Welcome back to the LP School Board Download – our quarterly newsletter about all things school board!Â
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We’ve been traveling around the country meeting with cohorts of school board members to help them sharpen their skills as elected officials who organize in support of racial and economic justice, bringing them into a deeper community with their neighbors. Here’s a little recap of where we’ve been these last few months.
🌧️ Washington Collaborative Governance Lab series
We kicked off in person with 15 school board members from across the state — representing small farming communities, the major metro of Seattle, and suburban communities throughout Washington. We were joined by long-time board members, board members who are former union teachers, and some folks who were recently elected to their boards.Â
At our first meeting, we discussed what’s happening at the state level and its impact on their various districts. We also talked through what to consider when approaching long-range facility planning and identified engagement strategies to bring skeptical community members on board. We have a summer of virtual meet-ups ahead, so stay tuned for more information on how to connect with other school board members in the PNW.Â
🤠Texas Collaborative Governance Lab series
There’s no argument that Texas is one of the hardest places to be a school board member in the country. Yet every day we see our members finding creative ways to fight back against harmful policies and heavy-handed state preemption, and to advance a positive vision for their districts. Bringing a group of Texas School Board members together reminded me of what’s possible when we organize and lean on each other for support.
At our first virtual meet-up, we did a deep dive into school board governance, state takeovers, and the Trojan horse of privatization with policy expert Rachel White.
⛰️ Pennsylvania and North Carolina Collaborative Governance Academies
Our Collaborative Governance Academy sessions in Pennsylvania and Raleigh brought together electeds from different jurisdictions, allowing folks to make connections and brainstorm about issues affecting every corner of their communities.Â
Our school board network continues to expand, and we’re excited to showcase that at this year’s National Convening in Baltimore!
This year, we will be talking about school board governance, responding to the possibility of AI/EdTech in classrooms, digging into school district budgeting, discussing the importance of building a narrative around protecting public goods, exploring how to navigate governing in the minority, and much more.Â
If you’re attending this year, check out the important reminders we sent out yesterday and make sure to download the app available now for Apple and Android devices!
🖥️ Help Desk
Remember that Local Progress has a Help Desk where you can ask for support on policy creation, on navigating dynamics with your board and superintendent, and connecting with our members of the Local Progress network. How can we help you? Email the help desk with your requests, and we’ll get working on it soon!
đź“– School Board Membership
Do you know any fellow board members who should be part of our network? Here’s where they can sign up. Please let anyone who supports our school board values know about our network and invite them to join us as we work to advance racial and economic justice for our kids across the country.
🗺️ Policy Map
The Local Progress Impact Lab is still collecting policies you’re proud of that are working in your district. We’re particularly interested in how you’re protecting vulnerable students, advancing green schools, and managing technology in schools (here’s the form to add them).Â
And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly if you’d like to check in (or find time on my calendar here).