American School Board Journal-August 2026

This issue features two articles focused on buildings and facilities. Our partner, the Go Green Initiative, contributed "Facilities Management Plays Key Role in Healthy Learning Environments," which highlights the role of school facilities teams in improving indoor air quality. "Schools as Critical Community Infrastructure" draws on a multiyear, mixed methods study exploring how school building design can support resilience, equity, and community engagement. Also in the issue: Findings from Ballotpedia's national survey of school board members; an examination of the evolving federal education landscape and its implications for leadership and preparedness among school boards; and strategies for tackling chronic absenteeism by making schools places where students want to be.

ASBJ August 2026 Cover: A teacher at a hallway counter facing kids sitting on chairs

TOBIN MONTESSORI AND DARBY VASSALL UPPER SCHOOLS COMPLEX, DESIGNED BY PERKINS EASTMAN FOR THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS,

AND CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDREW RUGGE/© PERKINS EASTMAN

LEADERSHIP

Leadership Matters: It's Time to Stop Whispering Our Success
Our children's success should not depend on luck or exceptional resilience. Instead, it should depend on school systems that build bridges to a successful future, writes NSBA Executive Director and CEO Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs. NSBA's new national initiative — Stand Up 4 Public Schools — will help our members elevate their work to build those bridges and, in doing so, protect our nation's future.

President's Perspective: Blood, Sweat, and Tears Fuel the Passion to Serve
New NSBA President Leonard Lockhart, a proud product of Hartford, Connecticut, was raised in the Bellevue Square housing projects. In his first ASBJ column, Lockhart reflects on the challenges he faced, his educational journey, and the parents and community members who fueled his drive to build a better life for himself and all children.

FEATURES

Facilities Management Plays Key Role In Healthy Learning Environments
Supporting school facilities teams is essential in improving indoor air quality.

Schools as Critical Community Infrastructure
Schools perform better when designed to support communities' growing needs.

School Boards Speak
In a Ballotpedia study, district leaders had a lot to say about their jobs, their communities, and one another.

If Washington Steps Back, School Boards Must Step Up (Subscription Only)
The evolving federal education landscape demands a transformative approach to leadership and preparedness from school boards.

The Missing Link in Absenteeism Prevention
A healthy and welcoming school culture is essential to students' motivation to attend.

Teaching Safety, Not Sides (Subscription Only)
Washington state schools tackle gun violence through a statewide high school curriculum.

TRENDS

Newsmaker: Introducing NSBA's 2026-27 Board of Directors

Book Review: Leading Strategically: Achieving Ambitious Goals in Education (Subscription Only)

URBAN ADVOCATE

Breaking Barriers (Subscription Only)
Urban education leaders unite to redefine public schools.

SOUNDBOARD

Smarter Support
AI tutoring can enhance high-quality math instruction.

The Coded Bias of Artificial Intelligence (Subscription Only)
What happens when the same biases that harmed students in traditional systems become automated through AI?

ONLINE ONLY

Revamping Advisories for Greater Student Outcomes

Increase Communication Skills to Make Schools Safe