School Boards: Can we democratically engage communities about public schools?

School Boards:

· A democratic opportunity for community engagement in public education

· A political storm in which power is exercised for personal gain

· A potential way forward in improving public education across the United States

Or in fact are local school boards all of the above?

School boards as a governing entity is not new, nor is the democratic process to select members of school boards. The Illinois Association of School Boards provides a short summary on the historic and political role of school boards. It is helpful in understanding the intended role of the structure within public education. Although public education is a state’s rights issue, the federal government does provide an accountability measure for states and districts. The oversight however is limited when it comes to many of the issues families and communities are concerned about and bring before their school board.

Standards and curriculum can be contentious and often bring personal beliefs to the forefront of discussions on what is best for students. Core to any decision about standards and curriculum need questions of rigor and relevance — will the selected curriculum provide students with the skills, content knowledge and dispositions necessary for post-secondary life, college and/or career? While this seems like a simplified approach to discussions about the way in which to approach decision making it returns the conversation to what matters most and often gets forgotten when a school board meeting turns unruly and contentious. The students in the school district and their well-being, progress and achievement are the paramount concern.

But how do we cultivate community engagement, family voice and a democratic process when tensions run so high on certain topics now that they pit neighbor against neighbor and divide families?

Choosing to run for a school board position, or even being elected for a seat on a school board is more political in some communities than any other election. It therefore bears the question, to whom are elected school board officials beholden? They are elected by their neighbors, friends, colleagues similar to a congressional representative.

As school board meetings have become instances of viral videos and death threats, where does this leave districts as they seek to make decisions for the immediate and long-term? What is lost and gained when a district is under mayoral control?

School districts across the country return to the classroom this week whether to physical brick and mortar buildings or virtual. We know these decisions have not been taken lightly by superintendents, school boards and individual families. We recognize that the second half of this school year will present familiar challenges from the past two years but also presents the opportunity to come together as communities to problem solve and seek solutions that will best meet the needs of students and will best equip teachers and principals to best meet the needs of their students.

At risk of sounding trite, second semester is a fresh opportunity for students and school boards to recommit to the goals of the 2021–2022 school year. To do this, I encourage you to attend a school board meeting with an open mind, a few thoughtful questions and a willingness to ask, “what if we did something different?”.