COSSBA Connection - November 2025
- COSSBA
- Nov 21
- 14 min read
Updated: Nov 24
In this Issue:
How Does COSSBA Establish Its Advocacy Platform?
By COSSBA
COSSBA establishes its federal advocacy priorities based on input from our members. The members represent state school board associations and vote on adopting the priorities at the Annual Business Meeting. This deliberative process is detailed in the Consortium’s bylaws. It is intended to ensure that all positions are common among COSSBA member state associations and are focused on the issues that matter most to state school boards associations.
Existing positions (see the tenets linked below) are re-adopted annually by delegates at the annual business meeting. New and revised position statements are also addressed at the meeting. Member delegates, representing each Consortium member, follow Robert’s Rules of Order and vote on each issue with a two-thirds majority required for approval. In the whole, the tenets serve as a unifying agenda for public school students.
What is the current timeline for position statements to be considered?
December 19, 2025 - Deadline for state school board associations to submit their names of delegates and alternates to represent their state association at the Annual Business Meeting - Each state school board association assigns this individual via its executive director.
January 13, 2026 - Deadline for position proposals to be submitted to COSSBA from each state school board association.
February 24, 2026 - Deadline for COSSBA to release the Annual Business Meeting packet to delegates and executive directors to prepare for the meeting.
March 13, 2026 - COSSBA Annual Member Business Meeting held in Louisville, KY.
What are the current tenets prioritized by COSSBA members?
COSSBA’s non-partisan Federal Advocacy Platform focuses on major federal issues with widespread impact on the nation’s public schools and students. At this time, the issues indicated in the COSSBA Platform include Mental Health Supports for K-12 Public Education, Prioritizing K-12 Public Education, Increasing Funding for K-12 Education, Teacher and Principal Training and Recruitment: Title II, Broadband, Connectivity, Cybersecurity, and E-Rate, Child Nutrition Programs, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
What is the role of the Government Affairs Advisory Committee (GAAC)?
The Government Affairs Advisory Committee (GAAC) is charged with monitoring federal developments—including legislative, regulatory, and judicial changes—that could affect COSSBA members. Its primary function is to recommend advocacy positions and materials to the Board of Directors and may involve drafting position statements. Furthermore, the GAAC is responsible for regularly reporting its findings and minutes to the Board and for ensuring that all actions align with the organization’s mission and established policy framework. To inform its decisions, the committee also consults with the Consortium’s federal advocacy firm and recommends non-partisan coalitions that align with COSSBA’s objectives.
Membership on the committee is by appointment of the COSSBA Chair. It must include one member of the Board of Directors from each area of the Consortium (a total of 4), two Executive Directors from COSSBA member states, and the COSSBA Executive Director (ex officio).
How does COSSBA decide when and if to make a statement on federal issues to members of Congress or federal officials?
COSSBA decides when and if to make a statement on federal issues to members of Congress and federal officials through a deliberate process for two common types of advocacy letters: those originating externally as multi-organization sign-on letters and those drafted internally as COSSBA-originated letters. To ensure consistency, clarity, and accountability, the Director of Communications and Government Relations conducts an internal review of all draft letters, including verification of the information, a review for divisive language, and alignment with federal advocacy positions. Additionally, when considering group letters, the Director must review the existing signers for potential conflicts. The decision to proceed is finalized only after the Director provides a recommendation to the COSSBA executive director, and the letter has been reviewed and approved by the COSSBA executive director and the GAAC chair. COSSBA-originated letters also require feedback from the COSSBA board chair.
How does COSSBA decide when and if to join education-related coalitions and groups?
First, the COSSBA Director of Communications and Government Relations meets with the potential partner to gather key information, such as the organization's mission, existing membership, activities, and alignment with COSSBA's goals. Following this initial information gathering, a summary is prepared for the GAAC. Next, the GAAC reviews the provided information, discusses the merits, and ultimately votes on whether COSSBA should join the coalition. If the GAAC votes to proceed, the coalition information is sent to the COSSBA Board of Directors for final approval.
What is the role of Bose Public Affairs Group?
COSSBA partners with Bose Public Affairs Group to monitor and track legislation and regulatory actions that could impact COSSBA membership and serves as COSSBA's representative in national education coalitions such as the Committee for Educational Funding, the IDEA Full Funding Coalition, and the Child Hunger Coalition, and works to build and strengthen relationships with relevant staff in Congress and federal agencies.
Their work includes introductions to Washington policymakers, organizing strategic briefings for leadership, and providing quarterly webinars for COSSB members. A major function is communication and reporting on federal education issues, accomplished through a weekly newsletter that covers Congressional events, regulatory actions, and appropriations. Additionally, BOSE provides logistical support by assisting with planning in-person Washington, DC, fly-ins and conferences and by maintaining a Washington, DC space for members to work or hold receptions.
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Partners in Purpose: The Power of Collaboration in Advancing Public Education
By Dr. Debb Oliver
Public education is the cornerstone of our democracy and the foundation of every thriving community. At the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA), we believe that the success of our nation’s students depends on strong, informed school boards—and that lasting progress comes through collaboration.
That’s why our partners and sponsors are more than contributors. They are allies in purpose, helping COSSBA and our member State School Boards Associations (SSBAs) strengthen leadership, advocacy, and governance nationwide. Together, we are building bridges between innovation and impact—ensuring that every student, in every community, has access to a high-quality public education.
Why Partnership Matters
COSSBA’s work centers on supporting our state association members, who in turn empower thousands of local school board members serving millions of students. When organizations partner with COSSBA, they invest in the strength and sustainability of the entire network.
Through sponsorships and shared initiatives, partners help make possible the professional learning experiences, leadership forums, and national conferences that directly benefit SSBAs and their member boards. Their support allows us to deliver resources, connections, and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach for many state associations and local districts.
Every partnership fuels a cycle of shared learning and capacity building: partners contribute expertise and innovation, and COSSBA channels those insights to our members—helping boards make better decisions for students and communities across the country.
A Partnership Model That’s Different
At COSSBA, partnership is never about endorsement; it’s about alignment and purpose. We collaborate with organizations that share our belief in the power of public education and our commitment to integrity, transparency, and service.
Our partnerships are designed to be mutually enriching:
Joint thought leadership through webinars, publications, and conference sessions.
Research collaborations that inform statewide and local decision-making.
Access to a national network of education leaders dedicated to student success.
Each partner engagement is rooted in our guiding principle—collaboration that strengthens state associations and the school boards they serve.
The Role of the Business Advisory Group
To further enhance this collaborative approach, COSSBA has established a Business Advisory Group composed of Executive Directors and CIOs from our member associations. This group will work closely with COSSBA to explore innovative, mission-aligned strategies for sponsorship and partnership development.
By bringing together the expertise of state leaders and business partners, the Business Advisory Group will help ensure that every sponsorship opportunity creates meaningful value — supporting both the sustainability of COSSBA and the advancement of public education nationwide.
This intentional collaboration ensures our sponsorship efforts remain transparent, purposeful, and directly connected to the needs of our members.
Shared Impact, Shared Success
The impact of these relationships extends far beyond a single sponsorship. Partner support helps us convene our national conference, our Unified Board Alliance activities and leadership summit, where SSBAs and local board members exchange ideas, learn from experts, and return home equipped to strengthen their local governance systems.
Our partners also help us expand professional learning tools, amplify innovation in education policy, and support the day-to-day work of school board associations that champion strong governance and effective leadership.
When partners invest in COSSBA, they invest directly in SSBAs' capacity — and ultimately in every student served by public schools across America.
Join Us as a Partner in Purpose
COSSBA’s vision is bold: a national network of empowered school boards, supported by strong state associations, equipped to provide every student the opportunity to succeed.
We are grateful to our current partners in purpose and the sponsors of our events. We invite organizations that share this vision to join us as partners and sponsors.
Contact debb.oliver@cossba.org for more information on becoming a COSSBA Partner and/or Sponsor.
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2026 UBA Preconference: Meet Our Featured Speakers
By COSSBA Staff
We’re thrilled to share a sneak peek into what’s shaping up to be an unforgettable Unified Board Alliance Preconference Day at the 2026 COSSBA National Conference.
Dr. Ralph Simpson’s journey took him from a maximum-security prison to the superintendent’s office. Starting in criminal justice, Dr. Simpson found his calling in education and has since become a transformative leader in Georgia’s K–12 landscape. Currently serving as Deputy Superintendent of Administrative Services for Clayton County Public Schools and teaching at Morehouse College, he’s a passionate advocate for restorative practices, trauma-informed care, and social-emotional learning. His work has helped position Clayton County as a model SEL district, and we look forward to his insights.
If you’ve ever wondered how schools can better prepare for and respond to crises, Dr. Melissa Reeves is the expert you want to hear from. A former president of the National Association of School Psychologists, Dr. Reeves brings over 20 years of experience in school psychology, counseling, and trauma-informed systems. She has authored six books and travels the globe to help schools create safe and resilient learning environments. Her keynote promises to be both research-driven and deeply practical.
Get ready to be energized with Willie Spears, a nationally recognized motivational speaker, educator, and author who knows how to light up a room. With a background in teaching, coaching, and school leadership, Mr. Spears brings a powerful blend of humor, heart, and hard-earned wisdom. Through The Willie Spears Experience, he’s helped countless schools and organizations elevate their culture, communication, and leadership.
In addition to these phenomenal speakers, attendees will dive into breakout sessions designed to spark innovation and drive student success. Whether you're a board member or administrator, you’ll leave with actionable strategies to turn vision into impact.
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COSSBA National Conference Education Evolution Transformative Leadership In Changing Times Heads to Louisville
By COSSBA Staff
We look forward to hosting our 2026 National Conference Education Evolution – Transformative Leadership in Changing Times, March 113-15 in Louisville, Kentucky. This premier event features an incredible lineup of speakers and breakout sessions, student performances, and an exhibitor hall.
March 13: Opening Keynote Speaker Phylicia Rashad. Best known to millions for her iconic role as Claire Huxtable on The Cosby Show, Rashad’s career spans stage, screen, and academia. She has captivated audiences in productions ranging from Broadway classics like A Raisin in the Sun — for which she won both the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award — to acclaimed television series including This Is Us, Empire, The Good Fight, and David Makes Man. Beyond her acting, Rashad is also a celebrated director, making her Broadway directing debut in 2025 with Purpose after directing numerous award-winning productions nationwide. Her leadership in the arts extends into higher education, where she served as Dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University and now holds the Toni Morrison Endowed Chair in Arts and Humanities.
March 14: Featured Speaker Ravi Hutheesing. Born into one of the world’s most influential families but rejecting the obvious choices presented to him, Ravi's unique and captivating story—from rock star to cultural diplomat to social entrepreneur—provides a detailed and inspiring road map for preparing young people today to succeed and lead in an unpredictable and global tomorrow.
March 15: Featured Speaker Stuart Perry. In this keynote, child therapist and national speaker Mister Stu reframes challenging behavior through the lens of development, neuroscience, and compassion—helping education leaders see how well-intentioned systems sometimes set kids up to fail. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of what’s really going on beneath the surface of today’s behaviors—and clear, actionable ways to ensure that your policies, practices, and leadership decisions reflect one powerful truth: Bad kids don’t exist.
The current agenda is on the conference website. The conference agenda is updated as sessions are confirmed.
Early bird registration is available until January 12, 2026, at $1,025 for both the UBA Pre-Conference Day and the National Conference, or $725 for the National Conference alone.
Registration after January 12, 2026, is $1,125 for the UBA Pre-Conference Day and National Conference or $825 for just the National Conference.
Registration is trending ahead of last year, so register soon and reserve your hotel room.
Additional information, including online registration, can be found at https://www.cossba.org/cossba-national-conference.
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My Day on the Hill
By Kathy McFarland, Executive Director
After an energizing and informative first day of COSSBA’s 2025 Federal Advocacy Conference, our members headed to Capitol Hill equipped with stories, data, and passion for public education. I had the opportunity to spend the day meeting with staff from House leadership offices and committee teams.
Walking the Halls of Power
Our first stop took us deep into the U.S. Capitol, past a hall lined with statues from every state. We followed our guide past a historic staircase used during the War of 1812 before squeezing into a small elevator bound for the fourth floor. In a conference room tucked away at the end of a winding hallway, we met with Cyrus Artz, Senior Policy Advisor to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who formerly served as Staff Director for the Committee on Education and Workforce.
Next, we visited the personal office of Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) to meet with Senior Legislative Assistant Mitchell Shea, followed by a stop at Democratic Whip Katherine Clark’s (D-MA) office for a productive conversation with Senior Counsel Ashley Bykerk.
Later, we met outside the Capitol with Tonia Wu, Policy Advisor to Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), as Members were in a vote, and the weather was perfect for a walk-and-talk. Our final meeting of the day took place in the conference room of the Committee on Education and Workforce, where we sat down with Amy Jones, Education Policy Director for Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI), a long-time Hill veteran.
The Message We Delivered—and What They Asked For
At every stop, we explained COSSBA’s federal policy priorities and concerns. But more importantly, I asked a single question:
What can COSSBA do for you? How can the COSSBA team be a resource that supports public education and the success of all students?
The answer was consistent: stories. Staff wanted to hear real-world examples of student success, how federal dollars improve classrooms, what “red tape” prevents positive programming and services for students, and why federal support for education matters.
Why This Matters
Reflecting on these meetings, I am more determined than ever to position COSSBA as a national leader in education policy conversations at both the state and federal levels. To ensure that COSSBA is known to elected officials, I will return to Washington, D.C., in early December to meet with Senate leadership and education-related organizations.
A Call to Action—We Need Your Stories
To strengthen our advocacy, we need fresh, compelling examples from the field. Please send us stories of:
Student achievement and success
How federal funds are making a difference
Unique programs or innovations in your districts
By collecting and sharing these stories, we can help shape federal policy positions and support state school board associations more effectively. Please send them to our Director of Communications and Government Relations, Julie Feasel, at julie.feasel@cossba.org.
Moving Forward Together
Even when we disagree, we must engage in civil, fact-based dialogue. Stories bring data to life and move policy debates forward. Together, we can elevate COSSBA as the national voice for public education policy. I’m excited to keep this momentum going and look forward to working with you to build an even stronger presence in Washington.
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National Parent Poll Webinar
By Caissa K12
Join COSSBA and Caissa K12 on Tuesday, December 8 at 2:00 p.m. (EST) for an exclusive live event unveiling the results of Caissa K12’s latest national parent poll on school choice, vouchers and the future of public schools. Attendees will gain firsthand insights into what parents across the country think about the most pressing issues shaping public education today, and what those opinions mean for district leaders planning for the future.
To register, click here. Insights on Parent Opinions on School Choice, Vouchers & the Future of Public Education.
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The Age of Outrage: Crisis Management in Social Media Pile-Ons
By Howard Fenci, Hennes Communications a Legacy Partner
There’s nothing the self-righteous embrace more than joining with their fellow self-righteous to gang up on some unfortunate target. The angrier the echo chamber, the better.
Social media is their perfect rage machine. It’s where anonymous trolls can obsess and pile on. And they do it relentlessly and instantly over the most minor perceived slight.
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Internal Pay Equity: A Strategic Tool for Strong, Stable State School Boards Associations
By Compensation Creations, LLC — New COSSBA Legacy Partner
Introduction
My name is Penny Bigelow, Founder of Compensation Creations, LLC, and proud new COSSBA Legacy Partner. We partner with state school boards associations' executive offices to strengthen compensation structures, improve internal pay equity, and build stable, transparent workforce systems. With more than 30 years of experience supporting public- and private-sector leaders, our mission is to help organizations create clarity, consistency, and trust through intentional compensation strategy.
As state school boards associations, the decisions you make shape not just organizational effectiveness, but also the credibility and stability of your state school board association. One area with particularly high impact, but often overlooked, is Internal Pay Equity.
Unlike school districts, state school boards associations are lean, specialized teams. Every role is mission critical. Every compensation decision is visible. And every inequity, real or perceived, can influence morale, turnover, and trust.
Why Internal Equity Is Essential for Your Workforce
State School Boards Associations Have Highly Specialized Talent Needs
Policy analysts, licensure experts, program directors, and legal specialists are not interchangeable roles. Inequitable pay structures can unintentionally undervalue critical expertise—leading to bottlenecks, turnover, or recruitment challenges.
Pay Transparency Expectations Are Rising
Employees now expect to understand the why behind their salary. Transparent, equitable compensation structures protect credibility and reduce employee relations challenges.
Executive Consistency Matters
State school boards associations can experience leadership turnover more frequently than large agencies. Strong internal equity systems ensure compensation decisions remain consistent, defensible, and aligned with the association’s long-term strategy—not any one leader’s preference.
What Strong Internal Equity Looks Like
A well-designed compensation framework includes:
Clear job architecture for all association office roles
Defined and documented compensation philosophies
Standardized, defensible methods for evaluating roles
Regular reviews aligning internal value with external market data
Transparent communication with staff about pay structure and salary decisions
These structures reduce subjectivity, increase fairness, and give executives a stable foundation for decision-making.
How We Support State School Boards Association Executives
Our consulting approach is designed specifically for leaders who need clarity, defensibility, and strategic alignment. We can provide:
Regular alignment touchpoints to keep work moving smoothly
Clear rationale (“the why”) behind every recommendation
Tools and frameworks your team can continue using long after implementation
Collaboration that aligns with your leadership style, communication preferences, and organizational needs
We see compensation not as paperwork—but as a system of trust, accountability, and clarity.
The Bottom Line
When internal pay equity is strong, offices experience:
lower turnover
higher staff alignment and engagement
fewer internal conflicts
stronger credibility with legislators and stakeholders
a more empowered, stable workforce
This is the foundation of a thriving public-sector organization—and a strategic advantage for state leaders.
We look forward to supporting your state school boards associations through this important work.
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Support you can count on: CM Regent Insurance Company
Managing the many responsibilities of a school district requires trusted partners who understand your unique needs. That’s why CM Regent Insurance Company offers insurance solutions designed specifically for educational institutions—so you can stay focused on your mission, not your risks.
With more than 50 years of experience, our team understands the unique challenges schools face. We provide flexible, comprehensive coverage backed by financial strength, giving you confidence that your school is protected.
Our risk control professionals work directly with public schools, offering proactive, on-site support to help you identify and manage potential issues before they disrupt learning.
Explore timely insights on today’s pressing school safety topics at the CM Regent Blog. Our latest post dives into the growing conversation around cell phone bans in classrooms and what districts should consider when shaping policies.
For more information, visit the CM Regent website.
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