Government Relations
MSBA advocates on behalf of Minnesota’s 331 locally elected public school boards. We work to ensure that the voices of school boards and the communities they represent are heard at the Capitol by engaging board members in grassroots advocacy, providing trusted policy analysis and research, and serving as a bridge between local districts and state lawmakers. Through this collaborative approach, MSBA helps shape education policy that reflects local needs, supports students, and strengthens Minnesota’s public schools.
MSBA Advocacy
MSBA’s year-round advocacy program leverages a comprehensive grassroots network to champion legislative positions that are democratically approved by delegates from member boards at the annual Delegate Assembly. We prioritize effective communication to keep members informed and engaged.
Find important information regarding the legislative session and your advocacy efforts right here!
Tracking Education Legislative Activities
ADVOCACY CALENDAR: Click here to access the 2026 Advocacy Calendar, which includes important dates and opportunities to navigate your influence.
Platform in Action Meetings
September 15 and September 17, 2026
These virtual meetings focus on developing our Legislative Platform. Visit the Platform in Action webpage for details.
2026 Delegate Assembly
December 4-5, 2026, in Minneapolis
MSBA’s Legislative Positions are adopted through the Delegate Assembly. School board members from throughout the state are elected for a two-year term by their peers to serve as Delegates. Visit the Delegate Assembly webpage for more information.
The Friday Chat Room
9 a.m. on Fridays during the legislative session
The virtual Friday Chat Room offers MSBA members the opportunity to have an informal discussion with MSBA’s Government Relations team (Denise Dittrich and Kim Lewis) from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. each Friday during the legislative session. Visit the Friday Chat Room webpage for schedule.
2027 Day at the Capitol
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, March 8, 2027, at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul
Watch for updates in early 2027!
Public education is one of the fundamental pillars of a thriving community and state. Every day, our schools open their doors to a diverse body of students with unique dreams, goals and aspirations.
In these classrooms, students develop essential skills in — reading, math, writing, critical thinking and civic engagement — tools that prepare them for success in an increasingly complex world whether their path leads to college, careers or community service.
Public education is an important investment in our students and in the future of our state. It is our school districts’ duty to prepare students for a multicultural world and workplace.
Click here to access the MSBA Legislative Platform for 2026.
As a benefit of MSBA’s membership with COSSBA, MSBA members can access the federal COSSBA Education Report and the COSSBA Court Report.
MSBA became a charter member of the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) in 2021. COSSBA is a nonpartisan, national alliance dedicated to sharing resources to support, promote and strengthen state school boards associations as they serve their local school districts and board members. COSSBA works to advance federal congressional priorities on behalf of 25 state school board association members. Visit the COSSBA website for more information.
COSSBA Federal Education Report
COSSBA Education Report – September 9, 2026 | FCC proposes changes to the E-Rate program | USDA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announce dual initiatives to overhaul school nutrition | U.S. Department of Education reminds schools of obligation to comply with parental rights laws
COSSBA Education Report – August 10, 2026 | USDA child nutrition proposed rule advances to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs | Senate fails to move farm bill over SNAP benefits | Senate Commerce Committee advances children’s online safety legislation
Access previous editions of the COSSBA Federal Education Report.
COSSBA Court Report
COSSBA Court Report – August 17, 2026 | Minnesota federal court dismisses U.S. Department of Justice challenge to Minneapolis Public Schools’ race-based teacher layoff protections | Minnesota federal court dismisses most of Minnesota’s challenge to Trump administration’s Title IX position on transgender student policies | Arkansas federal court rejects Equal Protection challenge to removal of AP status from African American studies course
COSSBA Court Report – August 3, 2026 | Washington federal court blocks U.S. Department of Education from terminating school mental health grants | U.S. Department of Education finds Massachusetts school district violated parental rights by ignoring opt-out requests for behavioral survey | Tenth Circuit Court: School officials may face equal protection claims for deliberate indifference to peer racial harassment
Access previous editions of the COSSBA Federal Court Report.
Denise Dittrich joined MSBA in 2013. Denise served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2005 to 2012, where she served on various education finance and education policy committees. Denise also served seven years on the Anoka-Hennepin School Board and 15 years as an elementary school teacher.
Kimberley Dunn Lewis joined MSBA in 2016. Kim previously served several years as a Parent and Community Advocate for Robbinsdale Area Schools and spent nine years on the Seven Dreams Education Foundation board, including several years in officer roles. A proponent of public service, she also serves as a Township Supervisor, blending her experience in policy and fiscal oversight to support students and local communities throughout Minnesota.