Voter education
What Does a School Board Actually Do?
This page exists to explain the job — not to campaign. If more voters understand what a school board can and can't do, every campaign conversation gets more honest.
What a school board does NOT control
Knowing the limits matters as much as knowing the powers. In California, a local school board does not set state funding levels, does not write the state academic standards, does not issue teacher credentials, and does not run day-to-day school operations — principals and district staff do. Boards also have no authority over city services, parks, or housing decisions, even when those shape family life around a school.
How decisions flow
A simplified overview — including the state's role and the two-way relationship with the community.
Community
Residents & families
Elects the board — and can also speak directly to it at any meeting
State
CDE & Legislature
Sets mandates & funding (AB 1454, LCFF) the board must adopt
School Board
Superintendent
District Administration
Schools
Voters elect the board, and influence doesn't stop at the ballot box — residents can address the board directly at any public meeting. The state sets mandates and funding through laws like AB 1454 and the LCFF formula, which the board has to adopt into local policy. From there, the board sets direction and hires the superintendent, and the superintendent and district administration run the schools.
Who does what
Three different jobs in one system. Confusing them is how accountability gets lost — so here they are side by side.
The Board
Governs
- Sets direction and policy
- Approves the budget
- Hires and evaluates the superintendent
The Superintendent
Manages
- Runs the district day to day
- Implements board policy
- Leads district staff
School Sites
Teach & support
- Principals lead each school
- Teachers and staff work with students directly
- Day-to-day decisions happen here
The board governs. The superintendent manages. Schools teach.
From a question to a decision
What actually happens between “why is it like this?” and a board vote.
A question is raised
By a parent, teacher, student, or board member — anyone.
Staff study it
Data, costs, and legal constraints are gathered.
Public discussion
The board discusses it at open meetings and hears community input.
Public vote
The board votes in open session, where the public can watch.
Implementation
The superintendent and district staff carry out the decision.
Report back
Results return to the community — and new questions begin.
It's a loop, not a line — every decision creates the evidence for the next question.