How to make a presentation to your School Board:

-Have an issue you wish to be changed within your school system.

-Contact you school board for meeting dates and times.

-You can probably go to your school office for this information or will be directed as to where to find the information.

-If you must sign up for a speaking slot, do so promptly.

-Most school boards require that you complete a "Request to Address the Board" form before the meeting.

-Make a note of a time limitation if one exists, often three or 5 minutes is the maximum time allowed.

-Begin your research

-Gain support from teachers, parents and students.

-Go to the page on this site that gives background information on your subject.

-Use the links to get further information

-Do offline research if necessary

-Organize your information and research

-Prepare a speech using the information and past cases as you supporting evidence

-Be very persuasive, appealing to the emotions of the board

-Be very specific stating your problem and your proposed solution and why this would be an improvement for the school system

-Have visual aids if possible

-If you cannot make it neat and professional, just do not have one

-Graphs or diagrams make great visual aids

-Have support

-Have a petition signed by students, teachers, parents and other community members showing that many people agree with you

-Bring your support to the meeting, get as many supporters to come with you to the meeting to sit and watch, it has a huge impact.

-Be polite

-Never seem like you are complaining

-Never undermine their work on the board, just show how it can be improved.

-Know the rules of the meeting

-Some boards have a specific procedure like stating your name, address and issue addressed before you speak

-IMPRESS EVERYONE!

-HAVE YOUR PROBLEM SOLVED!

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