about school board school
School Board School equips education advocates and aspiring school board members with the knowledge and network to drive systemic change. We do this by recruiting a diverse cohort that reflects the demographics of our community, leading the cohort through a 7-month learning program, and then remaining engaged with them as part of our coalition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Would I make a good School Board School member?
To improve outcomes for children and build more just and equitable communities, we must invest in the development of district leaders who reflect the diversity of the children we serve. School Board School is purposeful in building a diverse applicant pool so that the district’s school board and education leaders reflect the diversity of the district.
While we focus on recruiting people of different backgrounds, skills and experiences, they all share:
A belief in the ability of every one of the district’s children
A passion for and knowledge of the community
A willingness to learn
A track record of positively impacting the community
A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Are there any hard and fast requirements?
At School Board School, we invest a lot in our members and expect that they, in turn, will invest in their own learning. To that end, you must agree to attend all of the sessions and field trips, and to arrive on time and prepared. Additionally, members sign a media waiver so that we can share all the good stuff we’re doing with the world.
How much of a time commitment is School Board School?
You need 5-10 hours a week to devote to the 7-month learning program. Some weeks, that is time on your own reading and preparing for group sessions. But often, that time is with the group. It’s important for you to have a flexible daytime schedule in order to attend board meetings and school tours. After the learning program, the time commitment will vary depending on what you choose to pursue.
If I want campaign help, should I apply to School Board School?
There are lots of great organizations that can help you campaign, but School Board School is not one of them. School Board School is not involved in political activity. Once you decide you want to run for school board, you will connect with organizations that specialize in campaign work.
Where is School Board School?
School Board School is currently working in the Cincinnati metro area. If you are interested in bringing School Board School to your community, please get in touch. We’d love to talk!
Is School Board School open to anyone, regardless of political party affiliation?
School Board School is non-partisan but members must align with the vision and values of Cincinnati Public Schools, including those outlined in the below policies and resolutions, so that you are working in concert with the people in our district and can move toward better outcomes for kids faster.
Resolution re: Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness, and Excellence in Education (pg 3-4)
Resolution affirming CPS' commitment to all students regardless of immigration status
Resolution committing to the safety of all students and staff (pg 2-3)
Are there any other expectations of School Board School members?
During our learning program, we provide a robust curriculum that includes the opportunity to engage with content area experts, current and former elected officials, access to relevant research and materials, and field trip experiences. However, we also expect you to be actively involved in your learning by coming prepared, asking good questions, and engaging in meaningful conversations.
Additionally, every session incorporates points of reflection, where members must consider and articulate their values, how those values and their skills & experiences intersect with the work that needs to be done in our school system, and make connections between the decisions they will make as school board members or advocates and the impact of those decisions on our students and community. This is difficult and sometimes uncomfortable work, but we expect members to engage in it in order to better serve our students.
We also expect members to prioritize camaraderie over competition because we know you can’t do this work successfully if you’re working alone. By building camaraderie within the group, members act as a support for each other on the campaign trail, in office, or serving the district’s children as education advocates.
Finally, joining School Board School is a long-term commitment. During the learning program, we help provide you with the tools needed to make change, but the real work happens after the learning program when you join in the work of the larger coalition and support each other in your individual goals & in collective actions to build more just and equitable school systems.
School Board School didn't just teach us how the school board works or how to support Cincinnati Public Schools—it gave us the space and time to reflect on our own values and the impact we hope to contribute.
Heather Gerker
Class 1
Class Schedule
Class Seven Schedule (2026 - 2027)
Before applying, please make sure that you’re available on the dates listed. Questions or concerns? Get in touch with us via email.
August
Session: Welcome to School Board School
Saturday, 8/1/26, 9:00AM–12:45PM
Session: What’s My Why?
Saturday, 8/8/26, 8:30AM–5:00PM
Field Trip: Superintendent Speech + Debrief
Week of August 10, (TBD when announced by the district)
Session: How the Board Works
Saturday, 8/29/26, 9:00AM–4:30PM
September
CPS Board Business Meeting
Monday, 9/14/26, 5:30PM–7:30PM (may attend in person or virtual)
Session: Board Business Meeting Debrief + Asset Mapping
Saturday, 9/19/26, 9:00AM–3:00PM
Field Trip: School Visits
Tuesday, 9/29/26 OR Wednesday, 9/30/26, 9:00AM–2:30PM
October
Session: Systems Change
Saturday, 10/10/26, 9:00AM–5:00PM
Session: Introduction to Big Issues in Education
Saturday, 10/17/26, 9:00AM–2:00PM
CPS Student Achievement Committee of the Whole Meeting
Wednesday, 10/21/26, 4:00PM–7:30PM - Virtual
November
Session: How Policy is Made
Saturday, 11/7/26, 9:00AM–3:00PM
CPS Policy Committee Meeting
Friday, 11/13/26, 9:30AM–12:30PM - Virtual
Session: Midway Check-In
Tuesday, 11/17/26, 4:00–8:00PM
December
Session: District Finances and Budgets
Saturday, 12/5/24, 9:00AM-4:00PM
CPS Finance Committee Meeting
Friday, 12/18/26, 10:00AM–2:00PM - Virtual
January
Session: How This Work Affects Your Life + Organizing Mini Session
Saturday, 1/9/27, 9:00AM–3:00PM
Education Policy Pitch Night
Week of January 25, 6:00PM–7:30PM, Virtual
February
Session: Fundraising Skill-Building
Saturday, 2/6/27, 9:00AM–3:00PM
Event: Impact Fair
Thursday, 2/18/27, 4:45PM–8:00PM
Session: Articulating Your Vision for Impact
Saturday, 2/27/27, 9:00AM–5:00PM
March
Session: Impact Presentations
Wednesday, 3/13/27, TBD (previous years have been 4:00PM–8:00PM)
MAY
Session: 50-Day Check-In
Thursday, 5/6/27, 5:30–7:30 PM
June
Session: 100-Day Check-In
TBD
This group represents the truly expansive way we wish people thought about diversity—age, socio-economic background, perspective and ways of thinking, as well as race and gender. This is what we mean by a diverse coalition of people working for a common goal.
David Weaver
Director of Strategic Partnerships, Youth at the Center School Board School Session Facilitator
Class 7 Application Timeline
01. Application OPens
Tuesday, April 21
Thursday, June 4 at noon
03. Interview
Notification
Thursday, June 11
When I entered School Board School, I was certain that I understood all things school board and had a strong foundation of knowledge. What I wasn’t prepared for was the depth of knowledge that I would gain, the intensity of self-reflection and personal purpose, and increasing a variety of relationships. School Board School afforded me the opportunity to understand systems, processes and policies while pouring more knowledge and confidence into me.
Kareem Moncree-Moffett
Class 1
Know someone who should apply to School Board School?