0 for 5. What I’ve learned about not being selected for School Board, again.
Local school boards rarely make national headlines. But they are among the most important institutions shaping community health, economic opportunity, and long-term social stability.
Recently, I interviewed for a vacancy on the Exeter Township School Board in Pennsylvania. It was my fifth rodeo, and like before, I wasn’t selected. That happens in public life.
But the experience made me reflect on the challenges school districts are facing today and why they matter not just for educators, but for anyone working in public health, workforce development, or community systems change.
The issues that stood out most to me during the process were financial sustainability and how emerging technologies, especially large language models (LLMs), will reshape the workforce our schools are preparing students for.
These aren’t abstract concerns. They’re deeply connected to the health and resilience of our communities.
Why School Boards Matter for Public Health
Public schools are one of the most powerful community institutions in the United States. They influence:
- educational attainment
- economic mobility
- mental health and well-being
- workforce readiness
- community cohesion
From a public health perspective, schools function as upstream infrastructure. When school systems are strong, communities tend to experience better health outcomes over time. That’s why governance matters.
School boards are responsible for setting district vision, overseeing budgets, and holding superintendents accountable for results. They do not manage daily operations, but they determine the policies and financial strategies that shape what schools can actually accomplish. When school boards function well, they provide stability and long-term planning. When they don’t, districts can become reactive and fragmented.
Long-Term Fiscal Sustainability
One issue I believed would be central was long-term fiscal sustainability. Across the country, school districts face growing structural pressures:
- pension obligations
- rising healthcare costs
- facilities maintenance
- fluctuating enrollment
- community concerns about property taxes
In Pennsylvania, pension obligations are particularly significant. These costs are set largely at the state level but are paid through district budgets. That means school boards must plan carefully to ensure these obligations don’t crowd out investments in students. The challenge is balancing two legitimate priorities:
- Protecting taxpayers from unsustainable cost growth
- Maintaining strong educational programs
Short-term thinking rarely solves this tension. It requires long-range planning and transparent community dialogue.
From a public health perspective, this is a classic systems challenge. Financial pressures, policy decisions, and community expectations interact in complex ways, requiring thoughtful governance.
The Other Issue School Boards Must Start Discussing: AI and the Future Workforce
Another issue that deserves far more attention is how artificial intelligence is changing the labor market our students will enter. Large language models and AI systems are already reshaping many industries:
- research and data analysis
- writing and communications
- software development
- customer support
- legal and administrative work
These changes raise important questions for education systems. Heck, I’ve had to completely change my assignments for a course I’m adjuncting at SUNY.
What skills will matter most in an AI-supported economy? Many analysts now emphasize capabilities like:
- problem-solving
- critical thinking
- collaboration
- adaptability
- digital literacy
These skills are not new, but the urgency around them is growing. School systems must prepare students for multiple possible futures: college pathways, skilled trades, and emerging technology-enabled careers. That means strengthening core academic foundations while also helping students learn how to work with complex technologies.
From a public health perspective, this matters because economic opportunity is one of the strongest determinants of long-term health outcomes.
The Real Challenge: Balancing Competing Priorities
During the interview process, I was asked what I thought the biggest challenge facing school districts today might be. My answer centered on the need to balance three priorities that all matter deeply to communities:
- Maintaining high academic standards
- Supporting student well-being
- Managing financial pressures responsibly
None of these goals can come at the expense of the others. Students need strong academic preparation, but they also need environments where they feel safe and supported. At the same time, school districts must remain financially stable to continue serving future generations. School boards exist precisely to manage these trade-offs.
Governance Matters: How Boards Should Handle Disagreement
Another question that often came up is how candidates would handle disagreements among members. Healthy disagreement is not a problem in governance. In fact, it’s essential. The key is ensuring discussions remain focused on:
- evidence
- district goals
- community needs
When debates become personal or political, boards can lose sight of their purpose. Once a decision is made, effective governance requires members to support the board’s collective direction and communicate decisions constructively to the public. This kind of collaborative governance is increasingly important as districts navigate complex challenges.
Preparing Students for Many Possible Futures
When thinking about the academic priorities for a district, I believe schools should focus on preparing students for a wide range of futures. Strong literacy and math foundations remain essential. But students also need opportunities to develop practical skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and communication.
Equally important is student well-being. Research consistently shows that students learn best when they feel safe, connected, and supported. These goals are not separate from academic achievement. They reinforce it.
A Final Reflection
I wasn’t chosen for the school board seat, and that’s part of how civic processes work. But the experience reinforced something I already believed strongly:
School governance is one of the most important public health issues, yet most people never think about it.
School boards shape the institutions that prepare the next generation of citizens, workers, and community leaders.
And as technology, economic pressures, and social challenges evolve, thoughtful governance will matter more than ever.
Public schools belong to the entire community. People will always have different perspectives. The responsibility of school boards—and, really, all public institutions—is to listen respectfully, focus on evidence, and keep students’ well-being at the center of every decision.
That’s a principle public health can stand behind.
But yes, I’m still really bummed out.
