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COSSBA Connection - Spring 2026

In this Issue:


Advocacy in Action: Why You Should Attend COSSBA's Federal Advocacy Conference


The Consortium of State School Boards Associations’ Federal Advocacy Conference provides school board members and state school board association staff with an opportunity to turn knowledge into action and make a lasting impact on public education. The conference returns to the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C., Monday, September 21, through Wednesday, September 23.


Federal decisions shape everything from education funding and special education services to school nutrition, student privacy and academic research. Understanding these issues and knowing how to effectively communicate with policymakers has never been more important. COSSBA’s Federal Advocacy Conference gives attendees the tools, information and confidence to engage in meaningful advocacy at the national level.

The conference begins on Monday evening with a Welcome Reception at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday’s agenda features panel discussions and presentations, providing attendees with insights and knowledge to use during Wednesday’s Day on the Hill. For meetings with elected officials, state association staff members will set up the meetings, but COSSBA can help make connections with office schedulers if needed. Congress will be in session September 22 through 25.


One of the highlights of this year’s event is keynote speaker Judy Woodruff, one of the nation’s most respected journalists and trusted voices on government and public policy. With a distinguished career that includes leadership roles at NBC News, CNN and most recently PBS, Woodruff has spent decades helping Americans better understand the issues shaping the country. Her commitment to thoughtful dialogue, civil discourse and public service makes her an inspiring keynote for education leaders and advocates alike.


The Early Bird registration rate of $695 is available through July 20, 2026. After that date, registration increases to $795. COSSBA has secured a block of rooms at the Hyatt for $349 per night. Space at the conference is limited, so it is recommended that people register quickly.


To prepare for the conference, COSSBA will be holding two webinars. Association staff members are invited to a planning webinar on Wednesday, June 29. A “Know Before You Go” webinar for all attendees will be held on Wednesday, August 26. Both webinars start at 2:00 p.m. (EDT).


Why should school leaders attend? If school board members and education leaders are not speaking up for public school students, someone else will. The 2026 Federal Advocacy Conference offers the opportunity to learn, advocate and help shape the future of public education.


For more information and to register, visit the COSSBA website.


Continuing Our Commitment to Advocate for Our Members

By Dr. Kathy McFarland, Executive Director


On May 5 and 6, Julie Feasel, Director of Communications and Government Relations, and I visited Washington, D.C. We had the privilege of representing COSSBA in a series of productive meetings with congressional staff. Our voice was heard in offices across the Hill, and I am pleased to report that our priorities were met with genuine interest and engagement.


Over the two days, we met with staff from the offices of Rep. John Mannion (D-NY22), Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI9), Rep. Alma Adams(D – NC12) , Rep. G.T. Thompson (R-PA15), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-NH2), Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY25), Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA6), and Sen. John Husted (R-OH). Each conversation was an opportunity to elevate the issues that matter most to our members and the communities they serve.


In every meeting, we focused our discussion on three core priorities:

  • The importance of NAEP and federal data. We highlighted our new federal policy tenant and underscored why NAEP, along with reliable federal data, is essential to informed policymaking and to the work our members do every day. Without robust data infrastructure, evidence-based decisions become significantly harder to make at every level.


  • The federal school choice tax credit. We shared our perspective on this proposal and walked staff through the implications—both intended and unintended—for the students, families, and institutions we represent.  We stressed the importance of ensuring that this is available for services provided to students in public schools.


  • Continued federal funding, including IDEA funding. We made the case for sustained investment in IDEA, emphasizing the real-world impact these dollars have and the consequences that disruptions or reductions would create for our members.


Just as importantly, in every single meeting, I asked the same question: How can COSSBA be helpful to your boss’s priorities? This is something I want to emphasize to our membership. Advocacy is not a one-way street. The most effective relationships on the Hill are built when we show up not only with our own asks, but also with a genuine willingness to be a resource. Staff appreciated the question, and several offices identified specific areas where our expertise, data, and member network could support their work going forward. 

I will be following up with each office in the coming weeks to provide additional information requested during our meetings and to begin exploring the partnership opportunities that emerged. As those conversations develop, we may reach out to some of you directly to address specific questions or share your on-the-ground experience.


Finally, we were able to meet with the Executive Director of AASA, the School Superintendents Association, Dr. David Schuler. COSSBA and AASA collaborate on several education-related coalitions, so it was nice to meet in person to discuss what each organization is working on and where we can collaborate.


Trips like this one are only impactful because of the strength, expertise, and engagement of our membership. I am grateful to carry your voice into every room; however, don’t forget that September 21 – 23 is our Federal Advocacy Conference in Washington.  Register now on our website and lend your voice to our efforts in Washington.


Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, ideas, or feedback.


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Elevating Women in LeadHERship

By Karen Sedoti, Director of Member Services


At the 2026 National Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, COSSBA debuted ELEVATE Women’s LeadHERship professional development series. This dynamic, purpose‑driven experience is designed to strengthen women's leadership identity, voice, and impact on their personal and professional lives.  Grounded in the ELEVATE Leadership Framework: Awareness, Empowerment, and Action, the series equips women to lead with clarity, confidence, and measurable influence in their organizations and communities. ELEVATE is deeply aligned with COSSBA’s commitment to expanding high-quality leadership pathways for leaders in education.

 

The ELEVATE journey begins with Awareness, where participants explore identity, values, and the internal narratives that shape how they show up in their roles. Next, Empowerment transforms insight into action. Participants learn to own their voice, strengthen their presence, and lead with credible authority-not through dominance, but through clarity, boundaries, and strategic influence. The final framework domain is Action, where leadership becomes tangible. Participants practice aligning purpose with organizational priorities, making courageous decisions, and driving measurable results that strengthen public school board governance while supporting students.

 

Through monthly webinars aptly named Spill the Tea, guest speakers facilitate conversations on topics identified during the national conference ELEVATE session. Participant feedback underscores the urgency of this work. Fueled by a fervent desire to learn from one another, participants identified self-perception, personal development, overcommitment, limited networks, leadership indecision, and external pressures as areas for exploration and discussion. The Spill the Tea segments are held on the first Thursday of every month (excluding July, 2026) at noon EDT. Participants gain access to candid conversations with leaders whose lived experiences illuminate both the challenges and opportunities of leadership. 

 

What began as a workshop has grown into a powerful network of professionals who want to enhance their expertise and expand their impact. The goal of the ELEVATE series is to advance COSSBA’s commitment to provide high-quality training to our members on ways to grow as leaders.

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Shaping the Future: COSSBA's Next Strategic Plan

By Dr. Kathy McFarland, Executive Director


As COSSBA approaches the conclusion of its first strategic plan, the organization is preparing to launch the next chapter of its growth and impact. The original strategic plan served as the foundation for building COSSBA into a strong national voice for state school boards associations and public education leadership. Through that work, COSSBA expanded professional development opportunities, strengthened advocacy efforts, increased member engagement, and created collaborative networks that support effective governance and student success across the country.


Now, COSSBA is beginning to develop its next strategic plan, one designed not only to sustain the association’s momentum but also to elevate its influence and service to members nationwide.


The next phase of planning will be grounded in member voice and collaborative engagement. COSSBA will use ThoughtExchange, an interactive engagement platform, to gather input and perspectives from state association executive directors, board members, and staff leaders. The goal is to ensure that the new strategic plan reflects the evolving needs, priorities, and opportunities facing educational governance and leadership nationwide.


In addition to member feedback, key leaders and stakeholders across the association will help shape the new plan, defining the vision, priorities, and strategic direction that will guide COSSBA into the future.


This work represents more than a planning process; it reflects COSSBA’s continued commitment to growth, innovation, collaboration, and the advancement of strong governance that supports student success in every community.


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