EDUCATION REFORM PART VI: INEPT AND INEFFECTIVE SCHOOL BOARDS
The problem lies when a board member moves from tinkering in the garage to elected office.
Today’s headlines regarding school boards in disarray: North Carolina school board member gets prison time after obstruction, extortion convictions (AP); Chicago school board head ousted because of social media posts deemed antisemitic, misogynistic (AP); Locally Elected School Boards Are Failing (Education Week); New research puts a cost on school board conflict: $3.2 billion last year alone (Chalkbeat.org)
What’s really wrong with American education? In today’s polarized, secular progressive climate, school boards that fail to take a proactive stance are unable to effectively serve their districts. The common slogan of “putting kids first,” often seen on school websites, is little more than an empty promise. As Wellington Soares points out:
Heated debates on topics like LGBTQ rights, critical race theory, and book bans have dominated school board races in communities across the country and consumed hours at public meetings.
Those “culture war” debates also exacted real financial costs on districts, in the form of extra security at meetings, additional staff time to respond to voluminous public records requests and staff turnover, a new study says.
The study, which involved a survey of 467 superintendents, attempts to put a dollar amount on the impact of all this conflict. Based on their answers, researchers estimated that districts nationwide spent $3.2 billion in the 2023-24 school year responding to “culturally divisive conflict.” Districts with high levels of conflict spent three times as much on average as districts with low levels of conflict.
Could that $3.2 billion have been better spent on upgrading school buildings, expanding access to technology, or increasing teachers' salaries? How could today’s radical liberal ideologies hijack school boards? Two words. Ineffective leadership.
EducationWeek speaks the truth regarding school board candidates running brilliant campaigns for election to the reality of newly elected members with poor leadership: Ineffective governance (of school boards) is often the byproduct of what has been called “school board dysfunction,” the situation in which board members lacking in organization, leadership, and an understanding of their role diminish a board’s capacity for good decision making and strong educational leadership. The inherent difference between managing a campaign for the school board and actually leading a school system is one of the key drivers of this dysfunction.
Board members spend considerable time campaigning for their posts. In a large district, this can mean fundraising for thousands of dollars, speaking to tens of thousands of constituents, completing dozens of interviews, and networking with countless other politicians. Campaigning, at its heart, is an entrepreneurial experience. The difference is, instead of pitching a product, candidates are selling their ideas, and often more importantly, marketing themselves. The problem lies when a board member moves from tinkering in the garage to elected office.
Students suffer when politics becomes a priority. School boards become the target of voters not because of poor platforms, insufficient creativity, or lack of effort, but because of naiveté and unprofessional conduct.
Our national conversation on education reform should include more discussion of effective school system leadership and not just of increasing test scores and global competitiveness.
Solutions
From Rescue the Teacher, Save the Child!: A community conversation is needed to assess the effectiveness of the local school board.
Does the school board truly reflect the values and expectations of its constituents?
Are tax dollars being used wisely—investing in education, improving resources, and supporting teachers—or are they being funneled into legal battles over unjustly fired or demoted educators? Or worse, are funds being used to promote untested and sometimes harmful ideologies in the classroom?
Are tax funds distributed fairly for all students, not just for athletics, gifted programs, or special education?
Is the board aware of the challenges facing the district, or are they disconnected from the realities on the ground?
What is the dynamic between the school board and the superintendent?
Is the board approachable? In my district, that wasn’t the case. When a well-liked teacher was demoted and humiliated based on false accusations, his students and colleagues attended numerous board meetings to protest the injustice. Their tearful letters, impassioned pleas for fairness, and accusations of wrongdoing were met with cold indifference. The board’s reaction was as emotionless as wax figures in a museum.
Constituents should push for the creation of an independent advisory committee to hold the school board accountable. This committee would be structured in two tiers:
The first tier would include students, teachers, and parents, whose role would be to conduct research and offer recommendations.
The second tier would consist of business leaders and professionals with degrees in education, though not currently teaching. Their responsibility would be to take the input from the first tier, establish a timeline for implementing changes, and have the authority to mandate those changes. A non-political, proven advocate for education should be appointed as the facilitator of this group, ensuring its impartiality.
This advisory committee should serve as a bridge between the board and the community. It must not simply rubber-stamp the board's decisions. Instead, it should continuously monitor key areas such as:
What is being taught, how it is taught, and by whom
Whether budgets are being properly followed
If the district is actively recruiting qualified teachers
Whether teachers’ salaries are competitive with surrounding districts
If school policies remain free from political influence and trendy cultural movements
The committee’s goal should be to ensure that decisions made at the board level truly serve the interests of the students, staff, and broader community.
But the job of a school board does not stop with budgets, curricula, or hiring. School boards need to set expectations for their principals. Mentoring, not admonishing, by administrators ensures teachers will be able to achieve the best teaching practices. No administrator should hold the right to fire a teacher without due process, such as was my case.
Site-based management of schools has allowed the principal to act as the mayor of his community with no checks and balances. School boards and superintendents use site-based management as a way to separate themselves from the day-to-day issues that arise in their schools. In my opinion, site-based management of schools should be completely abolished to make the administration accountable to its staff, students, parents, and the community.
Another issue? In our state of Colorado, one-fourth of teachers’ evaluations are based on students’ test scores. Yes, that is a state issue but heavy reliance on those scores discourages many educators from continuing in the field. School boards should use their collective voice to ensure state rules and regulations are implemented fairly and reflect the needs and wants of their constituents.
If board members demonstrated the same pre-election exuberance after being elected, perhaps these members could affect positive change in their districts. How do they avoid, inadvertently, becoming a rubber stamp for issues like
ineffectual or bullying administrators?
misappropriation of tax monies?
insertion of cultural crazes du jour?
To ensure good school boards, the community needs to be proactive and engaged. Here are several steps they can take:
Stay Informed: Attend school board meetings, read board minutes, and stay up to date on district news.
Engage in Public Dialogue: Speak up at board meetings and during public comment periods. The board is there to represent the community, so making your voice heard is critical.
Encourage Transparency: Push for clear communication from the school board about its decisions, budget allocation, and goals. Transparency builds trust and ensures the board is accountable to the people it serves.
Hold Board Members Accountable: If board members are not meeting expectations, challenge them through regular feedback, public forums, or petitions. Accountability ensures that board members remain focused on their responsibilities.
Support Teachers and Staff: Strong schools need strong teachers and staff. Advocate for fair wages, adequate resources, and professional development.
By being informed, engaged, and proactive, the community can ensure that the school board remains accountable, effective, and focused on improving the educational experience for every student. Isn’t that what education should be about?
