Dr. Richard Hart, member of the Marion Community Schools Board of School Trustees, joined school governance leaders from across Indiana at the Indiana School Boards Association’s eighth annual State House Day on Feb. 17.
Through deep-dive briefings and direct dialogue with lawmakers, school board members engaged in a unified, statewide advocacy effort to shape thoughtful, student-centered education policy.
At the event held in Indianapolis, ISBA's lobbying team highlighted bills with significant implications for public education, and outlined their ongoing advocacy work.
A candid panel discussion provided insight into the policymaking process and the issues driving this year’s legislative session. The panel included several state leaders: House Education Committee Chair Rep. Bob Behning, House Education Committee member Rep. Ed DeLaney, Senate Education and Career Development Committee Chair Sen. Jeff Raatz, and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Shelli Yoder.
The ISBA event even gave attendees, including Dr. Hart, the chance to interact directly with the legislators who represent our region, allowing school board members to share their local priorities and perspectives on how proposed legislation would impact their student populations.
The event culminated with a visit to the State House for follow-up conversations with lawmakers.
Dr. Hart said he found it encouraging to see how representatives from both the Republican and Democratic parties were working together to achieve the best possible education legislation for Indiana.
State House Day is a key part of ISBA’s award-winning Legislative Action Network, a statewide program that leverages the unified voices of Indiana school boards to inform, influence, and shape sound education policy.
“School board engagement in organized grassroots advocacy is crucial,” ISBA Executive Director Terry Spradlin said. “School board members bring attention to issues that might not be on legislators’ radar, and their informed perspectives directly influence lawmakers’ decisions.”