Pub. 6 2016-2017 Issue 2

19 discuss relevant and pressing legislation related to educa- tion. Participants met early in the day with Royce Van Tassell and Cate Klundt to discuss current legislation and potential topics with legislators. Royce’s many years on the Hill and Cate’s experience as a legislative staff member provided UAPCS participants close access to high-profile lawmakers. The group attended meetings held in the pri- vate chambers or conference rooms of influential legislators such as Senator Ann Millner, Speaker Greg Hughes, and the Senate and House Chairs of the Public Education Appro- priations Committee, Senator Hillyard and Representative McCay respectively. What was remarkable about this legislative session was how effectively the UAPCS, the USBE, USSA, UCN, URSA, UEA, and other organizations and independent education lobby- ists united in their support of educational issues. Besides targeted lobbying sessions, individuals from these groups waited patiently to talk with specific representatives and senators to provide persuasive data and reasoning in sup- port of pro-education legislation. For instance, participants in UAPCS’s “Days on the Hill” informed legislators about how monies from SB38 had been spent in their LEAs and described how a generous increase in the WPU would be spent were it to be allocated. These same UAPCS charter school proponents gave recommendations for school grad- ing, informed by practical experiences in schools, suggested considerations about SCSB governance, and asserted com- monality between charters and districts in support of public school children. The dialogue that ensued had legislators openly placing the burden on educators to come back next year with uncon- ventional and innovative ideas for better education poli- cies—an attitude that not only recognizes educators’ expertise but also acknowledges their responsibility to help fix current problems. This same dialogue produced a higher-than-expected WPU, on-going line items in the budget for rural educational services consortia, extensions of funding for successful educational initiatives, and a heightened awareness of both the existing state mandates on public schools and the inherent challenges faced by teachers. I encourage charter school teachers, directors, principals, and members of local boards—anyone who has the inter- est and desire—to join the UAPCS’s efforts during the next legislative session. No experience is necessary. The UAPCS staff makes sure that you are prepared to sit down with lawmakers and speak with confidence. Most importantly, your love of the kids and dedication to serving them come out in sincere and simple conversations about what you do, what you need, and what you know. Come and be sur- prised and reassured next year.