What It Takes To Be A Qualified School Board Candidate
School board representatives influence decision-making regarding the school's performance, policies, and hiring of employees. The board is responsible for setting up the curriculum, which determines the school's level and quality of education. Serving as a board member is a strategic move for those looking to implement change and improve education quality. However, what does it take to become a qualified school board representative?
Residency
Besides being legal citizens, qualified candidates must have resided in the region for a few years. The minimum duration varies from state to state. By residing in that region for the minimum period stipulated by the local law, it allows the candidates to be conversant with the impact of the current education system and how the presiding board is handling school matters. That makes them better suited to have impactful leadership in the school as board members.
Shouldn't Be a District Employee
While a corporate bank board representative could be an employee of the district, the same is not valid for a school board member. Although the role is not career-specific, a civil servant serving on a public school's board or having an immediate family member as a district employee might appear as a conflict of interest, disqualifying you from serving as a school board representative. However, one qualifies as a school board member if one serves in the private sector or is unemployed.
Possess Good Virtues and Ethics
Anyone planning to run for a board member position should be a registered voter within the district. They should not be sex offenders or registered as such, nor should they have any legal issues like an ongoing case or lawsuit. A qualified candidate should not have any financial interest in school dealings or contracts and shouldn't use their position to influence school business and dealings in their favor. They should also attain nomination from district locals to run for the position.
Be of Legal Age
Like corporate board representatives, a school board candidate must be of legal age to qualify for the election. A minor isn't allowed to contest or run for public office. They shouldn't have a proxy representing them either and shouldn't be involved in the day-to-day running of the school affairs. Having a minor as a board member is illegal.
Conclusion
A qualified school board candidate should have stayed in the region for a minimum period as stipulated by the region's local laws, shouldn't be a district employee, should uphold high virtue and ethics, and not have any financial interest in business dealings. They also shouldn't be minors or have any proxies representing them. Contact a board member expert if you need advice on becoming a candidate for a school board member.
To learn more, contact a representative like William Keyes.