What is a school board?
A school board is a group of people elected by members of their community to make decisions on matters relating to schools and education. School boards focus on things such as curriculum, budget, school policies, and leadership. All public school districts in Delaware have school boards whose members are elected. There is also a State School Board whose members are appointed by the Governor.
What are the functions of school boards?
School boards play significant roles in the lives of students. They have many functions but, generally, they make decisions that benefit the education and well-being of students within their districts. In addition, school board members are responsible for representing the interests and wishes of the people within the school district that they serve.
District school boards in Delaware have the authority to:
- Design and implement school policies
- Hire district superintendents
- Approve district education budgets
- Approve school curriculum
- Set the school calendar
In recent years school boards in Delaware have engaged with specific issues and decisions such as:
- adding student representatives to school boards
- allowing students to serve and vote on district-wide committees
- rewriting student codes of conduct
- creating offices of equity and inclusion
- increasing the number of wellness centers
- promoting student forums
- developing gender diverse policies to protect students
- finding resources for students who have limited funds
- ensuring the implementation of House Bill 198 which requires attention to Black History
- advocating for suicide and rape hotlines to be included on students’ IDs
- eliminating discriminatory rules and language from the student dress code
- addressing questions relating to police and student support (e.g., need for social workers, therapists, counselors etc.) in schools
How do people get to serve on school boards?
People are elected by the eligible voters within their school district to serve on school boards. Any eligible voter in Delaware can vote for their district’s school board members.
The main requirements for voting include:
- 18 years old by the time of the election
- A resident of Delaware and the school district in which voting takes place
- A citizen of the United States
A growing number of districts across the country, including in Delaware (such as Colonial, Milford, Polytech, Red Clay, and Smyrna) now allow one student to serve as a non-voting member on school boards. This is a wonderful opportunity that gives students representation and a voice. There is also a student representative appointed by the governor who serves on our State School Board. Students in grades 11 and 12 are invited to apply for that position.
What are the typical qualifications for serving on school boards?
In Delaware, candidates for school boards:
- Must be at least 18 years old at the time of the election
- Must be a citizen of the United States and Delaware and live in the school district
- Must live in the nominating district for which he/she is a candidate
- Cannot be a paid employee of the district
How Many People Who are Eligible to Vote in School Board Elections Turn Out to Vote?
Many people do not understand the importance of school boards, are unaware of when elections take place, or don’t know where they can vote. As a result, the percentage of people who typically turn out to vote is shockingly low. In May of 2022, for example, there were school board elections in twelve districts throughout Delaware. The average voter turnout of people who were eligible to vote was 3.23%. You read that correctly. Only 3 out of every 100 people who could have voted actually did!
May 9th is School Board Election Day in Delaware. What Can You Do?
Obviously, those of you who are 18 or older can vote. For those who are not yet eligible, there is evidence showing that students can influence adults in their lives to get out and vote in school board elections. Visit the Delaware Department of Elections website and/or vote411.org to find out which districts are holding elections, where to vote, and information about the candidates who are running for seats on the various boards.
Share this information with those you know who can vote on May 9th. Show the power of student voices by driving up voter turnout in these elections that impact your lives.
You can also advocate for your school district to create a position on your school board for a student representative.
House Bill 96
House Bill 96 (“HB96”) has been introduced in our state legislature – the Delaware General Assembly. It propose to lower the voting age for school board elections from 18 to 16. You are encouraged to contact your representatives to voice your thoughts about the bill. Delaware’s civics standards also anticipate that students will follow the actions of elected officials. Visit here to read more about the proposal and follow any progress through the legislative process.