Our Vision and Work
School boards represent the community’s voice in public education, providing governance and shared knowledge of the community’s resources and needs. School board members are the policymakers closest to students in our public education system, working to ensure the mental, emotional, and physical safety young people need to thrive in school and beyond.
As school boards across the country face rising threats and backlash, Local Progress is working to organize school board members around a multi-issue policy agenda and create a community of practice for progressive local leaders
It's Happening!
Join us for the first-ever SCHOOL BOARD CONVENING
We are beyond excited to host our very first convening for school board members!
The School Board Convening will take place in Baltimore, Maryland on Thursday, June 22 – Saturday, June 24.
Hosted by Local Progress and the Local Progress Impact Lab, the convening will create space for you to network with school board members from around the country and provide professional development that will help you make an impact in your community. With two tracks and a special site visit, the convening will focus on supporting both school board members elected in the last year and those that have been in office for longer.
We will cover your lodging, most meals, and reimburse you for your plane or train ticket.
The convening is only open to Local Progress members and spots are limited! And with more than 250 school board members in our cohort, we expect space to fill up fast so don’t wait! Register as soon as possible!
Resources
Case Studies
Embedding Equity Into the Student Experience in Culver City Public Schools, CA
School Board Steering Committee
As a membership organization, we believe our work is most impactful when it is informed and guided by members. Bringing a diverse range of expertise and local experience, our School Board Steering Committee advises and shapes our work in this area:
RAAHEELA AHMED
Former School Board Member
Prince George’s County Public Schools, MD
XILONIN CRUZ-GONZALEZ
Former School Board Member
Azusa Unified School District, CA
ASHLEY ESPOSITO
Baltimore Public Schools, MD
EMILY FIGDOR
Portland Public Schools, ME
JILLY GOKALGANDHI
Milwaukee Public Schools, WI
KELLY KENT
Local Progress Board Member
Culver City Unified School District, CA
JENNIFER MECOZZI
Buffalo Public Schools, NY
A'DORIAN MURRAY-THOMAS
Newark Board of Education, NJ
JASMIN RAMIREZ
Roaring Fork Schools, CO
MEGAN SWEET
Alameda Unified School District, CA
JEN WESTMORELAND
Hopkins Public Schools, MN
CHARLIE WILSON
Worthington Schools, OH
Blogs And Featured News
- News Article ▹ February 23, 2023
Meet the LP’s newly-formed School Board Steering Committee!
The steering committee will guide the work of the school board cohort moving forward, bringing a diverse range of experiences and expertise to building our shared agenda.
- Housing
- ▹ May 10, 2023
Local Progress New York Meets to Advance Housing Justice
Over 40 local elected officials and partner organizations met in Albany to discuss how to advance housing justice at the local level.
- Home Rule
- ▹ May 10, 2023
Florida Local Electeds Call on Governor DeSantis to Veto Harmful Preemption Bills
As Florida legislative session ends, Local Progress Florida speaks out against harmful state preemption bills SB 170 and HB 1417, and calls on DeSantis to veto them.
- ▹ May 5, 2023
Collective Courage is Contagious: A Message from ED Sarah Johnson
Executive Director Sarah Johnson shares the news that she'll be transitioning out of the team in the Fall and reflections on why this is the best job she's ever had.
