Intermediate School District and Educational Service Agency: Professional Development

As educational leaders, it is essential superintendents remain current in their field. This is done largely through active participation in education associations, both state and national, which may require travel and reimbursement for expenses.

This participation in state and national education associations is necessary as intermediate school districts are most often the preferred provider of professional development for the schools they serve. For Michigan’s students and their schools to remain on the cutting edge, ISDs and their administrators must be on the cutting edge as well.

ISD board members require similar professional development through participation in state and national education associations to provide leadership in setting policies that help districts implement and achieve the goals of creased student achievement required in legislation such as No Child Left Behind.

All ISDs have board policies and guidelines covering participation in state and national education associations and their continuing education conferences and workshops. Actual and necessary expenses incurred through the discharge of official duties and in performing functions authorized by the board are typically reimbursed by the intermediate district within approved budget guidelines. (Refer to your district’s policies and guidelines for further detail.)