School & District Management

‘Be Vocal Without Being Vicious’: Superintendents on Fighting for More Funding

More superintendents are stepping into the political realm as budgets grow precarious
By Caitlynn Peetz — July 05, 2024 5 min read
Photo of dollar bills frozen in ice.
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

Despite an inclination to shy away from political conflict—particularly with lawmakers who decide how much funding flows to public schools—superintendents are increasingly calling out what they see as insufficient state school aid.

Districts across the United States are staring down major budget shortfalls now and in the coming years as federal pandemic aid expires. Some face the compounding challenges of declining enrollment, outdated state funding formulas, and rising costs, all while students still have academic ground to recover following pandemic closures.

Dallas Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde and Andrea Castañeda, the superintendent of the Salem-Keizer district in Oregon, have both publicly called out state lawmakers in recent months for not providing more state education aid—Elizalde in her annual State of the District address and Castañeda in a video featuring her and other superintendents.

See Also

Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde delivers her breakthrough year address to those gathered for the 2024 Dallas ISD State of the District dinner at the Omni Dallas Hotel, April 4, 2024.
Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde delivers her breakthrough-year address to those gathered for the Dallas school district's State of the District dinner at the Omni Dallas Hotel in April.
The Dallas Morning News via TNS

While both district leaders were pointed in their criticisms and pleas, they also say they’ve been intentional in their approach, targeting problems rather than individuals.

Neither one relishes conflict, but both said they felt a responsibility to advocate for their schools.

Below, in their own words, Elizalde and Castañeda offer some advice to district leaders on publicly advocating for their students, staff, and schools—especially when it requires holding policymakers to account. Their responses, which come from interviews conducted separately, have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

An approach to advocacy: ‘You can be vocal without being vicious’

Elizalde: Stay away from sentiments like ‘I think this person is responsible,’ because there’s no one person that’s responsible for the situation that we’re in. So I don’t think it serves us—and I definitely don’t think it’s a good model for my kids or for my team that I serve for me to model behaviors that are unbecoming.

I think you can be vocal without being vicious and I think conflict is unavoidable; it’s part of the process, but combat is optional.

Castañeda: Be equally attentive to what you’re trying to accomplish as you are to what your actions might accidentally damage or break. Indignation feels good in the moment that it motivates us, but indignation and self-righteousness do lasting damage to relationships. So, be clear and passionate but be measured in how you are levying blame or attributing responsibility for harm.

Be prepared for feedback, both positive and negative

Elizalde: I would say the most outward feedback in terms of people approaching me was actually very appreciative and very supportive. Perhaps sometimes, I can say some things that other people want to say but may not be in a position to be able to do that.

The negative feedback I got was probably if you went to my X [formerly Twitter], where keyboard warriors like to pile on. That was probably the most negative.

When I’ve even spoken with a couple of state reps or state senators who may not completely align with our beliefs in some areas, we’ve actually had pretty productive interactions, and they weren’t critical of my statements.

Castañeda: Although we really intended [the video] as a local appeal, I think there was something about three superintendents telling a story that felt emotionally resonant. That generated just a little bit of unexpected national interest.

I think there’s something about superintendents saying, ‘Something is happening. Please pay attention. Do something,’ that captured the feeling that superintendents are having across the country.

There’s something about this story that’s true in more places than we can count, and it is perhaps incumbent on people in those places to find their own way to tell their story, too. But it is a story that people are desperate to tell.

I think there's something about superintendents saying, ‘Something is happening. Please pay attention. Do something,’ that captured the feeling that superintendents are having across the country.

Find common ground with perceived opponents and be open to other perspectives

Elizalde: As cliché as it is, there is still a lot of common ground. I don’t believe that any person is trying to harm kids in public education. I think that the decisions that are being made ultimately are resulting in that, but that’s from my lens and my experience, so it doesn’t mean I’m right.

[When there is a public conflict with a lawmaker], I try to not just rely on one interaction or decision as a representation of who they are. I look to see if there are other opportunities to interact on things that we do have common ground on. Instead of having this dividing line that’s solid, it’s a dashed line, because sometimes we need to be able to move into the other person’s space and perspective.

We all have to try to listen for true understanding, and when that happens, I think the authenticity of who we are will transcend whatever the differences on a topic are and we connect as actual people.

Seek counsel from colleagues who can serve as more neutral observers

Elizalde: I surrounded myself with a lot of experienced superintendents who are willing to call me, or take my calls, and tell me from a third party’s perspective what is happening, where I might be not getting it right, or what might work better. So I’m trying to always learn and evolve from their expertise and experience.

I don’t think you can ever downplay the experience and wisdom of folks that have been in the seat for a long time.

We all have to try to listen for true understanding, and when that happens, I think the authenticity of who we are will transcend whatever the differences on a topic are and we connect as actual people.

Be mindful that others care and face their own challenges, too

Elizalde: Sometimes, educators will come to the table with a deficit mindset, and this philosophy of ‘I’m the one who cares more,’ which can put people in a very adversarial position.

I think you can be bold and I think you can be a champion for our kids and public ed. without having to come in with a chip on your shoulder, closed off to the idea that people might be trying to do the best by kids.

Castañeda: Everyone around us, especially everyone above us, is in their own impossible balancing act. There is not an endless amount of money, but there is a near endless amount of legitimate need. We can’t lose sight of legislators’ and policy leaders’ impossible situation while we try to escape our own.

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School & District Management Webinar
Leadership in Education: Building Collaborative Teams and Driving Innovation
Learn strategies to build strong teams, foster innovation, & drive student success.
Content provided by Follett Learning
School & District Management K-12 Essentials Forum Principals, Lead Stronger in the New School Year
Join this free virtual event for a deep dive on the skills and motivation you need to put your best foot forward in the new year.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Privacy & Security Webinar
Navigating Modern Data Protection & Privacy in Education
Explore the modern landscape of data loss prevention in education and learn actionable strategies to protect sensitive data.
Content provided by  Symantec & Carahsoft

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

School & District Management New Principals Have a Steep Learning Curve. Could Apprenticeships Help?
North Dakota's leaders share what they've learned about creating a principal apprenticeship in a playbook aimed at other states
5 min read
Photo of principals walking in school hallway.
E+/Getty
School & District Management Q&A Why This K-12 Leader Was 'Incredulous' When Congress Asked Him to Testify
New York City schools Chancellor David Banks' blunt take on appearing before Congress and leading schools in divisive times.
7 min read
New York City Department of Education Chancellor David Banks speaks at a press briefing at City Hall in New York City.
New York City Department of Education Chancellor David Banks speaks at a press briefing at City Hall in New York City.
Michael Brochstein/Sipa via AP
School & District Management Q&A How One Principal Stays Connected by Teaching
The head of a Bronx high school took on a class to reconnect after the pandemic.
5 min read
Illustration of calm woman working at desk
Getty
School & District Management Teacher Layoffs on the Horizon: As ESSER Expires, Districts Face Tough Calls
The Great Recession offers some insight into how staff reductions might play out as ESSER funds expire.
4 min read
Illustration of two groups of professionals fighting in a tug of war with a dollar.
iStock/Getty