The mission of the Fulton-Schuyler Regional Office of Education and the local school districts, is to be proactive in providing services, support and assistance to all constituents in the educational community, from children to adults as they strive to meet the challenges of life-long learning.
The Regional Superintendent of Schools is the chief administrative educational officer of an educational service region, and the only elected education professional office in Illinois. As an intermediate agency between the Illinois State Board of Education and local school districts, the Office of the Regional Superintendent performs regulatory functions as directed by the Illinois School Code.
The Code states that, "The Regional Superintendent of Schools:
- shall exercise supervision and control over all school districts in the county.
- shall act as the official advisor and assistant of the school officers and teachers in his region. In the performance of this duty he shall carry out the advice of the State Superintendent of Education."
In addition to coordinating and delivering state and local services, the Regional Superintendent acts as an advocate for education by providing positive leadership and disseminating information for educators, school districts and the community.
Special duties of the Regional Superintendent are stated in the School Code and can be summarized in two major areas: service, and assurances to the public.
Service components are generally grouped as: legislative, legal, cooperative management, research dissemination, educational administration and citizen representation. Each component requires specific skills placing the Regional Superintendent in an alliance role. As the alliance agent, the Regional Superintendent brings together people, concepts and resources to provide educational services.
Assurances to the public include: fiscal responsibilities, local performance, life safety, certification, supervision and curriculum. In these areas, legislation places enforcement responsibilities on the Regional Superintendent to guarantee that certain minimums are met and legal parameters followed. In most instances, enforcement responsibilities becomes services to help schools and school personnel meet minimum expectation.
During the school year, the Regional Superintendent and his staff receive hundreds of telephone calls, letters and visits from parents, school personnel, and citizens concerning a multitude of educational concerns. It is the policy of the Regional Superintendent to give prompt service and accurate information to any individual or group seeking assistance.
