SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE ROAD MAP
HELP FIND AND ELECT NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS!
TAKE BACK THE GOVERNING OF OUR CA SCHOOL BOARDS!
Did you know…
School Boards have the power to adopt curriculum and policies to protect kids- not the administration or teachers. This is why SCHOOL BOARDS are the answer!
Parents and citizens must stand up, run for, and elect school board members who will protect kids!
The candidate declaration and the filing period is from July 15th to August 9th, 2024, in most CA counties.
ACTION: Share this School Board Impact Road Map for Candidates & Community
Interested in running for School Board?
Are you passionate about protecting kids but not a “political” person? Maybe you have little knowledge of how to serve local families as an elected representative but want to know if you qualify and how to get help. School board campaigns are easy to qualify for and the most inexpensive campaigns to run, but an elected candidate can deliver a powerful influence on our students, schools, and communities.
So, if you don’t want to run for school board…
How about serving on the Site Council, LCAP or Curriculum Committee that develop plans, allocate funds, and recommend specific curriculum to be adopted by the school board, or serve on a district action team? You can still be a part of a team that makes a big impact for kids without requiring a big time commitment. See the graph below:
What can a School Board do?
Ensure that local schools represent the needs, values, and expectations of the community.
Evaluate programs and student outcomes.
Shape goals for schools, set policy, and allocate money.
Adopt and oversee the budget and approve the Local Control & Accountability Plan (LCAP).
Adopt curriculum (Districts do not have to use a state-adopted curriculum).
Ratify collective bargaining agreements.
Evaluate and hire/fire the superintendent (superintendents are hired at will).
Questions, Answers, and Resources for School Board Candidates
Who can run?
A resident of the school district, at least 18 years of age, and a registered voter. (El Dorado County Office of Education School Board Members represent a geographically defined portion of the county.)
Not be employed by the school district (You may be an employee of the district when you run, but if elected, you will need to resign before being sworn in.)
How much does it cost?
County fees for filing, candidate statement fee, plus the cost of signs and handouts, typically cost from $600-$1,500.
How much time does it take?
Most school boards meet once a month. Sometimes there may be an additional meeting.
Based on the size of the district, board members may be paid, unpaid, or receive a stipend. (In El Dorado County, most receive a stipend.)
How, when, and where to file?
Contact your County Registrar’s Office for deadlines and requirements.
The candidate declaration and the filing period is from July 15 to August 9, 2024, in most CA counties. Check your state deadlines.
Get Resources for Running for School Board
Packed with first-hand knowledge from school board leaders across the country, this course drills down to the foundations of school board knowledge:
What are school boards and what do they do?
Where does their authority come from?
How do I launch a campaign and actually make a difference
Running for School Board Starter Guide
This resource contains simple but clear steps to help you become informed about your district and be empowered to run for office to affect positive change.
Simple website-development services for school board candidates.
BiblicalVoter.com/Candidate-Training plus election tools, reasons to run for office, mentoring, and resources.
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) offers courses that help educate candidates about campaign rules and regulations that apply to some local elections. Contact your County Registrar’s Office for specific requirements. Check with your state.
ACTION: Share this School Board Impact Road Map for Candidates & Community
Presented by EducationImpact.us and EducationNEXT.us