School Board Members Share Views At 'Day On The Hill'

NASHVILLE — More than 450 school board members, superintendents, legislators and special guests from across the state gathered in Nashville on Feb. 21 for a day of legislative networking at TSBA’s annual “Day on the Hill” event.

This year, featured program speakers included Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, House Speaker Beth Harwell, Senate Education Committee Chair Dolores Gresham, House Education Committee Chair Richard Montgomery, and Commissioner Kevin Huffman with the State Department of Education.

“Day on the Hill” is designed for school board members and superintendents to study pending legislation regarding education and discuss priorities with local legislators. The event began with a breakfast at the Downtown Sheraton Hotel and was followed by visits to legislators’ offices and committee hearings.

Attending from Cannon County were Director of Schools Barbara Parker and School Board member Shannon Davenport.

“Day on the Hill is an important opportunity for school board members to interact with their elected officials, share with them the needs of our students that we represent as School Board members, and work with them to accomplish important education goals,” said TSBA President and Jackson-Madison County School Board member Bob Alvey.

“Strong public schools mean a strong Tennessee. We want to partner and work with our elected officials to make Tennessee schools strong to allow our state to compete successfully in the global economy of today.”

Local school board members and legislatures partook in an interactive legislative discussion session with Senator Dolores Gresham and Representative Richard Montgomery. Following the discussion Lee Harrell, TSBA Director of Government and Labor Relations outlined present legislative issues and TSBA’s position. Succeeding the event, school board members had the opportunity to meet and discuss current issues with their legislatures.

“Tennessee is at the forefront of this nation with its efforts in education reform,” says Lee Harrell, TSBA’s Director of Government and Labor Relations. “While the movement is not stopping, boards, administrators and educators need the time and flexibility to implement these important changes to better serve our students.”

To view TSBA’s complete 2012 Legislative Agenda and 2012 Position Statements, visit the Capitol Watch section of the Association’s website, www.tsba.net.