School board members, elected from and representing their local communities, are entrusted with the responsibility of policy making and promoting educational excellence for their local school district. In Texas, school board members receive no compensation except the satisfaction derived from rendering an important public service.
School districts, governed by locally elected school boards, are political subdivisions carrying out a state function. The Crandall ISD Board of Trustees, like many Texas school boards, is composed of seven members serving three-year staggered terms so that the entire board is never up for election at the same time.
Because a school board is a governmental body, it can take action only by a majority vote at a legally called public meeting.
School trustees work together to:
To find out, please read the “What are the eligibility requirements to run for a school board trustee?” section of the Frequently Asked Questions about Running for School Board (pdf).
School district trustees are elected by popular vote. Whether an election is by majority or plurality vote is a matter of local policy. In a majority voting system, a candidate must receive more than 50 percent of the vote to win. This may require more than one election. In a plurality voting system, the candidate with the highest number of votes wins.
School board elections may only be held on the first Saturday in May or the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Special elections to fill vacancies that occur between elections may be held as appropriate.
School board members in Texas are required to participate in numerous types of continuing education. Get more information on Texas School Board Member Continuing Education (pdf).
Board members determine needs with their board annually by reviewing Framework for School Board Development on the TEA website—a document that outlines the tasks an effective board performs in its governing capacity. Continuing education courses that address these needs are available through a variety of sources.