Why It Matters
School funding often lies beyond the direct control of city governments, but mayors often have the political capital and access to advocate for greater state or federal education resources. As visible, trusted figures, they can elevate community concerns and fight for comprehensive investments in public education.
How Mayors Contribute
Mayors can use their platform to lobby state legislators, testify on education bills, join education coalitions, and convene school leaders to build shared advocacy agendas. Their public support can draw media attention and community backing for urgent school needs.
How to Get Started
- Work with school district leaders to draft a summary of current education funding challenges affecting the city’s schools.
- Consider implementing voter-approved children’s funds to support OST or early childhood programs.
- Identify education bills or policy proposals at the state level relevant to the district.
- Develop talking points and briefing materials to prepare for advocacy opportunities.
- Coordinate with school district leaders to establish a joint advocacy calendar or messaging campaign.
Tips for Ongoing Success
- Stay Informed: Assign a staff liaison to track state and federal policy developments that impact education. Meet regularly with any lobbyists employed by the school district.
- Build Coalitions: Join or create a mayoral or regional coalition focused on education policy to amplify the city’s voice.
- Leverage Storytelling: Pair data with personal stories when advocating – this resonates with policymakers and the public. Train and involve youth leaders in advocacy opportunities so youth can tell their own stories.
- Follow Through: After public advocacy moments (e.g., testimony or letters), share updates with constituents to reinforce trust.
City Example
Glenn Heights, TX | Population 16,000
Faced with statewide underfunding for education, Mayor Brown acts as a chief advocate for local schools, leveraging her influence to elevate district voices and push for increased state support.
In Glenn Heights, Mayor Sonja Brown has made education a top priority, recognizing that strong partnerships with superintendents, school districts, and education leaders are essential to improving student outcomes.
Similar to challenges being experienced across the state, one of the most pressing challenges facing school districts in Glenn Heights is the chronic underfunding of public education coupled with unfunded mandates. This funding gap has created a ripple effect across the system, contributing to teacher shortages, limited student resources, school closures, larger class sizes, and lower performance on standardized tests. These challenges are deeply interconnected and have significant impacts on student success.
To address these systemic issues, Mayor Brown has consistently advocated for increased funding for public schools at both the local and state levels. She uses her platform as an elected official to engage with state leaders, including state legislators and the Governor, to emphasize the urgency of adequately funding Texas’ public schools.
In addition to her advocacy efforts, Mayor Brown has launched a comprehensive plan aimed at advancing high-quality education from cradle to career. The initiative encompasses a range of programs, including a “Baby College” for early childhood development, robust educational support from Pre-K through college, engaging high-quality summer learning opportunities, and expanded resources for adult learners. Mayor Brown believes that the role of a city leader goes beyond attending school functions and photo opportunities.
Through her leadership, Mayor Brown demonstrates how mayors can play a critical role in strengthening education by amplifying local concerns at the state level and fostering meaningful, trust-based relationships with those leading K-12 systems.
“Strong relationships fuel progress and are built on a foundation of trust and transparency. My job is to reach out to superintendents, school leaders, and the community to understand their needs and ensure their voices are heard. Not everyone has access to our county, state, and federal representatives. Mayors do have access. One way we can use our platform is to get messages up the chain.” — , Mayor Sonja Brown