Check Training Hours Member Portal Contact Us Search

Trending Now

Board members can contribute to greater civic engagement

Kentucky School Advocate
September 2018

By Eric Kennedy
KSBA Director of Governmental Relations

It often seems that our nation and our local communities are growing more and more polarized lately, and bitterly so. This appears especially true in politics and government, and this may partially explain why so many people are disconnecting from government completely and no longer vote. Those of us who have never missed an election likely feel it is a disgrace that statewide voter turnout was only 23.5 percent in the primary election this year, especially when that was coming so soon after historic levels of public awareness and demonstrations at the state Capitol. Even the last presidential election didn’t break 59 percent in voter turnout in our state.

As local elected officials, school board members can play an important role in positively affecting voter turnout and civic engagement, especially for the students they serve. School board members stand at the nexus of schools and democratic representative government in a way no one else in Kentucky truly does. Their status as nonpartisan officials is also valuable in this area, as they can speak to students on voting and election issues without the risk of any partisan bias or slant coming into question. In fact, even as some board members are at times frustrated by the level of authority they have over the operations of their schools and districts, their status as local, nonpartisan elected school officials affords them a unique opportunity to demonstrate the importance of voting and democratic government directly to students, and, by extension, their families as well.

Ideas for involvement
Has your board discussed how your district ensures that eligible high school students are given an opportunity to register to vote? Have you as a board member visited with your voting-age high school students and discussed the importance of voting not only for the high-profile, attention-grabbing offices of president and governor, but also for the offices that often have a more direct impact on their daily lives, including state legislator, mayor, judge, prosecutor, and yes, the local school board? Speaking to your own students as a board member, in conjunction with the school-level leaders and the classroom teacher, can be a great way to not only meet students and witness firsthand the learning happening in your schools, but also a way to educate district families on the role of the school board and demonstrate to your students that by voting, they can truly impact their own lives. This is all the more true as so many recent elections have been decided on some very close margins, including some school board races.

Reaching out
Has your board invited your state legislators to visit the schools to meet your students, perhaps even in candidate forums? Do the high schools, and even middle and elementary schools, in your district hold mock elections to model good citizen ethics and voting practices? Have you asked your county clerk to come demonstrate to your students how to register to vote, and how to use voting machines? All of these are actual examples of what districts in Kentucky are doing to foster development of citizenship and engagement in our students, including a strong understanding of their duty to vote. They are also ways through which districts comply with state law, KRS 158.6450, which, among other things, requires that every secondary school shall provide students in (at least) the 12th grade information on:

• How to register to vote

• How to vote in an election using a ballot.

• How to vote using an absentee ballot.

With another consequential election upon us, it is as important as ever that every Kentuckian, young and old, exercise the right to vote. Tuesday, Oct. 9, is the last day to register to vote in the general election. A qualified individual who will be at least 18 years old by the general election day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 6, can register and vote. A person may register online and check their registration status at GoVoteKY.com, or visit elect.ky.gov for more election information and other registration options.