Board votes to drop ISBA membership for coming year after debate

Trustees debated whether to renew membership in state professional organizations (ISBA/ISPA/IASA/ISSA), with several board members and staff saying the organizations had not delivered expected legal or lobbying support in recent years. S2 and others described missed support during prior legislative testimony and questioned the value for the district's dues.

“There was the strategic planning bill that went through this year…it required board training that only the ISBA could provide,” S2 said, raising concerns that some services were mandatory and not easily replicated. Board members weighed keeping limited/rural membership versus leaving membership and engaging a regional lobbyist or outside policy services. Following discussion a motion was made and seconded to drop ISBA membership for the coming year; the motion moved forward and the board recorded the action.