Stevensville School District

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 

School Board Advocacy

The Board of Trustees believes it has a responsibility to the students, parents, and community to advocate for student achievement and quality education. In order to meet these responsibilities, the District will give careful review of existing and proposed laws designed to advance the cause of good schools and for the repeal or modification of existing laws that impede this cause.

Trustees should keep themselves and community members informed of pending legislation and actively communicate board positions and concerns to elected representatives at both the state and national level. The Board should work with legislative representatives (both state and federal), the Montana School Boards Association, national advocacy groups aligned with Montana School Districts’ interest in advocating for excellence in public education through School Board Leadership, and other concerned groups in developing an annual as well as long-range legislative program.

Each Trustee is encouraged to participate in the MTSBA Delegate Assembly, the MTSBA Board Legislative Contact Program and the caucuses. Each board and trustee should be aware of the importance of building a relationship with the community and local legislators, to be used to increase student success.

In doing so, the Trustees will:

1.
a. Review MTSBA legislative correspondence;
b. Review MTSBA legislative calls to action;
c. Participate in Day Advocacy during each legislative session (participation may be virtual, in-person, and/ or through a review of action items to include local outreach as deemed appropriate by      a majority of the Board);
d. Attend other state and regional association meetings as approved by the Board and;
e. Advise MTSBA of the Board’s views regarding MTSBA’s legislative positions and activities.

2. At least once each year in accordance with Policy 1420, the Board meeting agenda will include an opportunity for the trustees to discuss educational issues pending on the state and federal levels.

3. Work with the MTSBA national advocacy groups aligned with Montana school districts’ interest in advocating for excellence in public education through School Board leadership and other concerned groups and organization on matters of mutual interest.

4. Trustees may initiate advocacy outreach and/or legislative/policy action via hard copy or electronic communications. Inclusion of the board chair and superintendent in communication is required when the trustee uses their district-provided email or when they use personal email or written communication and representing themselves as a school trustee.

Policy History:
Adopted on: May 10, 2022
Reviewed on: April 12, 2022
Revised on: May 10, 2022