In addition, Dr....

Need to brush up on the rules around dismissal of tenured and non-tenured staff? Have legal questions about principal evaluations? What about progressive discipline? This podcast is a must listen for superintendents wanting to strengthen, or refresh, their knowledge on essential employment laws and considerations in Illinois. Our guests are Franczek P.C.  attorneys Dana Fattore Crumley and Sh...

We continue our multi-part series of speaking to superintendents across the state about successes and challenges they have faced in their districts during this unprecedented year.  In Part 2, Dr. Courtney Orzel speaks to Mike Sutton, superintendent of Highland CUSD #5. Mr. Sutton's district began the school year five days per week in person. In this episode, he discusses why he arrived at tha...

More than ever, superintendents need to support  and learn from each other about what has worked and what hasn't. In a multi-part podcast series, IASA Associate Director of Professional Development Dr. Courtney Orzel speaks to superintendents from across the state about the experiences and lessons they have learned through this unprecedented school year.  Part 1 is a conversation with Dr...

Everyday, superintendents are trying to navigate new problems in the era of COVID-19 that it's hard to think long term. In this episode, IASA's Associate Director of Professional Development, Dr. Courtney Orzel, speaks to Dr. Hank Thiele, superintendent of CHSD #99, about the strains COVID-19 has caused on school districts and how superintendents need to begin to think long term how they can help...

If  you have legal questions related to student privacy, special education, grading and more, this podcast is a must listen. Our guest is Courtney Stillman , a partner with Hauser, Izzo, Petrarca, Gleason & Stillman, LLC. This podcast is the second in IASA's initiative to expand legal services to members. 

Riverton CUSD #14 recently had the start of the 2020-21 school year upended when someone tested positive for COVID-19, just three days into the new year. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Brad Polanin, the district's superintendent, about how his district responded to the positive test, lessons he learned from the experience and how he plans to move forward. 

No matter what school will look like in your district this school year, remote learning will be part of the plan. In this episode, Dr. Courtney Orzel speaks to Pontiac CCSD #429 Superintendent Brian Dukes and the district's technology director, Michael McCabe, about how their district plans to maximize remote learning this school year. Kim Darche, who led IASA's recent Remote Learning Rescue Serie...

IASA is excited to announce a new podcast as part of an effort to expand legal services to IASA members during the 2020-21 school year. The podcast can be found on the usual IASA Podcast feed but will be hosted by IASA General Counsel, Chad Watkins.  Each podcast, Chad will welcome a school attorney to speak about a legal issue facing public educators. In our first episode, we welcome Dawn Hi...

This podcast is a follow up to our last episode on Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE. We speak to Dave Ricketts at the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative about the availability of PPE and other questions school leaders might have about acquiring masks and other supplies. BuyBoard is a nationwide online purchasing cooperative that schools can to use to acquire PPE and other commodities. 

Acquiring Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, is a pressing issue for school leaders across Illinois. In this episode, we speak to Kay Dosier, managing director of the Schools of Illinois Public Cooperative , about what schools should be doing now when it comes to PPE and possibilities for next school year. Our podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a differen...

In this episode, we speak to Dr. Ehren Jarrett, superintendent of Rockford Public Schools, in a wide-ranging interview on how the district rebounded from a cyber security attack last fall, invested its EBF dollars and how it plans to utilize its federal CARES funding. In addition, Jarrett discusses Rockford's remote learning plan and what learning could look like in the fall. Our podcast is sponso...

The spread of COVID-19 has created a change in working conditions for educators across Illinois. In this episode, we speak to attorney David Braun of the law firm Miller , Tracy , Braun , Funk & Miller, and IASA Associate Director/General Counsel Chad Watkins, about collective bargaining issues related to remote learning. The podcast features an in-depth discussion on critical matters school l...

We continue our series learning about how school districts across Illinois responded to remote learning with a perspective from large unit districts. Our guests are Dr. Tad Everett, superintendent of Sterling CUSD #5, and Dr. John Burkey, executive director of the Large Unit District Association. In addition to discussing remote learning this year, Everett and Burkey share their thoughts on next s...

What does remote learning in Illinois look like from an urban district perspective? In this episode, we discover how Thornton Twp HSD #205 is continuing to serve and support its students through this difficult time. Our guests are Superintendent Dr. Nathaniel Cunningham and Brett Fickes, Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Our podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fideli...

What does remote learning look like for a leading technology district? In this episode, we speak to Dr. Colleen Pacatte, superintendent of Gurnee District 56, to learn how their district responded to remote learning. Gurnee took part in the state's pilot e-learning program and has been one-to-one for years. Our podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different o...

In this episode, we speak to Larry Lovel, superintendent of Trico CUSD #176, about how his district in rural southern Illinois has adapted to remote learning, despite facing significant issues with internet connectivity. Lovel also discusses the financial challenges his district will face next school year and how education could change forever. Our podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consid...

In this episode, we welcome three superintendents from different parts of the state for a panel discussion on remote learning and how their school districts are responding to a number of new challenges. Our guests are Steve Murphy, superintendent of Carbondale CHSD #165, Dee Scott, superintendent of Casey-Westfield CUSD #4C and Dr. Jon Bartelt, superintendent of Bloomingdale SD #13. Our podcast is...