Ever tried herding cats while juggling flaming swords — in front of a crowd? Welcome to the world of school board members.
Okay, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. But ask any seasoned school board member, and they’ll probably nod knowingly. These behind-the-scenes heroes do far more than sit at long tables once a month — they make decisions that ripple across entire communities, shaping education policies, budgets, and ultimately, student futures.
Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, board member, or admin looking to understand more about how boards operate outside your own, this one’s for you.
What Does a School Board Member Do?
Think of school board members as the nonprofit board of directors for your local school.
At a glance, their responsibilities include:
- Setting policy that determines how schools operate, what’s taught, and how success is measured.
- Approving budgets that can range from a few million to hundreds of millions — no pressure.
- Hiring and evaluating the superintendent (a.k.a the district’s CEO).
- Engaging the community in decisions that affect kids, families, and teachers.
- Ensuring equity across school programs, facilities, and outcomes.
A board member once joked, “My day job is easier — and I work in finance!” It’s a labor of love, often performed after hours and on top of full-time jobs, family obligations, and a borderline obsession with Robert’s Rules of Order.
How Much Do School Board Members Make?
Let’s get to the spicy part: Are school board members paid?
In most districts? Not really. Some might receive a small stipend. Others receive zero compensation but gain a mountain of responsibility in return. According to the National School Boards Association (NSBA), 75% of small-district school board members receive no salary.
So, how much do school board members make? The honest answer: not much, and certainly not what they’re worth. But compensation isn’t why they do it.
Why Do People Serve on School Boards
Ask 10 school board members and you’ll get 10 different stories. In a 2018 survey through NSBA, about 63% of school board members say they ran to improve local education and give back to their community. One member from a midwestern district shared that she ran for the board after watching her son struggle in a school that didn’t support his learning needs. Another joined to bring a more diverse voice to a board that hadn’t changed in decades. One grandfather said simply, “I want my grandkids, and yours, to have better than I did.”
The common thread? A commitment to equity, accountability, and access.
It’s not glamorous. It’s not always popular. But it’s purposeful — and that’s something every nonprofit leader can appreciate.
What Do Board of Education Members Do?
“Board of education” and “school board” are often used interchangeably, but in some districts, board of education members have a slightly broader scope, overseeing not just K-12 education but also early childhood programs, adult learning, or special charter systems.
Either way, their mandate is the same: make smart decisions that help students thrive.
School Board Appreciation Ideas
School board members get a lot of public input…not all of it friendly. So when you get the chance to say “thank you,” make it count.
Some school board appreciation ideas to consider:
- Handwritten notes from students and teachers
- Shoutouts on social media or in your newsletter
- A school board spotlight wall in the district office
- An appreciation breakfast with fresh coffee
A little gratitude goes a long way — especially when you’re wrangling policy updates and bond referendums on a Tuesday night.
How to Support School Boards with Boardable
Similar to nonprofit boards, school boards can benefit from smart tools that streamline communication, simplify decision-making, and reduce time spent hunting through email threads.
That’s where Boardable’s education board management software shines. Whether it’s managing meeting agendas, sharing strategic plans, or facilitating remote collaboration, Boardable helps board members focus on student outcomes, not software headaches.
Purpose Over Perks
School board memebrs may not get big paychecks, they get something far more lasting: the chance to shape futures.
Their work echoes beyond the classroom and into the fabric of our communities. And whether you’re a nonprofit executive, board chair, or passionate advocate, there’s a lot to admire and learn from these civic-minded changemakers.
So next time you see a school board member? Give them a high five. Or at least buy their coffee.
Want to see how Boardable supports school board success? Request a demo today.
