California school board members play a vital role in ensuring student success through decisions made at the dais and by actively engaging with their communities. One key way to stay connected to community needs is by participating in Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) information-gathering sessions and other public meetings where school issues are discussed. However, board members must ensure their participation is appropriate, constructive and beneficial to the local educational agency and the public.

While board member presence at LCAP and community meetings is valuable for transparency and trust-building, participation should enhance — rather than dominate — discussions. Board members should champion the participation of voters, taxpayers, parents and the community by promoting these events through public outreach, social media and partnerships.

However, to maintain the integrity of these meetings, board members should adhere to five key best practices:

• Listen more than you speak: Prioritize understanding community perspectives.
• Avoid dominating discussions: Encourage input from diverse voices.
• Refrain from making commitments: Policy decisions should be made collectively at board meetings.
• Ask thoughtful questions: Facilitate discussions that elicit meaningful insights.
• Demonstrate empathy: Recognize and validate the experiences of stakeholders.

To ensure their participation aligns with district goals and respects stakeholder input, board members should reflect on the following:

• How should I prepare for LCAP and community meetings to contribute meaningfully while respecting others’ input?
• What district priorities should I be familiar with to represent the board’s vision?
• How can I encourage open dialogue without overshadowing parent, student and community voices?
• How should I use insights gathered from these sessions to inform governance decisions?
• What resources or training can help me better understand the LCAP process?

Seeing trustees at info-gathering sessions shows the community that the board is interested and engaged. Striking the right balance between governance and participation allows board members to build trust and ensure stakeholder voices help shape district priorities.