School Boards, Candidates and Campaigns

  • school board

    School Boards

    Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) established the Built to Serve campaign to encourage effective and representative school boards that meet the challenges of the diverse districts they represent. Here you will find up-to-date information about:

    What does a board member do?

    What is a school board?

    What do school boards do?

    Why serve on a school board?

    What are the characteristics of successful board members?

    Plus more resources, FAQs, and Testimonials.

  • School Board Candidates

    Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) Built to Serve campaign provides information on:

    Becoming a candidate:

    How do I prepare to serve on my school board?

    Recruiting Candidates:

    Why veteran leaders should engage

    Essential qualities in a school board candidate

    Suggestions for seeking and encouraging candidates

    What to say to potential candidates

    Responding to typical concerns

    Information to share with potential candidates

    Questions for interviews and conversations

    CASB Connections Podcast Series: School Board Candidate

    Colorado Secretary of State’s Office provides:

    School Board Candidate Information

  • School Board Campaigns

    Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) provides election information within the Built to Serve Campaign to include:

    Elections

    Eligibility

    Nomination procedures

    Campaign filing requirements

    Code of Ethics for board members

    Colorado Secretary of State’s Office provides:

    Best Campaign Finance Information Sheet for Nov. 2023 you can download and print.

    Online campaign finance disclosure website, TRACER.

    Guidance on Disclaimer Statements

    Broadcast Communications: FCC Regulations

    Colorado Campaign and Political Finance Manual

What is Policy Governance?

Many superintendents and Board Members reference “policy governance” when they talk about what school boards and superintendents can and cannot do. For many of us, this is a new term. It is sometimes referred to as the “Carver Model,” named for Dr. John Carver. 

Policy Governance is a model that “enables the board to focus on the larger issues, to delegate with clarity, to control management's job without meddling, to rigorously evaluate the accomplishment of the organization; to truly lead its organization” (Source: www.policygovernance.com)

What are the rules for running School Board Meetings?

Each district should have policies in place that cover how meetings are run, communicated, and documented. The first place to look is on your district’s website using search terms like “board meetings” or “meeting policies.” An email or call to the administrative offices may also put you in contact with someone who can point you in the right direction. Familiarity with Roberts Rules of Order is generally expected.

What do Sunshine Laws have to do with School Board Meetings? 

Sunshine Laws seem to come up in a lot of discussions about school board conflicts. We recommend reviewing this toolkit from some experts: The Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition and the Colorado Press Association.