Regional Conferences Sessions

East Peoria Sessions

7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. 

Registration &  Refreshments


8:15 a.m. to 8:35 a.m. 

Welcome & Opening


8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Who Ya Gonna Call?...an Architect!

Districts can self-perform projects, use general contractors, hire subcontractors directly, use performance contractors or utilize a construction management firm. Come find out how and when to engage your architect, when it’s required and what architects can do to keep you out of trouble. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Stephen Chassee, Todd Hannah and Kristopher Kahler

Understanding the Legislative Process

Remember that cartoon about how a bill becomes a law? Listen to an overview specific to the Illinois legislative process. Real examples will be shared by school officials who have successfully navigated the process to pass a bill that benefited their district. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Mike Cornale, Kyle Harding and Anne Noble

Navigating New Challenges: Preparing for School District Bargaining

Explore the importance and necessity of adequate preparation for school district bargaining. What can you do, prior to beginning the negotiation process, to put your board of education/administrative team in the best possible position to achieve good outcomes?

Speakers:
Jay Greening, Joe Sander and Tamara Mitchell


9:55 a.m. to 10:55 a.m.

Grant Management and Compliance

Master the art of grant management with insights on best practices and effective compliance strategiess. Discover who should be at the table when it comes to grant reporting and learn how to maintain compliance. Join the conversation and elevate your grant management game! View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Ciara Corley

Unlocking Renewable Energy Funding: One District's Approach

Discover how District 26 is pursuing funding sources to pay for renewable energy components at Euclid School. Learn about the IRS Direct Pay program (rolled out in January of this year) and how school districts can take advantage of the program to fund renewable energy sources. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Matt Bubness, Ron Richardson and Dan Whisler

Digital Footprint & Social Media Checks, Will Your Current Practices Stand?

In addition to the required criminal background check, most districts conduct some sort of web search on candidates before hire. But does your district rely on the technological savvy of individuals to search the web for this information? This session will explore the questions of Why, What, When and Who surrounding this important step in the hiring process. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Michael Portwood


11:05 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.

School Procurement: Legal Requirements, Best Practices & New Trends

Business officials and their legal team face multiple challenges when searching for practical procurement options. This session will identify statutory requirements, discuss local board protocols and explore alternatives to the traditional "formal bid" procurement process. View the presentation HERE

Speaker:
Eugene Hanses, Caleb Mundorf and Kristopher Kahler

Navigating School Finance: Resources, Forecasting and Best Practices

Join the Illinois State Board of Education School Business Services Team for an in-depth presentation on school finance. This comprehensive session will cover: ISBE Regional Financial Consultants, School Finance Tools and resources for effective budgeting and financial planning. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Matt Seaton and Eileen Turanchik

Reply All Fear: Are You Stifling Your Staff's Voices?

As managers we should strive for an engaged staff who have the confidence to provide an opinion. Often, we unintentionally stifle their voices. Using John Mayer’s song “My Stupid Mouth,” we will help you reflect on how your actions may be impacting your staff’s voice now and in the future. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Frank Williams and Ray Toliver


12:05 p.m. to 12:50 p.m.

Lunch


12:50 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.

New Laws, New Lessons: Recent Legislative Trends in Education

Join Illinois ASBO's lobbyists as they dive deep into legislative initiatives from the Spring 2024 General Assembly, what they anticipate for education legislation in the upcoming veto session and their take on advocacy trends.

Speaker:
Madeline McCune and Emily Warnecke

Navigating School Finance: Expenditure Reporting, FRIS and Resource Allocation

Follow along with the Illinois State Board of Education Finance Team as they provide an in-depth presentation on Site-Based Expenditure Reporting, School-Level Finance survey, EBF Spending Plan guidance, Resource Allocation reviews, Grant Expenditure Reporting and FRIS (Financial Reimbursement Information System) navigation. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Luke Corry and Megan Moore

Anatomy of the Onboarding Process

Explore the essential steps to fully onboard and clear your new hires, and discover why each step is crucial for their success—and yours. Don't miss this deep dive into creating a seamless and effective onboarding experience. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Debby Marquardt


2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Going Green to Save Green: Facts About Solar for Your Schools

Learn what solar incentives mean for public school districts, how to evaluate if solar is a good fit and how you can get involved with renewable energy outside of a solar array on-site. Hear from a local school district about their experience procuring and installing an on-site solar array, including both successes and challenges encountered throughout the process. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Becky Thompson, Seth Crackel and Kevin Westall


Using an HR Audit to Improve Your Department

Discover how one district navigated an HR audit/review. Hear about the audit process using the HCLE standards. In addition, the district will share how they transformed insights into actionable plans, implementing effective processes and procedures. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Natacia Campbell Tominov and Beth Dalton

O'Fallon Sessions

7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. 

Registration &  Refreshments


8:15 a.m. to 8:35 a.m. 

Welcome & Opening


8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Grant Management and Compliance

Master the art of grant management with insights on best practices and effective compliance strategiess. Discover who should be at the table when it comes to grant reporting and learn how to maintain compliance. Join the conversation and elevate your grant management game! View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Ciara Corley

Going Green to Save Green: Facts About Solar for Your Schools

Learn what solar incentives mean for public school districts, how to evaluate if solar is a good fit and how you can get involved with renewable energy outside of a solar array on-site. Hear from a local school district about their experience procuring and installing an on-site solar array, including both successes and challenges encountered throughout the process. View the presentation HERE 

Speakers:
Becky Thompson, Seth Crackel and Kevin Westall

Using an HR Audit to Improve Your Department

Discover how one district navigated an HR audit/review. Hear about the audit process using the HCLE standards. In addition, the district will share how they transformed insights into actionable plans, implementing effective processes and procedures. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Natacia Campbell Tominov and Beth Dalton


9:55 a.m. to 10:55 a.m.

New Laws, New Lessons: Recent Legislative Trends in Education

Join Illinois ASBO's lobbyists as they dive deep into legislative initiatives from the Spring 2024 General Assembly, what they anticipate for education legislation in the upcoming veto session and their take on advocacy trends.

Speakers:
Madeline McCune and Emily Warnecke

School Procurement: Legal Requirements, Best Practices & New Trends

Business officials and their legal team face multiple challenges when searching for practical procurement options. This session will identify statutory requirements, discuss local board protocols and explore alternatives to the traditional "formal bid" procurement process. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Eugene Hanses, Caleb Mundorf and David Courtney

Reply All Fear: Are You Stifling Your Staff's Voices?

As managers we should strive for an engaged staff who have the confidence to provide an opinion. Often, we unintentionally stifle their voices. Using John Mayer’s song “My Stupid Mouth,” we will help you reflect on how your actions may be impacting your staff’s voice now and in the future. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Frank Williams and Ray Toliver


11:05 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.

Unlocking Renewable Energy Funding: One District's Approach

Discover how District 26 is pursuing funding sources to pay for renewable energy components at Euclid School. Learn about the IRS Direct Pay program (rolled out in January of this year) and how school districts can take advantage of the program to fund renewable energy sources. View the presentation HERE

Speaker:
Matt Bubness, Ron Richardson and Dan Whisler

Navigating School Finance: Expenditure Reporting, FRIS and Resource Allocation

Follow along with the Illinois State Board of Education Finance Team as they provide an in-depth presentation on Site-Based Expenditure Reporting, School-Level Finance survey, EBF Spending Plan guidance, Resource Allocation reviews, Grant Expenditure Reporting and FRIS (Financial Reimbursement Information System) navigation. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Luke Corry and Megan Moore

Anatomy of the Onboarding Process

Explore the essential steps to fully onboard and clear your new hires, and discover why each step is crucial for their success—and yours. Don't miss this deep dive into creating a seamless and effective onboarding experience. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Debby Marquardt


12:05 p.m. to 12:50 p.m.

Lunch


12:50 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.

Understanding the Legislative Process

Remember that cartoon about how a bill becomes a law? Listen to an overview specific to the Illinois legislative process. Real examples will be shared by school officials who have successfully navigated the process to pass a bill that benefited their district. View the presentation HERE

Speaker:
Anne Noble, Kyle Harding and Brad Skertich

Navigating School Finance: Resources, Forecasting and Best Practices

Join the Illinois State Board of Education School Business Services Team for an in-depth presentation on school finance. This comprehensive session will cover: ISBE Regional Financial Consultants, School Finance Tools and resources for effective budgeting and financial planning. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Matt Seaton and Eileen Turanchik

Digital Footprint & Social Media Checks, Will Your Current Practices Stand?

In addition to the required criminal background check, most districts conduct some sort of web search on candidates before hire. But does your district rely on the technological savvy of individuals to search the web for this information? This session will explore the questions of Why, What, When and Who surrounding this important step in the hiring process. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Michael Portwood


2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Who Ya Gonna Call?...an Architect!

Districts can self-perform projects, use general contractors, hire subcontractors directly, use performance contractors or utilize a construction management firm. Come find out how and when to engage your architect, when it’s required and what architects can do to keep you out of trouble. View the presentation HERE

Speakers:
Stephen Chassee, Todd Hannah and Kristopher Kahler


Navigating New Challenges: What’s Next for School District Bargaining?

Explore the evolving landscape of school district bargaining as we dive into the latest challenges and strategies. Understand the complexities that have emerged in recent years and how they impact negotiations. Prepare your district for what's next by joining this essential discussion on navigating bargaining dynamics.

Speakers:
Todd Dugan, Kris Monn, Caleb Mundorf and Rachel Wright