Parents Make a Difference Through School Board Service

You don't have to be an educator or have a political background to make a meaningful difference in your school community. Parents and community members can contribute their voices, experiences, and perspectives by serving on a school board or simply by making their voices heard at board meetings.

A school board is a group of community members who help guide and oversee a public school. For a public independent study charter school, board members work with school leaders to establish goals, review programs and budgets, provide oversight and accountability, and help ensure the school meets state and local requirements. While staff handles the day-to-day work of educating and supporting students, the board helps guide the school's larger direction. 

But what does it actually feel like to serve on a school board?

For Mark, a parent of a 10-year-old student at Lake View Charter School, serving on the Lake View board has been an opportunity to give back to a school community he cares about. He has been serving on the board for the past eight months, but his interest in education and governance started well before that. Mark has experience with traditional brick-and-mortar schools, both as a parent and an employee. He had also previously served on a local governing board in his hometown. When he saw an opening on the Lake View school board in the Sequoia Scoop newsletter, he recognized that his previous experience could be helpful and decided to step forward.

During his time on the board, Mark has been involved in discussions surrounding charter school renewal, new programs, schoolwide goals, and budgets. Board service also means staying informed about changes to education laws and requirements and considering how decisions may affect students, families, and staff. 

Behind the policies, budgets, programs, and discussions are real students and families who benefit from the work being done.

Through these experiences, Mark has come to appreciate just how much goes on behind the scenes to support a public charter school. Before joining the board, he didn't realize just how large the school was or how many programs and opportunities it offered students. Because so much of the day-to-day homeschooling experience happens within our own homes and families, it can be easy to lose sight of just how many students and families make up our larger school community. Seeing these decisions up close—and how much staff manages—has given Mark a new perspective. He described the amount of work being accomplished as “mind-boggling” and said the experience has given him an even greater appreciation for the staff who serve students and families. 

Being a parent gives Mark a valuable perspective, but he is intentional about looking beyond his own family's experience when making decisions. He tries to consider how decisions may affect students and families across the entire school.

Bringing a parent's perspective while remembering that the board serves everyone is an important balance in his role. 

Some of Mark’s most rewarding moments come directly from seeing students succeed. This past year, our school boards celebrated students who participated in our virtual school Spelling Bee. When students attend board meetings to share an accomplishment, Mark simply describes it as “awesome.” Being able to commend students and recognize their accomplishments is one of the highlights of serving on the board. Those moments serve as a reminder that behind the policies, budgets, programs, and discussions are real students and families who benefit from the work being done.

There’s More Than One Way to Get Involved

While serving on a school board is one way parents can become more involved, Mark wants families to know it isn't the only way. Board meetings are open to the public, giving families an opportunity to learn more about what's happening at the school, listen to discussions, and participate in the process. Families can attend in person or through Zoom, and public comment provides an opportunity to share thoughts, concerns, or ideas directly with the board. For parents who aren't sure where to begin, Mark's advice is simple: “Go to a meeting, go on Zoom and start there.”

Even if you aren't ready to serve on a board, showing up and learning about the process is a meaningful first step. At the heart of Mark's own service is a desire to make a difference. Like his fellow board members, he volunteers his time because he cares about supporting the school and the students and families it serves. It's a role he feels honored and grateful to have.

You don't have to have all the answers to make a difference. Sometimes, the first step is simply showing up.

Whether you're ready to raise your hand and serve on a board or simply want to attend your first board meeting, there are opportunities for every family to become more engaged. You don't have to have all the answers to make a difference. Sometimes, the first step is simply showing up.