How to find your school board calendar and key dates
Go to your school district’s official website. Look for and click on the link for the School Board’s site. Use the “search” tool if you are having trouble finding it, by entering your school district name and the words “school boards”. The calendar will be located on the school board website.
How to register to speak at a school board meeting
Sometimes you can call to place yourself on the speaker list, but most times you have to register online. Online registry usually opens a few days before the meeting date.
On the school board’s website, click on “Citizen Participation” or a similar option. After clicking, look for a button that says something like “Register to Speak at Regular School Board meeting”. You may have the opportunity to speak in-person or virtually. Make sure you know which one you are signing up for if you do have the choice.
Find out what the start and end dates are for the sign up! Some districts have a designated time when speaker registration opens and ends. Speaking spots fill up very quickly and you speak in order of when you signed up.
You will have a definitive length of time to speak. Some school boards allow for five minutes, some for three minutes, some for one or even less. Make sure to know how much time you have in advance so you don’t get buzzed out of the room without finishing your sentence.
How to talk to your school board
Communicate clearly with the members on the Board. Speak from your heart as much as possible, telling your story as a community member, leader or parent. Make sure to use your time to say why you care and how you are affected. Use data and facts to back up your statements. Practice before you go so that you can look up at the board members and not down at your paper, and so you don’t get cut off.
Questions to ask school officials (school board, superintendent, principal, etc.)
- What are the upcoming issues your school board will be debating and discussing?
- How will information about XYZ issues be communicated to the public?
- When will public engagement sessions be and how will those be communicated?
- How was this policy determined to be in the best interest of our students?
- How do I opt out my student from this topic/lesson/project?
- How much was consultant XYZ paid? Where can I see their contract?
- Where and how will school board meeting minutes be shared?
Additional Resources:
- Model Letter to School Board, Civics Alliance
