County Perspective

Bruce Dennis, CCBE President, Riverside COE Board Member

I have been asked what will be the main thrust for my year as the California County Boards of Education’s president, and the answer is simple: Advocacy. I am a firm believer in board member advocacy and in the difference an individual can make.

The following excerpt, from CSBA’s GAMUT Board Policy 9000, is probably found in some form or another in all of your board policies: “Provide community leadership on educational issues and advocate on behalf of students and public education at the local, state and federal levels.” Maximizing the potential impact of your position as a board member requires you to advocate on behalf of all the students you represent — this is true within your counties, in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C.

So, what are the first steps in advocacy? Be the best informed board member you can be by attending the CCBE Annual Conference held each year in September and the 2018 CSBA Annual Education Conference and Trade Show in San Francisco. Whether you are a new or seasoned board member, ongoing training is essential. The first step in being an advocate is being current on the ever-changing landscape that is public education.

Becoming more effective advocates both as an organization and as individuals is far from new for CCBE. CCBE has made tremendous strides over the years as the baton has been passed from president to president, with each president building on the successes of their predecessor. CCBE is actively looking to expand our partnerships with others in the education community to ensure that the county offices and the students we serve have an effective voice in the education community.