During the last trip to Washington DC, representing the state as part of a delegation with CSBA, Isabel met and advocated for local schools and public education.
During the 2024 ACSA-CSBA Coast2Coast Federal Advocacy Trip to Washington, D.C. around 260 trustees and administrators traveled 2,800 miles to advocate in the halls of Congress on behalf of California students. 

Trustees and superintendents, together with Isabel, met with Senators Laphonza Butler and Alex Padilla, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Representatives Zoe Lofgren, Pete Aguilar, Ro Khanna, Anna Eshoo, and many more as they explained the needs and challenges schools face related to increasing special education funding; teacher recruitment, retention and retirement efforts; reauthorizing the Secure Rural Schools Act; maintaining and expanding broadband access; and protecting student data and establishing cybersecurity resources.

The California School Boards Association (CSBA) and the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) partnered for the Coast2Coast Federal Advocacy Trip to Washington, D.C. This significant event aims to highlight and address the critical issues impacting nearly 6 million K-12 students across California. The event provides a unique opportunity for members of California’s governance teams, interested in advocacy,  including district and county board members as well as superintendents, to participate in a concentrated three-day initiative. The trip to the nation’s capital was designed to foster dialogue and collaboration with federal policymakers, ensuring that the educational needs and challenges of California’s diverse student population are effectively communicated and prioritized.

This trip provided a unique opportunity to engage with legislators we typically see in our local regions, while also observing them in their own environment as they advocate for public education issues. Attending this event represented an excellent progression in the advocacy efforts we do, offering a valuable perspective on the dynamics of legislative action. It broadens our understanding of effective advocacy and elevates our efforts to the national stage. This experience is instrumental in enhancing our ability to influence policy and champion the needs of our educational community.

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