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 Shelli Anderson.  

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 that decision, the importance of communication and how his district navigated positive COVID tests. 

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. Mary Henderson, superintendent of Roselle SD #12. The K-8 district in Dupage County opened the 2020-21 school year five days per week in person. Dr. Henderson discusses her decision to open in person, successes and challenges so far, lessons she has learned and shares tips she's learned to manage stress. 

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 heal a fragmented system. 

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 Series, also joins the podcast to provide remote learning tips for educators. 

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 Hinkle of Engler Callaway Baasten & Sraga, LLC to discuss school liability in the COVID-19 era. Ms. Hinkle provides a legal perspective on liability concerns related to a student or employee testing positive for COVID-19, as well as potential liability risks if districts don't follow ISBE guidance. Listen now and get answers to those important questions and more! 

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 different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.