Frequently Asked Questions

 

Would I make a good School Board School member?

To improve outcomes for children and build more just and equitable communities, we must invest in the development of district leaders who reflect the diversity of the children we serve. School Board School is purposeful in building a diverse applicant pool so that the district’s school board and education leaders reflect the diversity of the district.

While we focus on recruiting people of different backgrounds, skills and experiences, they all share:

  • A belief in the ability of every one of the district’s children

  • A passion for and knowledge of the community

  • A willingness to learn

  • A track record of positively impacting the community

  • A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Are there any hard and fast requirements? 

At School Board School, we invest a lot in our members and expect that they, in turn, will invest in their own learning. To that end, you must agree to attend all of the sessions and field trips, and to arrive on time and prepared. Additionally, members sign a media waiver so that we can share all the good stuff we’re doing with the world.

How much of a time commitment is School Board School?

You need 5-10 hours a week to devote to the 7-month learning program. Some weeks, that is time on your own reading and preparing for group sessions. But often, that time is with the group. It’s important for you to have a flexible daytime schedule in order to attend board meetings and school tours. After the learning program, the time commitment will vary depending on what you choose to pursue.

If I want campaign help, should I apply to School Board School? 

There are lots of great organizations that can help you campaign, but School Board School is not one of them. School Board School is not involved in political activity. Once you decide you want to run for school board, you will connect with organizations that specialize in campaign work.

Where is School Board School?

School Board School is currently working in the Cincinnati metro area. If you are interested in bringing School Board School to your community, please get in touch. We’d love to talk!

Is School Board School open to anyone, regardless of political party affiliation?

School Board School is non-partisan but members must align with the vision and values of Cincinnati Public Schools, including those outlined in the below policies and resolutions, so that you are working in concert with the people in our district and can move toward better outcomes for kids faster.

Are there any other expectations of School Board School members?

During our learning program, we provide a robust curriculum that includes the opportunity to engage with content area experts, current and former elected officials, access to relevant research and materials, and field trip experiences. However, we also expect you to be actively involved in your learning by coming prepared, asking good questions, and engaging in meaningful conversations.

Additionally, every session incorporates points of reflection, where members must consider and articulate their values, how those values and their skills & experiences intersect with the work that needs to be done in our school system, and make connections between the decisions they will make as school board members or advocates and the impact of those decisions on our students and community. This is difficult and sometimes uncomfortable work, but we expect members to engage in it in order to better serve our students.

We also expect members to prioritize camaraderie over competition because we know you can’t do this work successfully if you’re working alone. By building camaraderie within the group, members act as a support for each other on the campaign trail, in office, or serving the district’s children as education advocates.

Finally, joining School Board School is a long-term commitment. During the learning program, we help provide you with the tools needed to make change, but the real work happens after the learning program when you join in the work of the larger coalition and support each other in your individual goals & in collective actions to build more just and equitable school systems.