District Issues

School board members were asked to rate how concerned they were about 40 education issues in their district. These issues covered academics, finances, infrastructure, staffing, mental health, behavior, disability, activism, gender and sexuality, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Figure 7 shows the complete list of responses, ordered by the percentage of board members who said they were “concerned” or “somewhat concerned.”

Figure 7. N=153 to 156 depending on the issue.

Top Issues

Issues that concerned or somewhat concerned 70 percent or more board members are labeled below as “top issues,” while those that concerned or somewhat concerned 40 percent or less are labeled below as “minor issues.”

As Figure 8 shows, board members’ greatest concerns were with mental health, staffing, and behavior. Eighty-six percent expressed concern about the number of students with mental health problems, 83 percent about teacher shortages, and the same percentage about bullying and harassment. Eighty percent said they were worried about chronic absenteeism, and 79 percent about students acting out in class. Underfunded programs (76 percent), academic issues, ranging from grades and test scores to lack of support for students struggling academically (75 percent), and building conditions (72 percent) were also top concerns. 

Figure 8. Shows issues that concerned or somewhat concerned 70 percent or more. N=153 to 156 depending on the issue.

Minor Issues

Figure 9 shows that of the 40 issues presented, board members were least concerned about racial and ethnic achievement gaps, controversial books and curriculum, activism from students or parents, financial transparency, and internet and computer access. Just 39 percent expressed concerns about LGBTQ+ books being banned, while a near identical percentage (38 percent) expressed concern about sexually explicit books in school libraries. Critical race theory being taught to students worried just 36 percent of board members, while activist parents disrupting school board meetings and students engaging in activism at school troubled 34 and 35 percent respectively. Thirty-one percent expressed concern about financial transparency, and a mere 28 percent about internet and computer access.

Figure 9. Shows issues that concerned or somewhat concerned 40 percent or less. N=153 to 156 depending on the issue.

Academic Issues

As Figure 10 shows, a majority of board members are concerned or somewhat concerned about academic issues in their district. Seventy-five percent expressed concern about grades and standardized test scores, and the same percentage about the lack of support for struggling students, while 70 percent were worried about curriculum relevance and quality and 68 percent a lack of advanced learning opportunities. 

Figure 10. N=155.

Financial Issues

As Figure 11 illustrates, when it came to financial issues, board members were more concerned about a lack of funds than misspent funds. Seventy-six percent said they were concerned or somewhat concerned about programs being underfunded, while 55 percent said teacher pay and benefits were too low. Forty-six percent expressed concern about fiscal irresponsibility, while just 31 percent were worried about financial transparency.    

Figure 11. N=153.

Infrastructure Issues

Figure 12 shows that concern with infrastructure varied widely from issue to issue, with 72 percent concerned or somewhat concerned about building conditions compared to just 28 percent about internet and computer access. Sixty-six percent expressed concern with transportation in their district, and 51 percent with its recreational facilities.  

Figure 12. N=155.

Staffing Issues

Staffing issues were another major concern for board members, with 83 percent concerned or somewhat concerned about teacher shortages, as seen in Figure 13. Seventy-four percent expressed concern about dissatisfied staff, and the same percentage about staff quitting or retiring. Fifty-five percent expressed concern about the difficulty of finding new administrators.

Figure 13. N=155.

Mental Health Issues

Figure 14 shows that 86 percent of board members were concerned or somewhat concerned about the number of students with mental health problems in their district. Eighty-three percent expressed concern about bullying and harassment, 75 percent about the number of students using drugs and alcohol, and 74 percent about teachers providing mental health support to their students. 

Figure 14. N=156.

Behavior Issues

Figure 15 shows that 80 percent of board members were concerned or somewhat concerned about chronic absenteeism and 79 percent about students acting out in class. Fifty-seven percent expressed concerns about school violence and 48 percent about the number of students needing to be restrained or secluded. 

Figure 15. N=155.

Disability Issues

Figure 16 shows that 68 percent of board members were concerned or somewhat concerned about the number of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 64 percent about the availability of special education services, and 60 percent about the number of students with 504 plans (which provides accommodations so a student with a disability can learn in a regular classroom). Just over half (52 percent) expressed concern about the quality of special education services in their district.  

Figure 16. N=155.

Activism Issues

Figure 17 shows that 52 percent of board members were concerned or somewhat concerned about teachers being criticized for discussing uncomfortable topics with their students, while 48 percent expressed concern about teachers bringing their politics into the classroom. Thirty-five percent expressed concern about activist parents disrupting school board meetings and 34 percent about students engaging in activism at school.

Figure 17. N=156.

Gender and Sexuality Issues           

As Figure 18 shows, a near equal number of board members were concerned or somewhat concerned about students gender transitioning at school without their parents knowing (52 percent) as transgender students being mistreated (51 percent). Similarly, a near-equal number are worried about sexually explicit books in school libraries (39 percent) as LGBTQ+ books being banned (37 percent). 

Figure 18. N=156.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Issues

Figure 19 shows that 44 percent of board members were concerned or somewhat concerned about an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) over academic excellence, while nearly the same percentage (43 percent) expressed concern over the lack of diverse representations in curriculum and materials. Forty percent expressed concern about racial and ethnic achievement gaps and 36 percent with critical race theory being taught to students.

Figure 19. N=156.

Next Page