Discover session topics that range from hot button issues such as budgeting tips, the updated Freedom of Information Act and tools and technology use for support professionals to personal growth discussions on relationship building and time management.

Register now through Illinois ASBO's Web site: https://www.iasbo.org/i4a/ams/conference/conference.cfm?conferenceID=718

Conference Schedule/Sessions

7:30 am :: Registration & Refreshments
8:30 am :: Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:30 am :: Opening General Session
Let's Put the FUN Back in Dysfunction:
Working With Difficult Co-Employees
How do you resolve conflicts in your office? In this fun and informative session, learn about leadership, conflict and difficult people research and gain some new tools to solve conflicts.

Explore a new model for your personal leadership and leave with specific strategies to work with difficult employees.

Bruce Miles
Owner/CEO
BIG RIVER Group, LLC
Sponsored by: IPA

9:55 am :: Sessions
Transportation Claim Forms
Come and learn about the Pupil Transportation Reimbursement Claim including what information needs to be reported and where.

Jamie Johnson
Consultant/Funding and Disbursement Services
Illinois State Board of Education
Sponsored by: Illinois ASBO

Increasing Your Efficiency:
Your Time and Your Work Area
Get more out of your workday by identifying time wasters and learning time management through the use of an activity log and prioritized "To Do List." Learn how to make your area your own and techniques to help others respect your work. Goal setting and utilizing the SMART Mnemonic will also be discussed.

Bruce Miles
Owner/CEO
BIG RIVER Group, LLC
Sponsored by: IPA

How Your Role in the Business Office
Effects the Budget
The business office is composed of many parts, and each one impacts the district’s bottom line. Review your own role as well as the roles of others and how they factor into your district budget.

Michael Frances
Sr. Financial Advisor
PMA Financial Network, Inc.
Sponsored by: Illinois ASBO

11:05 am :: Sessions
Making the Most of Minutes
Both the Illinois Open Meetings Act and the School Code require that districts keep a written record of all meetings. This lively discussion will address the specific requirements, best practices, and some do's and don’t's.

Anna Lovern
Dir./Policy Services
Illinois Association of School Boards
Sponsored by: IASB

Illinois Program Accounting Manual
Bring in a copy of your district budget and review account structure by fund, function and object, revenue and expenditure accounting, description and purpose of funds. Hear about current Illinois Program Accounting Manual (IPAM) changes and the new ARRA revenue codes and expenditures accounting. Attendees are also encouraged to bring a copy of current IPAM information (available for download from the ISBE website at http://www.isbe.net/finance/htmls/rule_changes.htm).

Deborah Vespa
Division Administrator
Illinois State Board of Education
Sponsored by: Illinois ASBO

Dealing With Difficult Parents
on the Phone and In Person
Learn from colleagues in small and large groups, hear applied research summaries, and review the video Conducting the Parent Conference to get a well-rounded perspective on how to communicate with difficult parents.

Bruce Miles
Owner/CEO
BIG RIVER Group, LLC
Sponsored by: IPA

12:05 pm - 12:45 pm :: Lunch

12:50 pm :: Sessions
Managing Your Boss:
Building a Stronger Partnership
How can you be an incredible #2 for your boss? Learn the nature and limits of followership, techniques to help your boss do their best and new strategies that help them see themselves more accurately.

Bruce Miles
Owner/CEO
BIG RIVER Group, LLC
Sponsored by: IPA

Longitudinal Data System /SIS
Student Information System
Learn from the Project manager at ISBE about this important initiative that supports the comparison and exchange of data between states. Explore the various activities underway including the expansion of ISBE data collection, models for capturing k-12, post-secondary and early childhood data, and how you can expect this to reach your district office.

Michael McKindles
ILDS Project Manager
Illinois State Board of Education
Sponsored by: Illinois ASBO

2:00 pm :: Sessions
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
How much do you know about the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and how it relates to your duties? Are you aware that some Illinois courts and the General Assembly have been addressing some important FOIA issues over the past year? Learn best practices for managing public records requests.

Stephanie Jones
Associate Attorney
Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick & Kohn LLP
Sponsored by: IASA

Serving Your School:
How To Be An Effective "Inside Leader"
Understand why teams fail, the nature of problems and what to do about them. On the flip side, learn about effective teams and how they get that way. Gain strategies to increase your influence and get better at execution as you learn to be an effective “inside leader.”

Bruce Miles
Owner/CEO
BIG RIVER Group, LLC
Sponsored by: IPA

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