NSBA Deputy Executive Director Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs was quoted in an article in Education Week on how to better recruit and retain school board members of color. The article notes that recruiting and retaining school board members of color is a challenge for many reasons, including little to no pay; a lack of background, expertise, and assistance in policymaking; and increasing scrutiny from parents and community members of equitable school policies.

“It’s probably one of the most thankless jobs as elected officials go. And then on top of that, you really don’t get service, you don’t get paid for it,” said McCotter-Jacobs. “Oftentimes, I think school board members find themselves on an island, feeling alone and feeling sort of isolated from everything else. But if we could change some of those things and put things in place that make it a little easier to serve, then we would see greater retention."

McCotter-Jacobs suggested checking with groups such as the NAACP, legal groups that offer pro bono services related to education, and even the district’s parent-teacher organization for school board recruitment.

“I think there are different groups like that that we should tap into. And half of those people are already advocating. They know a lot about what the needs are around education,” she said. Read the article. (Subscription Required)