Purpose

• School board members are elected by voters in their communities to serve a four-year term without pay, explains Central Bucks School District. Their purpose is to represent the ideals of community members who have a vested interest in what goes on within local schools. Members must always vote on issues per what they believe is the most beneficial for each student within the school system, regardless of race, religion, disability or financial status.
  
  

Duties

• School boards across the U.S. discuss visions for improving local schools, set goals toward creating those visions, implement policies improving the efficiency of the school system as a whole and evaluate the results of their decisions. Duties include setting a budget for schools and school calendars; approving school staff and contractor decisions, school building usage, district expenses, school textbooks, areas of study and foreign exchange student programs; determining the need for additional schools and higher school tax rates; and regulating school assignment and transportation policies.
  
  

Significance

• School board members vote on various school issues in support of the views of some members of the public they serve. Community members count on them to make decisions that will benefit public education for their children. Policies set forth by the school board are approved by a majority of votes from each board member.
  
  

Community Relations

• The school board must interact with the public and allow local citizens to express their views regarding education in their communities. The board of education serves as a link between local schools and the community. The board holds regular meetings which are open to the public. Permission is often granted for community members to speak to the board to voice their concerns on policies which they believe will drastically affect public education.
  
  

Character Traits

• School board members must be independent thinkers with their own solid opinions about school policies, but they must also be able to work with the other board members as a team to develop school policies. Members must have the courage, commitment and communication skills to stand up for educational issues they believe in and attempt to influence other board members to vote along with them. The well-being of all students is forever their focus.