Becoming A School Board Member

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"A Guide to Becoming a Public School Board Member in Tennessee"

What is a School Board?

The local board of education is a policy-making legislative body of which the individual member is an official of the state. Except during an official meeting, a board member has no more power, authority or jurisdiction over school matters than any other citizen in the community.

A school board's primary duty is to provide the opportunity for the best and most appropriate education for all children entrusted to its care.

No greater honor can be bestowed upon a citizen than membership on a local school board. The office calls for the highest character and a dedicated interest in the welfare of all children, youth and adults in the community. The best, most capable and most farsighted citizens of each community should be drafted to serve on the school board. To be a school board member is to serve the future of your community, state, nation and world.

Who is Eligible?

In order to be eligible to be elected to a Tennessee school board, one must be:

To become a school board candidate, you must:

Once you're a candidate

The Campaign Financial Disclosure Act of 1980 requires all candidates for public office to file a report of campaign contributions and expenditures. An Appointment of Treasurers Form must be filed with the county election commission.

Candidates in local races must file the conflict of interest statement with the county election commission in the county of the candidate's residence. Statements must be filed in the appropriate office within thirty days after the qualifying deadline. The disclosure must be written on the form prescribed by the registry of election finance and must be signed by one attesting witness.

Members of city and special school district boards of education are elected by the people, by the city council, or by a combination of the two. County school boards are elected, by popular vote, by district, in non-partisan elections, to staggered four-year terms of office. Boards of special school districts are to be elected pursuant to the provisions of private acts establishing such systems, and city school boards may be elected by district or at large.

Compensation for school board members is set by the organizing authority (county commission, city council, the Legislature, etc.) but is subject to the amount set by state law. Members may not lawfully receive compensation for services other than those of attending the regular and special meetings of the board.

Duties of a School Board

The two basic premises of school board operations are:

In addition, the Legislature has specified the following mandatory duties:

Management and Control. The board of education is to manage and control all public schools established under its jurisdiction. This gives the board of education the primary authority over school matters, but management responsibilities are delegated to the superintendent.

Employment. The board has the duty to:

Purchasing. The board may purchase supplies, furniture, fixtures and materials of every kind. All expenditures for such purchases estimated to exceed $10,000 must be made by competitive bids.

Budget Preparation. The Board of Education is required to prepare a budget and to submit it to the appropriate legislative body.

Students. The Board of Education has several duties regarding students. The Education Code gives the board the duty to discipline students after a hearing and the duty to establish standards and policies governing student attendance.

Policies. Local boards of education are required to compile and publish an official policy manual.

Mandated School Board Training

State Board of Education Rules and Regulations require each member of a local board of education to participate annually in seven hours of training provided through the School Board Academy. All board members must complete the basic core modules (Policy, Board/ Superintendent Relations, Vision, Advocacy and Finance) within a five-year period after assuming office. Any local board member who fails to attend training may be removed from office.

New school board members must attend a two-day Orientation session in Nashville, plus a seven-hour training session in their first year. Upon completion of each required session, board members will receive Academy credit and $75 stipend from the State Department of Education.

What Makes a Good Board Member?

Effective school board members share a number of common characteristics, but it's important to realize they did not become effective the instant they were elected. Many of these qualities are acquired through experience and are important to consider:

You may want to contact a school board member in your district to discuss the commitment of time it takes to serve on a local board of education.