Limitations

This survey had a few notable limitations. First, 10 percent of school board members did not have a chance to participate because the emails they were sent bounced. Second, given that the survey was conducted electronically, some board members without reliable internet access or who were less technologically savvy may not have participated. Third, the voluntary nature of the survey may have introduced participation bias, as those with strong opinions about their school board may have been more likely to complete it than those with moderate or weak opinions.

Finally, Maine Policy Institute’s reputation as a center-right think tank may have led some ideologically liberal board members to forgo responding and potentially influenced a greater share of conservative board members to answer the survey, although a near equal share of liberals, moderates, and conservatives ultimately participated.