More School Board 101: The Importance of Good Relationships with Legislators

WHAT to do tonight?  I hate it when there are two parties to go to on a particular night.  ;-)

Tonight the Katy Area will have two events to choose from:  a Meet-the-Candidates night with GOP candidates for State legislature, and a town hall meeting called by Bill Proctor.  Sad.  Not because it'll be hard to go to both events.  Sad because Proctor doesn't "get it".

More on how the School Board Works:  The single group of people who most impact the school district's financial situation is NOT the school board-- it's the State legislature.  This group of people decides how much money districts get, and impose mandated programs on the districts (often with no money to make them happen).  An important part of the School Board Trustee's "job" is to meet with State and National representatives and tell them how laws they are considering will impact school districts.  That requires working relationships with people in office.  When the legislature is in session and debating education laws, it's important that they know school board members they are comfortable calling and asking about impact.  Last spring, I had several calls from a State Representative on the floor of the house who was asking "Chris, how will this work in Katy?"  The reason I was called was because I'd spent the time developing relationships with people in State and National office.

So why is Bill not only skipping an opportunity to further his relationships with folks who will be in the State Legislature, but also drawing people away from that opportunity?  I don't know.  But it is another example of his idea of "team play".

State Reps need to know how what they do impacts school districts.  If you feel that it is important for your State Legislative candidates to know YOUR priorities for education, go to tonights KAR event and let them know.   Then, let Bill know you wish he'd been there, too.

KAR:  3/28/12 @ Spring Creek BBQ on I-10 at Westgreen, 6:30-8:30.