During the past few months, I’ve shared some insights from those who work closest to your student: teachers, principals and parent-led organization leaders. As a follow-up, I wanted to include in this ongoing conversation another group of folks who are making a difference: school board members. I had the privilege of gathering information from two local moms who took advocacy to the next level by running for and being elected to local school boards.
Jenny Nguyen-Statler, a graduate of Westmoore High School in the Moore Public School district, has served on the MPS Board of Education since 2020 and is the board’s current president. The former Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) leader is notably the first Asian American and first person of color to serve on the MPS board. She has two children in the district schools. Her advocacy work extends beyond the school board. In fact, when I spoke to Statler, she was gearing up to visit multiple MPS elementary schools to teach about Lunar New Year.
Lori Bowman is an OKCPS Board of Education member. She has served on the board since 2021 and is its current vice chair. She has two children who are students in the OKCPS district. Despite her professional and school board responsibilities, Bowman also remains actively involved at the school level. I first met Bowman while we both served as PTA volunteers at our children’s middle school.
I checked in with both women to ask, “What’s the deal with school boards and how can parents/guardians best engage with them?”
School Boards of Education
“The school board is responsible for district policy and setting the overarching vision for the district,” says Bowman.
While the state board of education sets broad policies, local school boards can set policies that best suit the school district’s community. Local school policies that make sense for a small rural community may not work within a large metropolitan school district.
For Statler, the goal is simple: “to provide a safe and equitable education experience for all students.”
The benefit of local school boards is they are responsive to their communities.
Statler notes: “It is important to meet each school and student where they are.”
While school boards work with district administrators to set policies, this isn’t done without input from those most directly impacted. School boards “also bring the voice of the community to district discussions,” adds Bowman. That’s right: your voice matters.
How to Engage with Your School Board
I asked both women about effective ways for parents to engage with their local school board.
“Always ask questions to not only understand what is happening in your school/school district, but also why it is happening,” said Statler. “If you are speculating or have concerns, ask.”
She also encourages parents/guardians to be open to first talking with their student’s teachers and administration.
This suggestion is echoed by Bowman: “If families have questions related to a class teacher or the school their child attends, they should first talk to the classroom teacher and then the school principal. If they need additional information, they are always welcome to reach out to district staff or the superintendent.”
However, if those actions have been taken, especially if the issue is related to school/district policy, both board members suggest reaching out to a school board member.
Bowman says: “If community members have questions or concerns about district policies, we are here to listen and to, potentially, take action on them.”
School boards allot time during regular meetings to hear public comment. To speak during this portion of the meeting, you will need to sign up ahead of time. Statler describes this portion of the meeting as “an open forum to voice concerns, not an opportunity to attack.” Nor should you expect an immediate response to your public comment from the school board during the meeting. But rest assured, your comments are entered into the meeting minutes and are discussed by the board and administration.
Call to Action
“The best way to support school board members is by getting engaged in the work of the district,” said Bowman.
She adds that parents and guardians can “volunteer and stay up to date … by following school district social media pages to learn the latest news and to hear the stories of our amazing students and staff.”
Statler gives these three simple action steps: “Get involved, ask questions and learn board policy.”
She also notes you can reach out to your school board members by email, phone or direct messaging with concerns.
“We welcome any feedback, be it positive or negative,” said Statler.
Bowman echoed this suggestion: “Please reach out to give us feedback and to ask questions about high-level issues and district policies.”
At the end of the day, school board members have your student, their teachers and school community’s best interest in mind. They want you to be a part of that process.
Bowman notes, “We are your representatives, so it’s important for us to hear from you. We all need to work together on behalf of our students!”
