Advocacy Role as a School Board Member and Collaborating with Parents and Community
Pete Hoepfner, Board Development Coordinator
As a School Board member in Alaska, it’s crucial to address the challenges posed by flat funding of the Base Student Allocation (BSA) and the shortcomings of the teacher retirement system.
The flat funding of the BSA restricts our ability to invest in essential resources, staff, and programs that directly affect student outcomes. Without adequate funding, schools struggle to maintain quality education, leading to larger class sizes, reduced extracurricular activities, and diminished support services for students.
Furthermore, the failures of the teacher retirement system create a significant barrier to attracting and retaining qualified educators. A robust retirement plan is vital for ensuring that our teachers feel valued and secure in their careers. When teachers are not supported, it impacts their ability to provide the high-quality education our students deserve.
Addressing these issues requires collaborative efforts among stakeholders, including state legislators, educators, and community members. By advocating for increased BSA funding and reforming the retirement system, we can work towards a stronger and more sustainable public education system in Alaska, ensuring every student has access to the quality education they need to succeed.
As Education Advocates, we support students by advocating for their educational rights, needs, and interests. This role involves working closely with students, parents, and educational institutions to ensure students receive the necessary resources and accommodations to succeed academically.
As school board advocates, we need to expand our voice and collaborate with parents and community members. School Board members need to ensure that community members are informed of the education funding crisis that faces public schools in Alaska.
Some strategies of advocacy:
- Become familiar with the legislative priorities of AASB.
- Stay informed of proposed legislation that may impact your school district.
- Share your experiences and stories.
- Invite legislators into your school.
- Use letters and testimony to speak up for students.
- Educate students and families about their rights and the resources available to them, empowering them to advocate for themselves in the future.
- Collaboration: Working cooperatively with teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to build partnerships that support the student’s educational journey.
- Persistence: Advocating requires persistence and resilience to achieve the desired educational outcomes.
To become an effective Education Advocate, one can:
- Cultivate the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with various stakeholders, including educators, administrators, and parents.
- Establish connections with other advocacy groups, educational professionals, and community organizations.
- Be aware of changes in educational policies and practices to provide accurate and effective advocacy.
All students deserve an education that inspires them, encourages their curiosity, and prepares them for success. All educators deserve the support, resources, and time to do their jobs well, and the security to retire with dignity. By increasing our voice to include parents and the community, we can inform the legislature of the essential needs of our local schools. The legislature needs to hear from all of the public education stakeholders.
Strong public schools are the foundation of strong communities; they foster innovation and create a brighter future for all. All students deserve an education that inspires them, encourages their curiosity, and prepares them for success in the future. Educators also deserve the support, resources, and time to do their jobs well, and the security to retire with dignity.