Accountability and Regulatory Services

Responsibilities of the Superintendent

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE REGIONAL SUPERINTENDENT EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION

  • Regional Superintendents are locally elected officials who administer Regional Offices of Education, which are grouped by county or counties throughout Illinois.
  • Respond to legal questions from educators, boards of education, and other citizens. Issue, register, and renew teacher certificates.
  • Supervise and assist in transportation programs, scientific literacy programs, and other staff development programs.
  • Administer the G.E.D. testing programs and issue diplomas.
  • Disseminate information on scholarships and teacher vacancies.
  • Conduct professional growth opportunities.
  • Approve school calendars, in-service days, workshops, and institutes.
  • Conduct hearings for School Districts reorganization.
  • Administer Truancy Intervention programs and Safe School Alternative Education programs.

COOPERATION MANAGEMENT

  • Assist the Illinois State Board of Education in the evaluation and recognition of public schools, and private schools who ask to be recognized.
  • Maintain maps of all school districts.
  • Administer cooperative programs.
  • Monitor public schools during strikes.
  • Remove any member of a school board for failure to perform official duties.
  • Assist with cooperatives, special education programs, and vocational programs.
  • Serve as Ex-Officio secretary of the Regional Board of School Trustees.

FINANCIAL

  • Audit district claims for General State Aid, categorical funds, and Federal grants.
  • Review budgets, audits, evidence of indebtedness, and annual financial reports.
  • Check bonding of school treasurers.
  • Disburse state and federal funds.
  • Act as administrative and/or fiscal agent for appropriate programs.

HEALTH AND LIFE SAFETY

  • Visit and inspect each public school annually.
  • Supervise school buildings for health and life safety and condemn buildings if necessary.
  • Provide courses in safety and first aid for bus drivers.
  • Approve and issue building permits and occupancy permits.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

  • Respond to questions and concerns, including legal questions, from parents, teachers, administrators, the board of education, and other citizens.
  • Promote and support educational programs and achievements of the schools and educators.
  • Hold public hearings on topics vital to education.
  • Serve as liaison between the state legislature and local school districts.
  • Serve as liaison between the Illinois State Board of Education and local school districts.

TRANSPORTATION

  • The Regional Office is responsible for conducting the initial training required for all new school bus drivers prior to getting a bus permit and the annual refresher workshop required in the 12-month period prior to renewal.
  • Experienced drivers must take a two-hour refresher course annually.
  • All new drivers must take an eight-hour course in school bus driver safety and first aid, as prescribed by the Illinois State Board of Education and administered by the ROE.