Parents for Public Schools (PPS)

Syracuse

The Syracuse Post-Standard reports that "it's looking like a few hot issues have kindled more interest than usual in the Syracuse school board election." Susan Fahey, president of PPS-Syracuse, attributes the increased interest in part to the new Say Yes to Education program, which promises to provide free college tuition for Syracuse high school grads.
The chapter has hosted candidate forums and received substantial media attention. There are three openings on the board this year. With only one incumbent running (Syracuse School Board President Kim Rohadfox-Ceaser, past President of PPS National Board of Directors) there will be two new board members chosen.

Seattle

Community & Parents for Public Schools of Seattle is actively engaged in the big issues now facing the district, including proposed changes to the way students are assigned to schools. The chapter is helping facilitate comments on a proposed New Student Assignment Plan boundary map, including providing maps to parents and how the proposal affects specific addresses.
There are three school board positions up for election this year in Seattle, with two being contested. The chapter has provided a resource page for parents with a candidate questionnaire. Also, check out a great interactive forum proposing ideas for Seattle Public Schools. The page provides some specific proposals for strengthening Seattle and allows for comments.

Mississippi: Schoolhouse to statehouse

Schoolhouse to Statehouse, PPS's statewide effort in Mississippi, is focused on improving school boards in the state. The Schoolhouse to Statehouse section of the PPS website contains resources for parents on the work of school boards that can be adapted for other chapters. PPS staff is working with the Mississippi School Boards Association (MSBA) to find ways to increase and improve parental involvement. MSBA Executive Director Mike Waldrop has participated in Parent Leadership Institutes to explain the responsibilities of school board members.
Mississippi has about 150 different school districts with school board positions filled in a variety of ways (elected or appointed - sometimes both in the same district) and elections almost every year. PPS parent coaches are working to raise public awareness of school board elections this year in selected districts.


houston

There are nine districts in the Houston Independent School District. Voters in each district elect School Board Trustees. Five positions are up for election this year and three races are competitive. For each district, PPS-Houston is providing an online district map to help voters determine their district and providing a detailed questionnaire to give candidates an opportunity to explain why they are running.

As the questionnaire explains: "This election is important to everyone served by HISD. Please be an informed citizen so that you can vote for the benefit of all HISD children." The chapter also helped sponsor a "HISD Board Candidates Forum" on a local television channel KTRK. To see how this broadcast helps voters learn their district and meet the candidates, click here.
Anne foster's Blog: "American School Boards - Abolish or Improve?"

Public schools in the United States continue to be governed by appointed or elected school boards - except in cases of takeovers and charter schools that report directly to states. But some seem to be asking if school boards are relevant in today world. Often there is no mention of them in national conversation about school reform. Other times, there is prominent mention of them in the headlines because of bad governing skills and just plain bad behavior. And yet school boards continue to set policy, to hire and fire superintendents, and to manage huge amounts of taxpayer money. Can we really afford to ignore them? How can we insure effective school boards?
For starters, public schools belong to the public. The public either elects their school board members or elects a Mayor who appoints them. Either way, school boards represent their communities in the oversight of their schools. Read more

pps national - annual donor campaign

The PPS Annual Donor and Membership Campaign is coming up. Your support of PPS strengthens a national network of community-based chapters working to improve and reform K-12 public education. The campaign is a coordinated effort to support our local chapters and the national office. You direct where your money goes. To support PPS with an online donation, visit our website.

Parents for Public Schools (PPS) is a national organization of community-based chapters working with public school parents and other supporters to improve and strengthen local public schools. We believe that quality public education is vital to our democracy and to America's future.

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