In accordance with Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers (IAVAT) Constitutions & Bylaws and Policy #31, the Special Projects Committee, with input from the Board of Directors, has developed a proposal (here) for re-sectioning the agriculture education programs throughout the state of Illinois in an effort to balance the number of programs per section and district.

Please click here for a brief information collection survey for the IAVAT Board to better represent our membership in this process. 

Questions have been raised as to why resectioning is being looked into. First and foremost, the review follows the policy established prior to this board. The intention of the policy has been interpreted that the number of schools per section and district should be relatively similar. 

The following are reasons to look at resectioning: 

• Disparity between the district numbers 

The number of delegates to convention

• Disparity between the funds spent per student 

Section fair (10 chapters in a section vs. 20 chapters in another receive the same fair money)

• Disparity in levels of competition and representation

Awards (same award opportunity/investment for 10 programs or 500 members as for 20 programs or 1200 members)

Leadership representation (student and adult leaders represent vastly different proportions of our membership)

• Maintaining similar numbers of chapters supported by FCAE staff

• More uniform teacher/program opportunities for X values

We understand there are reasons why thoughts of resectioning are unpalatable. However, due diligence requires the policy to be reviewed and executed. 

The IAVAT Board of Directors commends the Special Projects Committee for the extensive time investment for the map proposals that were created. 

The survey will close at 5pm on April 9 and the board of directors will review the results the following week. Based on the feedback, any changes to the more favorable map will be sent to the membership for further review. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your IAVAT board representative.

Thank you for your input!

IAVAT Board of Directors