Quarterly Newsletters 18-19 First Quarter Newsletter(clone) | Page 22

Martin Romine

ASBO Int'l Legislative Advocacy Committee

Washington, DC in July! Hot temperatures, high humidity, and thousands of agenda driven constituents looking, asking, begging for their pet projects. That was the scenario from July 10th-12th for the ASBO legislative advocacy committee, as they partnered with AASA and the School Superintendent’s Association, to lobby our legislators regarding educational priorities. During the months leading up to the conference, the ASBO Legislative Advocacy Committee joined in a number of conference calls to create, define, and refine our message so that we could go to the Hill in a united front and make a concerted effort to make our voices heard. I, along with three New Mexico Superintendents, was able to meet with either members or staff of all five members of the New Mexico delegation.

Among the items that we, as ASBO members, lobbied for were the following: 1) We stressed the need for adequate educational federal funding, especially in the Title programs and IDEA B. When IDEA B was instituted, the intent was to fund 40% of the additional cost to educate students with special needs. Currently, that program pays only 15% of that additional cost. 2) Due to a great deal of negative press regarding meals served to students that could not pay, “Lunch Shaming” regulations were created and they have cost many districts a great deal of money. Many members of Congress do not understand the impact that “lunch shaming” has created for districts. ASBO requested that non-regulatory guidance be developed and that resources be provided to develop fair policies and methods to recover costs and collect the debt owed for meals that were served but not paid for. 3) There are many school districts nationwide, especially in New Mexico, that struggle to build and maintain adequate educational facilities. ASBO members lobbied for additional direct federal investment and other support to construct, maintain, and repair facilities so students have safe and healthy places to learn. 4) Last, but certainly not least, hand-in- hand with the additional funding for facilities, we lobbied for federal assistance to help create and maintain safe and secure places for all students to learn by providing additional funds for safety enhancements in our schools.

While the Legislative Advocacy Conference is held only one time each year, ASBO’s committee continues its efforts with letters and phone calls on important educational issues throughout the year. Should you have an issue that you feel needs to be presented to our Congressional delegation or one that you would like to see added to the ASBO list, please give me a call.

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