What You Do
In each of the 14,000 public school districts in the U.S. a small group of devoted leaders work to assure that students get a quality education that positions them for life long success. There are 95,000 people serving on school boards, and like other elected positions the size of a school board depends on the size of the community.
School boards help determine educational policy and administrative procedures in a school district. Their core responsibility is to establish a vision for the community’s schools that reflects the goals of its residents and the district staff. Sometimes school boards share power with other institutions, like the local municipal government or the state and federal departments of education. Some school boards are elected, but some are not.
School boards in the US are both elected and appointed, covering K-12. Some school boards represent one small district while other localities have merged two or more cooperating or unified districts designed to save resources.
“We need your voice because everyday people need to be represented by everyday people.”
Luisa Santos
School Board Member, Miami-Dade County, Florida
Responsibilities
School boards have three essential duties: developing the budget (and advocating for it at the town/city council level), setting school policies, and hiring and evaluating the superintendent. They also oversee other things like adopting the school calendar, negotiating contracts with employees, and allocating funding for social services and extra-curricular activities for the school district.
School boards recently have waded into territory previously left to teachers including approving curriculum, setting academic standards, and even bathroom policy. Unfortunately for students, some school boards are now banning books.
Helpful Skills
The most helpful quality will be familiarity with the school system. Ideally the candidate has a connection to the school system whether that be children attending, the candidate attended, or the candidate is tightly connected to the school and community. Sound communication skills and the ability to listen to concerns empathetically will be helpful. Attendance at school board meetings and sub committees will be helpful.