“All politics is local,” is a concept that is deeply ingrained in U.S. politics and came into common parlance nearly a century ago. This adage comes to life, especially in recent years, most vividly at school board meetings, where community members from across the political spectrum convene to voice their opinions on issues they deeply care about.
As school boards have risen in importance in local and national politics, so too have the demands on school board members. A new report from the USC EdPolicy Hub, “California School Boards: Navigating Democracy in Divided Times,” provides an analysis of the experiences of California school board members as they confront growing political polarization, mounting responsibilities and shifting community expectations.
The study, conducted in collaboration with researchers from the University of Delaware and the University of Alabama, followed 10 school board members representing urban, suburban and rural districts across California. Participants were purposely selected to reflect diversity in geography, district size, political leaning, race/ethnicity and experience, offering a nuanced picture of how local education leaders navigate today’s divided landscape. The study offers rare insight into how local education leaders understand their roles, manage political pressures and balance the demands of governance with community accountability.
- The team of researchers identified seven key challenges facing board members today:
- Navigating complex relationships with fellow board members and members of the community
- Intense time commitment required for their role
- Gaps in training for real-world complexities
- Challenges interpreting technical data for decision-making
- Rapid shifts in technology
- Managing both “Big P” partisan and “little p” local politics
- Structural and policy constraints, such as open meetings laws
Despite these challenges, participants described a deep commitment to serving students and families. Many also shared strategies for navigating conflict and building stronger boards, from community workshops and pre-meeting relationship-building to advocating for more robust training and policy support services.
The report also includes recommendations from USC EdPolicy Hub researchers, derived from their interviews, for strategies to potentially strengthen school board governance, including:
- Expanding training and mentorship opportunities for board members
- Investing in superintendents and leadership teams by providing relevant training for the actual challenges board members confront in their work
- Updating state policies and incentives to enhance compensation and reflect the growing responsibilities of school boards
“School boards are one of the most visible and vital forms of local democracy,” said lead author Julie Marsh, professor of education policy at USC Rossier. “At a time when national political divides increasingly spill into local education, understanding and supporting these leaders is critical to the future of public schools.”
The report is the first in a series. The second report, featuring survey data with school board members statewide, will be released next year as part of the Getting Down to Facts III initiative, a statewide research effort examining California’s education systems.
Read the full report here.
Julie Marsh
- Professor of Education
- Co-director of CEPEG
