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DIY Toolkit for Public Ed Advocacy
Prepare to advocate for public education in our region and statewide. You can start with the “how-to” of advocacy tips presented at the Advocacy 101 workshop last December by Albany lobbying firm, Ostroff Associates. Then look at how best to advocate for public education in NYS in 2020:
First, learn about the issues…
Regional Perspective:
WPSBA and the Lower Hudson Education Coalition (LHEC) have put together an advocacy agenda based on current NYS education issues and the Executive Budget.
- WPSBA State Advocacy Priorities & Infographic
- LHEC Advocacy Agenda
- Westchester Senate Delegation Budget Forum Testimony
Statewide Education Perspective:
Other education organizations in NYS have also called on the Governor and State Legislators for funding and legislative/regulatory improvement for public education:
- Educational Conference Board calls for a $2.1 billion school aid increase for 2020-21.
- New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS) prepares school superintendents to advocate in Albany.
- NYSSBA provides information for school board members who come to the Capital Conference to advocate for public education.
Take Board action…
As a school board member, your views and the stories you can relate about how funding or regulations have affected your school district can be valuable information for legislators.
- For next year, put WPSBA’s Legislative Forum on your calendar. This provides school board members and Superintendents the opportunity to sit down with legislators that represent your school district.
- Look for emails from WPSBA to your Board President and Superintendent regarding local meetings with your school district’s State Legislators.
- Consider a Board resolution stating your views on the State budget or legislation. The latest WPSBA resolution template is focused on Funding for Public Education.
Get your community involved…
Community letter-writing campaigns have been a successful tool of advocates since before the internet. Now, WPSBA and LHEC provide you with the electronic version of letters that can be sent to your local legislators with the click of a button! Tell your community where to find the VoterVoice campaigns supporting public schools:
