It’s one thing to consider running for your local school board. It’s another to understand the responsibilities that come with the position.
School board members make decisions that shape students’ educational experiences, from establishing district priorities and approving budgets to adopting policies and holding district leadership accountable for results. Yet many people who consider running have limited opportunities to learn what the role involves before making that commitment.
“Most people thinking about running have a reason why they are running. But what they usually don’t have is a clear picture of the job,” said Y.F. Lou of the Christina School Board. “First State Educate’s training lets you look before you leap.”
As Delaware prepares for its 2027 school board elections, First State Educate (FSE) is helping prospective candidates and community members learn more about school board governance through its Knowledge Hub, an online learning platform offering free educational resources, practical tools, and opportunities for more structured learning.
Joining takes about 30 seconds, and membership is free.
Understanding the role before you run
School boards have an important responsibility: ensuring that public schools are organized, supported, and held accountable for providing students with a quality education.
But school board members do not manage the daily operations of their districts. Instead, they establish expectations, approve policies, allocate resources, monitor performance, and oversee the superintendent. Understanding where governance ends and management begins is one of the most important lessons for anyone considering school board service.
“Effective board service requires more than simply caring about students,” said Dr. Jeffrey T. Benson Jr., President of the Seaford School Board. “You have to understand governance, policy, finance, accountability, community engagement, and the difference between governing and managing day-to-day operations.”
These responsibilities require board members to consider competing priorities, understand financial and academic information, ask meaningful questions, and make decisions that serve the interests of students and the broader community.
For prospective candidates, learning about these responsibilities before running can help them determine whether the role aligns with their interests, skills, and expectations. For voters, understanding the role can help them evaluate candidates and recognize what effective board leadership looks like.
A free place to begin learning
FSE’s Knowledge Hub gives Delawareans a place to explore school board governance without having to commit to running for office or enrolling in a course.
Its free resource library includes downloadable guides, templates, and practical materials addressing topics such as public comment, district budgets, and school board governance. Members can also explore discussion groups and summaries of Delaware school board meetings to better understand the issues and decisions affecting local districts.
The resources are designed to be useful at different stages of involvement. Someone considering running can learn about the responsibilities of the position. A parent or community member can better understand how to engage with their local school board. A current school board member can return to the library when facing an unfamiliar issue or preparing for an important decision.
For those interested in more structured learning, FSE also offers self-paced courses for a fee. Topics include transparent governance and the Freedom of Information Act, strategic planning, resource allocation, effective governance, and Delaware’s new school funding formula.
Successful completion of designated courses or learning pathways can lead to verified digital credentials issued through Credly. These credentials provide a shareable record of completed learning that can be displayed on LinkedIn, professional profiles, and other digital platforms.
The goal is not simply to complete training, but to develop knowledge that can be applied to real decisions.
“I came into this role with limited K-12 experience and quickly realized how much I had to learn,” said Yanelle Powell of the Milford School Board. “I consider myself a professional learner, and the Knowledge Hub has given me the confidence to ask better questions, understand the issues before me, and become a more thoughtful and prepared board member.”
Learning doesn’t end after the election
Winning a school board election is the beginning of a new set of responsibilities. Newly elected members must quickly become familiar with district finances, academic performance, state requirements, board policies, and the procedures that govern public meetings and decision-making.
Even experienced members encounter new challenges as educational priorities, funding conditions, and community expectations change.
FSE works with school board members at different stages of their service, helping them develop the knowledge and skills needed to govern effectively. From 2023 through 2026, the organization trained or supported nearly one-third of Delaware’s school board members across the state’s 16 school districts.
Through its workshops, learning resources, and ongoing educational opportunities, FSE helps school board members connect governance principles to the decisions they face in their own districts.
That continuing support is important because effective governance is not simply about understanding the rules. It is about using information, asking the right questions, making informed decisions, and monitoring whether those decisions are producing better results for students.
Explore service before the 2027 elections
For Delawareans who are curious about serving, the coming months offer an opportunity to learn before deciding whether to run.
From October through December 2026, FSE is hosting a free, three-part webinar series for prospective candidates and community members interested in school board service.
The first session, Understanding the Role of the School Board, will take place virtually on Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Participants will learn about the responsibilities of school boards, the distinction between governance and daily management, and how board decisions affect students, families, and communities. They will also have an opportunity to ask questions and consider whether serving on a school board is right for them.
You do not need to have decided to run to participate. The series is open to anyone who wants to learn more about public school governance, including those who may wish to support a prospective candidate or become more informed about their local district.
“School boards make decisions that shape the future of our schools and the opportunities available to students. We need people who care about their communities, bring different perspectives, and are willing to learn what it takes to govern effectively,” said Julia Keleher, Executive Director of First State Educate. “You don’t need to have all the answers before deciding to run. That’s what First State Educate is here for: to help you understand the role, build your confidence, and develop the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference for students.”
School board service offers community members an opportunity to help shape the future of public education. Understanding the responsibilities, opportunities, and expectations of the role is an important first step toward deciding whether to serve. If you are interested in running for school board, complete a letter of interest to get more information.
Join the Knowledge Hub to explore free resources and begin learning at your own pace. Then, register for the October 27 webinar to ask questions, learn more about the role, and consider how you might contribute to Delaware’s public schools.
