Recruiting and retaining school board members of color |
Almost 90% of school board members are white, according to a 2020 EdWeek Research Center survey, often not reflecting their districts' student body. Just 38% of current board members are planning to return amid the politicization of board races and the national pushback against inclusive lessons and books on race, racism, and LGBTQ issues, according to a survey by School Board Partners. Recruiting and retaining school board members of color in particular is a challenge for many reasons, including little to no pay; a lack of background, expertise, and assistance in policymaking; and increasing scrutiny from parents and community members of equitable school policies. “It’s probably one of the most thankless jobs as elected officials go. And then on top of that, you really don’t get service, you don’t get paid for it,” laments Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs, deputy executive director for the National School Boards Association. Ethan Ashley, co-founder of School Board Partners, recommends that school board members of color, or of other historically marginalized identities, need greater financial assistance and also community-building support to not feel isolated.