From the Podium
Tamara L Mitchell, SFO
Chief Financial Officer
Evanston-Skokie CCSD 65
Looking Towards the Future
It is my humble honor to serve as the 75th President of the Illinois ASBO Board of Directors for the 2025 fiscal year. Part of that service is choosing a theme for the year which, in part, is meant to give the Association’s membership a glimpse into what intrinsically motivates the president as a leader. The chosen theme is present throughout the year in publications and during events, culminating with the 2025 Illinois ASBO Annual Conference. My theme, Pursuing Your Purpose with Passion, is something that drives me each and every day. Every member of the Association does this daily in large and small ways, whether intentionally or not. This issue’s theme statement, Color Outside the Lines: Creating New Educational Experiences, is the perfect expression of pursuing purpose with passion.
In the articles that follow, you will see examples of how school communities are managing opportunities to be innovative. As much as many of us want to move past the influence that the pandemic of 2020 had on our daily lives, we are all still very much impacted by it in the world of school finance. For instance, since the end of the 2019-2020 school year, various pandemic-related relief funds have been available to school districts. These dollars helped school communities make much needed HVAC facilities improvements, replace classroom furniture, retain and hire additional staff as well as purchase curriculum resources to combat learning loss. The funding received allowed school district administration to take an innovative approach to meeting the evolving needs of students. The expiration of these various programs have caused substantial revisioning of operations for some districts, providing the opportunity to be innovative yet again.
Innovation often comes with challenges, but these should not hinder progress. Artificial Intelligence has transformed educational practices and student engagement. While both results are favorable, the need for the regulation of AI is undeniable. An innovation that the pandemic illuminated was the flexibility of school business offices, with staff swiftly adapting to remote work. Some offices were remote for an extended period of time. This adaptability has led some districts to consider hybrid work environments to attract and retain talent.
The upcoming year for Illinois ASBO will be marked by change and continued innovation. We will usher in new leadership while celebrating the Association’s 75th anniversary—a milestone representing decades of development and innovation in school business. Over these years, the membership has expanded to include support, facilities and service associate members, strengthening our Association through these vital relationships. As we proceed through this year, I challenge each of you to take note of the ways that you are pursuing your purpose with passion, each and every day, as you serve and work in Illinois school communities.