About

About Us

NSBA is a federation of 49 state associations and the U.S. territory of the Virgin Islands, representing their more than 90,000 school board officials. These local officials govern over 13,600 local school districts serving more than 50 million public school students. Working with and through our state associations, and serving as their Washington, D.C. office, NSBA advocates for equity and excellence in public education through school board leadership.

We believe public education is America’s most vital institution. It is a civil right necessary to the dignity and freedom of the American people, and all children deserve equal access to an education which encourages them to reach their potential.

In pursuit of these beliefs, NSBA and our members will continue to lead the national conversation about public education, advocate for public policies that ensure all students everywhere have access to an excellent public education where they live, create a better understanding of the importance of school boards and the benefits of local governance, and enhance the effectiveness of school boards.

NSBA and our members utilize our resources including the Council of School Attorneys (COSA), the Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE), the National Black Council of School Board Members (NBC), the National Hispanic Council of School Board Members (NHC), the National American Indian and Alaska Native Council of School Board Members (AIAN), the Conference of State Association Legislative Staff (CSALS), the Federal Relations Network (FRN), the Friends of Public Education Network (FPE), the National School Boards Action Center (NSBAC), and the Center for Public Education (CPE) to fulfill our mission.

NSBA is a not-for-profit organization. The public policy agenda is determined by a 150-member Delegate Assembly made up of local school board members who represent their state associations of school boards. The Board of Directors translates this policy into action. Programs and services are administered by NSBA’s Executive Director and CEO, and by professional staff. NSBA is headquartered within the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area in Alexandria, Virginia.

Our History Our Board Our Management Team

Working with and through our State Associations and the U.S. territory of the Virgin Islands, NSBA advocates for equity and excellence in public education through school board governance. Learn more about NSBA's Mission, Vision and Goals.

We affirm in our actions that each student can, will, and shall learn. We recognize that based on factors including but not limited to disability, race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status, students are often deprived of equitable educational opportunities. Educational equity is the intentional allocation of resources, instruction, and opportunities according to need, requiring that discriminatory practices, prejudices, and beliefs be identified and eradicated.

Equity Councils

NSBA has instituted four councils to represent school board members in districts with underserved students. The councils—the National American Indian/Alaska Native Council of School Board Members (AIAN), the National Black Council of School Board Members (NBC), the Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE), and the National Hispanic Council (NHC)— are working to ensure school board members both understand and are equipped to support the unique needs of historically underserved children.

Click here for more information about NSBA's vision for Equity in Public Education, or contact: equity@nsba.org

Since our founding more than seven decades ago, NSBA has advocated for equity and excellence in public education, and our commitment to this core mission has never been stronger. By exercising our legal voice on critical issues, continuously engaging with federal policymakers, and leading the charge with our public advocacy work, NSBA represents the interests of our nation’s 90,000 local school board members and the 50 million public school students they serve. Learn about NSBA's Advocacy initiatives.

Our Members

Our members comprise 49 state school boards associations and U.S. territory of the Virgin Islands. State school boards associations are nonprofit organizations that represent more than 90,000 local school board members who serve on local school boards and are dedicated to educating every child to his or her fullest potential and committed to leadership for student achievement. Local school board members govern over 13,600 local school districts serving the nation's 50 million public school students.

State school boards associations offer training and other services to help support school board members in their work. The associations help with policy writing, legal matters, insurance, superintendent searches, and other issues. They also track state legislation and advocate for school boards, local governance, and public schools to state legislatures.

In states that require mandated training for school board members, state school boards associations are the primary authority on training related to governance, policy, and fiduciary responsibility. NSBA provides additional resources to complement the great training and resources delivered by our state association member. Learn more about School Board Members and Local Governance.

NSBA Governance

NSBA is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of three elected officers, President, President-elect and Secretary-Treasurer; the immediate Past President; fifteen Directors, three from each Region elected by members of the Delegate Assembly from that Region; and the chairs of the Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native and Urban Board Councils. The chairs of the Organization of State Association Executive Directors and Council of School Attorneys, and NSBA’s Executive Director are non-voting members of the Board of Directors. The Delegate Assembly is NSBA’s policy making body. Learn about NSBA’s leadership, beliefs, policies, resolutions and our strategic plan.

Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities

With NSBA, you can reach a broad audience of education professionals that includes over 90,000 school board members in 13,000 school districts across the country, or a more targeted group of decision makers that focuses on the issues that are most relevant to your organization. Whether you choose print or online, corporate sponsorship or partnership, NSBA helps maximize your reach and return on investment.

50,000

The American School Board Journal's monthly newsletter is distributed to over 50,000 school leaders and education professionals.

23,500

NSBA's award-winning, flagship magazine, American School Board Journal (ASBJ) reaches over 23,500 public education professionals.

7,500

NSBA’s signature event, the Annual Conference and Exposition, regularly hosts over 7,500 public education professionals and advocates.

3,000

NSBA’s Council of School Attorneys reaches over 3,000 attorneys representing public school districts and state school boards associations.

Corporate Sponsorship

Careers

Consider a career with the National School Boards Association and help secure America’s future while you build your own. Careers with NSBA feature flex time, teleworking and ample vacation and scheduled holidays. We offer a 403(b) plan with matching contributions, as well as medical, dental, and vision care plans.

Learn More About Careers At NSBA