California school board races are gaining more attention in the 2022 election, with the California Teachers Association (CTA) and the California Republican Party actively supporting their preferred candidates. The CTA is working to get local unions more involved in school board elections, with teachers canvassing neighborhoods and rallying support for union-backed candidates. On the other side, conservative organizations are also recruiting and training candidates to promote their ideas in school board elections.
CTA President David Goldberg emphasized the importance of educators’ popularity in influencing local races. The union is investing in engaging its members to participate in campaigns and elections. The Republican Party and conservative groups are campaigning aggressively, aiming to gain seats on California school boards to advance their viewpoints on various educational policies.
There is a clear divide between the two sides, with Goldberg accusing some conservative candidates of being “white Christian nationalists” seeking to reshape public education to align with their ideology. On the other hand, Shawn Steel of the Republican National Committee believes that teachers unions have too much power and are pushing candidates to serve their interests.
The CTA supports campaigns by providing financial assistance through its Political Action Committee, while local unions focus on local races. In Elk Grove, teachers have been actively canvassing for candidates and a school facilities bond, highlighting the importance of having a supportive school board.
In Temecula, tensions have risen over conservative policies implemented by the school board, leading to increased involvement from the local teacher union in campaigning for candidates who prioritize good governance. The issue of parental notification policies and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies continues to be a point of contention in some districts.
The San Jose Teachers Association is ramping up its campaigning efforts in response to conservative organizations targeting local school board seats. The union is working to protect its academic freedom and school board from candidates endorsed by conservative groups. Similarly, in Los Angeles Unified, the teachers union and charter school organizations are engaged in a battle over school board seats, with the union mobilizing its members to support endorsed candidates.
Overall, the school board races in California are heating up, with both sides actively campaigning to secure seats on local boards. The involvement of teachers and unions, alongside conservative organizations, underscores the significance of these elections in shaping education policies at the local level.