NSBA at White House with Leading Advocates in Education Community Re: School Safety
Federal Relations Network (FRN) Conference: New FRN Video – A Sequestration Update & Preparing for the Conference
NSBA Briefs Capitol Hill Offices on Draft Bill to Restore Flexibility and Authority to Local School Boards
NSBA Joins State & Local Governance Coalition in Seeking ESEA Reauthorization as a Priority for the 113th Congress
NSBA at White House with Leading Advocates in Education Community Re: School Safety
NSBA participated in a meeting at the White House with leading advocates in the education community on January 9 regarding school safety, in the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett hosted the meeting. The goal was to gather recommendations from organizations regarding school safety. The President has asked Cabinet members to present recommendations to him by the week of January 14. Each group represented gave brief recommendations and/or comments.
NSBA spoke of the need for greater access to mental health services and recommended the expansion of school safety zones, as well as more funding for school resource officers (SROs), which was a component of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. NSBA also spoke of resources needed for greater coordination between law enforcement agencies and school districts, including resources that may be available through homeland security grants to state and local governments for school safety (disaster preparedness and emergency response).
Other recommendations raised for discussion included the following:
- Establishment of a federal interagency council on school safety;
- Training development and support for school principals on preparation and preparedness;
- Resources needed for school safety audits;
- Information on the use of Title I funds for counseling and intervention;
- Greater resources/facilitation for wrap-around services to students using a community-based approach;
- Expansion of the Promise Neighborhoods program (which supports cradle-to-career initiatives that call on all parts of the community to provide comprehensive wraparound supports to surround good schools, such as high-quality early learning, rich after-school activities, mental health services, and crime prevention);
- Support for universal background checks on people purchasing guns;
- A ban on assault weapons;
- A ban on high-capacity gun magazines; and,
- Strengthening federal statutes regarding gun trafficking.
For your reference, NSBA’s position on school safety can be found in NSBA’s Beliefs & Policies, Article IV, Section 2, Maintaining a Safe and Supportive School Climate and 2.1 Safety and Health of Students, Employees and Visitors and in Article III in Federal Assistance to Education, Section 1, Philosophy of Federal Role in Education.
Federal Relations Network (FRN) Conference: New FRN Video – A Sequestration Update & Preparing for the Conference
Watch the NEW FRN Video! Hear from Mike Resnick and Kathleen Branch from NSBA Advocacy as to why your attendance is essential at the FRN Conference, Jan. 27-29 in Washington, D.C. during the new window of opportunity for school boards as sequestration is delayed.
The video illustrates the latest on NSBA’s lobbying efforts (including NSBA’s draft bill to restore flexibility and authority to local school boards – see below) and what tools are available for you to prepare for the FRN and your meetings with members of Congress on Capitol Hill. You can also access the powerpoint from the FRN Conference Webinar and access the FRN conference backgrounder, which includes your FRN homework.
NSBA Briefs Capitol Hill Offices on Draft Bill to Restore Flexibility and Authority to Local School Boards
NSBA lobbyists intensified their efforts this week on Capitol Hill to secure sponsors and co-sponsors for the NSBA draft bill, “Local Educational Agency Governance, Flexibility and Efficiency Act of 2013.” The draft legislation is in response to local school boards’ concerns over the expanding role of the U.S. Department of Education and other federal agencies into operations and local-decision making. The bill re-affirms the role of the local school board as the principle democratic governance body in determining how children in their communities are educated. The initial meetings were directed to members of Congress who have previously served on their local boards of education.
NSBA Joins State & Local Governance Coalition in Seeking ESEA Reauthorization as a Priority for the 113th Congress
Although much of the initial weeks of the First Session of the 113th Congress will be focused on a final funding bill for FY2013 and FY2014 and alternatives to sequestration (now scheduled to take effect in March 2013), the State & Local Governance Coalition is preparing to send a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate education committees urging them to address the flaws of the current NCLB law and to craft a bipartisan bill. The coalition includes the National Governors Association, National Conference of State Legislators, Council of State Governments, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, United States Conference of Mayors, Council of Chief State School Officers and the National School Boards Association.
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely, Kathleen & NSBA’s Advocacy Team
Kathleen Branch, MEd, CAE
Director, National Advocacy Services
Office of Federal Advocacy & Public Policy
National School Boards Association
703.838.6735
www.nsba.org/advocacy
