Smith Encourages Congress To Find Collaborative Solutions to Education Challenges

Fayette County Board of Education member Terri Smith joined more than 800 school board and state school boards association leaders to ask Congress to support public school students as they consider the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) this year.

Smith took part in the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) 38th annual Federal Relations Network Conference February 6-8 in Washington, DC. She is a participant in NSBA’s Federal Relations Network, a national grassroots legislative effort that urges members of Congress to make K-12 education a top priority.

Once Congress reauthorizes ESEA, local school boards will be responsible for implementing the federal policies, so it is important that school board leaders are involved in the legislative process.

School funding also remains a major concern for local districts. School board leaders are requesting that Congress help ensure that public education is adequately funded and discontinue the practice of passing education legislation without providing the necessary funding for local implementation.

“To increase student success, public officials on the local, state, and federal level must work together to provide proper funding and support for local districts,” Smith says.

In addition, some members of Congress are pushing for alternatives to local school governance. School board leaders strongly believe schools are best governed by the communities they serve.

“Local governance and decision-making are essential to advancing public education and student achievement,” Smith adds.

Founded in 1940, NSBA is a not-for-profit organization representing state associations of school boards and their more than 90,000 local school board members throughout the U.S. Working with and through state associations, NSBA advocates for equity and excellence in public education through school board leadership.

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Fayette County Board Member Smith Elected to Statewide Post

Fayette County Board of Education member Terri Smith has been elected as a District Director for the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA).

As a District Director, Smith will serve on the association’s Board of Directors representing GSBA’s District 6, which includes the school systems of Bremen City, Carroll County, Carrollton City, Clayton County, Coweta County, Douglas County, Fayette County, Griffin-Spalding County, Heard County, Henry County, Meriwether County, Pike County, Thomaston-Upson County, and Troup County.

District Directors are elected for three-year terms at district meetings by a majority of the district members present and voting. The Board of Directors manages the affairs and business transactions of the association, and employs the executive director.

"We are extremely pleased to have Terri Smith join our Board of Directors," said GSBA Executive Director Jeannie M. (Sis) Henry. "This is an important role and one that demands high levels of leadership."

GSBA is an advocate of public education and supports the uniquely American tradition of citizen control of public school systems. GSBA is a voluntary, statewide organization that provides professional services and training to the state's local boards of education, and represents the collective resolve of local boards in the governance of public education. GSBA has provided service to public education in Georgia for over 50 years.

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Fayette County BOE Chairwoman Terri Smith Appointed FRN Member

Fayette County Board of Education Chairwoman Terri Smith was among the 1,300 school board members nationwide appointed to participate in the Federal Relations Network (FRN) this year.

FRN is a program of the National School Boards Association that involves local school board members from every congressional district in the country who are committed to grassroots advocacy for public education. State school board associations appoint members to the network, usually up to five local school board members for each congressional district in the state.

Responsibilities as a FRN member are significant. During the course of a year, participants receive vital information concerning federal education legislation and national issues. Collectively, they make their voices heard by responding to calls-to-action that involve phoning, faxing or writing federal legislators on various educational issues. They also keep their fellow board members apprised of issues by distributing background materials to get them and others involved.

Because school board members stand on the front lines of education, they are able to tell members of Congress what will or will not work in local districts. Many senators and representatives have come to rely on FRN members to advise them on the vast array of issues that affect public schoolchildren.

This year, members of the network were able to accomplish the following:

1. Continue Medicaid reimbursement to schools.

2. Restore $1.645 billion for four years in funding for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.

3. Successfully oppose proposals to cut education funding.

4. Successfully defeated a measure in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 that would have limited local school districts’ abilities to raise tax rates, having a negative impact on school budgets.

5. Intensify the discussion about the flaws in the No Child Left Behind Act and increase the urgency to fix the law.

6. Secure federal support to help districts recruit and retain quality teachers for high-need schools and subjects.

7. Successfully continue the fight against vouchers.

8. Generate awareness about the importance of early education.

9. Secure final passage of Head Start reauthorization.

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