In 2016,648 ofAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment heldelections for1,959 seats. These elections took place in38 states across districts that collectively educated a total of17,179,972 students during the 2013-2014 school year—34 percent of all K-12 students in the United States.

Click here to learn more about school board elections in each state with seats on the ballot in 2016.

The big picture

Partisanship in local elections

See also:Partisanship in local elections (2016)

Local elections are often nonpartisan by law, but they are not isolated from or immune to partisan politics. TheDemocratic andRepublican parties—as well asminor and local political parties ideologically aligned with one or the other major party—are in constant conflict overthe level of government closest to home.

In some localities, liberals and conservatives have fought over city offices for years. In others, one group has dominated the political landscape without much challenge for decades. This partisan reality is often hidden from the public, as candidates and officeholders at the local level may refrain from associating themselves with more polarizing state and national political figures and issues. Nevertheless, understanding the connection between partisan ideology and local politics is essential to grasping who's in control of local government.

Partisanship in school board elections

Debates between Democrats and Republicans inWashington, D.C., regarding the scope of theU.S. Department of Education or instate legislatures overeducation reform are commonplace. Partisan battles on the matter of K-12 education extend all the way to the local level throughschool board elections. Elected school boards govern mostpublic school districts, and, by extension, the education of tens of millions of children each year.

Only 94 ofAmerica's 1,000 largest public school districts hold partisan elections. Nonpartisan school board elections often still feature partisan elements. Political parties or partisan officeholders often make endorsements or financial contributions to school board candidates. However, partisan affiliations do not always reflect school board candidate positions on education policy issues. Teacher unions tend to support candidates in favor of expanding the existing public education system and modifying policies such as standardized testing practices, whereas education policy advocacy organizations frequently support candidates campaigning for significant overhauls of the public K-12 system and alternatives to it, such as school choice and charter schools. Competitive school board elections often center around conflicts between these two groups as well as the more traditional partisan battles.

Money in local elections

See also:Money in local elections (2016)

FormerFEC Chairman Robert Lenhard

Few issues received as much attention in previous election cycles as did the role of money in politics. Although most of the attention on the issue went to money in federal elections, formerFederal Election Commission Chairman Robert Lenhard claimed that, "The relative impact of a Super PAC can be far greater in a down-ticket race."^[1]

The amount of money raised and spent by political candidates and outside groups in local elections can vary dramatically. Although most local elections feature little campaign spending or political advertisements, some resemble state or even congressional elections in terms of the money involved. This spending may stem frompartisan battles betweenDemocrats andRepublicans or interest groups such as business associations or labor unions.

Money in school board elections

With rare exception, school board elections tend to feature little political spending compared to other types of elections. A survey of elected school board members conducted by theNational School Boards Association in 2010 found the following:

The most significant campaign finance spending in the school board races rarely originates from political parties. Teacher unions tend to be the dominant force in school board races, since their endorsements and ability to mobilize teachers and other voters make a significant difference in local elections. Research studies show that teacher unions hold a "dominant presence" in school board elections and that "union-endorsed candidates won board seats over three-quarters of the time, and union support is more important than incumbency advantage."^[4] Other important interest groups that spend significant amounts of money in school board elections include education policy advocacy organizations, parent groups, chambers of commerce, and partisan-affiliated entities.

Education reform at the state and local levels

See also:Education reform at the state and local levels (2016)

Over the last decade, American media has focused on the national and federal debates about policy changes such asNo Child Left Behind Act,Common Core State Standards Initiative andEvery Student Succeeds Act. Beneath the national current, significant trends in education policy efforts have gone unacknowledged due to their localized and fragmented natures.

L: PresidentGeorge W. Bush (R) signs theNo Child Left Behind Act into law on January 1, 2002. R: PresidentBarack Obama (D) signs theEvery Student Succeeds Act into law on December 10, 2015.

Movements at the state and local level can have deep and rapid impacts on public education by the very nature of their smaller, focused scopes. Education funding and teacher salaries, local governance styles and controversies, and reactions to curriculum and testing have dominated these most immediate reform movements.In 2016, Ballotpedia highlightedthe connections that unite these localized agendas.

School board elections by state

The tabs below table each state's elections in chronological order by general election date. They can also be sorted by each of their columns in alphabetical or numerical order by clicking on the column title, such as "District" or "Seats up for election." Districts with primary or runoff dates listed may not necessarily hold those elections; requirements for primaries and runoffs vary by state and district.

Scope

In addition to the 1,000 largest school districts in the nation, Ballotpedia covers the additional districts that constitute Wisconsin's 50 largest school districts. For more information about those Wisconsin school board races outside of the top 1,000,click here. The 12 states without school board elections among the largest districts by enrollment in 2016 wereColorado,Hawaii,Kansas,Maine,Massachusetts,New Hampshire,New Mexico,Ohio,Oregon,Pennsylvania,Vermont, andWashington.

Ballotpedia providesin-depth coverage of school board elections inAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment. Our coverage includes school board member and candidate profiles, notable election issues, campaign finances, election procedures, district data, and more. We publish election results and post-election news articles following each election. Ballotpedia also publishesThe Tap, a weekly newsletter covering both recent and upcoming political news and elections.

Alabama

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Alabama.
Education on the ballot

General elections forAlabama school boards serving county districts were held on November 8, 2016; city school district elections were held on August 23, 2016.Twelve of the 18 Alabama school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held elections for27 seats.

Here are several quick facts about Alabama's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theMobile County Public Schools with 58,808 K-12 students.
• The smallest Alabama school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theAutauga County School System with 9,556 K-12 students.
• Autauga County School System had the most seats on the 2016 ballot with five seats up for election.
• Mobile County Public Schools had the fewest seats on the 2016 ballot with one seat up for election.

The districts listed below served 281,453 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each one and its school board elections.

Alaska

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Alaska.
Education on the ballot

MostAlaska school districts held school board elections on October 4, 2016. Alaska'sthree largest school districts, which were amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment in the 2013–2014 school year, held elections foreight seats.

Here are several quick facts about Alaska's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 wasAnchorage School District with 48,159 K-12 students.
  • Anchorage's school board elections were held in conjunction with the city's municipal elections on April 5, 2016.
• The smallest Alaskan school district among the nation's top 1,000 largest with an election in 2016 wasFairbanks North Star Borough School District with 14,105 K-12 students.
• Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District andFairbanks North Star Borough School District had the most seats on the ballot in 2016 with three seats each up for election.
• The other district had the fewest seats on the ballot among the largest districts with two seats up for election.

The district listed below served 80,048 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district name for more information on the district and its school board elections.

Arizona

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Arizona.
Education on the ballot

General elections forArizona school boards were held on November 8, 2016; unopposed elections were canceled and did not appear on the ballot. Special elections were held in conjunction with some general elections to fill vacancies.

The29 Arizona school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections for86 seats in 2016. Here are several quick facts about those school board elections:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theMesa Public Schools with 64,161 K-12 students.
• The smallest Arizona school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theRoosevelt Elementary School District with 9,724 K-12 students.
• All but one of Arizona's largest districts had three seats up for election in 2016;Phoenix Union High School District had two seats up for election.

The district listed below served 630,417 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each and its school board elections.

Arkansas

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Arkansas.
Education on the ballot

Theannual school board election date forArkansas school boards was traditionally the third Tuesday in September. In 2016, however, school boards could choose between holding their elections on September 20 or November 8, following the passage ofSenate Bill 968 in 2015.

If no candidate won the majority of votes cast in a given election, the top two vote recipients advanced to a runoff election on October 11 for September generals and November 29 for November generals. Unopposed elections were canceled and did not appear on the ballot. Special elections were held in conjunction with some general elections to fill vacancies.

Eight of the Arkansas school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections for19 seats in 2016. Here are several quick facts about those school board elections:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 wasSpringdale Public Schools with 20,741 K-12 students.
• The smallest Arkansas school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 wasFayetteville Public Schools with 9,421 K-12 students.
• Five of Arkansas' largest districts had two seats up for election each in 2016; the other two districts had one seat up for election each.
• One of Arkansas' largest districts had seven seats up for election in 2016.

The districts listed below served 112,211 K-12 students during the 2012-2013 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each and its school board elections.

California

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in California.
Education on the ballot

General elections forCalifornia school boards in 2016 were held on the following dates: April 12, June 7, and November 8. Of the 185 California school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment,140 districts held school board elections for381 seats in 2016. Special elections were held in conjunction with some general elections to fill vacancies. TheOrange Unified School District held a separate special election on March 1, 2016.

Here are several quick facts about California's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theSan Diego Unified School District with 130,303 K-12 students.
  • The San Diego USD was the only district with a primary election in 2016 among California's largest districts.
• The smallest California school district among the nation's top 1,000 largest with an election in 2016 was theOcean View School District with 9,223 K-12 students.
• Two of California's largest districts tied for the most seats on the 2016 ballot, with five seats up for election each.
• 57 of California's largest districts tied for the fewest seats on the 2016 ballot, with two seats up for election each.

The district listed below served 3,159,391 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each one and its school board elections.

Connecticut

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Connecticut.
Education on the ballot

General elections forConnecticut school boards were held on November 8, 2016.One of the 11 Connecticut school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections forfour seats in 2016.

Stamford Public Schools, which served 15,860 K-12 students in the 2013–2014 school year, had four seats up for election.^[5] Click on the district name for more information about it and its school board elections.

Delaware

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Delaware.
Education on the ballot

General elections forDelaware school boards were held on May 10, 2016; unopposed elections were canceled and did not appear on the ballot. Thesix Delaware school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections fornine seats in 2016. Special elections were held in conjunction with some general elections to fill vacancies.

Here are several quick facts about Delaware's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theRed Clay Consolidated School District with 16,538 K-12 students.
• The smallest Delaware school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theIndian River School District with 9,313 K-12 students.
• Three districts tied for the most seats on the 2016 ballot with two seats up for election each.
• The other four largest districts tied for the fewest seats on the 2016 ballot with one seat up for election each.

The district listed below served 72,306 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each one and its school board elections.

Florida

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Florida.
Education on the ballot

General elections forFlorida school boards were held on August 30, 2016. These elections are referred to as primary elections in Florida but are functionally general elections; if no candidate won a majority of votes cast in the "primary" election, a "general" election was held on November 8, 2016, effectively serving as a runoff election. Unopposed elections were canceled and did not appear on the ballot. Special elections were held in conjunction with some general elections to fill vacancies.

The38 Florida school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections for97 seats in 2016. Here are several quick facts about those elections:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theMiami-Dade County Public Schools with 356,233 K-12 students.
• The smallest Florida school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theColumbia County School District with 10,137 K-12 students.
• Miami-Dade County Public Schools had the most seats on the 2016 ballot with five seats up for election.
• Twenty-nine districts tied for the fewest seats on the 2016 ballot with two seats up for election each.

The district listed below served 2,590,841 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each one and its school board elections.

Georgia

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Georgia.
Education on the ballot

General election dates forGeorgia school boards were dependent on whether the board was partisan or nonpartisan. In both cases, special elections were held in conjunction with some general elections to fill vacancies.

Nonpartisan boards held their general elections on May 24, 2016. In races where no candidate won a majority of votes cast in those elections, runoffs were held on July 26, 2016.

Partisan boards held primary elections on May 24, 2016. In primary elections where the majority requirement was not met, a primary runoff was held between the top two vote recipients on July 26, 2016. The general election date for partisan boards was November 8, 2016. Again, a majority vote was required, and general runoffs were held on December 6, 2016.

Thirty-eight of the 40 Georgia school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections for132 seats in 2016.

Here are several quick facts about Georgia's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theGwinnett County Public Schools with 169,150 K-12 students.
• The smallest Georgia school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theColquitt County Schools with 9,668 K-12 students.
• Bibb County School District had the most seats on the 2016 ballot with six seats up for election.
• Six of Georgia's largest districts tied for the fewest seats on the 2016 ballot with two seats up for election each.

The district listed below served 1,191,657 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each one and its school board elections.

Idaho

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Idaho.
Education on the ballot

General elections forIdaho school boards were held on September 6, 2016; unopposed elections were canceled and did not appear on the ballot. Special elections were held in conjunction with some general elections to fill vacancies.

One of the seven Idaho school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections fortwo seats in 2016.Boise School District served 27,275 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district name for more information on it and its school board elections.

Illinois

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Illinois.
Education on the ballot

MostIllinois school board elections are held with the consolidated election on the first Tuesday in April of odd-numbered years. These elections do not utilize primary or runoff elections.

One of Illinois' school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment in the 2012–2013 school year holds elections every year:Peoria Public Schools District 150. In even-numbered years, the district holds its elections in March; in odd-numbered years, it holds them in April on the regular school board election date. Thegeneral election fortwo seats on the Peoria Public School District school board was March 13, 2016.

Here are several quick facts about the Peoria school board elections in 2016:

• Peoria Public Schools District 150 was the14th-largest school district in Illinois in the 2013-2014 school year with 13,778 K-12 students.^[5]
• Two seats were up for election in the district.

Click on the district name for more information on the district and its school board elections.

Indiana

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Indiana.
Education on the ballot

General elections forIndiana school boards were held on November 8, 2016. Special elections were held in conjunction with some general elections to fill vacancies.

The24 Indiana school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections for82 seats in 2016. Here are several quick facts about those school board elections:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 wasIndianapolis Public Schools with 30,813 K-12 students.
• The smallest Indiana school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 wasLake Central School Corporation with 9,747 K-12 students.
• Nine of Indiana's largest districts tied for the most seats up for election in 2016 with four seats on the ballot each.
• Two of the districts tied for the fewest seats up for election in 2016 with two seats on the ballot each.

The districts listed below served 358,792 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each and its school board elections.

Iowa

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Iowa.
Education on the ballot

There was onespecial election in Iowa that was held on July 19, 2016.One of the 10 Iowa school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment. Regular elections are held in September of odd-numbered years.

In 2015, the10Iowa school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held elections for41 seats on that date.

See also:Iowa school board elections, 2015

Kentucky

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Kentucky.
Education on the ballot

General elections forKentucky school boards were held on November 8, 2016. Special elections were held in conjunction with some general elections to fill vacancies.

The12 Kentucky school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections for35 seats in 2016. Here are several quick facts about those school board elections:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theJefferson County Public Schools with 100,529 K-12 students.
• The smallest Kentucky school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theChristian County Public Schools with 9,327 K-12 students.
• All of Kentucky's largest districts had three seats up for election in 2016.

The districts listed below served 272,080 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each and its school board elections.

Louisiana

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Louisiana.
Education on the ballot

General elections forLouisiana school boards were held on November 8, 2016. While these elections are called "primaries" in Louisiana, they function as general elections with possible runoffs. If no candidate wins a majority of the votes cast on the first ballot, a runoff is held between the top two vote recipients. Such a runoff—which in 2016 was scheduled for December 10—is called a "general" election in Louisiana.

Special elections for Louisiana school boards were also possible on March 5 or November 8 in 2016. Such elections were required if a vacancy had occured on a given board with an unexpired term of more than one year. Special elections had to be called for by November 4, 2015, in order to be placed on the ballot for March 5, 2016; June 22, 2016, was the deadline to place special school board elections on the ballot for November 8, 2016.

Louisiana elections use theLouisiana majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50% of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, seethis article.

One of the 22 Louisiana school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held regular school board elections forseven seats in 2016.Orleans Parish School Board's entire board was up for general election.East Baton Rouge Parish School System had one seat up for special election on March 5, 2016, due to a vacancy on its board. This page will be updated if special elections become necessary in the other largest districts in the state.

These districts served 54,384 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district name for more information about it and its school board elections.

Maryland

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Maryland.
Education on the ballot

General and retention elections forMaryland school boards were held on November 8, 2016. Primary elections, if necessary, were held April 26, 2016. Special elections were held in conjunction with some general elections to fill vacancies.

Ten of the 15 Maryland school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections for33 seats in 2016. Here are several quick facts about those school board elections:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theMontgomery County Public Schools with 151,295 K-12 students.
• The smallest Maryland school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theCecil County Public Schools with 15,824 K-12 students.
• Prince George's County Public Schools had the most seats up for election out of Maryland's largest school districts with five seats on the ballot in 2016. Nine of the board's 13 members are elected; the other four are appointed.
• Two districts tied for the fewest seats up for election with two seats on the ballot each.
• Members of theAnne Arundel County Public Schools Board of Education are appointed by theGovernor of Maryland, but they are subject to retention elections at the next general election following their appointment. Three members of the board faced retention elections in 2016.

The district listed below served 547,086 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each and its school board elections.

Michigan

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Michigan.
Education on the ballot

General elections forMichigan school boards were held on November 8, 2016. Special elections were held in conjunction with some general elections to fill vacancies.

The22 Michigan school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections for71 seats in 2016. Here are several quick facts about those school board elections:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 wasDetroit Public Schools with 49,043 K-12 students.
• The smallest Michigan school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was thePort Huron Area School District with 9,277 K-12 students.
• Detroit Public Schools Community District had the most seats up for election in 2016 out of Michigan's largest districts with seven seats on the ballot.
• Seven districts tied for the fewest seats up for election in 2016 out of Michigan's largest districts with two seats on the ballot.

The districts listed below served 344,081 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each and its school board elections.

Minnesota

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Minnesota.
Education on the ballot

General elections forMinnesota school boards were held on November 8, 2016. Primary elections, if necessary, were held on August 9, 2016. Special elections could be held in conjunction with primary or general elections to fill vacancies.

Eleven of the 19 Minnesota school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections for35 seats in 2016. Here are several quick facts about those school board elections:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 wasSaint Paul Public Schools with 38,228 K-12 students.
• The smallest Minnesota school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theEastern Carver County Public Schools with 9,414 K-12 students.
• Four of Minnesota's largest districts tied for the most seats on the 2016 ballot with four seats up for election each.
• TheSaint Paul Public Schools special election had the fewest seats on the 2016 ballot with one seat up for election.

The districts listed below served 189,209 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each and its school board elections.

Mississippi

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Mississippi.
Education on the ballot

General elections forMississippi school boards were held on November 8, 2016. Special elections were held in conjunction with some general elections to fill vacancies.

Five of the seven Mississippi school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections for10 seats in 2016. Here are several quick facts about those school board elections:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theDeSoto County School District with 33,054 K-12 students.
• The smallest Mississippi school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theLamar County School District with 9,569 K-12 students.
• All of Mississippi's largest districts had two seats up for election in 2016.

The districts listed below served 88,721 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each and its school board elections.

Missouri

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Missouri.
Education on the ballot

General elections forMissouri school boards were held April 5, 2016. There were no primary or runoff elections.Special elections for unexpired board terms were held in conjunction with the general election cycle. Nineteen Missouri school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment in the 2013–2014 school year held elections in 2016.

Here are several quick facts about Missouri's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 wasSpringfield Public Schools with 25,545 K-12 students.
• The smallest Missouri school district among the nation's top 1,000 largest with an election in 2016 wasMehlville School District with 10,537 K-12 students.
• Kansas City Public Schools had the most seats up for election in 2016 with four seats on the ballot.
• The other 18 districts tied for fewest seats up for election in 2016 with two seats on the ballot each.

The district listed below served 306,069 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district name for more information on the district and its school board elections.

Montana

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Montana.
Education on the ballot

Montana school board elections were held on May 3, 2016, the first Monday of May as provided by law. Elections related to school funding propositions could have been held on other dates.^[6]

One of Montana' school districts was amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment in the 2013–2014 school year:Billings Public Schools. The district held a general election forthree seats. Billings was thelargest school district in Montana in the 2013-2014 school year with 11,244 K-12 students.^[5]

• Three seats were up for election in the district.

Click on the district name for more information on the district and its school board elections.

Nebraska

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Nebraska.
Education on the ballot

General elections forNebraska school boards were held on November 8, 2016. Primary elections were held for races where more than two candidates file for each seat up for election.Five of the six Nebraska school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections for18 seats in 2016.

Here are several quick facts about those school board elections:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theOmaha Public Schools with 51,069 K-12 students.
• The smallest Nebraska school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theGrand Island Public Schools with 9,313 K-12 students.
• Omaha Public Schools had the most seats up for election in 2016 out of Nebraska's largest districts with five seats on the ballot.
• Three districts tied for the fewest seats up for election with three seats up for election each.

The districts listed below served 105,153 K-12 students during the 2012-2013 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each and its school board elections.

Nevada

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Nevada.
Education on the ballot

General elections forNevada school boards were held on November 8, 2016. Primary elections, if necessary, were held on June 14, 2016. Unopposed elections were canceled and did not appear on the ballot. Special elections were held in conjunction with some general elections to fill vacancies.

Three of the four Nevada school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections for14 seats in 2016. Here are several quick facts about those school board elections:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theClark County School District with 320,532 K-12 students.
• The smallest Nevada school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theElko County School District with 9,945 K-12 students.
• Two of Nevada's largest districts had four seats up for election in 2016.

The district listed below served 396,027 K-12 students during the 2012-2013 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each and its school board elections.

New Jersey

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in New Jersey.
Education on the ballot

General elections forNew Jersey school boards were held on April 19 or November 8 in 2016.Special elections for unexpired board terms were held in conjunction with the general election cycle.Eighteen of the 22 New Jersey school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment had elections for54 seats in 2016.

Here are several quick facts about New Jersey's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 wasNewark Public Schools with 34,976 K-12 students.
• The smallest New Jersey school district among the nation's top 1,000 largest with an election in 2016 wasBrick Township Public Schools with 9,456 K-12 students.
• Sixteen of the largest districts had three seats up for election each.
• TheBayonne School District had the most seats on the ballot among New Jersey's largest districts with four seats up for election.
• Brick Township Public Schools had the fewest seats on the ballot among New Jersey's largest districts with two seats up for election.

The districts listed below served 274,540 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district name for more information on the district and its school board elections.

New York

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in New York.
Education on the ballot

Mostgeneral elections forNew York school boards were May 17, 2016. Five districts, referred to collectively as the "Big 5," are not subject to the same election laws as the other districts.Thirteen districts in New York amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held elections for37 seats. One of those districts,Buffalo Public Schools, is part of the Big 5 and had its election on May 3, 2016. Special elections for unexpired terms were held in conjunction with the general election cycle.

Here are several quick facts about New York's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 wasBuffalo Public Schools with 34,854 K-12 students.
• The smallest New York school district among the nation's top 1,000 largest with an election in 2016 wasUtica City School District with 9,717 K-12 students.
• Buffalo Public Schools had most seats on the ballot among New York's largest districts with six seats up for election.
• Utica City School District had the fewest seats on the ballot among New York's largest districts with one seat up for election.

The districts listed below served 172,509 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district name for more information on the district and its school board elections.

North Carolina

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in North Carolina.
Education on the ballot

State law dictated the regulargeneral election forNorth Carolina school boards be held in conjunction with the state primary on March 15, 2016. Several districts, however, have exceptions from this election date and held their elections on November 8, 2016.Special elections for unexpired board terms were held in conjunction with the general election cycle.Thirty-three of the 38 North Carolina school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment had elections for143 seats in 2016.

Here are several quick facts about North Carolina's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 wasWake County Public School System with 153,534 K-12 students.
• The smallest North Carolina school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 wasDuplin County Schools with 9,628 K-12 students.
• Three of the largest districts tied for the most seats on the ballot with nine seats up for election each.
• Harnett County Schools had the fewest seats on the ballot among North Carolina's largest districts with two seats up for election.

The districts listed below served 875,350 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district name for more information on the district and its school board elections.

North Dakota

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in North Dakota.
Education on the ballot

General elections forNorth Dakota school boards were held on June 14, 2016. Thetwo North Dakota school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections forsix seats in 2016.

Here are several quick facts about North Dakota's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theBismarck Public Schools with 12,012 K-12 students.
• The smallest North Dakota school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theFargo Public Schools with 11,101 K-12 students.
• Fargo had the most seats on the 2016 ballot with four seats up for election.
• Bismark had the fewest seats on the 2016 ballot with two seats up for election.

The district listed below served 23,113 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each one and its school board elections.

Oklahoma

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Oklahoma.
Education on the ballot

General elections forOklahoma school boards were held February 9, 2016. If no candidate won a majority of the votes cast in a given race, the district was required to hold arunoff election on April 5, 2016.Special elections for unexpired board terms were held in conjunction with the general election cycle.

Thirteen Oklahoma school districts were amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment in the 2012–2013 school year.

Here are several quick facts about Oklahoma's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 wasOklahoma City Public Schools with 40,913 K-12 students.
• The smallest Oklahoma school district among the nation's top 1,000 largest with an election in 2016 wasOwasso Public Schools with 9,490 K-12 students.
• Oklahoma City Public Schools andTulsa Public Schools tied for the most seats up for election in 2016 with two seats on the ballot each.
• The other 11 districts tied for fewest seats up for election in 2016 with one seat on the ballot each.

The district listed below served 256,252 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district name for more information on the district and its school board elections.

Rhode Island

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Rhode Island.
Education on the ballot

General elections forRhode Island school boards were held on November 8, 2016.Two of the three Rhode Island school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections fornine seats. Here are several quick facts about those school board elections:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theCranston Public Schools with 10,552 K-12 students. Cranston had the most seats up for election out of the two districts with seven seats up for election.
• The smallest Rhode Island school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theWarwick Public Schools with 9,393 K-12 students. Warwick had the fewest seats on the ballot out of the two districts with two seats up for election.

The district listed below served 19,945 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each and its school board elections.

South Carolina

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in South Carolina.
Education on the ballot

General elections dates forSouth Carolina school districts were largely determined locally for 2016. According to theSouth Carolina School Boards Association, 69 of the state's 81 districts were scheduled to hold elections this year.^[7]

Twenty-three of the 26 South Carolina school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held elections for93 seats. All of those districts held general elections on November 8, 2016. Primaries were held on June 14, 2016, if necessary. In the case of a tie in the primary results, a primary runoff was held on June 28, 2016.

Here are several quick facts about South Carolina's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theGreenville County School District with 74,475 K-12 students.
• The smallest South Carolina school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theAnderson School District One with 9,445 K-12 students.
• Two districts tied for the most seats on the 2016 ballot with six seats up for election.
• Nine districts tied for the fewest seats on the 2016 ballot with three seats up for election each.

The district listed below served 508,860 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each one and its school board elections.

South Dakota

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in South Dakota.
Education on the ballot

General elections forSouth Dakota school boards in 2016 were held on either April 12, June 7 or June 21. School boards were required to set the date of the election by resolution no later than the first regular meeting after January 1, 2016. There were no primary or runoff elections; special elections to fill the unexpired terms of vacated seats were held in conjunction with the general elections.^[8]

Two South Dakota school districts were amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment in the 2012–2013 school year. Both districts had elections in 2016 for a total offour seats.

Here are several quick facts about South Dakota's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 wasSioux Falls School District with 23,384 K-12 students.
• The smallest South Dakota school district among the nation's top 1,000 largest with an election in 2016 wasRapid City Area School District with 13,353 K-12 students.
• Both district had two seats up for election.

The district listed below served 36,737 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district name for more information on the district and its school board elections.

Tennessee

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Tennessee.
Education on the ballot

General elections forTennessee school boards were held on August 4, 2016.Primary elections for two districts were held on March 1, 2016. The19 Tennessee school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections for80 seats.

Here are several quick facts about Tennessee's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theShelby County Schools district with 149,832 K-12 students.
• The smallest Tennessee school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theHamblen County Schools district with 10,212 K-12 students.
• Williamson County Schools had the most seats on the 2016 ballot, with seven seats up for election.
• Two districts tied for the fewest seats on the 2016 ballot, with two seats up for election each.

The districts listed below served 604,366 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each one and its school board elections.

Texas

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Texas.
Education on the ballot

General elections forTexas school boards in 2016 were held on the following dates: May 7 and November 8. Special elections were held in conjunction with some general elections to fill vacancies.Runoff elections were held in some districts if no candidate won a majority of votes cast in a given race. Runoffs from the May generals were held on June 18, 2016, and those from the November generals were December 13, 2016.

Of the 113 Texas school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment,83 districts held school board elections for249 seats in 2016.

Here are several quick facts about Texas' school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theHouston Independent School District with 211,552 K-12 students.
• The smallest Texas school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 wasDeSoto Independent School District with 9,404 K-12 students.
• Twenty-eight of Texas' largest districts tied for the fewest seats on the 2016 ballot with two seats up for election each.

The districts listed below served 2,306,541 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each and its school board elections.

Utah

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Utah.
Education on the ballot

General elections forUtah school boards were held on November 8, 2016. Special elections were held in conjunction with some general elections to fill vacancies.

The14 Utah school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections for48 seats in 2016. Here are several quick facts about those school board elections:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theAlpine School District with 73,975 K-12 students.
• The smallest Utah school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theBox Elder School District with 11,310 K-12 students.
• Six of Utah's largest districts tied for the most seats on the ballot in 2016 with four seats up for election in each.
• The other eight largest districts tied for the fewest seats on the ballot with three seats up for election in each.

The district listed below served 488,124 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each and its school board elections.

Virginia

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Virginia.
Education on the ballot

General elections forVirginia school boards were held on May 3 or November 8 in 2016.Special elections for unexpired board terms were held in conjunction with the general election cycle.10 of the 30 Virginia school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment had elections for39 seats in 2016.

Here are several quick facts about Virginia's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 wasVirginia Beach City Public Schools with 70,556 K-12 students.
• The smallest Virginia school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 wasRoanoke County Public Schools with 14,333 K-12 students.
• Richmond Public Schools had the most seats on the ballot among Virginia's largest districts with nine seats up for election.
• Arlington Public Schools andNorfolk Public Schools had the fewest seats on the ballot among Virginia's largest districts with two seats up for election.
• Roanoke County Public Schools held a special election for two vacant school board seats.

The districts listed below served 284,877 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district name for more information on the district and its school board elections.

West Virginia

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in West Virginia.
Education on the ballot

General elections forWest Virginia school boards were held on May 10, 2016. Thenine West Virginia school districts amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment held school board elections for18 seats in May 2016. There was also onespecial election for one seat in theMercer County school district on November 8, 2016.

Here are several quick facts about West Virginia's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theKanawha County Schools with 28,378 K-12 students.
• The smallest West Virginia school district among the nation's largest with an election in 2016 was theMercer County Schools with 9,585 K-12 students.
• All nine of the largest districts had the same number of seats on their 2016 general election ballots with two seats up for election each.

The district listed below served 126,359 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district names for more information on each and its school board elections.

Wisconsin

Education policy
Clickhere to learn more about education policy in Wisconsin.
Education on the ballot

General elections forWisconsin school boards were held on April 5, 2016. If more than two candidates filed per seat up for election in any given district, the district was required to hold aprimary election on February 16, 2016.Special elections for unexpired board terms were held in conjunction with the general election cycle.

Twelve Wisconsin school districts were amongAmerica's largest school districts by enrollment in the 2013–2014 school year. In addition to covering those districts, Ballotpedia also covered Wisconsin's 50 largest school districts.

Here are several quick facts about Wisconsin's school board elections in 2016:

• The largest school district by enrollment with an election in 2016 was theMadison Metropolitan School District with 27,185 K-12 students.
• The smallest Wisconsin school district among the nation's top 1,000 largest with an election in 2016 was theWest Allis-West Milwaukee School District with 9,725 K-12 students.
• TheRacine Unified School District had the most seats on the 2016 ballot with nine seats up for election.
• Sixteen of the 50 largest districts tied for the fewest seats on the 2016 ballot with two seats up for election each.

The districts listed below served 378,900 K-12 students during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.^[5] Click on the district name for more information on the district and its school board elections. Districts with asterisks (*) next to the number of seats up for election held special elections in conjunction with their general elections.