Dispatch from D.C. - Federal Advocacy Conference

By Dr. Kathy McFarland, Executive Director

It was wonderful to spend time with so many of you in Washington, D.C., for COSSBA’s fourth annual Federal Advocacy Conference (FAC)! This year’s conference was our largest yet, and I left feeling both inspired and energized by the dedication of school board members and education leaders from across the country.

I am continually reminded of what makes COSSBA special: the incredible public servants who give their time, talents, and voices to support public education and the students we serve. It is truly a privilege to lead an organization that represents such committed leaders.

In addition to the important policy discussions and learning opportunities throughout the conference, our members spent an entire day on Capitol Hill meeting with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for public education. While our members were making their voices heard on the Hill, I had the opportunity to meet with federal officials and agencies whose work directly impacts our schools. I want to highlight two particularly meaningful conversations.

Protecting Critical School Connectivity: Our Meeting with the FCC

Our first meeting was with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where we met with a senior counselor to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.

With the FCC considering proposed changes to the E-Rate program, this was an important opportunity to share the school board perspective and reinforce the critical role E-Rate plays in supporting our schools.

We shared real-world examples from our member states demonstrating how E-Rate investments go far beyond providing internet access. Reliable connectivity supports everything from classroom instruction and student learning to essential daily operations, including food services, health systems, HVAC systems, and school bus tracking.

Our conversation focused on a shared priority: ensuring that these investments directly benefit schools, students, and educators while maintaining an efficient, effective, and accountable program. We also highlighted a recent Government Accountability Office review recognizing the program's fraud prevention and oversight measures.

One particularly encouraging aspect of the meeting was that the senior counselor had firsthand classroom experience. She understood the challenges facing educators and appreciated hearing directly from the school board perspective.

Earlier this month, COSSBA submitted formal comments to the FCC regarding the proposed rulemaking. We will continue advocating for policies that protect the resources schools need to serve their students effectively.

For additional information, I encourage you to visit the COSSBA E-Rate Toolkit, where you can learn more about the program and the FCC's proposed changes.

Building Relationships at the U.S. Department of Education

Another highlight was my meeting with Kirsten Baesler, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education.

Assistant Secretary Baesler brings a unique understanding of public education governance to her role. Before joining the Department, she served as a school board member in Mandan, North Dakota, and later as North Dakota's State Superintendent of Public Instruction, becoming the nation's longest-serving chief state school officer.

Because she is relatively new to her federal role, our meeting provided an excellent opportunity to introduce COSSBA, share our mission, and begin building a productive working relationship.

We discussed the importance of ensuring that states, school districts, and local education leaders have the resources and flexibility they need to innovate and meet the needs of their students. Just as importantly, we talked about the essential role locally elected school boards play in shaping the future of public education.

I was encouraged by Assistant Secretary Baesler's commitment to working collaboratively with COSSBA and ensuring that school board perspectives are considered in federal education discussions.

Strong relationships do not require agreement on every issue. They require mutual respect, open communication, and a willingness to work together where priorities align. That is the approach COSSBA will continue to take as we engage with leaders across the federal government.

Keeping Our Voices Heard

If there is one thing I took away from this year's Federal Advocacy Conference, it is that our collective voice matters.

The relationships we build, the stories we share, and the conversations we have with policymakers all contribute to ensuring that local school boards have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting public education.

Our advocacy does not begin or end with a conference. It is an ongoing commitment to representing our member state associations, supporting local governance, and keeping students at the center of the conversation.

As we move further into fall, I am already looking forward to my next visit to Washington, D.C. There is more work to do, more relationships to build, and more opportunities to ensure that the voices of school board members are heard.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's conference and for the important work you do every day in your communities. Together, we are making a difference.