What is a School Board?

by Moore Vang, age 15

Throughout the past few centuries, the inclusion of school boards in the United States has changed the landscape of learning and growth of young people through education.

In the U.S., there are nearly 14,000 public school districts, overseen by about 95,000 board members. They work to ensure public schools educate young students and prepare them for the future. Boards are composed of five to nine elected members, depending on the district, who discuss and make decisions to improve school outcomes.

School boards have a variety of responsibilities, with the main three being: establishing school policies, assisting the superintendent, and setting the district’s annual budget. Some may say a school board’s most important role is hiring the school district superintendent, who enforces policies, provides feedback on improvements or difficulties, manages staff, and keeps up with state and national education issues. Here in Madison, the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) recently hired Dr. Joe Gothard as superintendent in 2024.

School Board members have a lot of authority and impact on communities and their local education systems. Members consistently communicate with families, nonprofits, employees, and local colleges to foster partnerships and help students succeed. Along with preparing students for the future, school boards also prioritize involving student voices. The MMSD Board of Education has two student representatives, who play a key role in vocalizing the perspective of their peer students. Their input allows community growth and a space where students can engage with others to build inclusivity and teamwork. Student representation provides an opportunity to showcase their knowledge and develop their skills as they inform administrators of their ideas and concerns. Student input is just as powerful as that of school board members.

School board members are elected by the public. People within the district can vocalize their opinions by casting their vote and by attending local school board meetings and asking questions. School board meetings are open to the public and are a way for community members to learn about the decisions of their school board and have board members address their concerns. Board members are passionate about supporting the next generation of students and ensuring they get the learning they need to be successful.

Since their inception, school boards have evolved and set the standard for educating future world leaders and guiding them as they continue developing their knowledge and skills. Voters empower a board of education to provide the best leadership for students to be successful. School boards contribute to advancing the education of students, creating a long-lasting impact on future generations.

[Sources: XQ Institute; U.S. News & World Report; MMSD]