Educational leadership researcher Raymond Lauk got his first taste of school board politics over 40 years ago as a student member on his local board in Roselle, Illinois. Lauk’s interest in how politics impact school board policymaking continued throughout his career as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and now as an associate professor at Eastern Kentucky University. Among his research projects is a study examining the influence of conservative national organizations, such as the 1776 Project, on school board elections. Although partisan support and endorsements are not new in board elections—Lauk points to teachers unions and pro-voucher advocacy groups as examples—today, “there just seems to be a different tone, almost a mirror image of national politics on local politics that I don’t believe I’ve seen before,” Lauk says. He discussed his ongoing research with ASBJ Associate Editor Michelle Healy and offered advice for building working relationships with school board members who hold opposing perspectives and ideologies. 

(This interview was edited for length and clarity).

What have you learned about the influence of national politics on some of the more contentious issues facing school boards?

One of the emerging trends from my early interviews is the belief that these issues were a groundswell up from the local level, as opposed to the issues being pushed down from the national level. That’s what the study participants say, so I must honor their words and perspectives. Also, while they are clearly embracing the conservative group endorsements they received, they wanted to be clear that they are not puppets of any organization. They don’t run from the support but see it as frosting on the cake regarding their candidacies.

What are the most common divisive issues currently driving school board elections?

Issues around trans [transgender] students seem to be taking a higher profile. Books, that’s always a target. I suspect that as we head into a new presidential election cycle, criticism of critical race theory (CRT) will come back—even though it’s a topic of study for a very small number of people in higher education. Critics point to social studies and social-emotional learning, seeing it as code for CRT. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is on the hit list. Parental rights are interwoven with all of this. Often, that’s code for controlling what books and curriculum materials children will be exposed to. Parental rights, however, have limits when it comes to parents of trans kids making decisions for their children.

How can school board members work effectively with board colleagues who hold very different political views?

We’ve got to figure out a way to talk to each other, listen respectfully, and engage in civil conversation with each other. All school board members have to work on the meat and potato issues of school board management, to dig into a school budget, and understand that the story of a school budget is the story of a community’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations for its children—told through numbers. My other advice: Try to set aside all the fury and noise and get back to focusing on kids and doing what’s right for kids.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RAYMOND LAUK