What Are School Boards and Why are they Important?
By Nathan Sosa, WCD Comms Team Volunteer
Oregon school boards are a part of The Oregon Department of Education.
The Oregon public school system is divided into numerous geographic districts. Washington County contains eighteen such districts. Each district is overseen by a Board of Directors, and these directors are volunteers who are elected to four-year terms.
The board typically meets once a month to fulfill a variety of tasks.
The Oregon School Board’s duties include the following:
- Hire and/or evaluate the school district’s superintendent;
- Set and oversee policy for the district;
- Establish the district’s budget;
- Guide collective bargaining;
- Act as a link between the public and district employees; and
- Advocate for the interests and needs of the district.
Board decisions can have a significant effect on students, their families, and the community
Topics such as curriculum, classroom size, the allocation of resources, the presence of security officers on-campus, and other hot-button issues make the role of board members vital.
