Board reports advocacy trip to Washington and plans a community book study on future schooling

Board members who attended an advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., reported back Sept. 22 about meetings with federal lawmakers and associations to discuss education funding and policy. They said top issues raised included Title I and Title II funding, IDEA underfunding, potential cuts tied to HR1 and concerns about broader federal spending uncertainty. Board member Missus Hill summarized meetings with the Consortium of State School Board Associations and said the group met with offices for Senator Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Sean Casten and Rep. Delia Ramirez to press for sustained funding. Board members emphasized that IDEA is underfunded at the federal level: one attendee noted that the law is written to fund 40% of special-education costs but local districts receive a much smaller share. The group called for continued district-level data collection and engagement with lawmakers to advocate for funding. Separately, the board agreed to pursue another governance book study and selected What School Could Be by Ted Dintersmith as the next read; members discussed offering the study as a community read with library and bookstore partners and noted an audiobook edition is available. The study would inform discussions ahead of a new strategic plan expected in roughly two years, board members said. Board members described the Washington meetings as “fascinating and empowering” and urged continued contact with elected officials to make local needs visible in federal funding decisions.