Running for School Board

Congratulations! You have taken the first step in becoming an effective school board member by researching your interest!

The school board model has a long and rich history in the United States.

The school board model (sometimes referred to as a board of education) ensures local control of public education; it sets the vision and goals for its district by governing policy, selecting a superintendent, and adopting the budget. 

School board members come from all walks of life. This helps a board to best represent all aspects of the community.

While many candidates have prior experience with non-profit organizations, tribal entities, or other community roles, there is no prior experience required!

A few good reasons to serve as a school board member:

• A belief in quality public education
• An interest in preserving and improving the quality of your school system
• A recognition of the school system as a marker of the quality of life and overall health of your community
• A commitment to strengthen ties between schools and community stakeholders
• A chance to share your time and talents to better a system
• An opportunity to influence the fiscal health where taxpayer funds are used
• A respect for the democratic process through robust debate and careful consideration of all issues.

The broadest definition of a school board’s role is that it acts as the governance team for the school district. It is important that the board serves as a positive and responsible liaison between the school district and the community.

A school board serves as the governing body of a school district, working as a team to set the direction for public education in the community. Board members act as a vital link between the district and the public, helping ensure the schools reflect the community’s values and needs.

If elected, your decisions—made collectively with fellow board members—will have a lasting impact. The policies you help create will shape the education of future generations and guide the superintendent in addressing daily challenges within the district. Your actions will influence students, families, and staff, both now and in the years to come.

It’s important to note that individual board members hold no authority outside of official board meetings. All decisions must be made by majority vote in a public setting. From the start of your service, you will be accountable to the public, the state, and the courts.

The School Board establishes the policies that guide how the school district operates. It is responsible for hiring a Superintendent to carry out these policies effectively. The Superintendent is accountable to the Board for managing district operations in accordance with the Board’s directives.

As part of its responsibilities, the School Board must develop and adopt policies supporting the success of schools. This includes reviewing and acting on the Superintendent’s recommendations in critical areas such as:

• Hiring and managing personnel
• Overseeing student services
• Approving educational programs
• Selecting instructional materials
• Allocating and managing district funds

By setting direction and maintaining oversight, the School Board plays a vital role in ensuring schools meet the needs of students, families, and the community.

School boards play a critical leadership role in shaping both the short- and long-term educational direction of a school district. They are responsible for adopting an annual budget supporting the district’s educational programs and priorities. In partnership with the community and school administration, the board sets goals and establishes policies that serve as the foundation for instructional programs.

One of the School Board’s most important responsibilities is selecting a Superintendent to lead the district. The Board exercises its authority largely through the Superintendent, who is responsible for keeping the Board informed about the district’s needs, performance, and progress.

As a public employer, the Board also sets the policies governing the recruitment, hiring, evaluation, and, when necessary, dismissal of school employees. This function is especially significant, as the school district often ranks among the largest employers in the community.

School board members serve as the vital connection between the school district and the community. They are responsible for communicating the district’s goals, programs, and accomplishments to the public, while also bringing the community’s needs, values, and expectations to the attention of the Superintendent and school staff.

School boards hold a dual responsibility: representing the interests of both the schools and the community. As stewards of public trust, board members must actively engage with citizens, listen to their concerns, and ensure open lines of communication between the public and the district.

Progress begins with awareness. Improvements can’t happen until the community understands what is needed, and problems won’t be addressed unless they are recognized. Open, honest discussions about both the strengths and challenges of local schools are essential; since school board decisions affect the entire community, meaningful public involvement is not just helpful—it’s necessary.