The Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) has honored Crete-Monee School District’s Board of Education for its outstanding governance practices. This recognition places the district among just 46 in Illinois to receive the School Board Governance Recognition, celebrating their exceptional governance and commitment to acquiring the skills needed for effective district leadership.
The IASB’s School Board Governance Recognition program highlights local boards of education that exhibit strong governance behaviors based on IASB’s Foundational Principles of Effective Governance. This recognition focuses on the development and participation of the entire board, which is recognized for a two-year honorary distinction.
Superintendent Dr. Kara Coglianese expressed her pride in the board’s achievement, stating, “It’s no surprise our school board earned this honor. Our board of education consistently is working to improve their governance and leadership skills to benefit our district, students, and the community.”
Dr. Coglianese added, “The board actively engages with the community on key issues and excels at monitoring the district’s performance to ensure alignment with our mission. I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to have an informed, passionate, engaged, supportive, forward-thinking, and student-centered board.”
The School Board Governance Recognition program aims to showcase effective governance:
- Positively impacts students, staff, and the district community
- Offers districts a platform to highlight programs and projects improving local outcomes
- Illustrates how ongoing learning by individual board members and the entire board enhances governance and benefits the district
Board President Maurice Brown, who has served on the Crete-Monee School Board since 2011 and has been president since 2023, emphasized its commitment: “Our board has demonstrated its dedication to the district and our students by continually refining its leadership skills and knowledge. Achieving success and providing a high-quality educational experience for our students requires significant effort, time, and a commitment to continuous learning. Our efforts extend beyond regular board meetings, involving substantial work outside these sessions, including researching issues, engaging with the community, advocating for the district, understanding school finance, networking, and attending seminars.”
Brown also noted, “Last spring, I had the chance to attend the National School Board of Education Conference. There, I deepened my understanding and skills in governance practices, insights into child development, and the new programs and technology available. Seeing these efforts lead to student success and thriving communities has been incredibly rewarding.”