Federal Relations Network Conference

Top 10 Reasons You Should Attend FRN 2012

  • Join 900+ school board members and speak as one collective voice to advocate for education policies that are far reaching - affecting schoolchildren not only in your district but nationwide.
  • Participate in a conference that has a proven success record and provides a true Return on Investment (ROI) that will far exceed the cost of attending the meeting. When the stimulus bill was wavering in the Senate in 2009, 900+ school board members marched on Capitol Hill at FRN which reignited the Congressional debate, and resulted in the successful passage of $100 billion for school districts. The same could happen with ESEA reauthorization and federal funding decisions.
  • Directly impact ESEA/NCLB reauthorization negotiations. Congress is on course to make decisions in early 2012 that will significantly impact student learning, school district operations and school board policies for the next 6 years. FRN members will be in Washington, D.C. at a pivotal time to help shape the reauthorization of ESEA.
  • Significantly influence federal funding decisions for your school district. The Budget Control Act, the proposed American Jobs Act, and funding for Fiscal Year 2013, which all impact school districts’ capacity to advance student achievement, fulfill federal mandates, and retain effective teachers and staff to ensure successful education programs will be addressed in early 2012. The school board voice must be heard by Congress during these key negotiations.
  • Demonstrate the effective role of local school boards –especially as public education is under attack by those who want to privatize it. The U.S. Department of Education and some members of Congress are actively seeking alternatives to local school board governance, as they voice support for expanding charters, mayoral takeovers, and nationwide policies in such areas as testing and teacher and principal evaluations. School board members need to vigorously address these issues on Capitol Hill.
  • Advance the value of public education and ensure that Congress supports initiatives for 21 st Century learning in K- 12, pre-K, teacher and principal effectiveness, school safety and child nutrition.
  • Become a resource to your board on federal programs that may affect your district such as the newly proposed U.S. Department of Education’s state waivers from the requirements of No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
  • Take your advocacy skills to the next level. Learn advocacy and communications strategies to further your efforts at the national, state, and local levels. Put the strategies and tactics to work in meetings with members of Congress and their staff during NSBA’s Day on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, February 7, 2012.
  • Be a face for school districts on Capitol Hill. Share your expertise on the implementation of policies in your school district. Your members of Congress will rely on you to let them know what education policies work—and don’t work—for their constituents back home.
  • Ifyou don’t speak for your students on Capitol Hill, who will?