New school trustees play a vital role advocating for public education and can significantly impact how state and federal policies affect students and shape the future of education in California and beyond. The decisions made in the California Legislature and United States Congress directly impact local educational agencies, and without the input of educational leaders, policymakers may not understand the unique needs and challenges facing their students.

School board members are essential spokespersons for public education that represent the local community and serve as a critical voice in the state and national dialogue about education. Whether meeting with legislators in Sacramento or Washington, D.C., board of education members are uniquely positioned to convey how policies play out in the real world — specifically, how they impact an LEA’s students, teachers and communities.

While engaging with lawmakers at the state or federal level may feel overwhelming, it is important to remember trustees’ roles as both constituents and key players in the legislative process. Board members can help bridge the gap between local education needs and the decisions being made by those in power.

Fortunately, trustees are not alone in their advocacy efforts. CSBA Public Affairs and Community Engagement Representatives (PACERs) offer valuable support in the field and can help build relationships with elected representatives, strategize advocacy efforts and help board members become more effective public education spokespeople.

There are several opportunities each year for school trustees to actively engage in advocacy. CSBA’s flagship events, the annual virtual Legislative Action Week, taking place this year from March 11-13, and the Coast2Coast Federal Advocacy Trip to Washington, D.C., provide platforms for school board members to meet with lawmakers and share their priorities. These events empower trustees to work collectively with other education leaders to impact the state budget and policies that directly affect students.

By participating in these events, board members help ensure that the voice of LEA leaders is heard in the halls of power. Strengthening these relationships throughout the year builds a foundation for long-term advocacy success.

CSBA provides up-to-date advocacy information on current legislation, ballot initiatives and other resources to assist governance teams. Working together to amplify the needs of public education will help create lasting change for California’s students.