Series: Who’s Really in Charge?

A breakdown of the local roles shaping our schools, safety, and everyday life.

It’s Time We Talk About Who’s in Charge of Our Babies

We trust a small group of people to make decisions about our schools, our teachers, and our children’s futures. But when was the last time we really looked at who those people are? Across the country, school boards quietly shape what happens in classrooms every single day often without much public attention. And if we’re being honest, most of us weren’t taught to pay attention to them at all.

That’s a problem.

Because accountability, fresh perspective, and real community voice don’t just happen on their own.

So… What Does a School Board Actually Do?

School boards aren’t ceremonial. They’re powerful.

They decide:

• What gets taught and what gets left out

• How millions of education dollars are spent

• Who gets hired to lead schools and districts

• What safety policies are in place

• How discipline is handled (which disproportionately impacts Black and Brown students)

In plain terms:They’re in charge of our babies.

Not just during meetings but in decisions that follow students home, shape their confidence, and affect their long-term opportunities.

Who’s Been in Power and for How Long?

Here’s where things get uncomfortable.

In many communities, school board members have held seats for decades sometimes 10, 20, even 30+ years. Often without serious challengers. Often without real public scrutiny.

Longevity isn’t automatically a bad thing. But unchecked longevity? That’s worth questioning.

Why This Matters Right Now

Let’s be real: the challenges students face today are nothing like they were decades ago.

Schools are navigating:

• Student mental health crises

• Lockdown drills and safety fears

• Technology gaps and AI in the classroom

• Discipline disparities and suspension pipelines

• LGBTQ+ student protections

• Culturally relevant curriculum in a changing world

Experience matters but relevance matters too. Leadership should evolve as students’ realities evolve.

No Term Limits = Little Turnover

In many states and districts, there are no term limits for school board members.

That means the same people can stay in power indefinitely as long as voter turnout stays low and awareness stays even lower.

The result?

• Minimal accountability

• Limited new ideas

• Policies that get recycled instead of reimagined

Not because people don’t care but because many communities were never taught to look here in the first place.

So What Can We Do?

This isn’t about outrage. It’s about engagement.

Here’s where change actually starts:

1. Know who represents you. Learn who sits on your local school board and what they stand for.

2. Pay attention. Attend or watch meetings not to argue, but to understand how decisions are made.

3. Ask questions. Email your board members. Ask about safety, equity, discipline, and student support.

4. Encourage new leadership. If you know someone with vision, integrity, and real community connection encourage them to run.And yes… that person might be you.

Final Thought

We can’t keep saying “protect the babies” without knowing who’s actually responsible for protecting them.

Leadership without accountability is just power left unchecked.

It’s time to pay attention. It’s time to ask better questions and it may be time to invite new energy into the rooms where decisions are being made.

Because our kids deserve leadership that sees them, understands this moment, and is willing to grow with them.