Governmental Relations

From Frankfort to Washington, D.C., laws and regulations drive much of the direction of public schools. The Governmental Relations staff provide advocacy with legislators and policy makers on education, budget, tax policy and employment issues distinguished by an emphasis on the needs of students.

Services:

  • Lobbying legislators, regulatory bodies and policy makers
  • Continuous coverage of Kentucky’s annual legislative sessions
  • Weekly Legislative Reports during sessions, including budget analysis, bill summaries and critical updates
  • Coordinating superintendent review team that helps analyze bills and their potential impact on schools
  • Conducting biannual legislative survey on member’s priorities and concerns
  • Coordinating work of the KSBA Legislative Committee to develop the legislative agenda
  • Scheduling candidate forums to help members make informed choices in legislative races
  • Gubernatorial Candidate Advisory Teams allowed members to support candidates of their choice and to engage the candidates on important education issues
  • Monitoring the regulatory process of the Kentucky Board of Education and Local Superintendents Advisory Council meetings
  • Monitoring federal legislative issues

Federal Relations Network (FRN)

The Federal Relations Network is the National School Boards Association’s lobbying arm at the federal level. Members receive information on federal issues and are provided sample letters to send to members of Congress when nationwide lobbying is needed.

School board members can attend the FRN Conference in Washington, D.C. each January. The FRN Conference is an exciting conference with some of the most important members of Congress addressing the membership. KSBA members and staff also visit Kentucky’s senators and representatives on Capitol Hill during the FRN Conference.

2009 Activities:

KSBA, as a participating member of 3KT, held a Welcome Breakfast for new legislators at the Capitol.

The KIDS First Advocacy Conference was a huge success with more than 100 board members and superintendents participating encompassing 54 school districts.

Tracking all education bills throughout the 2009 legislative session. Weekly legislative updates via e-mail to all Kentucky superintendents and all school board members with e-mail access.

  • Hosting a weekly conference call with superintendent representatives from across the state.
  • Provide assistance to districts that wish to host or sponsor candidate forums.
  • Attend all Education Committee meetings of the House and Senate.
  • Attend the Kentucky Board of Education monthly meetings.
  • Attend the Local Superintendent Advisory Committee monthly meetings.
  • Support the activities of the KidsFirst Political Action Committee.

Service Contact: David Baird (Director), Shannon Pratt