We are excited to present our 2025 Annual Report: “We Are Here!” Defining “rural” for Illinois is an essential task that AIRSS is determined to carry forward under the leadership of its new President, Chris Janssen. It allows us to say with confidence and pride that “We Are Here!” and it gives direction and focus […]
2025 AIRSS Annual Report is Now Available Read More »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 1, 2025 Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools Announces Premier Sponsorship with OPTERRA to Support Rural School Infrastructure and Facilities Modernization Springfield, IL – The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools (AIRSS), representing more than 500 member districts statewide, is proud to announce a new Premier Annual Sponsorship with OPTERRA
Partnering to Power Progress Across Illinois Rural & Small Schools: AIRSS + OPTERRA Read More »
The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools is excited to welcome Karli Strom to our work as an Assistant Director reviewing Career and Technical Education. Karli was born and raised in rural Warren County. Growing up in and around rural Illinois, she saw both the challenges and the incredible resilience that define them, and
Introducing Karli Strom Read More »
John Glasgow, Program Director, Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools David Ardrey, Executive Director, Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools Tom Withee, Director, Goshen Consulting Inc. A healthy public school system is essential for a vibrant society and a robust economy. These institutions are a cornerstone of American life. Challenges in how we conduct education,
The Chronic Rural Educator Shortage and Hopeful Actions to Address It Read More »
The AIRSS team is proud to present the fourth issue of our new digital publication, The Prairie Career Advocate. This storytelling effort is part of the Rural IL CTE Project that AIRSS and the Illinois State Board of Education began in 2023. We encourage you to read the issue below, featuring Flora CUSD #35, to
Summer 2025 Issue of The Prairie Career Advocate Read More »
Recently, the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools launched the nomination form for our first-ever Illinois Rural Teacher of the Year Award. We were thrilled to receive several outstanding applications, and while the winner will be notified and announced after June 6, we wanted to recognize all of the nominees as Teachers of Distinction
Meet the 2025 Illinois Rural Teachers of Distinction Read More »
As all in rural education understand, there is an ongoing and pervasive shortage of educators in rural schools. Although the most recent IARSS Educator Shortage Report: Academic Year 2024 – 2025 recently published by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools and the Illinois State Board of Education points to promising trends that the
The AIRSS team is proud to present the third issue of our new digital publication, The Prairie Career Advocate. This storytelling effort is part of the Rural IL CTE Project that AIRSS and the Illinois State Board of Education began in 2023. We encourage you to read the issue below, featuring Bunker Hill CUSD 8,
Spring 2025 Issue of The Prairie Career Advocate Read More »
Thank you to Kings Financial Consulting, Inc. for your support of our mission to advocate and be the VOICE of Illinois rural and small schools! Please read their full statement below, and visit their website for more information. Kings Financial Consulting, Inc. is pleased to join the membership of the Association of Illinois Rural and
AIRSS Welcomes New Partner, Kings Financial Consulting, Inc. Read More »
The AIRSS team is proud to present the second issue of our new digital publication, The Prairie Career Advocate. This storytelling effort is part of the Rural IL CTE Project that AIRSS and the Illinois State Board of Education began in 2023. We encourage you to read the issue below, featuring Reed-Custer Community Unit School
Winter 2024 Issue of The Prairie Career Advocate Read More »
