How to Choose a Palo Alto School Board Candidate

What should I look for in a school board candidate in Palo Alto?

First of all, you should think about the issues that are important to you as a Palo Alto parent and/or citizen. For example, are you concerned about any of the following:

• Common Core curriculum adoption and testing?
• High school advisory structure?
• School calendar?
• School climate and emotional support for students?
• Rigor and consistency in teaching and learning?
• Homework?
• Teacher selection and evaluation?
• Student-teacher ratios?
• Special education?
• ‘Laning’ for math and English in middle school and high school?

What’s your hot button? You’ll want to find out where the candidates stand on issues that are important to you. And beyond these specific issues, you’ll want to see if the candidates have the key experience and personality traits to be successful as school board members in Palo Alto.

Here are 8 characteristics to look for in any prospective Palo Alto School Board Member:

1. Collaborative spirit: The ability to work well with a team and support group decisions, along with an understanding that the board sets a climate for the entire district
2. Community connections: A desire to work toward a stronger relationship between the district and the public it serves
3. Focus on kids first: A keen eye toward serving the needs of all students, regardless of their abilities and backgrounds, as a first priority
4. Professionalism: A professional, poised demeanor and respectful, respectable behavior
5. Ability to see multiple viewpoints: Respect for diverse points of view
6. Dedication to the Board role: Commitment to the time and energy required each week for meetings, phone calls, conversations, visits to schools, and professional development seminars and workshops
7. Expertise and knowledge: Knowledge about district policies, guidelines, needs, challenges and strengths
8. Commitment to public education: At the heart of it all, members of a district’s board of education must believe, unequivocally, in the value of public education. They must be dedicated to serving and teaching all children. They must believe in the democratic process and understand that their role is to act strategically, in line with the interests of the entire school community.

By Victoria Thorp, based on content from GreatSchools.org

See also:

• Palo Alto School Board Election Overview
• Why Does the School Board Matter in Palo Alto?