FED
ED
Advocating for Suburban Schools
ABOUT FED ED
L to R: Illinois Senator Richard Durbin, FED ED Co-Directors Harry Rossi and Dave Peterson, Illinois Senator Mark Kirk, NSSEO Supt. Judy Hackett at a meeting in April, 2011
FED ED was founded in 2005 based on the need for suburban school districts in Illinois to have a consistent and strong voice in Washington, D.C. FED ED now includes over 110 member school districts and sponsors and represents over 500,000 suburban school children. FED ED districts come from all parts of the Chicago metropolitan area and stretch from the Indiana border to the Wisconsin border.
Harry P. Rossi and David W. Peterson are the Co-Directors and founders of FED ED. Prior to founding FED ED Harry served as Superintendent of Northbrook/Glenview (IL)School District 30 for 17 years and Dave was Superintendent of the Northern Suburban Special Education District (NSSED) in Highland Park, IL for 11 years.
Throughout their careers, Dave and Harry extensively lobbied legislators on behalf of public schools and made a special effort to create a presence for suburban schools in Washington, D.C. They have developed strong bipartisan relationships with members of the Illinois Congressional delegation including Senators Richard Durbin and Mark Kirk, Congressman Bob Dold, Congresswoman Judy Biggert (Education Commmittee), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Peter Roskam, Congressman Randy Hultgren, Congressman Dan Lipinski, Congressman Adam Kinzinger, and Congressman Danny Davis.
Moreover, they have nurtured relationships with staff of Senator Tom Harkin's Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. They also maintain collaborative relationships with leaders in the Department of Education including Chief Counsel Charles Rose.
When he was the Congressman from the 10th district Mark Kirk said, "Harry Rossi and Dave Peterson have represented the interests of suburban schools very effectively. FED ED will fill an important need for a consistent voice in Washington for our schools."
Rossi and Peterson serve on the Education Advisory Committee for Senator Mark Kirk (IL) and Congressman Bob Dold (IL-10th).
FED ED Fast Facts
FED ED:
-Includes over 110 suburban districts and sponsors
-Represents 500,000 suburban school children
-Provides a voice for the unique needs of suburban districts
-Was founded in 2005
-Is cost effective. School district dues are only $325
Illinois Senator Mark Kirk addresses a FED ED Legislative Luncheon where he received a Champion of Public Education Award when he was Congressman from the 10th District.
Champions of Public Education