Dr. Rod Thompson – Superintendent of the St. Anthony-New Brighton School District Advocates for Students, Schools at American Association of School Administrators’ 2009 Legislative Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C.
St. Anthony, Minnesota – Dr. Rod Thompson, Superintendent, will advocate on behalf of the children of the St. Anthony-New Brighton School District at the American Association of School Administrators’ 2009 Legislative Advocacy Conference, April 22-24, in Washington, D.C. At the three-day event, Dr. Thompson and school system leaders from around the country will meet with legislators on Capitol Hill to call for a new agenda for public education. This important trip was sponsored and paid for by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA).
At the conference, Dr. Thompson and AASA members from around the nation will get the latest news from the U.S. Education Department, congressional staff and other education and policy experts about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provides some $100 billion for public education. Dr. Thompson will learn how the stimulus funds will help stabilize the economy and improve schools, as well as guidance on maximizing federal funding at the local level.
Dr. Thompson will also join other school system leaders in advocating for a new framework for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the law currently known as No Child Left Behind, and call for revitalizing the federal role in education to benefit all children, especially low-income and minority children, as outlined in AASA’s 2009 Legislative Agenda.
While in D.C., Dr. Thompson will also meet with state legislators from Minnesota.
“AASA members like Dr. Thompson played a vital role in advocating for education funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” said Bruce Hunter, AASA associate executive director for public policy. “Now, school leaders are gathering on Capitol Hill to maximize the impact of the stimulus funds on students nationwide and to make their voices heard as Congress works on rewriting the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.”
More information about the 2009 Legislative Advocacy Conference is available at www.aasa.org/conferences.
About AASA
AASA, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders across the United States. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children. AASA’s major focus is standing up for public education. For more information, please visit www.aasa.org.