CAT Tracks for September 14, 2004 BLAGOJEVICH APPOINTS BROWN TO ISBE

Today, Governor Rod Blagojevich signed the IEA-endorsed legislation reorganizing the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

IEA lobbied for passage of this legislation because our members had become increasingly frustrated with the board.

ISBE repeatedly forced teachers to jump through unnecessary hoops and burdened them with reams of paperwork. It was clear the members of the ISBE and the agency staff, the people responsible for setting rules and regulations for the teaching profession, had no idea or interest about what classroom teachers are facing every day.

IEA was successful in convincing policymakers that ISBE should be accountable, efficient and competent.

Today, seven new members were appointed to the 9-member Board. One member is VERY familiar to those of us who labor in the DEEP South. She is none other than the former Superintendent of our Regional Office of Education...Dr. Andrea Brown. As most of you know, "Andrea" is a former resident of Cairo and one of Cairo School District Number One's very own!

The complete announcement is available online.

A special congratulations to Dr. Andrea Brown from those that "knew you when"...