School Board Drama Is Rising — So Are the Stakes for Washington Families

“Love Island,” “Real Housewives” and “The Kardashians” … if you’re into real-life conflict and drama, you might look no further than your next local school board meeting. These days, many of these gatherings have all the turmoil of reality TV, but with higher stakes: Your tax dollars, your property values and your kids’ education (and by extension, their future) are all directly impacted by your local school board. 

With all of that on the line, it might surprise you how little most parents really know about what their local school boards are up to. Here’s more about the most important upcoming election you’re probably ignoring. 

Seeds of school board conflict 

The pandemic ignited intense disputes within school board meetings across the country, as the “to mask or not to mask” debate brought parents to fisticuffs. In just 18 months, nearly 90 violent incidents at meetings across 30 states led to 59 arrests, according to ProPublica. So why all the conflict? According to The Hill, when national politics causes deep divides in society, it trickles down to the local school boards. These days, school board meetings double as stages for battles over race, religion, book bans, immigration, vaccinations, critical race theory and LGBTQ+ rights. 

Seattle journalist Laura Pappano, in her book “School Moms: Parent Activism, Partisan Politics, and the Battle for Public Education,” calls school boards “ground zero” in America’s culture wars. She notes conservative parents are tapping big donors, PACs and national campaign strategists, while liberal parents counter with Facebook groups and recruit and endorse their own school board candidates. 

This is playing out close to home: The ACLU reports that at least five western Washington boards have debated banning more than 40 books. Lawmakers responded last year with House Bill 2331, prohibiting bans on materials by or about a protected class. 

Dr. Leighton Thomas, who is running for the North Kitsap School Board, says one of the most important skills a member can bring is an open mind. “I do hear from parents with polarizing views,” she says. Like many local districts, North Kitsap faces tough challenges: declining enrollment, budget shortfalls and potential school closures. Thomas says when confronting these issues, an inclusive approach is best. “A board member’s job is to listen to all parents and really hear them.” 

Surprisingly low voter turnout 

Despite the potential impact on local families, only 5 to 10 percent of voters show up for school board elections. That’s surprisingly low, considering what’s on the line. So here’s a quick primer on what school boards actually do, as you consider casting your ballot in November. 

What school boards do 

According to the Washington State School Directors’ Association Guide, school board members are tasked with “establishing policies, approving budgets and overseeing the work of the superintendent to ensure that every decision made puts students first.” In practice that should include the following: 

• Put students first: A school board’s priority is to ensure that every student receives an equitable, quality education that sets them up for success in school, career and life.
• Communicate a clear vision: Whether it’s planning for enrollment shifts or maintaining facilities, the school board lays out the long-term map for the superintendent to follow.
• Hire and evaluate the superintendent: While the school board draws up the map, the superintendent drives the district bus. Hiring the right superintendent and holding them accountable is crucial.
• Approve budgets: The school board ensures that your tax dollars are being carefully allocated to support student learning, school safety and staff needs.
• Approve curricula: Curriculum changes are normally a group effort between the superintendent, teachers, parents and community members, but the school board has final approval.
• Develop and approve policies: The board sets long-term goals for students’ performance, and outlines definitions of success. It’s also responsible for final approval on policies such as school calendars, dress codes, cell phones and student transportation.
• Follow legal standards: A critical function of school boards is to minimize risk from lawsuits by ensuring schools follow union and labor laws, and protect the privacy of students.
• Engage the community with clear and transparent communication: School boards are tasked with honest and open communications, to keep community members engaged and informed, and earn their trust. 

What school boards don’t do 

The guide also provides a clear outline of behaviors and actions school board members shouldn’t engage in. 

• Push political or personal agendas: School boards are nonpartisan and individual board members do not have legal authority.
• Make decisions without a long-term growth plan: A well-defined strategic vision is the best guide for the superintendent, teachers, parents and students.
• Get involved in daily operations: Boards do not run the schools. The hiring of teachers, disciplining of students and managing a classroom are all operational responsibilities of the superintendent and principals.
• Overstep staff matters: School board members should never get involved in personal conflicts.
• Micromanage district expenses: Board members approve the overall budget, but stay out of the daily decisions on how that money is spent.
• Micromanage the superintendent, principals or teachers: Boards generally trust the superintendent and school staff to handle the daily management of the district.
• Dismiss differing viewpoints: Keep an open mind as the most growth often comes from hearing from critics over supporters. 

Why parents should get involved 

• Your tax dollars are on the line: One example: Seattle Public Schools’ budget is $1.35 billion. That’s a lot of taxpayer money. Don’t you want a say in how that’s spent?
• Your property value is, too: Strong schools usually equate to strong property values. Protect your investment.
• School curricula are critical: In a rapidly changing world your school board’s role in evolving curricula is critical to students’ future success.
• Community values matter: Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. School boards influence what they learn, and what they carry back to their community and the world at large. 

Additional resources 

If you want to read up on school board candidates, the voters’ pamphlet is a good starting point, as is visiting specific candidate websites. Additionally, these websites can help parents learn more about local races, and the people running to represent families and taxpayers, and shape the future of education in our communities. 

• MySchoolBoard.info: This recently launched grassroots site provides information about candidates running for school boards in the Seattle and Puget Sound districts. All candidates are asked to fill out the same questionnaire, so you can compare answers side by side.
• BoardDocs.com: Just search “BoardDocs” plus your school district and you’ll find all things school-board related: mission statements, meeting minutes, agendas, calendar, policies and public input forms.
• WSSDA.org: The Washington State School Directors’ Association website has the A–Z about the roles and responsibilities of local school boards.