Why Engage the School Board?
School boards make decisions that directly affect every student, teacher, and family in our community. Everything from curriculum and budgets to safety policies and school hours. Board members are elected officials who are accountable to you. Your voice matters more than you may think.
Community members who show up consistently and speak clearly can shift board priorities, change votes, and build lasting relationships with decision-makers.
Know Our School Board
How Boards Work
Our board has 7 elected members who set policy, approve budgets, and hire the superintendent. They typically meet around twice a month in public sessions. One meeting is the Committee of the Whole, where all members of the board meet as a single committee to discuss topics in depth without taking final action, and the other is the formal Board Meeting where more formal actions take place. Both have time allotted for public comments at the beginning of the meeting.
Board Responsibilities
- Governance
- Core Values and Beliefs
- Mission, Vision, and Goals Policies
- Action: Vote
- Monitoring Progress
Superintendent/District Staff Responsibilities
- Management
- Objectives
- Action plans
- Procedures
- Action: Recommend and Implement
- Evidence of Compliance
Sourced from: Illinois Association of School Boards
| Board website | https://www.district65.net/about/board-of-education/board-meetings |
|---|---|
| Meeting schedule | Usually on Monday evenings, starting at 5 or 6 (depending on if there is a closed session portion. This should be noted on the agenda. To receive an email notice when meeting agendas are posted, please contact Adeela Qureshi, Board Secretary, at (847) 859-8111 or at qureshia@district65.net. |
| Location | JEH Early Childhood Center 1500 McDaniel Ave, Evanston, IL 60201 |
| Online | Meetings are livestreamed here if you cannot attend in person. https://www.youtube.com/@district6541/streams |
Learn the Players
- Superintendent - the district’s top administrator, they and their cabinet often present at meetings. Interim is Dr. Eric Witherspoon through 12/31/2026. Board will be starting a search for a new permanent Superintendent with a target start date of 7/1/2027.
- Board President/Chair - runs the meetings, sets the agenda tone. Dr. Nichole Pinkard, has 3 years remaining on board term.
- Vice Chair - Fills in when the Chair is absent. Chris Van Nostrand, last year of board term (due to board appointment to vacant seat).
- Individual members - each may have a focus or committee role: Pat Anderson (former Chair, 3 years remaining), Sergio Hernandez (former Chair, last year of board term), Maria Opdyke (3 years remaining), Mya Wilkins (last year), Dr. Andrew Wymer (3 years remaining)
- Board Secretary - manages official documents and meeting logistics. Adeela Qureshi, qureshia@district65.net
Quick Tip
Search board meeting archives to see agendas, presentations, reports, and board minutes. This can help you understand what’s been discussed and to understand each member’s priorities, voting history, and the issues they care most about before you approach them.
Speaking at Public Comment
Public comment is your right to address elected officials directly. Most meetings allow 3 minutes per speaker. If there are a lot of speakers, they will pro-rate to keep comments to an hour. The shortest amount of time offered is around 90 seconds. Here’s how to make every second count.
Before You Go
- Review the agenda, Click on the word “agenda” to open that meeting’s document. You can comment on agenda items or general matters.
- Prepare your remarks in writing. 3 minutes is roughly 330-450 words; practice out loud to feel more comfortable and to ensure you’re within the time limit.
- Know that the board members will listen, but not provide comments or engage in dialogue with you during your comments.
Structure Your Statement
| 0:00–0:20 | Introduce yourself: name, your connection to the district (parent, teacher, resident, student) |
|---|---|
| 0:20–1:00 | State your issue clearly — one focused topic is more powerful than many |
| 1:00–1:45 | Provide evidence: data, personal story, or community impact |
| 1:45–2:30 | Make a specific ask — what do you want the board to do? |
| 2:30–3:00 | Thank the board |
The Meeting
- Arrive 15 minutes early. Depending on the topics of the meeting, seating fills up and sign-up lines can be long.
- There will be a sign-up sheet on a table right outside the meeting room, to the left when you walk in.
- After you add your name, you can go into the meeting room and take an open seat.
- When the meeting starts, there may be a few minutes of business and then the board secretary will read off groups of names. When your name is called, you’ll get in line behind the speaking podium.
- When it is your turn, you’ll see the board secretary start the timer and you may begin your comments. If you finish early, you may return to your seat. If the timer goes off, you can usually wrap up the last sentence or two at most, then return to your seat.
- Many people stay to listen to the rest of the meeting, but it is also okay to leave when you are done.
- Afterward, send a copy of your comments to schoolboard@district65.net.
Dos & Don’ts
DO: speak calmly and respectfully, use “I” statements, stick to your time limit, and leave contact info.
DON’T: attack individuals personally, go over time, bring props, or bring more issues than you can cover in your allotted minutes.
Written Advocacy
You don’t have to speak in person to make an impact. Written communications, especially when submitted before a vote, are read and logged into the official record. Send your comments to schoolboard@district65.net, which will reach all board members and the board secretary.
Email Best Practices
- Subject line: Be specific “Support for Expanded Mental Health Counselors — Board Meeting June 10”
- Open with your connection to the district and the specific issue
- Keep it around 300 words — busy board members may skim long emails
- End with a clear ask and your contact information
- CC the superintendent or other relevant cabinet members for added visibility
- Follow up if you don’t hear back within two weeks, but you won’t always get a response.
Letters to the Board
Formal written letters submitted before a board meeting are entered into official minutes. A brief, factual letter from 10-20 or more community members on the same issue carries significant weight.
Power Move
Organize a letter-writing campaign. Coordinate a group to send individual emails or letters about the same issue in the week before a key vote — volume signals community concern.
Building Long-Term Influence
One-time appearances matter, but sustained engagement is what creates lasting change. The most effective advocates treat the school board like a long-term relationship, not a single transaction.
Show Up Consistently
- Attend as many meetings as is feasible for you
- Arrive even when your issue isn’t on the agenda — presence signals engagement
- Introduce yourself to board members before or after meetings
- We recognize the time and location of board meetings makes it hard for many to attend. While in-person speaking is powerful, there are many ways to make a difference
Build Community
- Connect with parent-teacher organizations, neighborhood associations, and civic groups
- Partner with others, a coalition of voices is harder to ignore than one
- Share meeting dates and agendas, and your comments, widely in community networks and social media
- Organize carpools or childcare so more community members can attend
Work the System
- Request meetings with individual board members between public sessions, they may respond
- Submit public records requests (FOIA) for budgets, contracts, or reports that inform your advocacy
- Participate in board-sponsored community surveys and input sessions
- Apply to serve on board advisory committees when opportunities arise, it puts you in the room earlier Sample Public Comment Script
Adapt this template to your specific issue. Fill in the bracketed sections with your own details.
Sample Script
“Good evening. My name is [Your Name], and I am a [parent/resident/teacher] in D65. I’m here tonight to speak about [specific issue]. This matters to me because [brief personal connection or community impact]. [Share one data point, story, or example that illustrates the problem or opportunity.] I’m asking the board to [specific, actionable request] by [realistic timeframe]. Thank you for your service to our schools.”
Quick Reference & Resources
| Advocacy Guides & Toolkits | There are a lot out there, here’s a few! clccrul.org/education-equity, naacp.org/resources, nea.org - local organizing toolkit |
|---|---|
| District website | district65.net/board-meetings |
| Illinois State Board of Education | isbe.net |
| Open records | Use Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) law to request communication records, budgets, contracts, and reports. |
Advocacy Checklist
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I know my school board’s meeting schedule and how to sign up for public comment
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I have contact information for my board (schoolboard@district65.net)
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I can state my issue and specific ask in 3 minutes or less
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I have identified at least 2-3 others who share my concern
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I have reviewed recent board minutes or agendas related to my issue
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I know the next meeting date and have it on my calendar
Democracy works when communities show up. Every meeting you attend, every comment you make, and every neighbor you bring along helps D65 Thrive!