D.C.-BOUND TRUSTEE DEALT SETBACK.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer

High school trustee Sue Stokka had hoped to lobby federal lawmakers at an education conference she will be attending in Washington, D.C., next week, but it's unlikely she will get to see many.

Senators and representatives took off for home Friday as the 104th Congress adjourned, but Stokka said she still will be able to meet with legislative aides and other school board members from across the country.

``I think it's critical that we are involved at the federal level because the restrictions and changes that come originate there,'' said Stokka, board president of the Antelope Valley Union High School District. ``We have to restore control to the local level. If tax dollars are not sent to Washington, we can spend them more efficiently here.''

Stokka's trip, which will cost taxpayers $1,500, will take her to an annual conference titled ``Federal Education Policy at a Crossroads,'' hosted by the National School Boards Association Federal Policy Coordinators Network.

``The network is designed for people within the district who deal with federal policy, like superintendents, policy directors, and grant writers,'' said Debi Tesser, a legislative coordinator with the NSBA. ``We bring them up to speed on what's happening legislatively.''

As for the timing of the conference, Tesser said organizers tried to avoid scheduling it at a time when Congress was breaking up but had no way of predicting when legislators were going to make their exit.

``This is the earliest they have left in 20 years,'' Tesser said.

Tesser added that although members of Congress won't be there, their staffs will be.

``It's well worth making a visit to their offices,'' Tesser said.

Tesser said about 200 people will be attending the conference, which will begin Sunday and will end Tuesday.

Stokka is interested in pursuing her goal of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The district board passed a resolution two years ago stating such an objective.

``The federal government has no constitutional authority to control public education by the education department or by any federal means,'' Stokka said. ``They are too restrictive and it results in dumbing down education.''

Even without lobbying lawmakers, the district will benefit by the ``increased information and insight'' that Stokka said she will bring back.

The conference's first day will include sessions on ``The Untold Story: The Successes of Our Public Schools,'' ``Building Your Skills as an Education Advocate'' and ``Grant Winner and Funding Tips: Improving Your Access to Grants, Including Tips on Using the Internet.''

On the second day, conferees will discuss ``The Fiscal Year 1996 Budget Battle and Next Year's Funding Outlook,'' ``Proposed Changes in Federal Special Education Law'' and ``Changes in State Education Policy: Standards, Vouchers, and Charter Schools.''

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Photo: Sue Stokka

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