Important Message from IPA President James Schmid

December 21, 2011

Dear IPA Member,

You may be aware that the Chicago Tribune ran an article on Sunday, December 18th, that was picked up by the Associated Press referencing the Illinois Principals Association’s (IPA) partnership with Illinois State University (ISU).  As an IPA Member, I felt it was important to share with you specific facts about our partnership.

1)      The IPA’s partnership with Illinois State University and subsequently the State University Retirement System (SURS) began in 1974 and we are in our 37th consecutive year.  The relationship agreement meets all of the legal and ethical requirements of Illinois State University and have been vetted by the University’s legal counsel. The relationship and the public purpose the Association serves were confirmed by an Illinois Appellate Court decision in 1982 (Wargo v. SURS) that affirmed SURS eligibility for IPA professional staff.

2)      All costs designated by SURS for IPA staff participation in SURS are covered by IPA staff and the Association.  In other words, each professional staff person pays their employee contribution, and the IPA pays the employer/State required pension contribution.

3)      The IPA is a statewide organization leading, guiding, and training school administrators that perform public policy work.   We are in vertical alignment with the mission of Illinois State University as it initially develops and trains school administrators; our role commences upon those individuals entering the educational administration profession and continues throughout each person’s administrative career.

The IPA is proud of its long partnership with Illinois State University serving future and current school leaders.  The two organizations have worked to ensure that all past and current ethical, legal and fiscal standards for the partnership have always been met and will continue to be met in the future.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns at jim_schmid@ipsd.org or 630-375-5902.  Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Sincerely,

James A. Schmid
IPA President
Principal, Metea Valley High School, Aurora