Illinois Schools Elected New Board Members
The Illinois High School Association finalized election results for its Board of Directors and Legislative Commission.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Administration
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Member schools across Illinois have concluded elections for the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors and Legislative Commission. The association added four new seats specifically for executive leadership roles.
Why it matters
The expansion of the IHSA Board aims to incorporate more voices from school administration, including superintendents and heads of school. These changes reflect a shift in how the association governs high school athletics and activities throughout the state.
The IHSA Board added 4 new seats reserved for Superintendents, Presidents, CEOs, or Heads of School. These positions are determined using the Illinois Association of School Administrators Super Regions.
The players
Illinois High School Association
The Illinois High School Association is a private, non-profit organization that governs interscholastic sports and activities for member schools across Illinois.
Ryan McGuckin
Ryan McGuckin is an elected member of the newly expanded board who serves in an administrative leadership capacity.
Katie Cazalet
Katie Cazalet is an incumbent board member who secured reelection during the recent voting period.
Augie Fontanetta
Augie Fontanetta is a returning board member who successfully campaigned for another term.
The details
Candidates were nominated starting in August, with voting open from late September through October 1. The newly elected members include Ryan McGuckin, Kevin Skinkis, Brad Skertich, Daniel Booth, Eric Matthews, Jack LeGrand, Katie Cazalet, and Augie Fontanetta.
Timeline
August 15: Nominations for the Board and Commission began.
September 20: Voting for board and commission seats began.
October 1: Voting closed for board and commission seats.
October 2: Election results were tallied and certified.
October 14: Board to elect officers for 2026-27 term.
Culture Shift
The expansion reflects a broader movement toward increasing administrative oversight within extracurricular governance bodies. By formalizing these regional seats, the IHSA is aligning its organizational hierarchy with established educational administrative divisions.
These changes influence how local school districts are represented in state-level athletic policies. Administrators and staff can expect updated guidance once the board finalizes its officer structure and committee assignments.
The takeaway
The addition of these seats ensures that executive leaders have a more direct role in the regulatory decisions affecting student athletics. Stakeholders should monitor upcoming board meetings to understand how this new leadership composition shapes future policies.
What happens next
The newly elected and existing Board of Directors will convene on October 14 to conduct the election of officers for the 2026-27 school term.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest updates in Administration throughout the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Prairie Communications, LLC.
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Should school athletic associations expand their boards to include more administrative leadership?
