The following resources can help you set up and conduct your board of education candidate campaign:
- campaign how to's
- free candidate webinars
- OSBA candidate training sessions
- factsheets and social media icons
Free candidate webinars
These webinars cover common questions that arise as candidates are considering running for a seat on their board of education:
- Being a School Board Candidate - learn about being a candidate for your school board
- Campaign First Steps - review the legal aspects of setting up your campaign.
- Campaign Contributions and Expenditures - reviews campaign contributions and allowable expenditures
- Campaign Reporting Requirements - learn about the requirements for reporting campaign contributions and expenditures
- Pre-Board Candidate Webinar - In this two-part webinar, get the information you need to make the decision to run for your local board of education before the Aug. 9 filing deadline: What you need to know from a board member's viewpoint and The legal aspects of running for the board of education
OSBA Board Candidate Workshops and webinar sessions
Led by OSBA experts, these sessions held around the state will lead candidates through a concise and valuable program to help them better understand the everyday roles and responsibilities of school board members and the legal aspects of campaigning and being a board member. In-person workshop dates and locations:
- Sept. 7 at Warren County ESC in Lebanon • 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. • cost is $55
- Sept. 8 at Wayne County Career Center in Smithville • 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. • cost is $55
- Sept. 9 at the OSBA Office in Columbus • 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. • cost is $55
As an alternative, OSBA also is offering this workshop as an on-demand webinar available in early August 2023. The cost is $55. The first half of the webinar will focus on board roles and responsibilities, and the second half will cover campaign finance and legal issues. Click to purchase the webinar
Workshop and webinar registrants will receive a Board Candidate Kit, which includes “Candidate: A practical guide to running for school board;” a subscription to the OSBA Journal, the premier bimonthly magazine for school board members; and a subscription to Briefcase, a semimonthly newsletter.
OSBA publication
"Candidate: A practical guide for running for school board" • $15
This OSBA publication answers commonly asked questions related to getting started as a candidate. Topics covered include managing the campaign committee, financial reporting and ethical issues.