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 governance.

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/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), the Center for Public Education (CPE), and the Stand Up 4 Public Schools campaign 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 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. NSBA’s Executive Director is a non-voting member 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.

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