NSBA issues statements and news releases to advocate for local governance in public education and promote and advance key education initiatives. NSBA also offers timely and relevant news, information and tools to our members and public education supporters.

Media Contact: Media@nsba.org

NSBA: House Legislation Would Rubber-Stamp Executive Overhaul at the Expense of Local Control

July 14, 2026

In advance of a July 15 House Education and Workforce Committee markup, the National School Boards Association (NSBA) released a statement from Executive Director and CEO Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs opposing the legislative package of 10 bills.

“Don’t let the title fool you,” said McCotter-Jacobs. “The 'Less Bureaucracy, Better Education' legislative package delivers the exact opposite of its name, adding layers of federal red tape while shortchanging nearly 50 million public school students...

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National School Boards Association Statement on Plan to Move Special Education, OCR, Out of Education Department

June 17, 2026

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) released the following statement today from Executive Director and CEO Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs regarding the announcement to move the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from the U.S. Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to the Department of Justice.

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NSBA Calls on Senate to Reverse SNAP Cuts in Farm Bill, Protect Children's Access to Nutrition

May 11, 2026

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) today sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) urging the Senate to use consideration of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) — the Farm Bill — to repeal harmful cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill.

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Connecticut School Board Member Leonard Lockhart Elected 2026-27 NSBA President

April 27, 2026

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) announced today that Leonard Lockhart of the Windsor Board of Education in Connecticut has been elected NSBA president for 2026-27. Becky Fles of MSAD #11 School District in Maine was elected President-elect and Dr. Sami Al-Abdrabbuh of the Corvallis Board of Education in Oregon was elected Secretary-Treasurer. NSBA’s former president, Devin Sheehan of Holyoke Public Schools Committee in Massachusetts, will serve as Immediate Past President.

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National School Boards Association and Go Green Initiative Announce Winners of $45,000 Indoor Air Quality Grants

April 20, 2026

During the NSBA 2026 Annual Conference, the National School Boards Association (NSBA) and the Go Green Initiative announced ten winners selected for the second cohort of their national Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction program. This year's winners represent a significant impact on student health and opportunity, covering 606 schools and 373,343 students. Reflecting the program's commitment to supporting underserved communities, 73.6% of the students served by these grant recipients qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

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Standing Up for Students: Highlights from the 2026 NSBA Annual Conference

April 13, 2026

The 2026 NSBA Annual Conference gathered thousands of school board members and other education leaders in San Antonio from April 10–12 to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing public education today. The event served as a powerful advocacy platform, headlined by NSBA’s “Stand Up 4 Public Schools” campaign.

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Five School Districts Recognized for Protecting Student Health through Indoor Air Quality Innovation

March 12, 2026

Illinois’ East St. Louis School District 189, Washington’s Issaquah School District 411, and Maryland’s Prince George’s County Public Schools are the Grand Prize winners in the 31st annual Magna Awards program sponsored by the National School Boards Association (NSBA) and the Go Green Initiative (GGI). Winners were honored for their commitment to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). In addition to the three Grand Prize winners, two Silver Award winners were selected — New York’s Salamanca City Central School District and Massachusetts’ Boston Public Schools.

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Hundreds of School Board Leaders Convene in D.C. for the 2026 NSBA Advocacy Institute

February 4, 2026

The 2026 NSBA Advocacy Institute brought together hundreds of school board members and education leaders in Washington, D.C., for a powerful two-day mobilization. From the opening call to action by Executive Director and CEO Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs, the message was clear: advocacy is a fundamental responsibility of local governance. Attendees gained an "insider’s edge" through exclusive briefings with bipartisan congressional staff and learned to navigate the nuances of "good conflict" with keynote speaker Amanda Ripley. The Institute served as a vital platform for honing our 2026 legislative priorities, ensuring that every advocate left the ballroom equipped with the tools necessary to make a lasting impact on Capitol Hill.

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Center for Digital Education and National School Boards Association Name 2025 Tech Innovation and LEAD Award Winners

February 2, 2026

The Center for Digital Education (CDE) and the National School Boards Association (NSBA) have announced the winners of the 2025 Innovative Technology Integration Awards and the inaugural Leadership in Education and Digital Innovation (LEAD) Awards. The winners were honored during a presentation luncheon at the NSBA’s 2026 Advocacy Institute, held before hundreds of school board members and education leaders from across the country. The awards recognize K–12 school districts and leaders advancing learning, operations, and equity through the strategic, responsible use of technology—including AI, data, and digital systems—at scale.

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National School Boards Association Statement on Bipartisan FY26 Education Spending Agreement

January 20, 2026

Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs, Executive Director and CEO of the National School Boards Association (NSBA), issued the following statement today regarding the bipartisan agreement reached by congressional appropriators on the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill.

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National School Boards Association Urges Treasury and IRS to Preserve State Authority and Protect Public School Students in Implementation of New Federal Tax Credit

January 6, 2026

In formal comments submitted in late December on the implementation of a new federal tax credit under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the National School Boards Association (NSBA) urged the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service to preserve state authority, protect public school students, and strengthen public education. The tax credit allows individuals to receive a federal credit for making qualified contributions to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs).

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National School Boards Association Calls for a Bipartisan Solution to Reopen the Federal Government

October 30, 2025

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) released the following statement today from Executive Director and CEO Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs regarding the ongoing federal government shutdown:

“As the federal government shutdown nears its one-month mark, many families are walking a tightrope. For parents missing paychecks and those relying on federal programs, each day brings more uncertainty about how to put food on the table...

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NSBA Welcomes Dr. Phelton Moss as Managing Director of Government Relations

September 22, 2025

NSBA is proud to announce the hiring of Dr. Phelton Moss as our new Managing Director of Government Relations.
Dr. Moss brings a wealth of experience in education policy, advocacy, and leadership at the federal, state, and local levels.

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Atlanta School Board Chair Erika Mitchell Receives Benjamin Elijah Mays Lifetime Achievement Award

September 12, 2025

The National School Boards Association’s Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) presented the 2025 Benjamin Elijah Mays Lifetime Achievement Award to Erika Mitchell, Chair of the Atlanta Board of Education. The prestigious award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to the educational needs of urban school children through their service as a local school board member. Mitchell received the award on September 12, 2025, at the CUBE Annual Conference in Los Angeles, before an audience of urban school board members and education leaders.

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Harrison School District 2 Receives 2025 CUBE Award for Urban School Board Excellence

September 12, 2025

The National School Boards Association’s Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) presented the 2025 Award for Urban School Board Excellence to Harrison School District 2 (D2) in Colorado Springs. This prestigious award honors school boards that demonstrate significant growth, innovative leadership, and a strong commitment to student success in urban districts. The award was presented at the 2025 CUBE Annual Conference on September 12 in Los Angeles, before an audience of urban school board members and education leaders.

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Ten School Districts Selected for $50,000 Grants to Improve Indoor Air Quality

June 16, 2025

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) and Go Green Initiative (GGI) today announced the first ten school districts selected to participate in a multi-year initiative to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in school facilities across the country.

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Massachusetts School Board Member Devin M. Sheehan Elected 2025-26 NSBA President

April 24, 2025

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) announced that Devin M. Sheehan of the Holyoke Public Schools Committee in Massachusetts has been elected NSBA president for 2025-26. Leonard Lockhart of the Windsor Board of Education in Connecticut was elected President-elect and Becky Fles of MSAD #11 School District in Maine was elected Secretary-Treasurer. NSBA’s former president, Donald Hubler of Macomb Intermediate School District in Michigan, will now serve as Immediate Past President.

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Three School Districts Earn Top Honors in the 2025 Magna Awards

March 6, 2025

New Mexico’s Lovington Municipal Schools, California’s Compton Unified School District, and Maryland’s Charles County Public Schools are the Grand Prize winners in the 30th annual Magna Awards program sponsored by the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) flagship magazine, American School Board Journal (ASBJ). In addition to the three Grand Prize winners, 12 Silver Award winners were selected. The Magna Awards recognize school districts and their leaders for innovative, out-of-the-box thinking to address district challenges.

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Connecticut Association of Boards of Education Wins 2025 Leading Edge Award

February 21, 2025

The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) has been awarded the 2025 National School Boards Association (NSBA) Leading Edge Award for its innovative approach to professional development for school board members. Presented at NSBA’s Leadership Seminar in Washington, D.C., this prestigious award recognizes state school board associations for programs that advance public education through coordinated advocacy, strategic partnerships, and essential support for local school boards.

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