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Why School Board Elections Matter For Your Child S Education And How

Leo Migdal
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why school board elections matter for your child s education and how

As the Parent and Community Engagement Coordinator at CREEED, one of the most rewarding and inspiring aspects of my role is hearing about the dreams, hopes and aspirations that parents have for their children. Many tell me they want their children to go to college and find a good job, others tell me how they want their children to get good grades, and some share how they want... My job is to equip parents with the knowledge, tools and resources to turn those dreams and ambitions into action. In the four years since CREEED started our parent engagement efforts, we have been able to connect with 500 parents and seen so many of them become advocates for their children’s education. They have launched parent clubs and support groups at their kids’ schools, attended and spoke at school board meetings, built strong relationships with principals and teachers – all with the end goal of improving... Many parents I’ve worked with voted in a school board election for the first time only after they participated in one of CREEED’s parent and community engagement programs.

My message to parents is clear: if you care about your child’s education, the opportunities and programs they are offered at school, then you must participate in school board elections. On May 3, 2025, parents within El Paso Independent School District and Socorro Independent School District have an opportunity to make their voices heard by participating in their local school board elections. Here’s why school board elections matter and how parents can get involved. School board trustees are responsible for setting and making budget decisions for a school district, establishing a school district’s priorities; hiring and evaluating a district’s superintendent; assessing educators’ impact inside the classrooms; and making... Contact | Take Action | CEA Member Voter Guide | Join Now 2.

School Boards Hold Real Power — From budgets and staffing to curriculum and safety, school boards make decisions that shape classrooms and communities. 3. Representation Matters — With 95% of Colorado’s students attending public schools, it’s essential to elect school board members who reflect and serve their communities, not outside political agendas. Colorado has 178 public school districts with 965 school board seats across the state. Yet many Colorado school board races are won by razor-thin margins. In 2023, two conservative incumbents in Woodland Park held onto their seats by less than 100 votes.

Meanwhile, turnout in local elections often trails turnout in major statewide or federal contests showing us that a handful of votes can decide who leads our neighborhood schools. Across Colorado, local school boards make decisions that directly affect students, families, and educators: School board elections often fly under the radar, especially when compared to national or state contests. Yet, these local races have a profound and direct impact on the quality of your child’s education. While federal policies may establish broad guidelines, local school boards decide how those policies are applied in classrooms every day. Consequently, understanding and participating in these elections ensures that parents have a voice in shaping the educational environment their children experience.

Moreover, school boards control essential aspects of district management — from hiring superintendents to setting budgets and approving curriculum standards. Therefore, each vote cast in these elections directly influences what students learn, how teachers are supported, and which resources schools prioritize. In essence, school board elections give communities a say in their children’s future success. One of the most visible ways school boards impact education is through their curriculum decisions. These boards determine which subjects are emphasized, which textbooks are adopted, and how controversial topics are addressed. For instance, a board might decide whether to introduce advanced STEM programs, prioritize arts education, or expand vocational training options.

As a result, these decisions shape the skills and perspectives students develop throughout their schooling years. In addition, curriculum debates often reflect broader social and political trends. Transitioning from one board majority to another can dramatically shift a district’s educational focus — sometimes emphasizing traditional instruction, and at other times promoting progressive learning models. Thus, voting in school board elections allows parents and citizens to influence how academic standards evolve in response to societal changes. Another critical responsibility of school boards is managing district finances. They decide how to allocate funds among schools, teachers, and programs.

Whether it’s investing in updated technology, improving school safety measures, or enhancing extracurricular opportunities, these financial decisions have tangible effects on students’ day-to-day learning experiences. Therefore, electing members who prioritize equitable and efficient spending can significantly improve the quality of education across the district. Sign up for Chalkbeat Colorado’s free daily newsletter to get the latest reporting from us, plus curated news from other Colorado outlets, delivered to your inbox. Every other November, Colorado voters choose the people who make important decisions about their local schools. But in most school districts, very few people vote in these school board elections — and most of them aren’t parents of current students. What exactly is a school board?

And why should you care about voting in these odd-year elections? Voting for school board members who share your values or perspective makes it more likely schools will run in a way that you think is good for kids and your community. If you don’t vote, you give that power to other people. In many school district elections, less than a third of eligible voters vote. Sometimes just a few hundred or even a few dozen votes separate the winners and losers. That means every vote matters.

In Colorado, school districts are run by elected officials who serve on the school board. School boards usually have five to seven members. The main function of a school board is hiring the superintendent, who is like the chief executive of the school district and responsible for day-to-day running of local schools. School board members supervise and evaluate the superintendent. School board members also vote on the budget and pay raises for teachers and other staff, and they set policies that control what happens in schools. Written by: Renee Oldham, Executive Director, Mt.

Vernon Education Foundation Video Link to MV School Board Candidate Forum October 23, 2024 School Board Forum Link School board elections are crucial for several reasons, as they significantly impact the quality and direction of education within a school district. Here’s why they matter: Overall, the outcome of school board elections can profoundly affect the quality of education a district offers. It influences educational policies, the effective use of resources, the administration of schools, and ultimately, student outcomes.

Thus, participating in these elections is a powerful way for community members to influence local education. Given the profound impact school board decisions have on students and the future of our community, it’s critical for all of us to stay informed and engaged. By participating in school board elections, attending meetings, or even running for a position, you play an essential role in shaping the future of our schools and the opportunities available to our children. by: The GreatSchools Editorial Team | Updated: September 5, 2023 Elections — whether it be national, state or local — have an impact on local public schools. They determine funding levels and policies that affect children across the country.

As the last two presidential elections clearly demonstrated, every vote counts. Don’t forget to add yours this Election Day! Do your children know what it means to be good citizens? Find out what your child is learning about civic education in school and how you can spark their interest in civic affairs: The State of Civic Education: Teaching the Citizens of Tomorrow If you are voting for school board members, check:

School board elections happen every other year in Colorado, and they're opportunities for communities to select people who will make important decisions about their local schools. However, in many school district elections, less than a third of eligible voters vote. Erica Meltzer, Bureau Chief at Chalkbeat Colorado, has written about the importance of school board elections and why people should vote in them. Maeve Conran: Well, typically, school board elections are off-year elections and don't have the same type of voter turnout, and yet there is a lot at stake. So what would you say to listeners about what they need to be paying attention to when it comes to school board elections and even why they need to care about school board elections... Erica Meltzer: Well, traditionally, our school board elections have been nonpartisan, and the intention, the ideal, is that people would be focused on things like the budget, instruction, curriculum, how can they make sure...

In our communities, the foundation of student success is not just built in the classroom. It is built in boardrooms—by the decisions of school board members who set the direction, priorities, and policies that shape our children’s future. The Tower of Trust: A Leadership Metaphor Imagine the school system as a tower made of blocks. Each block stands for something essential: Trust.

Communication. Vision. Accountability. Equity. Alignment. Student Outcomes.

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