Tennessee School Boards Association

As a school board member, you are often asked to advocate for children to your local and state elected officials. After all, they can have a significant effect on your school system and the results of their actions are often easily visible. But what about our elected officials in Washington? Can you as a school board member in Tennessee really make a difference at the federal level? The answer is absolutely yes.

Members of Congress listen to their constituents back home, particularly those who have knowledge in the area they are advocating. You are truly on the front lines of education and can explain the real-life impact of federal policy decisions. This information is invaluable to members of Congress and it is persuasive.

The Tennessee School Boards Association's Federal Relations Network (FRN) promotes communication with the Tennessee congressional delegation to explain the impact of federal education policy on local school districts. The network is composed of local school board members in each congressional district who stay informed on congressional activity through communication with the National School Boards Association (NSBA) as well as the TSBA government relations staff.

FRN District Coordinators

FRN District Coordinators have the following responsibilities:

Act as a liaison for FRN members;
Meet with Tennessee's congressional delegation during the annual NSBA FRN Conference to advocate for public education and communicate the views of Tennessee's school boards;
Encourage FRN members to communicate with their congressional representatives and provide information related to federal legislation to each school board in the district;
Maintain communication with the TSBA government relations staff.

FRN District Coordinator nominees shall be recommended by local boards of education and elected at the TSBA Fall District Meetings by the board members in attendance from the district. Local boards must submit nominations for the position of FRN District Coordinator to the TSBA office 45 days prior to the start of TSBA's Fall District Meetings in September.

Please keep in mind that one of the primary duties of the FRN District Coordinator will be to attend the FRN Conference in Washington, D.C. It will be the responsibility of the board or the individual to pay for the expenses associated with the conference. We are confident that your board will find having representation at the conference and establishing relationships with Tennessee's senators and representatives well worth the expense. Please contact Stephen Smith at ext. 3903 for more information.