With all the attention focused on school boards, do you know what your school board actually does? GreatSchools shares what to look for and questions to ask.

Oakland, CA (April 22, 2024) — Nationwide, school board members make up the largest group of elected officials in the country, totaling approximately 95,000 people. Aside from teachers, principals and the district superintendent, school board members have the greatest influence on a child’s education because they decide on how to spend a district’s public school funds and set its governing policies.

As school board elections ramp up in a number of states across the country, here are five things parents should know about what these governing bodies do:

1. They set the vision for each district. School boards establish a clear vision for quality education that supports strong student outcomes. This vision can affect fundamental things like how well students are learning literacy and math, how safe schools are, and more.
2. They decide on curriculum, bus routes and more. School boards are tasked with adopting new curriculums, deciding on the school calendar, choosing school bus times and routes, and approving individual construction projects, all of which impact parents’ and children’s everyday lives. 
3. They hire (and fire) the superintendent. School boards have the responsibility of hiring a superintendent, evaluating them, and if necessary, changing the leadership of a school district. In addition to their oversight of the superintendent, school boards are accountable for the performance of a district’s school and students. 
4. They play a leadership role in the community. If parents are concerned about a policy in their district, they can go to the school board. Members are tasked with listening and responding to a community’s concerns and explaining the district’s priorities to the public.
5. They’re nonpartisan positions. School board elections are not separated into Democrats versus Republicans. All school board races are nonpartisan. To understand how well they align with a candidate aligns with parents’ values and priorities, they should do a little research on the candidate’s background and platform.
   
   “Understanding the pivotal role of school boards empowers parents to actively engage in shaping their child’s educational journey,” says Carol Lloyd, vice president of editorial at GreatSchools. “By asking the right questions and staying informed, parents can ensure that their voices are heard and their children receive the quality education they deserve.”

For more information on what school boards do, read this GreatSchools.org article.

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About GreatSchools:
GreatSchools is the leading nonprofit providing high-quality information that supports parents pursuing a great education for their child, schools striving for excellence, and communities working to diminish inequities in education. We are the only national organization that collects and analyzes data from all 51 state departments of education and the federal government to provide analysis, insights, and school quality ratings for parents, partners, researchers, and policymakers. Over 49 million users visit GreatSchools’ award-winning website annually to learn about schools in their area, explore research insights, and access thousands of free, evidence-based parenting resources to support their child’s learning and well-being. Learn more at GreatSchools.org and join us on Twitter and Facebook.