Filling Board Vacancies

Whether you are a prospective school board member or a current board looking to fill a vacancy or propose a larger selection of candidates for the next election, please feel free to use any of the below materials in your local school newsletters, websites, social media or parent letters.

Business Card Sized Handout

The VSBA has created a business card sized handout that can be printed, cut and available to hand out to anyone interested in becoming a school board member.

If some of these are printed and distributed to all board members and others they can be placed in a wallet, purse or other small places so that as people mention they may be interested the card can be pulled out and given.

Public Service Announcements

60 second

30 second

Graphics for Social Media, Newsletters and Websites

The VSBA has created a some graphics to catch attention. You can post your contact information for more information above the graphic. The graphic dimensions are created for each social media posts specifically and any can be used on newsletters or websites.

Instructions to download to your computer:

1. Right click on the image

2. Save it to your phone/computer

3. Open your social media

4. Type your message

5. Include graphic under

X / TWITTER

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

Sample Front Porch Forum Posts

Want to make a positive impact for students in Vermont? You can! By serving on your local school board. While it is a big responsibility, we don’t always hear about the benefits of school board service. Your decisions have the potential to directly and positively affect the lives of students and their families, the livelihoods of those the district employs, and the economic well-being of your community. To learn more, the VT School Boards Association (VSBA)’s website at https://www.vtvsba.org/prospective
As we prepare for the holiday season, it’s easy to forget about local elections in early 2024. Every year, voters elect one or more school directors in their district to serve as trustees on their behalf. School board members are a vital part of a strong community and excellent schools. And we need more people to raise their hands to serve! There are so many benefits to doing this. Learn more by visiting the VT School Boards Association (VSBA)’s website at: https://www.vtvsba.org/prospective
Want to gain knowledge about our greatest public good and equalizer in society? Want to be involved in one of the highest forms of public service? Then consider running for your local school board! To learn more, visit the VT School Boards Association (VSBA) website at: https://www.vtvsba.org/prospective.
Are you considering running for your local school board and want to learn more about it? There are many ways to do this.
1. Visit the VT School Boards Association (VSBA) prospective board member resources.
2. Attend a school board meeting to see your local board in action.
3. Reach out to school board members and district staff to get answers to your questions
Have you decided to run for your local school board? Here’s what you need to know to become a candidate for school board director. The next step is:

Obtain signatures on your petition, complete your Consent of Candidate Form and submit these documents to your Town Clerk by MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2024 to be named on the ballot for elections.

Good luck!

Sample Letters to the Editor

The "Benefits" letter (MS Word Format)
The "We Need You" letter (MS Word Format)

Legally

The law regarding the requirement to fill vacancies within 30 days. 16 V.S.A. §424
The law regarding filling vacancies. 16 V.S.A. §731
Suggestions for advertising
- District website(s)
- District social media
- Parent newsletter/note
- Local newspaper
- Announced at all board meetings
- Local radio station announcements
- Request an announcement in the town municipal newsletter
- Posted in the town hall
- Request the municipal meeting announces it
- Post it in the local banks, grocery stores and convenient stores
- Begin interviews at a board meeting and announce you will continue to take applications until _____.

Thinking About Running?

(print ready brochure)
Hard copies can be mailed upon request.
Please email klamb@vtvsba.org

Webpage for Prospective Members

Press Release

Below you will find the press release sent to statewide media annually. Please feel free to use any pieces of it in your local school newsletters, websites or social media.

Interested in Running for Your School Board: Information for School Board Candidates Video presentation now available on the Vermont School Boards Association website www.vtvsba.org

Vermont's more than 850 school board members work hard to ensure that our schools prepare students well for the opportunities ahead. They know that education is the key to success in life.

Vermont prides itself on the local ownership of education. The voters in each local district elect a school board to serve as trustees on their behalf - to assure high quality education for every student, and an excellent return on every taxpayer's investment.

Together, we have an unprecedented opportunity to improve the outcomes for all our students locally, regionally and state-wide.

Please consider running for your local school board.

In order to provide candidates with an understanding of the role of the board and the responsibilities of board members, we have posted a video for school board candidates on our website. The video addresses the following questions.

   Why should I run for a seat on the school board?
   What is the role and responsibilities of the school board?
   How can I become a school board candidate?

We encourage everyone who has decided, or is considering the opportunity to run for their school board to view this video presentation.

More than ever before, school board members perform a critical role by providing community-based governance that supports excellence in Vermont's public education system and strength in our communities.

Please consider running for your local school board.

For more information about serving on your school board, contact the VSBA. 802-223-3580