My Doubled-Sided Life in State Advocacy

Being a politically savvy superintendent isn’t difficult. Just do what you do best — educate legislators.

For 32 years, I have traveled a professional career path that has included turns as an elementary school teacher, library media specialist and distance learning director in various Wisconsin school districts. In 1997, my path took a sharp turn when I was elected as a Republican to the Wisconsin state assembly through a special election. I spent 3½ fascinating years as a state representative from a rural/suburban area in south-central Wisconsin.

Upon completion of my term, I returned to K-12 education for 15 years as the agency administrator of Cooperative Educational Service Agency 6, an intermediate service agency in Oshkosh, equipped to view laws governing schooling from both the legislative and educator perspectives.

Instant Expert

Because I was an educator serving in the state legislature, other elected officials often looked to me as an “expert” on whatever education issue was on the floor. While I could draw on my previous experiences, I also relied heavily on information from local superintendents when, for instance, the legislature was trying to adopt new educator licensing laws.

During that session, Wisconsin moved from an educator license renewal system requiring six graduate credits every five years to a system requiring formal professional development plans, a position favored by many of the school leaders I heard from.

With many high-stakes implementation decisions on the table, I routinely called two superintendents in my legislative district for straightforward, reliable information. I wove those conversations into my political decisions on the current Wisconsin Quality Educator Initiative.

Keep in mind that elected officials consider hundreds of pieces of legislation each period. They simply can’t be experts in everything. They must rely on sound advice. You need to make yourself the “go to” person for that authoritative advice on K-12 education when legislators need it, just as I relied on superintendents for information. Of course, relationships of this nature need cultivation.

Regardless of political party, public education is high stakes for all politicians. In many parts of the country, including my own state, we are seeing a push among legislators to reform education. Some state legislatures have established education reform committees, which makes it essential for superintendents to be at the table when legislators start talking about how to change education. District administrators bring expertise to the discussion.

One such reform is the school choice advocates’ desire for “a voucher in every backpack.” This legislation would permit state money to follow the student, resulting in more taxpayer dollars spent on private schools and less money supporting public schools. Like it or not, school administrators simply must be politically active on issues that threaten the future of public education.

Attend the legislators’ listening sessions. Share facts, and better yet embed them into relevant anecdotes. Stories make the issues more understandable and your positions more memorable. Legislators often will share stories with other legislators.

Respectful Relations

While it is OK to disagree with a legislator’s position, it is important to remain respectful and to fully explain why you disagree. When you are reasonable and respectful, it will be easier for the legislator to hear you and perhaps side with you on another issue.

Relationships mean getting to know each other. Invite legislators to meetings with key school district staff and school board members. Visit their offices in the state capital and get to know their staff member(s) who work on education policy. Ignite your community to speak up about all the positive developments in your district. Community members advocating on your district’s behalf can be incredibly effective.

Finally, running for office requires a great deal of money. While you don’t have to be the largest contributor, financially backing the legislator(s) you support is important.

Being a politically savvy superintendent isn’t difficult. Just do what you do best — educate legislators. There’s no one better for that job.