Serving on a school board is a significant time commitment. It’s more than just showing up for an occasional meeting.
Of course, the size of the district and the issues facing the board will determine the total amount of work required of members.
Some issues facing boards include:
Budget and finance planning: This is often the board’s primary focus, and where taxpayers often pay the most attention. Board members must understand the district’s finances, including funding sources and where the money is spent. The district’s finance team works with the board to ensure a balanced budget.
Student curriculum and teaching: Time must be spent reviewing and approving curriculum materials, figuring out how well students are doing, and making rules to support good teaching practices. In recent years, parents groups and even state governments have taken a closer look at what is being taught to students. Curriculum standards have become an important issue in many school district elections.
School safety and security policies: The board helps ensure that administrators, local law enforcement, and other community members, work together to create a safe student environment. This includes safety procedures, physical security methods, and emergency protocols.
Facilities and infrastructure: The buildings and grounds must be kept safe and maintained. This includes classrooms, outbuildings, and sports areas. Facility administrators and the board help make sure the students’ needs are met.
At a minimum, you’ll need to attend regular board meetings. These can last several hours each. You will also likely end up serving on various subcommittees and spending time doing community outreach, particularly if there are pressing community issues.
In addition to meetings, board members are often expected to attend school events. A lot of them. These include sporting events, plays, and concerts. You may also be asked to participate in an official capacity in meetings with other school boards and educational organizations.
In smaller districts with fewer schools, you can expect to spend less time on board-related activities. Larger districts often require a higher level of commitment due to the number of schools, students, and faculty involved.
Either way, serving on a board requires a significant commitment on your part. You’ll have to devote significant time and energy over a two to four year term to do your job properly.
Be sure to take your other responsibilities, such as your career and family, into account before you put yourself on the ballot.