Since 2022, when AFSA delegates last gathered in Puerto Rico, the union has turned policy priorities into concrete victories in organizing, training, advocac, and member protections.

Addressing delegates at the union’s 17th Triennial Convention in Las Vegas, outgoing President Dr. Leonard P. Pugliese used his farewell remarks to provide a sweeping review of how AFSA transformed 13 policy resolutions into concrete action, all framed around the theme Words into Action.

“Policy on paper is not progress. Resolutions don’t create change unless we bring them to life,” Pugliese said. “They become programs, partnerships and victories. The work we do doesn’t live in this room—it lives in how we organize, lead and fight for the future of our schools.”

Key accomplishments reported in his remarks included:

Organizing and Collective Bargaining

• Granted AFSA charters to new locals in Fairfax County, VAirginia Chula Vista, California; Montgomery County, Maryland; Rochester, Minnesota; Meriden and New London, Connecticut; and Sweetwater, California.
• Charters are underway for Arlington, Virginia; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Beverly, Massachusetts.
• Established two new regional federations: Maryland State Federation of School Administrators and Midwest Federation of School Administrators (Chicago, Missouri, Michigan).
• Supported landmark legislation in Chicago granting principals collective bargaining rights.
• Expanded collective bargaining training, one-on-one support and digital organizing campaigns.

“This is what building union strength looks like—new locals, new federations and collective bargaining victories that give school leaders a real voice.”

Strengthening Local Unions

• Launched AFSA’s first searchable contract database, powered by artificial intelligence, to compare agreements nationwide.
• Hosted Summer Union Leadership Training, member survey, and local Zoom trainings.
• Conducted national and international webinars, including sessions on absenteeism and leadership development.

“By putting this wealth of contract data at your leadership’s fingertips, we are strengthening your ability to advocate for your members, support informed decision making and negotiate more effectively than ever before.”

School Leader Safety and Retention

• Surveyed 1,000+ members on threats and assaults; findings shared with the U.S. Department of Education.
• Compiled national data on state-level protections for public employees.
• Partnered with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)  and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to address principal turnover and retention.
• Advocated for full funding of Title II-A professional development. 

“We didn’t just collect data from members facing threats and assaults—we used it. We brought their voices directly to the U.S. Department of Education.”

Addressing the Principal Pipeline Crisis

• Partnered with NASSP and NAESP to present school leader turnover data to the U.S. Department of Education and Senate leadership.
• Advocated for full Title II-A funding and engaged in joint federal campaigns to uplift school leadership.
• Established AFSA’s first international partnership with SENZA ZAINO, an Italian network of school leaders.

Defending Public Education and Health Care

• Opposed federal voucher expansion and Title IV cuts.
• Pressed the White House to respond to declining national test scores; met with the Domestic Policy Council.
• Advocated for access to affordable health care and protections for public education.

Wellness 

• Organized wellness-focused webinars, including the RISE Up series with Kaiser Permanente.
• Co-sponsored an international wellness webinar with Italian partner SENZA ZAINO.
• Collaborated with coalitions to support grieving students and communities impacted by school shootings.
• Urged Congress to pass an assault weapons ban and protect Title IV Part A safety funding.

Veterans and Retirees

• Expanded outreach to veterans through profiles and recognition campaigns.
• Strengthened retiree engagement through regional events and partnerships.
• Advocated for and celebrated passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, ending benefit reductions for affected retirees.

“This is our moment to be bold, to raise our voices, and to fight for the future of our students and our communities,” Pugliese said. “Together, with passion and purpose, we will defend public education—because the future of our children, our democracy and our nation depends on it.”

“Always remember—school leaders are the guardians of hope and the defenders of opportunity. When we lead with vision and act with purpose, there is nothing we cannot achieve. Let’s keep turning words into action.”