Campaign websites for school board candidates
Parents and teachers want to know you will listen, read the budget and keep kids at the center. A calm, clear website shows them that.
School board races feel different from other local campaigns. The people reading your site are parents checking between soccer practice and homework, teachers worried about class sizes, and grandparents who just got a property tax bill. Many of them are tired of shouting. What they want is someone steady who will read the budget, ask good questions and remember that the point is the kids.
Your website should sound like that person.
A calm, nonpartisan tone
In many states, school board races appear on a nonpartisan ballot. Even where they do not, most voters respond better to a candidate who talks about reading scores, bus routes and building repairs than one who sounds like a cable news segment.
- Lead with why you care: your kids in the district, your years teaching, your time on the PTA.
- Describe problems plainly, without blaming individual teachers or staff by name.
- Say what you would do, and how you would decide.
Check your state's rules on party labels and endorsements in school board races. Your state elections office can tell you what applies.
Pages that matter most
About you
Parents want to know your connection to the schools. Were you a teacher, a coach, a bus driver, a parent volunteer? Say so in the first paragraph. Our bio guide shows how to keep it short and specific.
Budget and bond referendums
The budget is the board's biggest job, and bond referendums for new schools or renovations often share the ballot with board races. If there is a bond on your ballot, voters will want to know where you stand. Explain what the bond would pay for, what it would cost taxpayers according to the district's own figures, and your view. Link to the district's official documents rather than restating numbers you cannot verify.
Two or three focused issue pages
Common topics include school safety, teacher retention, crowded classrooms, transportation, and communication with parents. Pick the ones you can speak to with real knowledge. See writing issue pages.
Board meeting schedule
List regular board meetings and work sessions with a link to the district's official calendar and agenda page. It tells parents you follow the board's work, and helps them show up to public comment if they want to.
Photos, schools and children
Be careful with photos. Many districts limit campaign activity, signs and photography on school grounds. Never post a child without a parent's clear permission, and avoid photos that suggest the district endorses you. A photo outside the school on a public sidewalk, or at a community event, is usually safer. Our photo guide covers permissions.
Which package usually fits
Many school board candidates do well with Launch ($399 setup + $29/mo): a five-page site with your own text and photos, a domain, donate and volunteer links, live in 7 days.
If you want help writing, or there is a bond referendum on the ballot, Campaign ($799 setup + $39/mo) adds a written bio and three issue pages from a 30-minute interview, plus endorsements, an events calendar and a voter-deadline page. A Spanish version ($200) is worth considering in districts with many Spanish-speaking families.
First-time candidates take $100 off setup. Compare options on the packages page.
School board site checklist
- Your connection to the schools in the first paragraph
- Position on the budget and any bond referendum, with links to official district documents
- Two or three focused issue pages
- Board meeting schedule linked to the district calendar
- Endorsements from parents, teachers or community leaders (where your state allows)
- Volunteer and donate links
- Paid-for-by disclaimer on every page (confirm with your state ethics or elections office)
Ready? Start your school board site.
Common questions
Should a school board website mention a political party?
In many states school board races appear on a nonpartisan ballot. Follow your state's rules and your own approach. Either way, focus the site on students, schools and the budget. Check with your state elections office if you are unsure what applies.
Which package fits a school board race?
Launch or Campaign covers most school board races. Campaign adds a written bio and three issue pages, which suits candidates who want to explain positions on the budget, safety or a bond referendum.
Can I use photos taken at a school?
Be careful. Many districts restrict campaign activity and photography on school property, and you need a parent's permission before posting any child. Confirm your district's rules first.