Job description
School board members attend meetings, and participate in official school ceremonies and school functions. Members of the board use the board's legislative authority to create procedures and policies for the school district's organization and operation. The board also appoints the Superintendent, and has jurisdiction over school district controversies and disputes. Board members are not compensated for their duties.
Eligibility requirements
To be elected to a Pennsylvania school board, one must be a citizen, at least 18 years old, of good moral character, and a resident of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of election or appointment. The Pennsylvania Constitution bars from public office anyone who has been convicted of what the Constitution calls an “infamous crime." Directors may not be employed by, or doing business with, the district where they are elected or appointed, subject to certain exceptions.
Filing instructions
Filing office address: One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede St, Suite 602, Norristown, PA 19401
Filing phone number: 610-278-3275
Paperwork instructions: Submit paperwork to the County Board of Elections' office.
Filing requirements: No filing fee. Nominating petition: 10 qualified voters of the school district who are registered members of the political party for which nomination is sought. If the candidate is running for a regional seat in a school district with a regional or combined regional and at-large election plan, the signer must also be resident of that region of the school district. If the school district encompasses an entire city or county, the minimum number of required signatures for an at-large seat will be 100 or even higher depending on the class of city or county. It is recommended that aspiring candidates always confirm the number of signatures required with the county board of elections.