In May, the Illinois Department of Revenue released a memo that indicated school districts, and other government bodies, would see a reduction in Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax funding. On the IASA Podcast, we spoke to Dr. Vic Zimmerman, IASA Field Services Director, about this announcement and what it means for school districts trying to budget for FY 24.

Illinois State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders joins IASA for a quick podcast about ISBE extending the application deadline for the Early Childhood Block Grant to June 30. Also, we ask Dr. Sanders about his new leadership team and the role they will fill.

CEP is an alternative to collecting, approving, and verifying household eligibility applications for free and reduced price eligible​ students in high poverty local educational agencies (LEAs) for schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.​ In this episode, IASA speaks to Roxanne Ramage, ISBE's Nutrition Principal Consultant, about the advantages the federal program offers to school districts. More information about CEP can be found at https://www.isbe.net/cep or requested via email at [email protected]​

IASA is accepting applications for our newest cohort - Reimagining Rural Leadership. In this podcast, hear from cohort organizers about why you should apply, what each session will entail, what guest speakers to expect, how a cohort learning experience can help you grow professionally and personally and much more! Our guests are Dr. Courtney Orzel, Todd Dugan, Dr. Jennifer Garrison and Larry Lovel.

Madeline McCune and Emily Warnecke join the IASA Podcast to provide a legislative update on where things stand. Ms. McCune and Mrs. Warnecke discuss unfunded mandates, curriculum mandates, literacy initiatives, the teacher shortage and more. The IASA Podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity.

In honor of Women's History Month, IASA asked the group of female leaders who helped launch Women in Leadership in Illinois. This podcast features a lively an inspiring discussion about the history of WIL, misconceptions about the initiative, barriers women face entering the superintendency and why it's important that Illinois continues to grow the number of female leaders. Guests are Dr. Courtney Orzel, Sara Boucek, Dr. Carrie Hruby, Dr. Crystal Johnson-Maden, Dr. Bhavna Sharma-Lewis and Julie Kraemer. The IASA Podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. 

In honor of February being Black History Month, IASA invited Dr. Sonya Whitaker on the podcast to discuss a variety of issues around equity and diversity in public education. Dr. Whitaker is the Deputy Superintendent of Schools at Dolton School District 148 and serves as National Education Policy Director for PUSH Excel. In this podcast, we discuss her work at PUSH Excel; the teacher shortage and increasing the pool of black teachers and educators; tips for school leaders on maximizing Black History Monty; polarized politics in school board races and much more! The IASA Podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. 

Like many districts, Oakwood CUSD #76 struggled attracting substitute teachers. Earlier this month, district hosted its first ever Aspiring Substitute Academy to recruit and educate people from the community about what it takes to become a substitute teacher. In this episode, Oakwood's superintendent, Larry Maynard, discusses the substitute teacher shortage, what the academy entailed and how big of a boost the district has already seen in its applicant pool. The IASA Podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. 

IASA interviews Dr. Lisa Leali, superintendent of Lake Bluff ESD #65, about her new book, Leading through Chaos: Ten Strategies for School Leaders during Crises. In the interview, Dr. Leali discusses why she wrote the book and shares different strategies for school leaders. The book is available for purchase here. The IASA Podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. 

Registration is now open for Elevate, IASA's new cohort for female superintendents. In this episode, Dr. Courtney Orzel, Dr. Carrie Hruby and Dr. Crystal Johnson-Maden share why they designed this first of its kind professional development opportunity for female superintendents in Illinois. In addition, the three leaders share what will occur in each session, how the cohort will elevate your leadership capacity, how WIL has helped them grow personally and professionally and what makes Elevate unique from other Women in Leadership opportunities. The IASA Podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity.