School Board Elections 2023
Western New York Students First is a parent advocacy and community engagement
organization. One of our goals is to maximize democratic involvement in school district politics, including increasing parent and community representation on Boards of Education through candidate education and voter turnout efforts.
We would like the opportunity to help candidates be successful within their designated town districts by providing the necessary tools and resources to do so. It is also imperative that we gather volunteers throughout the area to help candidates succeed as well.
Boards of Education are the primary way for parents and the community to choose leadership in their district, guide the budget, and set policy, however In most school districts, voter turnout for Board of Education and budget elections is only 3-6% of the population.
To solve this, we need to change the culture around voting for Board of Education members. Traditionally, Board of Education elections are a quiet affair. Candidates will announce themselves one to two months before the election, spend a small amount of time and money campaigning, and attend a few PTA organized events. Teachers union endorsed candidates have an incredibly high chance of winning, because turnout is a small, dedicated special interest group.
What NOW and until May will look like for candidates and volunteers:
- Finding candidates
- Building district teams
- Building campaign
- Design marketing materials
- Fundraisers/Fundraising
- Solicit donors/endorsements
- Events such as meet & greets
- Collect signatures door to door
- Robo calling and mailers
- Connect with WNY Students First
Once you become part of WNY Students First endorsed candidate or volunteer you will receive a more indepth guide toward being successful in your district.
organization. One of our goals is to maximize democratic involvement in school district politics, including increasing parent and community representation on Boards of Education through candidate education and voter turnout efforts.
We would like the opportunity to help candidates be successful within their designated town districts by providing the necessary tools and resources to do so. It is also imperative that we gather volunteers throughout the area to help candidates succeed as well.
Boards of Education are the primary way for parents and the community to choose leadership in their district, guide the budget, and set policy, however In most school districts, voter turnout for Board of Education and budget elections is only 3-6% of the population.
To solve this, we need to change the culture around voting for Board of Education members. Traditionally, Board of Education elections are a quiet affair. Candidates will announce themselves one to two months before the election, spend a small amount of time and money campaigning, and attend a few PTA organized events. Teachers union endorsed candidates have an incredibly high chance of winning, because turnout is a small, dedicated special interest group.
What NOW and until May will look like for candidates and volunteers:
- Finding candidates
- Building district teams
- Building campaign
- Design marketing materials
- Fundraisers/Fundraising
- Solicit donors/endorsements
- Events such as meet & greets
- Collect signatures door to door
- Robo calling and mailers
- Connect with WNY Students First
Once you become part of WNY Students First endorsed candidate or volunteer you will receive a more indepth guide toward being successful in your district.
