SCHOOL BOARDS

Understanding School Boards – Roles and Responsibilities Explained

Do you know the roles and responsibilities of your local school board? School board members have enormous power to shape the priorities of our local public schools and influence the quality of education students in our communities receive. As a member of your community, you have the power to attend, speak at, and listen to school board meetings, ensuring your voice is heard in the decision-making process. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of the school board is crucial for effectively advocating at these meetings.

The Rise of Extremism In Pennsylvania School Boards

In recent years, Pennsylvania has become a focal point for extremist politicians, including at the school district level. In some places extremists school board members promote a political agenda and impose their personal and religious beliefs on students, teachers, and district staff. Their goals include enacting regressive book bans, censorship of classroom discussions about race and gender identity, and policies discriminating against individual students because they identify as LGBTQ+.

Our communities depend on school boards to use tax dollars wisely and to ensure that our local schools will provide students with the opportunities that will allow them to thrive in school today and succeed in life after graduation. In districts that have elected a majority of extremists to their boards, we have seen tax dollars wasted on legal bills defending extremist policies instead of being invested in educating children. Ultimately, we have seen these boards that have no concern for the quality of education students receive.

Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of school boards and how to talk about what is happening in your local district this year with your friends and neighbors

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Join our school board monitoring/alert program!

In districts throughout the commonwealth advocates are keeping an eye on what is happening at their communities’ school board meetings and alerting us when harmful policies are introduced. Join us in ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.

  1. Fill out this form.
  2. Our staff will review your responses and provide you with feedback and/or resources.
  3. We will invite you to join a space where advocates who are doing this work can connect and learn from each other and continue to support you as you keep an eye on your district and alert us to any concerning policies or actions that you observe.

Advocacy In Your District

Advocacy Training Sessions Coming Soon!!!!

In our communities, parents and educators continue to be partners, working together to ensure every student, no matter their race or background, has the opportunity to succeed. It’s crucial that school boards focus on providing necessary resources and staff to create safe, healthy environments and offer individualized attention for students. Students should have the freedom to learn, and teachers should have the freedom to teach without interference from extremists who seek to restrict information. Parents already have the right to opt their children out of specific content or restrict their access to certain materials without limiting access for others. Advocating in your district to combat extremism in school boards is essential for maintaining a supportive and inclusive educational environment.

 

 

Questions for School Board Candidates:

• What do you view as the role of the school board?
• What do you view as the district’s greatest strengths and weaknesses?
• What motivates you to want to become a school board member?
• What do you see as major issues facing the district?
• What do you view as the top needs of the district?
• What are your budget priorities?
• Please explain your position on school boards controlling the information all students can access
in their schools and the information educators can teach and discuss in their classrooms.