Below are answers to some frequently asked questions. Additional information is available in the free resource, "Get on Board: A guide for school board candidates." If you do not see your question here, feel free to contact us.
What are the requirements to become school board candidate?
You must be
- at least 18 years old;
- a U.S. citizen;
- both a resident of your school district and registered to vote in your school district for at least 30 days prior to the election.
When are school board elections?
The elections are held as part of the November general election in odd-numbered years. The 2025 election will be Nov. 4.
How do I file?
To become a candidate, you must file a form with the county board of elections that serves as both a declaration of candidacy and a nominating petition. Your county board of elections office can provide the necessary forms and petitions required to become a candidate. Note that the 2025 filing deadline is 4 p.m. on Aug. 6, 2025, the 90th day prior to the general election. The filing fee is $30.
Before you file, you must obtain valid signatures from registered voters residing in your district. The number of required signatures depends on the type and size of your district:
- City (population of less than 20,000): 25 signatures required
- City (population of 20,000-49,999): 75 signatures required
- City (population of 50,000-99,999): 150 signatures required
- City (population of 100,000 or more): 300 signatures required
- Local: 25 signatures required
- Exempted village: 25 signatures required
- Educational service center: 50 signatures required
Petitions should be filed at the county board of elections office in the county where the school district is located. Petitions for ESC governing board positions must be filed at the board of elections office in the county where the ESC’s central administrative office is located.
How can I receive training?
The Ohio School Boards Association is hosting a free webinar on becoming a candidate for a school board on Aug. 9. You can register for the live webinar or view it on-demand beginning Aug. 15.
Candidates also can explore the many resources available at www.ohioschoolboards.org. As an official candidate, you have the same access to OSBA staff as our member boards via email or phone at (614) 540-4000 or (800) 589-OSBA for general questions. View staff contact information, or call the legal hotline, (855) 672-2529, for general legal information.
How much time is required?
School board work is a public service commitment. At times the commitment is significant, and the work will be both personally and publicly difficult. School boards are required by law to meet publicly at least every other month; however, most boards meet publicly at least once a month. Board members should be prepared to read a great deal to stay abreast of the many changes in educational philosophy, legislative actions and legal requirements of public school operation. For the individual that has a heart for public service, school board work is tremendously rewarding.
What do I need to know before I start campaigning?
After filing your petition, you will need to determine how to structure your campaign. If you intend to receive campaign contributions or make campaign expenditures, you will need to form a campaign committee, appoint a treasurer by filing a Designation of Treasurer form (form 30-D) with your county board of elections and set up a bank account for your campaign. The Designation of Treasurer form can be found at your county board of elections or on the secretary of state website.
Be sure you understand the local campaign laws for signs, digital and printed distribution of materials and funding. Find out if your district has a specific policy regarding the dissemination of campaign material in and around school grounds. It also is important to understand the requirements for disclaimers that must be printed on campaign signs and literature. Disclaimers also must appear on electronic communications. More information about disclaimer requirements and items exempt from them can be found in the Campaign Contributions and Expenditures webinar.
Practically speaking, it is a good idea to attend board meetings, set up meetings with the superintendent and treasurer to introduce yourself and learn more about the district and its operations. Read about school board work and talk to current or former board members to decide if being a board member is truly for you. It also is a good idea to familiarize yourself with your school district’s policy manual. The manual most likely is available on the district’s website. If you cannot find it, contact the school district main office for information on how to access it.
Compatibility of the office
A candidate who is already serving as a public employee or in another elected position should check to make sure that the two positions are compatible, which means that, if elected, the person can serve in both positions at the same time. More information on the compatibility of positions is available from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Questions about compatibility of public offices or positions should be discussed with the board of education’s legal counsel, legal counsel for the public agency the candidate already serves or the candidate’s private attorney.
Are there any conflicts of interest of which I should be aware?
Yes. All school board members must recognize that as parents, business people, property owners, community volunteers or citizens in their school districts, they may be faced with conflicts of interest while serving in their public positions. When conflicts occur, board members must know how to react so as not to jeopardize their reputation or the good name of the school district. Conflict-of-interest restrictions can be found in Title 33 of the Ohio Revised Code and in Title 102, the Ohio Ethics Law, which is administered by the Ohio Ethics Commission.
What is a write-in candidate, and do I have to file to be a write-in candidate?
Citizens in the school district may file as write-in candidates for open seats on boards of education. This may be an appealing option for a citizen if, after candidate filing deadline has passed, the board of education has more open seats than potential candidates. A write-in candidate is someone whose name does not appear on the ballot, but whose name must be written on the ballot by voters. Only the names of those write-in candidates who have filed a valid declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate will be counted.
After the initial candidate filing deadline, any person wanting to be a write-in candidate must file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate by 4 p.m. on the 72nd day prior to the election. A write-in candidate must meet all of the qualifications of the office being sought. In order to run for the board of education, you must be at least 18 years old and both a resident in the school district and registered to vote in the district for 30 days before the election.