Education and Legislation Mix at VSBA Capital Conference Local Attendees Advocate on Behalf of Public Education

LUNENBURG – Amy McClure, Lunenburg County Public Schools (LCPS) School Board member, attended the Virginia School Boards Association’s Capital Conference held virtually on January 25 and 26, 2021. The event provided an opportunity for school board members, superintendents, state delegates and senators, and others to consider the major educational issues facing the 2021 General Assembly and to set up personal virtual meetings to discuss these issues on a local level. 

Attendees heard from a variety of presenters and speakers, including: 

• The Honorable Ralph Northam, Governor of Virginia 

• Senator Jennifer McClellan, Delegate Shelly Simonds and Delegate John Avoli 

• Dr. Bob Holsworth, President, Virginia Tomorrow, LLC 

• Chip Slaven, Chief Advocacy Officer, National School Boards Association 

• Stacy Haney & J.T. Kessler, Lobbyists, Virginia School Boards Association 

Those participating in the virtual session also received information from subject-area experts on a variety of topics, including the ever-changing political scene in Virginia, state budget issues, and legislation being considered that will have an impact on public education and school board operations. Participating school board members were provided with a tool kit containing information on setting up an efficient and productive virtual meeting with their Legislators that were scheduled for day two of the conference. 

“The VSBA Capital Conference was very informative,” says Amy McClure, LCPS School Board Member and conference attendee. “I met with J.T. Kessler, VSBA Government Relations Specialist and Stacy Haney, VSBA Chief Lobbyist reviewing hot topics related to education for the 2021 session of the General Assembly.  As a community, we need to watch Senate Bill 1303.  This bill allows the local school divisions in the Commonwealth the choice to make in-person learning available to all students.” 

“We also want to encourage our Senators and Delegates NOT to change the Governor’s Proposed Budget,” McClure continued to say.  “Financially, the school divisions are going to have to account for learning loss, average daily membership loss, and the costs of PPE.”  

McClure went on to say, “The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission is in the process of doing a study on the true cost of implementing the standards of quality for school divisions.  It has been 21 years since the last study for funding schools occurred.” 

According to Gina Patterson, VSBA executive director, “The VSBA Capital Conference is grassroots lobbying at its best. This year, more than ever, it is extremely important that school board members have the opportunity to share important information with legislators about the future of education in Virginia.”

The Virginia School Boards Association is a voluntary, nonpartisan organization of Virginia school boards, promoting excellence in public education through advocacy, training and services. The Association offers conferences, information, training, and counseling designed to meet the needs of the Commonwealth’s educational leaders.