The Board will work for the passage of new laws designed to advance the cause of improving education and for the repeal or modification of existing laws and the defeat of proposed laws that impede this cause.  To accomplish this:  

1. The Board shall stay informed of pending legislation and actively communicate its concerns and make its position known to the elected representatives at both the state and national level;
2. The Board shall work with other school boards in the state, local citizen groups, and other local officials to acquaint them with the board's legislative priorities and seek their support;
3. The Chair shall appoint a Legislative Representative when other committee appointments are made. An appointee shall not assume the Representative position until the Board approves the appointment; 
4. The Board shall work with the Director of Schools and the Legislative Representative, TSBA, and other concerned groups in developing an annual legislative program; and
5. The Board shall include in its budget appropriate resources, including travel expenses, necessary for its Legislative Representative and other Board members to accomplish its desired legislative goals. 

DUTIES OF THE LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE

• Ensuring that advocacy is a year-round effort for the Board;
• Being the point person between the Board and TSBA regarding legislative affairs; 
• Providing updates to the Board during the legislative session; • Overseeing the drafting of resolutions to submit to TSBA;
• Attending TSBA meetings (eg: Fall District meetings, Legislative and Legal Institute, Summer Law Institute, etc.);
• Attending TSBA meetings with other boards’ Legislative Representatives; 
• Communicating with legislators; and
• Encouraging Board participation in the Delegate Assembly to help shape TSBA’s message. 

Note:  

1. 2022 TSBA Webinar “Overview of the Role of Legislative Representative.” 

Approved as to Legal Form 
By Knox County Law Director 11/11/2024 
/Gary T. Dupler/Deputy Law Director