School Business Insider: Episode Summary

Title: School Districts and State Initiatives: Wins, Challenges, and Advocacy
Host: John Brucato
Guest: Caroline Bobick, Deputy Director of Governmental and External Relations at NISBA
Release Date: January 28, 2025

1. Introduction

In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato engages in a comprehensive discussion with Caroline Bobick from the New York State School Boards Association (NISBA). The focus centers on New York Governor Kathy Hochul's newly released 2025 executive budget, exploring its implications for school districts, highlighting both successes and obstacles, and emphasizing the critical role of advocacy in shaping educational policies.

2. Guest Background: Caroline Bobick and NISBA

Caroline Bobick serves as the Deputy Director of Governmental and External Relations at NISBA, bringing over seven years of experience in monitoring legislative proposals, drafting supportive legislation, and leading advocacy initiatives. Her journey includes international teaching experiences in Honduras and Turkey, a master's degree in international affairs, and a pivotal role in New York state government, particularly in education policy.

[01:34] Caroline Bobick: “I present to our members on those proposals, and I share with policymakers our association's reactions to those proposals.”

3. Understanding the New York State Budget Process

Bobick provides an overview of New York's unique budget development process, typically initiated in mid-January by the Governor. The process involves the release of the executive budget, stakeholder reactions, legislative hearings, and intense negotiations between the Senate, Assembly, and Governor’s office to finalize the budget by April 1st.

[05:40] Caroline Bobick: “The governor always decides what traditional means as far as an on time budget. ... It’s a mad dash at the end of March.”

Bobick highlights the stress this process places on school business officials, who must align district budgets with unpredictable state funding decisions.

4. Key Wins in the 2025 Budget

a. Universal Free School Meals

One of the standout achievements in the 2025 budget is the introduction of universal free school meals, regardless of a student's socioeconomic status or zip code. This initiative builds on previous advocacy efforts, ensuring that all students can access nutritious meals without financial barriers.

[20:40] Caroline Bobick: “…the governor has now put forward language that would fully reimburse all schools for breakfast and lunch…”

Bobick recounts the history of school meal funding, the impact of COVID-19 waivers, and the sustained advocacy that led to this substantial policy shift.

b. Preservation of Safe Harmless

Contrary to expectations from the previous year, the Safe Harmless provision, which guarantees that school districts do not receive less operating aid than the previous year, has been preserved. This decision alleviates fears of significant funding cuts for many districts.

[14:28] John Brucato: “…the preservation of Safe Harmless was a pleasant surprise.”

[15:00] Caroline Bobick: “They wanted to fully fund foundation aid and that meant that districts would get what they got according to that formula…”

c. Reducing Screen Time: Distraction Free Schools Initiative

The budget introduces the Distraction Free Schools initiative, aiming to minimize the use of internet-enabled devices during school hours. Schools are mandated to adopt policies by August 1, 2025, with specific exceptions and an allocated $13.5 million to support implementation.

[33:33] Caroline Bobick: “…the governor has now put forward language that would fully reimburse all schools for breakfast and lunch at no cost to students.”

[36:58] John Brucato: “…students have to put their phones in their lockers or other storage during the school day.”

d. Foundation Aid Increases

The budget ensures a guaranteed 2% increase in foundation aid, a significant improvement from previous years where only minimal increases were standard. This change provides more predictable and sustained funding for school districts.

[41:37] John Brucato: “And a guaranteed 2% increase for even those that are on Safe Harmless, which was even more of a surprise.”

[41:43] Caroline Bobick: “Starting off negotiations with a minimum 2% increase is quite nice.”

5. Challenges and Concerns

a. Transition to Zero Emission Buses

A major concern not directly addressed in the budget is the mandatory transition to zero emission buses. New York requires all new school buses to be zero emission by 2027 and to eliminate combustible engine buses by 2035. However, 15% of districts lack the electrical capacity to support even a single zero emission bus, making compliance logistically and financially challenging.

[43:42] Caroline Bobick: “15% of districts do not have the electrical capacity to support a single zero emission bus.”

[44:21] John Brucato: “…expect all districts to be complete by the mid-30s is just, I think, a bridge too far.”

Bobick emphasizes the need for district-specific fleet implementation plans and state support to manage this transition effectively.

6. The Role of Advocacy in Shaping the Budget

Bobick underscores the pivotal role of collective advocacy in achieving budgetary successes. From universal school meals to increased foundation aid, sustained and unified efforts by various education stakeholders have been instrumental.

a. Effective Strategies

• Unified Voice: Collaboration among diverse groups such as PTA, teachers' unions, superintendents, and principals to present a cohesive advocacy front.

• Grassroots Campaigns: Mobilizing members to send letters, emails, and participate in lobby days to demonstrate widespread support.

• Lobby Days: Engaging directly with policymakers through organized events, both virtually and in-person, to influence legislative outcomes.

[28:22] Caroline Bobick: “…just stay tuned, lock into your statewide association, your inter, your national association, and see what kind of take action opportunities they have.”

b. Persistence and Patience

Bobick highlights the importance of persistent advocacy, even when progress seems slow. She shares success stories from both large-scale initiatives and smaller, district-specific legislative changes, illustrating that no advocacy effort is too small.

[50:03] Caroline Bobick: “You might think something like, oh, this is really a pain in my tuchus … but you can make a difference and reach out to your statewide association.”

7. Conclusion

The 2025 executive budget marks a significant stride for New York's educational landscape, blending notable victories with ongoing challenges. Universal free school meals and preserved foundation aid provide immediate benefits, while initiatives like reducing screen time aim to foster a more focused learning environment. However, the transition to zero emission buses remains a pressing issue requiring further advocacy and support.

Caroline Bobick’s insights reinforce the critical nature of sustained and unified advocacy in shaping policies that directly impact schools and students. As the budget process continues, stakeholders are encouraged to remain engaged, leveraging effective strategies to ensure continued progress and address emerging challenges.

[55:39] John Brucato: “…advocacy is so important and why you shouldn't give up. So thank you again and best of luck this budget season.”

Notable Quotes:

• Caroline Bobick [14:28]: “The enacted budget included a direction for this institute called the Rockefeller Institute of Government to conduct a study, hold hearings…”

• John Brucato [27:08]: “…Save Harmless, at least for another year, is still being preserved to that point.”

• Caroline Bobick [28:19]: “Such a great advocacy win, and it's a great advocacy story.”

• Caroline Bobick [43:42]: “15% of districts do not have the electrical capacity to support a single zero emission bus.”

This episode serves as a beacon for educational advocates, demonstrating the tangible impacts of dedicated efforts and the ongoing need for vigilance in budget advocacy to support and enhance the educational infrastructure.