BOULDER, CO (November 18, 2025) — In this month's episode of NEPC Talks Education, Christopher Saldaña speaks with Julie Marsh, professor at USC's Rossier School of Education and Sol Price School of Public Policy, and James Bridgeforth, assistant professor at the University of Delaware's School of Education, about the unprecedented challenges facing California school board members and how they navigate today's complex political landscape.
Marsh and Bridgeforth explain that school boards have always been political, but today's environment presents unique challenges. Politicization has expanded beyond urban and rural areas into suburbs, disagreements increasingly fall along party lines, and conflicts have intensified. Tensions accelerated during the pandemic with debates over masks, vaccines, and in-person learning, and persist in current controversies over curriculum, book bans, and transgender athletes.
The conversation explores how board members conceptualize their roles through four primary orientations: as change makers (questioning the status quo), champions (supporting and promoting district goals), rule followers (adhering to standing policies and procedures), and representatives (voicing constituent concerns). These orientations are dynamic and not mutually exclusive, as board members may shift between roles depending on the issue or context.
Marsh and Bridgeforth note that board members now devote 20-40+ hours per week on board work during busy periods, oftentimes while maintaining full-time jobs and family responsibilities. Many face personal attacks, strategic misinformation campaigns, and threats of recall—stresses they never anticipated when choosing to serve. This emotional toll has led many to reconsider running for reelection.
The discussion also addresses the paradox of increasing demands with minimal compensation. While California recently passed legislation allowing increased board compensation and requiring more financial training, tensions remain when districts facing declining enrollment must balance board pay with potential teacher layoffs. Board members express clear needs for support in interpreting data, evaluating curricula, navigating political tensions, understanding rapidly changing legal guidance, and building peer networks.
Marsh and Bridgeforth emphasize the importance of mentorship programs and networking opportunities with other board members, and training specifically geared to today's challenges. Above all, they stress that if we are to realize the promise of local democratic governance in education, we must find ways to support board members in navigating these divided times.
A new NEPC Talks Education podcast episode, hosted by Christopher Saldaña, will be released each month from September through May.
Don’t worry if you miss a month. All episodes are archived on the NEPC website and can be found here.
NEPC podcast episodes are also available on Apple Podcasts under the title NEPC Talks Education. Subscribe and follow!