Get On Board FAQ

Half of the board members in Oregon’s school, community college and education service districts are elected or re-elected in each odd-numbered year. Under Oregon law, such elections are held the third Tuesday in May.

The most recent election was May 20, 2025.

2025 IMPORTANT DATES:

• Filing period opens Feb. 8
• Filing deadline March 20
• For voters pamphlet March 24
• Election May 20

Prospective candidates can file in one of two ways:

1. Submit a petition containing the signatures of 25 registered voters or 10 percent of the registered voters in the district, whichever is less
2. Submit a declaration of candidacy with a $10 filing fee

Through workshops and conferences, OSBA equips school board members with the leadership training they need to perform at their best. To help prospective candidates answer questions about the process and prepare them to become school board members if they are elected, OSBA Board Development staff offered two webinars in January 2025.

The board’s major responsibility is setting policy. The board hires a chief executive (superintendent or college president), who in turn hires staff. Board members must also:

• Establish budget
• Approve curriculum
• Set goals, evaluate progress toward those goals
• Ask voters to approve bond measures and local option levies
• Guide collective bargaining

It varies. School board service involves a substantial time commitment as an unpaid volunteer. Boards typically meet one or two evenings a month. Before the monthly meetings, you’ll need to study the materials. There are also committee meetings, work sessions and appearances.

Board candidate campaigns range from simple to sophisticated. One common element, however, is the state requirement for reporting campaign finances. State law limits the sources and amounts of contributions and the purposes for which those contributions may be spent. Contact the Secretary of State Elections Division online or at (503) 986-1518 for guidance.

OSBA helped establish the Oregon School Board Members of Color Caucus in 2016.  Caucus members have identified their mission as “to promote quality education for all students with emphasis on the unique needs of students of color.”

• Public education advocate
• Skilled decision maker
• Willing to devote time and energy to your volunteer position
• Courage to stand up for your convictions
• Team player