1A America’s School Boards In 2026
Feb 17, 2026
Felicia Martin, Texas Freedom Network leader focused on civil liberties and schools; Scott Levy, longtime school board member and author on governance; Nadra Niddle, education reporter tracking politics and policy. They discuss how COVID and national culture wars reshaped school board battles. They cover book bans, who runs for boards, outside funding, and local organizing to reclaim inclusive schools.
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School Boards Are Governing Bodies, Not Day‑to‑Day Managers
- School boards handle governance: hiring superintendents, setting policy, and allocating budgets rather than daily school operations.
- Scott Levy notes school board conflict spikes during crises like COVID but has long historical precedents tied to public health and moral instruction.
National Politics And Media Shape Local Board Races
- Social media and the decline of local journalism have linked national politics to local school board races.
- Low turnout (often 5–15%) means small, motivated groups can sway elections significantly.
Culture War Energy Has Waned In Voter Priorities
- The rise of groups like Moms for Liberty in 2021–22 reflected pandemic-era issues (masks, CRT) that energized voters.
- Nadra Niddle says shifting priorities and economic concerns are driving voters back toward curriculum and fundamentals.
