Seats of Change: The Future of School Boards

Where Local Decisions Power Democracy
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Seats of Change: The Future of School Boards – Explores the crucial role of local governance through the lens of school boards. Through insightful interviews with current and former school board members, researchers, and practitioners, we highlight their experiences campaigning, serving, and driving equity, and reveal how their work at the grassroots level builds the foundation of our democracy. seatsofchange.substack.com

Episodes

  1. NOV 4

    Beyond the Ballot Civic Power with Secretary Thomas

    Join us for a compelling conversation with CT’s Secretary of State, Stephanie Thomas, as we explore the essential pillars of a thriving democracy, which impact school boards, candidate pipelines, and elections. This episode goes beyond election-day headlines, diving into voter turnout and reimagining civic education and engagement programs to better inform all community members about how local government works. The Secretary offers candid insights into her own journey in public service, sharing how she navigated the personal challenge of imposter syndrome and offering advice new candidates. Finally, we discuss tangible ways to empower community members in local government, emphasizing that true civic power is found not just at the polls, but in sustained, local engagement and helping every citizen recognize their own capacity to drive change. Tune in for an inspiring look at how to build a more engaged and confident citizenry. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seatsofchange.substack.com

    37 min

  2. OCT 21

    Consulting the board & racial identity politics with Versha Munshi-South

    Stamford Public Schools (CT) school board member and education leadership coach Versha Munshi-South joins us to talk about the difference between campaigning and serving, quirky rules like minority representation, public meeting laws, and FOIA. Her experience as an education consultant supported Versha’s work on the board improving systems and practices, while her roles as a mom and a racial minority impacted both her campaign and service. As her term ends, she’s thinking about how to improve the systems and structures for those who will serve after her. Resources: School Board Partners | Governance Education & Empowerment. (2025). School Board Partners. https://schoolboardpartners.org/ Gov, O., D’ambrose, S., & Proto, J. (2017). Minority Representation on Municipal Boards. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/rpt/pdf/2017-r-0344.pdf School+State Finance Project. https://schoolstatefinance.org/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seatsofchange.substack.com

    38 min

  3. OCT 7

    Politicization, threats, mascots, and building support networks with Dr. Leslie Rasmussen

    Dr. Leslie Rasmussen offers a compelling look at how the increasing politicization of school boards profoundly affected her tenure in a suburban Ohio community. She recounts the challenges to her board service, professional career, and even the security of her family, all set against a backdrop of significant events like COVID-19 social distancing, the Black Lives Matter movement, heated debates around critical race theory, and a divisive community controversy concerning a mascot with Native American imagery. Dr. Rasmussen also highlights her research on messaging strategies and astroturf attacks, and her pivotal role in facilitating the School Board Alliance with Honesty for Ohio Education, a crucial initiative that provides a network for support and professional development to student-centered, equity-focused, value-aligned school board members across Ohio. Resources: New Survey Results Confirm School Board Officials at High Risk of Threats and Harassment. (2024). Bridging Divides Initiative. https://bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/updates/2024/new-survey-results-confirm-school-board-officials-high-risk-threats-and-harassment School Board Alliance. (2025). Honesty for Ohio Education. https://www.honestyforohioeducation.org/school-board-alliance.html Understanding Threats and Harassment to Local Officials. (n.d.). Bridging Divides Initiative. https://bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/UnderstandingThreats This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seatsofchange.substack.com

    53 min

  4. SEP 16

    Exploring the role of school boards and training pipelines with Elisa Hoffman

    This podcast features an interview with Elisa Hoffman, a former Cincinnati School Board member and the visionary founder of School Board School. We discuss common misconceptions about the role of school board members and dive deep on civic engagement, exploring various pathways individuals can take to become advocates and serve their communities. The conversation highlights the significance of public comment in local governance and offers practical advice on how community members can effectively utilize this often-underestimated tool, and how districts can better support authentic community engagement. We engage in a thought-provoking discussion about the role of philanthropy in strengthening grassroots advocacy and public service, examining how charitable organizations can better support and empower individuals dedicated to this vital work. Tune in to learn how to make your voice heard and contribute meaningfully to your local community. Show notes: * Collins, J. (2021). Should School Boards Be in Charge? The Effects of Exposure to Participatory and Deliberative School Board Meetings. Peabody Journal of Education, 96(3), 341–355. https://doi.org/10.1080/0161956X.2021.1943239 * S-BYE (School Board and Youth Engagement Lab), Teachers College, Columbia University, https://www.tc.columbia.edu/sbye/ * School Board School, https://www.schoolboardschool.org/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seatsofchange.substack.com

    48 min

  5. SEP 2

    An unplanned step – Transitioning from advocate to board member with Diana Carpio

    Welcome to the first episode where we connect with Diana Carpio, from Norwalk, CT. Diana has served six years on the board, including three as board chair. She’s served through some tumultuous times, including the COVID pandemic. In this episode, we explore her personal pathway to office, how her identity as the sole Latina board member in a heavily Latine/x community impacts her service, community engagement, and transparency. Diana discusses her efforts to bridge the gap between the school board and the community, emphasizing the importance of open communication and transparency in building trust. Show notes: * Ashley, E., & Douglass, C. (2022). Empty seats at powerful tables: The state of school boards in America. School Board Partners. https://issuu.com/schoolboardpartners/docs/sbp_emptyseats_digital * Fraga, L., & Elis, R. (2009). Interests and representation: Ethnic advocacy on California school boards. Teachers College Record, 111(3), 659–682. https://doi.org/10.1177/016146810911100304 * Fraga, L., Krimm, D., Neiman, M., & Reyes, B. (2010). Examining Latino representation on California’s school boards: Their impact on perceptions about district problems, priorities and policies. Public Policy Institute of California. * Kogan, V., Lavertu, S., & Peskowitz, Z. (2021). How does minority political representation affect school district administration and student outcomes? American Journal of Political Science, 65(3), 699–716. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajps.12587 * Kogan, V., Lavertu, S., & Peskowitz, Z. (2021). The democratic deficit in U.S. education governance. American Political Science Review, 115(3), 1082–1089. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003055421000162 * Marschall, M. (2005). Minority incorporation and local school boards. In W. G. Howell (Ed.), Besieged (pp. 173–198). Brookings Institution Press. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7864/j.ctt127xjr.11 * Meier, K. J., Juenke, E. G., Wrinkle, R. D., & Polinard, J. L. (2005). Structural choices and representational biases: The post-election color of representation. American Journal of Political Science, 49(4), 758–768. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5907.2005.00153.x * Meier, K. J., Polinard, J. L., & Wrinkle, R. D. (2000). Micheal Giles and Mancur Olson meet Vincent Ostrom: Jurisdiction size and Latino representation. Social Science Quarterly, 81(1), 123–135. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seatsofchange.substack.com

    42 min

  6. JUN 30

    Seats of Change: The Future of School Boards Trailer

    Seats of Change: The Future of School Boards – Explores the crucial role of local governance through the lens of school boards. Through insightful interviews with current and former school board members, researchers, and practitioners, we highlight their experiences campaigning, serving, and driving equity, and reveal how their work at the grassroots level builds the foundation of our democracy. Follow us on Substack https://seatsofchange.substack.com or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/seatsofchange/. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seatsofchange.substack.com

    1 min
  • 6 Episodes

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4
out of 5
3 Ratings

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Seats of Change: The Future of School Boards – Explores the crucial role of local governance through the lens of school boards. Through insightful interviews with current and former school board members, researchers, and practitioners, we highlight their experiences campaigning, serving, and driving equity, and reveal how their work at the grassroots level builds the foundation of our democracy. seatsofchange.substack.com

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