Why It Matters
Central Heights Unified School District 288 (Richmond, Kan.) hired AdvocacyBuild LLC, which signed a new client registration on Sept. 29. The registration date is Sept. 1.
The filing lists one issue area, Education. Its specific issues are federal funding, workforce development, career technical education (CTE), and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Tyson Elbert is the only lobbyist listed. The filing gives his covered position as Founder/Executive Director.
Broader Context
The Congressional Research Service reported on May 28 that the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, was signed on Feb. 3. It provided $79.0 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Education, 0.3% more than fiscal year 2025, according to its appropriations report.
The Education Department said on May 19 that its guidance encourages states and districts to transfer funds among eligible programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It said the guidance lets districts eligible for the Small, Rural School Achievement program use certain formula funds more flexibly, and changes how funds may be spent, not their allocation. The department's announcement carries the details.
On April 1, the department's state-allocation memorandum estimated $13,092,776 in fiscal year 2026 Perkins V Title I funding for Kansas. That includes $5,980,544 available July 1 and $7,112,232 available Oct. 1.
Between The Lines
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued a press release on May 1 calling a Justice Department investigation of 36 Illinois school districts a "sham." He urged the administration to stop "attacking Title I funding." Title I is a federal program under ESSA, which the registration names.
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) issued a press release on Sept. 22 touting $2 million in federal funds for infrastructure at Miraleste Intermediate School. He said the money is an "important boost" given cuts to public education funding by the Trump Administration.
Competitive Landscape
Three other organizations registered recently to lobby on education. Learning Care Group Inc. registered on Sept. 29 with no outside firm, listing education. Ascend Learning LLC did the same on Sept. 29, also listing education. SEMPRE Inc. hired Ballard Partners LLC on Sept. 23, listing education.
The Bottom Line
The district now has an outside lobbyist on federal school funding, career technical education, and ESSA.
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