Streamlining School Code: What the Mandate Reduction Report Means for Local School Boards

In this episode, IASB Governmental Relations Director Jennifer Ciok and IASB Board Member and Northwest Division Director Chris Buikema unpack the School Code Mandate Reduction Council’s final report submitted to the General Assembly. Learn how the Council evaluated nearly 1,000 state mandates, key recommendations for eliminating and consolidating operational burdens, and how local school board members can help drive these changes into law.

In this episode, Associate Executive Director of Outreach, Training & Events Lori Grant shares an insider's guide to navigating the 2026 Joint Annual Conference in Chicago. Learn how to streamline your experience, get around the venues, and make the most of your time at Illinois’ premier public education training event.

In this episode, Director of Training Development Sandra Kwasa and Associate General Counsel and Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Services Maryam Brotine discuss the Doing Right by All Students in-district workshop, designed for school board members.

In this episode, Director of Outreach & Training Perry Hill IV, Ph.D., discusses the new Conflict Resolution In-District workshop, a training opportunity designed to help school boards address internal conflicts collaboratively, strengthen governance practices, and build habits that minimize future challenges.

Board president Corrin Bennett‑Kill shares how District 57 is centering student voice through advisory councils and student board members, and what the district is learning along the way.

In this episode, we sit down with Jaime Barraza, Board President of Township High School District 113, and discuss his experience at this year's Board Presidents’ Academy event, the value of connecting with fellow board leaders from across Illinois, and the key insights they're taking back to their district.

In this episode, we reflect on Executive Director Kimberly Small’s third year of leadership at the Illinois Association of School Boards, exploring lessons learned, challenges overcome, member-driven priorities, and the forward-looking vision shaping public education across the state.

Chris Lawton, Director of Information Technology, joins the podcast as we explore what artificial intelligence really means for schools, breaking down key concepts, addressing common misconceptions, and discussing the opportunities and risks educators and leaders need to understand.

In this episode, Katie Bulava, Director of Outreach & Training, discusses what it truly means for a school board to take responsibility for itself, from understanding governance roles and avoiding micromanagement to fostering respectful disagreement and unified decision-making.

A conversation with IASB Director of Governmental Relations Sarah Miller, breaking down the latest Illinois General Assembly session, from school cell phone policy and AI/biometric legislation to the state budget, and how IASB advocated for local school boards every step of the way.