What if the most important people in public education are the ones we never talk about?

When people talk about how to improve schools, they often start with the obvious: better test scores, stronger teachers, more funding, safer buildings.

Those things matter deeply. But they’re not where decisions start.

Every policy, every investment, every district-wide initiative begins with a vote.
And those votes? They happen at school board meetings.

But despite their influence, school boards are often invisible to the public.
Most people can’t name who represents them. Many don’t even realize school boards are elected.

That’s not a minor oversight—it’s a critical blind spot.

Because while we’re focused on national headlines or state-level debates, the people making some of the most important decisions about students’ day-to-day lives are right here in our communities.

They decide how dollars get spent.
What the district’s priorities will be.
And how to respond when things go wrong—or when bold change is needed.

And the truth is, leadership at that level matters. A lot.
School boards can either clear the path for progress—or stand in the way of it.

That’s why First State Educate is hosting School Board Candidate Forums across Delaware.

Not because it’s election season.
But because we believe voters deserve to know who’s on the ballot—and what kind of leadership they bring to the table.

This isn’t about drama. It’s not about politics.
It’s about restoring visibility to a role that has been overlooked for far too long.

If we want better outcomes for students, we need to start with stronger boards.
And stronger boards begin with informed voters.

Delaware’s school board elections are May 13.
Forum schedule and candidate info: https://www.firststateeducate.org/knowyourcandidates

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