Seats of Change: The Future of School Boards

What happens when a legendary artist and community advocate takes a seat at the head of the class? In the conclusion of our two-part series, Dr. Che “Rhymefest” Smith—one of Chicago’s first elected school board members—sits down for a poignant conversation on the intersection of activism and administration. We highlight what it actually means to be a modern board member in a city as complex as Chi...

Chicago is undergoing one of the most significant shifts in its educational history. In Part 1 of our two-part series, Bridget Lee, founding Executive Director of ALL Chicago, joins us to pull back the curtain on the transition from a 7-member appointed board to a 21-member elected powerhouse. In this episode, we explore: moving from a hybrid model to a fully elected board, candidate "preboarding"...

In this episode, Dr. Carrie Sampson, a school board researcher, examines the critical intersections of education research, leadership dynamics, and policy shifts. She highlights how the vital yet under-resourced and under-studied field of school board research faces hurdles due to a decline in federal funding and the disruption of longitudinal data sets. We explore the nuanced, often complex board...

In this episode, Josh Acevedo, a former board member from El Paso, Texas, walks us through the realities of life and governing in border towns, how communities who live on the “other” side of the highway are sometimes treated, the challenges of doing doctoral research in the community you serve, community engagement during school closures, how interest convergence can be used to make policy change...

In this episode, Marco Pérez from Hamilton County, Tennessee joins us to talk about a heated campaign, identity politics and personal attacks, wonky local laws like skullduggery, the decision-making process during the COVID pandemic, and benefits and challenges to serving as a board member with teachers (and employees in the district) in your family. https://seatsofchange.substack.com/ Resources:...

Join us as Shu-Yen Wei from Run for Something walks us through the campaign process, what potential school board members should think about and what steps they should take even before “pulling papers.” We discuss the campaign trail, additional complexities of being parents/caregivers, and the importance of coalition building during the campaign and during service. Resources:  Run for Something, ht...

In this episode, we talk with Connor Moeykens, high school senior and student board member in Orono, Maine. Connor shares about the roles and structures which govern his work on the school board, the importance of student stakeholder engagement, the need to support student board members onboard, and how student board members change the dynamic of adult board members interactions. Find the episode...

In this episode, we talk with Connor Moeykens, high school senior and student board member in Orono, Maine. Connor shares about the roles and structures which govern his work on the school board, the importance of student stakeholder engagement, the need for supporting board members onboard, and how student board members change the dynamic of adult board members. Find the episode on Apple, Spotify...

Jocelyn Rhynard was the apprehensive mom sitting silently (and angrily) in the back of school board meetings, often believing the myths about urban public education. When the 2007 housing crash kept her young family in Dayton (OH), she learned the truth—and it changed her life’s trajectory. We follow her journey from skeptical parent to becoming a board member, and a public education advocate at t...

Join us for a conversation with Dr. David Griffith from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute as we explore Fordham’s recent report, Who’s on Board? School boards and political representation in an age of conflict. Our discussion pushes each other’s thinking while addressing the challenging landscape of school board research and possible strategies for structural change. We dive into the specific method...

In this episode, we are joined by Ethan Ashley, the co-founder and CEO of School Board Partners . Hear how his personal pathway led to his service as a school board member in Louisiana, which in turn fueled his mission to create a national support system for other board members. We dig into critical challenges facing board members today, including financial literacy, self-care, and how board membe...

Join us for an insightful discussion with Dr. Rachel White, a third-generation school board member, former board member in a small district in Ohio, and the founder of the Superintendent Lab. As a professor at the University of Texas at Austin specializing in superintendents, district leadership, and education governance, Dr. White brings a unique blend of scholarly research and lived experience t...

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Phelton Moss, an Assistant Professor at VCU and a school board member in Prince George’s County, Maryland. A former teacher and principal, Dr Moss shares his journey from education and academia to public service. We discuss the significant challenges of his campaign, which required raising over $70,000, and the vital importance of authentic community engagement....

Dr. Kim Bridges shares her insightful journey onto the Richmond Public Schools school board. In this candid interview, Dr. Bridges explores the often-controversial process of school rezoning and redistricting, offering a unique perspective on the complexities and challenges involved. She delves into the inherent difficulties of sustaining meaningful change within a large public school system, high...

Join us for a compelling conversation with CT’s Secretary of State, Stephanie Thomas, as we explore the essential pillars of a thriving democracy, which impact school boards, candidate pipelines, and elections. This episode goes beyond election-day headlines, diving into voter turnout and reimagining civic education and engagement programs to better inform all community members about how local gov...

Stamford Public Schools (CT) school board member and education leadership coach Versha Munshi-South joins us to talk about the difference between campaigning and serving, quirky rules like minority representation, public meeting laws, and FOIA. Her experience as an education consultant supported Versha’s work on the board improving systems and practices, while her roles as a mom and a racial minor...

Dr. Leslie Rasmussen offers a compelling look at how the increasing politicization of school boards profoundly affected her tenure in a suburban Ohio community. She recounts the challenges to her board service, professional career, and even the security of her family, all set against a backdrop of significant events like COVID-19 social distancing, the Black Lives Matter movement, heated debates a...

This podcast features an interview with Elisa Hoffman, a former Cincinnati School Board member and the visionary founder of School Board School. We discuss common misconceptions about the role of school board members and dive deep on civic engagement, exploring various pathways individuals can take to become advocates and serve their communities. The conversation highlights the significance of pub...

Welcome to the first episode where we connect with Diana Carpio, from Norwalk, CT. Diana has served six years on the board, including three as board chair. She’s served through some tumultuous times, including the COVID pandemic. In this episode, we explore her personal pathway to office, how her identity as the sole Latina board member in a heavily Latine/x community impacts her service, communit...

Seats of Change: The Future of School Boards – Explores the crucial role of local governance through the lens of school boards. Through insightful interviews with current and former school board members, researchers, and practitioners, we highlight their experiences campaigning, serving, and driving equity, and reveal how their work at the grassroots level builds the foundation of our democracy. F...