My Day on the Hill

Dr. 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. We will continue to build these relationships, share your successes, and amplify your voices with policymakers.

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. Watch for a link soon to submit your stories to our new COSSBA Story Bank.

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.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kathy McFarland