Series 9000: Bylaws of the Board

9020.1 Advocacy

The Board of Education believes that advocacy is a critical part of its activity and an important responsibility of school Board members. Advocacy is engagement in the political process at local, state and national levels to influence the public policies that affect Boards of Education and school  children. 

Education advocacy requires the Board of Education to publicly state what is needed to achieve effective public education. It is a recognition that the Board of Education has an important message  to deliver to all governmental levels, the media and community, that affect educational policy and  power to influence outcomes. 

Education must be a priority in local, state and national policy and actions. Advocacy is necessitated by the many laws mandated on the school district by the state and federal government as well as regulations promulgated by State and Federal Departments of Education. 

School Board members, respected by legislators are powerful advocates, with the responsibility to  explain to legislators, the local impact of state and federal policy decisions. Local school Board members may help the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education deliver its message to legislators. 

In fulfilling its advocacy responsibilities, the Board of Education will cooperate with parent groups, other educators, special interest groups, business and service organizations other school Boards, CABE, and community members to achieve favorable legislation on education issues. Coalition building is critical to effective advocacy. 

Bylaw adopted by the Board: December 8, 2014 THOMASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Thomaston, Connecticut