Board member reports federal advocacy trip; delegation pressed for predictable K‑12 funding and mental‑health supports

Board member and WASB representative Bob Green told the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District board on Sept. 29 about a recent federal advocacy trip in which district delegates met members of Congress and staff to press for more predictable K‑12 funding and increased supports for mental health and special education.

Green said the delegation attended meetings organized by a national federation he identified as "CASPA," which he described as a voluntary, nonpartisan federation of state school board associations. He said delegates met with or were received by Representative Derek Van Orden and staff for several other members of Congress; they had a personal meeting with Senator Tammy Baldwin.

Green described the meeting list and his focus on the need for predictable federal funding. “You want us to be a business, run like a business, but yet you pull our funding after we establish our budget,” he told the board, summarizing his message to congressional staff. He said delegation priorities included mental‑health supports for K‑12, dependable K‑12 funding, teacher and principal recruitment and training, broadband connectivity and child nutrition programs.

Green recounted mixed experiences meeting aides for several representatives; he described Senator Baldwin as particularly well informed and engaged. He said the federal delegation meetings were often with legislative aides rather than members of Congress and that the trip was part of ongoing advocacy to keep school funding issues visible in Washington.

What the board heard: Green said the delegation will continue outreach to federal and state officials and that WASB is working to coordinate school‑funding advocacy messages across member districts.

What’s next: Green said he and WASB will continue to follow funding developments and advocacy opportunities at both the state and federal level.