ABSTRACT
There is no preparation for a new BOE member unless they have been one before. The most current skill they have acquired is how to win an election if they ran opposing someone. The requirements to run for a BOE seat is the following: Generally, school board candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, qualified voters in the school district, and able to read and write. They must be residents of their districts continuously for one year (as little as thirty days or as long as three years in some city school districts) before the election. They cannot be employed by the board on which they will serve or live in the same household with a family member who is also a member of the same school board (Source: New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA)). Note that they do not even need to have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent.
