1 Successful Educational Advocacy in your School District 72 nd IASB Joint Annual Conference November 23, 2013 Presented by Oak Park ESD 97

2 CLAIM C ommittee (for) L egislative A ction I ntervention (and) M onitoring

3 As we begin our time together… Thank you Introductions Questions, clarifications, comments CLAIM as a work in progress Access to this PowerPoint Take away manual

4 An overview of Oak Park and District 97 Why CLAIM? Why now? CLAIMs 10-step process Panelists comments Final questions and comments Manual handout Our Agenda

5 Location Demographics Educational systems Famous Oak Parkers About the Village of Oak Park

6 History of D97s legislative advocacy Educational realities in Illinois Community expertise and involvement IASB Effective Board Governance Why CLAIM? Why now?

7 After the April 2003 election: District 97 formed a Finance Task Force Finance Task Force recommended creation of Legislative Advocacy Committee (LAC) In December 2003: LAC was formed Spring 2005 HB750 offers 2% increase in state income tax in exchange for property tax relief AKA The Tax Swap HB750 failed to pass in General Assembly By 2006, the LAC lost its energy and became dormant D97s History of Legislative Advocacy

8 o AFTER THE 2009 ELECTION: New impetus to revitalize legislative advocacy Board assigns volunteers to create a new charge Multiple iterations are created, vetted, and sent back to the drawing board o APRIL THROUGH JUNE 2011: CLAIM is created, vetted, and approved o SEPTEMBER 2011: CLAIM convenes first meeting D97s History of Legislative Advocacy

9 Illinois ranks 50 th in use of state tax dollars to support K- 12 public education, 21.4%* Illinois ranks 50 th in property tax dependence to support public education, 70%* Prorated GSA – 89% to 82% Unfunded and underfunded mandates continue in spite of Public Act Public pension issues / $ responsibility shift on the horizon *Source: Center for Tax and Budget Accountability Educational Realities in Illinois

10 IASB expectation of community engagement that: Creates trust and support Involves the community in collaborative problem solving Delegates authority Community of Oak Park: Commitment to education Long history of volunteerism Diverse and talented skill sets Engaged and involved citizens Why CLAIM? Why Now?

11 And … Another reason we are presenting today is because we need your: Partnership in shaping / impacting educational legislation Strength in numbers

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13 STEP 1: The Boards initial role STEP 2: Community outreach STEP 3: Going public STEP 4: First steps STEP 5: The team grows and learns CLAIM: Step by Step Process

14 STEP 6: The CLAIM support team STEP 7: Celebrating success STEP 8: Addressing adversity STEP 9: Assessing effectiveness STEP 10: Core values move us forward CLAIM: Step by Step Process

15 Discuss concepts merits Select 2 members to write committee charge Scrutinize charge draft Chose 2 board members to serve on CLAIM Approve final draft of charge* *Document included in A 10-Step Process for Creating a Successful Advocacy Committee and accessible via link provided 1. The Boards Initial Role

16 Overview – advance district mission through oversight on legislation Purpose – propose, support/oppose, monitor legislation Charge – specific committee tasks and assignments Authority – standing board committee Composition – >13 to 17 voting (citizens) > 3 to 5 district non-voting (2 board, up to 3 administrators, superintendent as ex-office member) Open Meetings Act – compliance *Document included in A 10-Step Process for Creating a Successful Advocacy Committee and accessible via link provided Charge Components*

17 Examples of CLAIM Tasks from Charge 1.Annually receive direction for a legislative agenda from the District 97 Board regarding school policy and finance issues at the state level, and, as the Board deems appropriate, at the county and/or federal level. 2.Strengthen connections and participation with lobbying groups, especially those with whom the district currently has formal relationships, such as ED-RED and IASB. 3.Identify, partner, and leverage organizations aligned with one or more items on the Districts legislative agenda. *Document included in A 10-Step Process for Creating a Successful Advocacy Committee and accessible via link provided

18 4. Generate informational materials to identify the impact of state, county, or federal legislative issues on District Engage Oak Parks legislative delegation to keep them informed of the ways current and proposed legislation, policies and practices impact District Craft, periodically review, and, if necessary, seek District 97 Board approval to amend the committees scope, procedures, practices, and guiding principles. *Document included in A 10-Step Process for Creating a Successful Advocacy Committee and accessible via link provided Examples of CLAIM Tasks from Charge

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20 District Communications Director: Announces formation of CLAIM committee and posts call for citizen volunteers on district website, district and PTO list serve, local print and electronic media sources* Sends CLAIM application* to interested parties Vets applications and submits list to the Board *Document included in A 10-Step Process for Creating a Successful Advocacy Committee and accessible via link provided 2. Community Outreach

21 Contact information Reasons for wanting to serve on a legislative action committee Previous District level involvement / service Work experience / expertise Previous community level involvement /service CLAIM Application Board Selection Criteria

22 Copy of Initial Public Announcement The District 97 Board of Education is looking for community members to serve on its newly created legislative committee: CLAIM (Committee For Legislative Action, Intervention and Monitoring). Its focus is to develop a legislative agenda to propose, support or oppose legislation impacting board priorities. In addition, the committee will take direction from the board concerning policy and finance issues at the state, county and federal levels, among other duties. The district is looking for people to serve on the committee. Interested parties should contact the district's spokesperson for more information: Chris Jasculca, *Document included in A 10-Step Process for Creating a Successful Advocacy Committee and accessible via link provided

23 District announces selection of CLAIM committee Board introduces CLAIM committee in open session and extends its gratitude Appoints CLAIM chairperson for 1 st year Social non-business meet and greet at our home got the group off to a positive start 3. Going Public

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25 CLAIM chairperson: Contacts committee members to schedule 1 st meeting Convenes first meeting Introductions and committee related talents / strengths Set meeting dates Review and discuss charge 4. First Steps

26 Over time, the CLAIM chairperson and full committee: Create meeting agenda template Develop sub-committees to address board priorities Review OMA and comply with training requirements 5. The Team Grows and Learns Develop list of guest speakers Develop committee work plans Set dates to report to the Board

27 Other Items 1. IASB Annual Conference Presentation 2. Elected Officials Forum 3. Connecting With Educational Advocacy: Downers Grove Elementary School District 58 Adjournment Call to Order / Roll Call Public Comments / Member Comments Action Items Approval of Minutes Committee Activities 1. Finance Subcommittee 2. Data Subcommittee 3. Early Ed. Subcommittee Sample CLAIM Agenda

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29 Board Administration Parents Citizens Affiliated Organizations CLAIM STEP 6: CLAIM Works with Partners to Act, Intervene, and Monitor Who look to engage and work with: Elected representatives of the Oak Park taxing bodies and members of the Illinois General Assembly and United States Congress

30 A = ACTION Bring in guest speakers, apply for KIDS pilot status, propose General Assembly budget resolution to IASB, hold Legislators Forum I = INTERVENTION Identify data sharing problems in non-unit district and work with local legislators to propose legislative fix Meet with legislators and explain Districts position on pending legislation M = MONITORING Propose bills such as PTELL, pension reform, early childhood education Examples of CLAIM Engagement

31 District 97 was selected as a pilot district for the KIDS (Kindergarten Individual Development Survey) whose goals were to: Identify gaps in school readiness Provide information to drive more effective classroom instruction Support state and local data-driven decision- making on professional development and resource allocation Step 7: Celebrating Success

32 Achieved goal of drafting new resolution to become part of the IASB Resolution Proposals at 2012 IASB state conference: Resolution 14. Position Statement 3.09 Budget Stability for School Districts passed unanimously. Achieved goal of being recognized by ED-RED (Educational Research and Development) as an effective educational advocacy group, and being invited to post on the ED-REDs Member Legislative Committee and Event Information page. Step 7: Celebrating Success

33 Achieved goal of hosting D97 Legislators Forum attended by: State Senators Harmon and Lightford State Representatives Ford and Lilly Allowed both the Board and community stakeholders to interact personally with their local legislators on a range of issues affecting the community, from property taxes to the General State Aid formula to student lunches Step 7: Celebrating Success

34 Over the past two years, CLAIM has struggled with: The unintended consequences of the OMA, which greatly limits sub-committee work and communication / discussion among CLAIM members Its goal of improved sharing of longitudinal data with D97s neighboring high school district (D200) FERPA and many other legal encumbrances that make student performance data sharing in a non-unit district nearly impossible Obtaining a quorum of members for meetings Step 8: Addressing Adversity

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36 In spite of these challenges: CLAIM has accomplished most of its goals during the past 2 years The Legislators Forum has laid the ground work for potential state legislation regarding student performance data in non-unit districts CLAIMs struggles with data sharing have led to a better understanding of FERPA and enabled the committee to develop its network of educational experts and educational lobby groups Step 8: Addressing Adversity

37 o Meeting to meeting internal assessments o Regular board reports: January and June o End of year Board assessment of CLAIM Reviews effectiveness Revises charge as needed Creates new tasks for CLAIM Step 9: Assessing CLAIMs Effectiveness

38 The Board has been very pleased with CLAIMs accomplishments. Based on CLAIMs successes and the strength of the committee members, the Board is eagerly awaiting recommended changes to the charge to ensure and increase CLAIMs productivity going forward. -Bob Spatz, President Oak Park ESD D97 Board Step 9: Assessing CLAIMs Effectiveness

39 Plan: strategize for success Share: the authority Trust: in each other Empower: the community Celebrate: the successes, small and large Reflect: on the struggles Assess: candidly and frequently Believe: in your power to effect change Step 10: Core Values Will Move Us Forward

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41 Citizen Members Deacon Wiley Samuels Meredith Schacht Greg Smith Anne Desmond Warden Oak Park District 97 Board Amy Felton Jim Gates Oak Park District 97 Administration Dr. Al Roberts, Superintendent CLAIM Panelist Comments

42 Commit to the concept e.g. Budget the time, engage the community Focus on the attainable goals e.g. Push for GA budget timelines to aid in district planning as opposed to seeking more GSA dollars Identify specific tasks for the committee e.g. Support early childhood data collection / analysis by becoming KIDS pilot district Review, revise, and empower e.g. Regularly seek feedback / guidance from the committee In Review: Create a Successful Legislative Advocacy Committee

43 Please access this power point and the 10 Step Manual via the links provided. In addition, feel free to contact CLAIM about: Attending a future CLAIM meeting Setting up a legislative advocacy group in your district

44 And on behalf of CLAIM and Oak Park District 97: