Working With School Boards

Jan 01, 2000

The most important fact to consider when trying to convince school board members to support policies creating a safe school environment is that these people serve in an elected office and require the support of the community to continue in their position. If you are able to mobilize broad and widespread support for LGBT students, you are much more likely to ensure that such policies and programs are implemented or preserved.

The following tips can help you influence your school board.

Organize school board candidate forums. Organize these forums well before the election. Prepare questions for the candidates that include their positions on safe schools for LGBT students. You may also want to ask questions related to outcome-based education, voucher initiatives, moments of silence, and self-esteem courses. Publicize candidates' responses widely.

Meet with school board members. Invite at least one other person to join you when you meet with each school board member. Use these meetings to gain an understanding of board members' views on education. Are they concerned about test scores? Pregnancy prevention? Getting back to the "three R's"? Try to emphasize common ground in these meetings. If you are a parent with children in the district, be sure to let school board members know.

Provide tailored information to school board members. Send follow-up information responding to each school board member's individual concerns.

For example, if you need to convince a "back to basics" school board member about the importance of policies protecting LGBT youth from harassment, provide him or her with information about how harassment can get in the way of academic achievement.

If a board member is concerned about the budget, let him or her know about the cost to the district when students drop out because they are unsafe, or when families sue the school district for not providing an equal access to education. Emphasize protecting students from harassment and discrimination is inexpensive and that funds have already been allocated to teacher training and safe schools work.

Attend school board meetings. These meetings are often sparsely attended; make sure someone attends each one. Showing up before a controversy occurs will give you more credibility with the school board.

Encourage community members to contact school board members. Even a few calls or letters can make a big difference in the outcome of debates regarding LGBT issues on the local level.

Testify before the school board.

You can support safe schools by speaking on this issue before your school board. Coordinate testimony with other like-minded people to ensure that the most effective messages are being provided to the board throughout the meeting.

Be respectful toward the board and toward community members who oppose LGBT-related policies and programs. The strongest arguments are reasonable but include some emotional appeal and passion. When possible, also share your perspective as a parent or grandparent rather than only as an activist or professional.

Use consistent, well thought-out messages. Work with other individuals in your community group to develop three or four key messages in support of the policy or program in your community. These messages should be concise and convincing. Make sure that supporters repeat these messages in school board meetings and other public forums.

Identify candidates to run for school board seats. Help ensure that supporters of LGBT students are elected to the school board. Consider running yourself. Remember that although you may not be able to do this as part of your job, you can always assist on your own time.

VOTE! School board elections attract low voter turnout. You can make a big difference in the school environment for LGBT students in your community by reminding friends and colleagues to vote.

This resources is based on a similar one developed by SIECUS.