Proposals for PSBA’s 2024 Legislative Platform now being accepted

Boards should begin by reviewing the current PSBA 2023 Legislative Platform (or see the pdf version).  Boards may voice support for the continuation of specific current platform statements, create new proposals, amend existing platform language, or suggest the deletion of a current statement.

All proposals and rationale for the proposal must be approved by the board and verified by the board secretary. In other words, an individual board member may not submit an item on his or her own behalf. Items should be drafted as per the guidelines and submitted electronically to PSBA. See PSBA Guidelines for Submitting Platform Proposals.

Submit your proposals and accompanying rationale using the online submission form and the proposal will automatically be submitted to PSBA.

Submit Your Proposal

Deadline to submit proposals: Friday, June 30

School boards submit their proposals to PSBA, where they are presented to the PSBA Platform Committee for consideration. The Platform Committee is a standing committee of the association that deliberates and makes an initial determination on all items submitted for the coming year’s platform. The committee is comprised of the association’s officers, and two representatives from each of the association's 12 state sections.

Following the meeting, the proposed 2024 Legislative Platform will be provided to all voting delegates participating in the Delegate Assembly meeting.

Platform Committee meeting: This year the committee will meet on Saturday, August 26.

Voting delegates from PSBA-member entities will take final action on the proposed platform recommended by the Platform Committee. Under the PSBA Bylaws, all proposals voted on by the Delegate Assembly must have first been considered by the Platform Committee. The Delegate Assembly will vote only on the proposed changes that have been recommended by the Platform Committee. No new items or substantive amendments can be introduced at the Delegate Assembly meeting. Current platform items where no changes are proposed will be deemed automatically renewed for the coming year’s platform.

Delegate Assembly meeting date: Saturday, November 4.  Details on the Delegate Assembly meeting and appointment of voting delegates are being announced separately.

School boards should focus on the section of the PSBA Platform containing the Core Legislative Principles and Supporting Concepts. The four Core Legislative Principles provide the broad policy framework for the platform, and the Supporting Concepts provide more detail on PSBA’s position on specific legislative issues that are related to each of the Core Legislative Principles.

What should my board know about submitting an item?

• Review the current platform to see if the topic of your proposal already is included. Boards should begin by reviewing the current PSBA 2023 Legislative Platform (or see the pdf version). Boards may voice support for the continuation of current platform statements, create new proposals, amend existing platform language or suggest the deletion of a current statement.
• New proposals and amendments should be written in the same style as the current 2023 platform. If your proposal is a revision to an existing platform item, please indicate the section and number of the statement that is being amended. If your item is a new proposal, please indicate the category PSBA’s Government Affairs staff is available to help you with any questions you may have.
• Include a brief statement of rationale (about 50 words) that explains why your board believes the item should be included in the platform. What specific problems has your district encountered, and how would your proposal resolve this issue? The rationale will be presented to the Platform Committee as it considers your board’s proposal.

How does my board submit an item?

• All proposals must be approved by the board and verified by the board secretary. In other words, an individual board member may not submit an item on his or her own behalf.
• Submit your proposals and accompanying rationale using the online submission form and the proposal will automatically be submitted to PSBA.

What happens after our proposal is submitted?

• PSBA will notify you when your proposal is received and will include it in the materials prepared for the Platform Committee meeting. The staff may need to make editorial revisions to any item received so that the proposals are consistent with the format of the platform. Should any such changes be necessary, we will inform you and request approval before formal consideration of the item takes place.
• All proposals will be reviewed by the PSBA Platform Committee at its meeting to be held on Saturday, August 26 and receive final consideration by the PSBA Delegate Assembly on Saturday, November 4. Details on the Delegate Assembly meeting will be announced separately.
• A representative of your board may address the Platform Committee to speak in support of the proposal during the public comment portion of the meeting. If you wish to exercise this option, you must contact the Government Affairs staff at least two weeks prior to the meeting so that arrangements can be made for participation.
• Following the meeting, PSBA will notify you of the Platform Committee’s action and whether your proposal was accepted, amended by the panel, or not recommended for inclusion in the platform. Any board whose item is not recommended for inclusion may bring the proposal up for reconsideration by the Delegate Assembly.