School Business Insider: "Making a Difference in Washington: Reflections from ASBO’s Advocacy Leaders"

Podcast: School Business Insider
Host: John Brucato
Guests: Brandy Smith (Montoursville Area SD, PA), Eric Rauch (Columbus City Schools, OH), Chris Smith (Katy ISD, TX), Brian Cheknicki (ASBO NY)
Date: August 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the importance and impact of federal advocacy for school business officials. Host John Brucato convenes members of ASBO International’s Legislative Advocacy Committee (LAC) to reflect on the 2025 Legislative Advocacy Conference, their recent advocacy efforts in Washington, and the real wins achieved—most notably, the expedited release of Title funding and the blocking of significant budget cuts in the U.S. Senate. The conversation covers the nuances of “Hill Day,” how to build relationships with lawmakers, tips for effective advocacy, and why engaging at the federal level is critical—now more than ever.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introductions and Advocacy Backgrounds

(02:17–06:34)

• Each guest introduced themselves, sharing their unique paths to advocacy leadership, many joining through peer encouragement or chance encounters (e.g., Brandy Smith was recruited in an airport by Elica Yost).
• Common theme: All had a history of advocating locally or at the state level before pivoting to the federal stage.

2. Reflections from the 2025 Legislative Advocacy Conference & Hill Day

(06:34–12:19)

• Timeliness: The conference coincided with news of major proposed federal Title funding cuts, empowering LAC members to share immediate, real-world consequences with lawmakers.
  • Chris Smith: “We were able to kind of strike while the iron was hot... we were listened to because of that.” (06:49)
• Unity & Professional Development: Attendees cited camaraderie and knowledge gains, noting that in-person advocacy fostered strong networks and collective messaging.
  • Eric Rauch: “Having everybody together in one place... was amazing because we were able to build off of each other's stories.” (07:50)
• Hill Day Experiences: First-timers described initial intimidation, but peer guidance and tailoring advocacy to each legislator’s interests made the process accessible and impactful.
  • Brandy Smith: “I learned really quick you have to tailor to each senator to get their attention.” (10:11)
  • Brian Cheknicki shared a memorable Capitol story: “The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, walked about 10ft past me...” (11:15)

3. Advocacy at Federal vs. State Level

(12:23–15:57)

• The core strategies—storytelling, emphasizing local impact, relationship-building—are similar at all levels.
  • Brian Cheknicki: “Whether it’s a local member that you know well or a senator you've never met, it's the same power dynamics at play...” (13:25)
  • Eric Rauch: “It's three keys: Relationships, relationships, relationships.” (14:56)
  • Chris Smith: “You know you've done a good job when they call you as the expert that you’ve established yourself to be...” (15:57)

4. Explaining the Role of School Business Officials to Lawmakers

(17:27–18:52)

• Chris Smith: Expressed the SBO’s unique perspective as “the boots on the ground” and stressed the need to communicate without jargon, using relatable terms and focusing on tangible consequences.
• Brandy Smith: Highlighted the value of walking legislators through how school budgets work and the direct impacts of funding changes.

5. Building Rapport and Making the Pitch within Tight Timeframes

(20:38–21:33)

• Meeting durations vary: from brief five-minute exchanges to longer, informal interactions—like being guided through the Capitol by a staffer, turning logistical moments into valuable advocacy time.

6. Real-World Policy Wins & Impacts

(21:33–25:43)

• The committee’s advocacy contributed directly to the quick release of delayed Title funds and the rejection of proposed cuts in the Senate’s FY26 budget, with new safeguards on timely fund disbursement.
  • Chris Smith: “When I said jobs in my district are going to be lost... that piqued their interest significantly.” (23:10)
• Coordinated messaging and coalitions across organizations proved persuasive.

7. Interconnection of State, Federal, and Local Policy

(23:51–27:04)

• Policy shifts in Washington ripple down via state budgets, particularly as Medicaid changes may trigger funding squeezes in education.
  • Brian Cheknicki: “Many of the decisions being made in D.C. are going to have a direct impact in your state capital and an immediate impact from your state capital to your local school district.” (23:51)
  • Eric Rauch: “For instance, in Ohio, we just made a shift within our school funding formula... if people start moving off of Medicaid, that's going to... skew what some of those economically disadvantaged numbers look like...” (26:15)

8. Advocacy Tactics: Using Data and Personal Stories

(27:29–32:44)

• Federal decisions affect all districts; clear, proportional examples make the case real and relatable.
• Beyond Title funds, members highlighted issues like chronic underfunding of IDEA and the critical need for consistent, predictable funding.
  • Brandy Smith: “My big focus was the need for consistent funding—the ups and downs don’t work...” (28:47)
  • Eric Rauch: “I really honed in on adult education... and some of the career tech we're running out of our Title 4 program.” (29:37)
• Advocacy is more effective when aligned with stories of impact, job losses, and program cuts.

9. Encouraging Others to Get Involved

(32:57–35:02)

• Chris Smith: Pointed to the ASBO International advocacy page and peer support for new advocates.
• Brandy Smith: Recommended developing an elevator pitch and practicing with colleagues.
• Brian Cheknicki: “The more you can just become familiar with what's happening, the more you're going to be comfortable in doing those things.” (33:29)

10. Why Advocacy Matters Now More Than Ever

(35:02–36:05)

• National and state climates have made public education advocacy “the most important time in my career... to advocate for children.” (Chris Smith, 35:22)
• Attacks on public education mean SBOs must unify and amplify their voices to protect students and programs.

11. Defining Successful Advocacy & Final Reflections

(36:30–41:05)

• Brian Cheknicki: Success is about both “the small wins” and being regarded as a trusted expert, even by policymakers with differing views. (36:30)
• Brandy Smith: It's about open lines of communication and respect, even in disagreement.
• Chris Smith: Advocated for patience—progress comes from persistence and “base hits,” not just “home runs.”
• Eric Rauch: Stressed the value of teamwork and nationwide networks: “I think it's really building that team and that network to go out and fan out and do what we need to do next.” (40:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We were able to kind of strike while the iron was hot.”
  — Chris Smith, 06:49

• “Having everybody together... was amazing because we could build off of each other’s stories.”
  — Eric Rauch, 07:50

• “I learned really quick you have to tailor to each senator to get their attention.”
  — Brandy Smith, 10:11

• “The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, walked about 10ft past me...”
  — Brian Cheknicki, 11:15

• “Relationships, relationships, relationships.”
  — Eric Rauch, 14:56

• “Take the small wins... something happened or didn’t happen because of you.”
  — Brian Cheknicki, 36:30

• “Develop your elevator speech and then go out and use it... Don’t go alone, go in groups.”
  — Brandy Smith, 34:13

• “It’s the most important time... to advocate for children... We need to all join forces.”
  — Chris Smith, 35:22

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introductions & Advocacy Backgrounds: 02:17–06:34
• Conference Reflections & Hill Day Experiences: 06:34–12:19
• Federal vs. State Advocacy: 12:23–15:57
• Explaining SBO Roles to Lawmakers: 17:27–18:52
• Building Rapport/Managing Brief Meetings: 20:38–21:33
• Policy Wins & Impacts: 21:33–25:43
• Federal/State Policy Interconnections: 23:51–27:04
• Effective Advocacy Narratives: 27:29–32:44
• Getting Involved in Advocacy: 32:57–35:02
• Current Advocacy Climate: 35:02–36:05
• Defining Advocacy Success: 36:30–41:05

Closing Thoughts

The episode affirms that advocacy—when grounded in real stories, data, and relationships—can bring tangible results. The panel’s advice: persist, collaborate, and leverage support structures like ASBO International. As threats to education funding grow, SBOs’ unified voices are more necessary than ever in the halls of Washington.

For more advocacy tools and connections, visit: ASBO International Advocacy Center

This summary captures the episode’s key themes, offering a natural flow and actionable insights for anyone in school business, whether or not they tuned in.