Legislative Platform


Our Views on Public Policy and Education

Representing the professionals who operate the “business” side of school management, MASBO's priority is to focus on the resources necessary to educate students. Positions on issues related to curriculum and student needs depend heavily on the State's system of funding. We must advocate for the appropriate resources needed to achieve the standards and criteria set forth for all students.

MASBO provides the necessary tools and acts as a resource for guiding members through the legislative process and encouraging legislative involvement. Developed from the grassroots up, our legislative platform reflects the needs of school districts across the state, with the best interest of the student in mind. It is used as a guide as we take positions on legislation and advocate for change. School business officials can rely on the organization to help them become advocates at the local level.

 

 

MASBO Legislation Protocol

Approved June, 2012

Mission

MASBO will seek opportunities to file legislation on its behalf, and appropriately support legislation filed by others, which materially affect our vision for the betterment of education in the Commonwealth.

In pursuit of this mission, MASBO will cultivate relationships with key legislators and organizations who share our vision (in particular, MASS), thereby leveraging our efforts, which must be done in a time-sensitive, results-oriented and cost-effective manner.

Protocol

I.    Filing New Legislation:
  • The MASBO Board of Directors shall approve an annual legislative agenda, which may consist of attempts to file specific pieces of legislation.  The agenda will be approved at the annual Planning Conference, based on a report by the Legislative Liaison and Executive Director.
  • Because of the slow pace for approval of any legislation, it is desirable to place the primary focus of the annual legislative agenda on bills that have been filed in previous sessions.
  • Initiatives for the filing of new legislation should be forwarded to the Legislative Liaison, who will seek input from MASBO’s Lobbyist; thereafter these initiatives should be discussed, and approved by, the Board of Directors, before further action.

II.    Support For Filed Legislation:

  • From time to time, the MASBO Board of Directors may wish to formally support legislation filed by others, based on reports by the Legislative Liaison and Executive Director.

  • MASBO will periodically meet with MASS and attempt to leverage our efforts by determining legislation worthy of mutual support, thereby increasing MASBO’s visibility in this area.

  • MASBO members are encouraged to suggest pieces of legislation for which we should offer support; members making such suggestions may be encouraged to assist in the monitoring process, if applicable.  The Legislative Liaison, in conjunction with the Executive Director and Lobbyist, will identify timely opportunities to issue a Legislation Alert to members, including suggested draft language for communications of support and targeted legislators (e.g., senate, house, etc.).

Reports

A status report by the Legislative Liaison will be a standing item at the MASBO Annual Meeting, as well as the Annual Law Institute and all meetings of the Board of Directors.

 

 

Legislative Advocacy Announcements

Talking Points In Support of Creditable Service Legislation

Proposed Talking Points (Senate Bill 1237)

Note – this proposed legislation would allow school business administrators with ten or more years or service to buy back up to three years of related service outside of public education.  With an increasing number of MASBO members entering the profession from private industry, etc., the opportunity presented by this bill would be beneficial, as follows:

  1. Financial Leadership – attract talented finance professionals from private industry to a complex, highly important position of financial leadership.
  2. Incentive – encourage career professional development via 10-year service requirement to take advantage of buyback.
  3. Revenue-neutral – 17% member payment (per year of buyback) at current salary rate actuarially vetted by PERAC & MTRS; no cost to state or local governments.
  4. Practical – Members who opt for buyback can use existing retirement funds (e.g., 401(k), IRA, etc.) or establish a payment schedule with MTRS.
  5. Win/Win – immediate increase to state pension fund assets.
  6. Benchmark – establish a “new precedent” for future pension buybacks, unlike some previous buyback legislation which were windfalls to favored organizations.
  7. Good Policy – consistent with Governor Patrick’s pension reform agenda.
  8. Responsible – buyback limited to max of three years and cannot be used if member has already purchased time for similar service.

MASBO’s lobbyist, Coley Walsh, suggested expressing the necessity, in any budget process (similar to legislative Ways & Means) of having competent, experienced professionals of integrity to insure that public school funds are used appropriately.