The most important role a school board member has, of course with student achievement interwoven into its purpose, is to responsibly oversee the finances of their district.
It is incumbent upon the local board of education, the chief decisionmakers in a school district, to allocate funding and resources to schools in a manner which gives students the greatest opportunity to learn.
As such, a budget vote is among the most consequential decisions every school board will carry out. An informed vote—supported by a transparent and collaborative budget process—can be the difference between providing schools with the resources they need to serve students and wasting taxpayers’ money.
Unfortunately, the American education system is notorious for graduating unprepared and incurious students who often struggle to find direction. This yields a population dependent on the government. School boards, as governing bodies in their districts, have the power to combat this.
School Boards for Academic Excellence (SBAE) has shared ten questions that school boards should ask before passing their budget each year. Most notably from that list, boards should consider:
- How much is spent per student, particularly those with special needs? Understanding per-student spending is essential, especially when considering the additional resources required for students with disabilities. This question can help uncover disparities and direct funds where they are most needed.
- How competitive is our district in attracting and retaining top talent? Competition for skilled educators is fierce. Assessing how your district’s compensation packages, benefits, and work environment compare to neighboring districts can highlight areas where improvements are needed to attract and retain top talent.
- How is the district supporting students who are falling behind in reading? Identifying struggling readers early and providing targeted interventions is crucial. Ask about the support systems in place, such as reading specialists and remedial programs, to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed.
District leaders cannot properly serve without understanding how to prioritize student-focused spending areas, retain high-quality teachers, and communicate their decisions. Responsible allocation of funds builds public trust and paves the way for students to succeed in school.
Put another way, economic knowledge is the antidote to the direction we are headed. With economic literacy comes an ability to detect mismanagement and the misallocation of limited funding, and an understanding of budgeting, inflation, and deficit spending.
The Mises Institute is hosting a training in Greenville, South Carolina called “Why Government Schools Don’t Want You to Understand Economics” on Saturday, September 12. You can join those dedicated to combatting state indoctrination by registering at this link.
Edunomics is also hosting a Certificate in Education Finance in Washington D.C. from February 24-25, 2027. You can register for that world-class training at this link.
And for an on-demand session on Budgeting 101, you can watch our training with Aaron Beaulieu on our YouTube channel!