“I’d Go, But What Would I Ask?” School Board Candidates and Special Ed Questions

So, here’s the thing. I keep telling parents, “Go to your local school board candidate forums!”

And then I get hit with, “But what would I even ask?”

I get it. It’s intimidating. You’re already mentally juggling IEP goals, forgotten field trip forms, a behavior chart taped to the fridge, and that email from school you’ve been avoiding since 9am. And now I’m telling you to go ask questions at a political event?

But hear me out.

Why Bother Going to a School Board Forum?

Because this is where change starts. Right in your backyard.

These folks are the ones who vote on your district’s budget. That means decisions about hiring more aides, adding more services, or cutting them entirely… all happen in that room. And when they don’t hear from us—the special ed parents—they assume everything is fine.

We are the squeaky wheels. But sometimes we’re also the exhausted, burnt-out, “just-trying-to-make-it-to-bedtime” wheels. I get it.

The good news? You don’t have to grill anyone like a lawyer on cross-exam. Your job is just to show up, ask thoughtful questions, and listen. That’s it.

But what do you ask? Here are some examples and ideas to get you started.

What to Ask School Board Candidates About Special Ed

You don’t have to memorize IDEA to ask good questions. In fact, don’t. We’re not trying to trap anyone in a gotcha moment. Most candidates don’t know special ed law, unless they have a personal or professional connection.

So you’re not testing them. You’re testing their willingness to learn, listen, and support.

Here’s a mix of crowd-sourced and seasoned-advocate-approved questions that you can use:

Philosophical Questions (aka: How They Think)

• What is your philosophy of special education?
• Do you believe inclusion benefits all students? Why or why not?
• How do you define success for a student with an IEP?

These help reveal whether they’ve given special ed even a minute of thought. Or if they’re just regurgitating whatever policy manual they read last night.

Training and Awareness

• How does the school board ensure that teachers and staff are trained in autism, ADHD, behavior, trauma, and mental health?
• What does “least restrictive environment” mean to you?
• Do you think the district has done enough to support staff who are working with students with complex needs?

Because if they don’t know what interoception is, that’s fine—but they should be open to learning.

Budget Questions (Yes, Ask About Money)

• When unanticipated needs come up during the school year—like a new student with a high level of need or staff absences—how should the district adjust the budget?
• What are your priorities when balancing the needs of special education with other budget items?

If they blink rapidly at the mention of “unfunded mandates,” make a note.

Parent Concerns and Relationships

• If a parent brought you a concern about a systemic issue in special education, what would you do?
• What can the school board do to improve the often-contentious relationships between special ed parents and school staff?
• What role should the board play in helping families feel heard and supported?

You’re not just looking for solutions. You’re looking for empathy.

Data, Discipline, and Disproportionality

• How can we ensure discipline policies don’t unfairly impact students with disabilities?
• What would you do if data shows certain students (say, those with IEPs) are disproportionately suspended, restrained, or not graduating on time?

Every district has these issues. Some just don’t want to talk about them.

Inclusion and Placement Options

• How does the district determine placement decisions when families request alternatives like hybrid or independent study?
• What are your thoughts on increasing access to general education classrooms for students with IEPs?
• How can we better support inclusion so it’s not just a buzzword on a slide deck?

Remember: the IDEA law says “presumed placement is general ed.” Schools often forget.

Real Talk: What Not to Ask

This is not the time to corner a candidate with your child’s 30-page IEP. I know it’s tempting. Trust me.

If your question requires three paragraphs of backstory, save it for your next PWN letter.

Also—don’t throw out acronyms without context. A question like, “How would you handle an MDR where BIP implementation failed prior to a manifestation hearing?” is going to make their eyes glaze over.

Not because it’s a bad question—but because they don’t know what you’re talking about.

One More Thing—Bring Friends

School board forums aren’t exactly packed. You showing up with your IEP Binder, a list of questions, and maybe another parent or two? That makes a huge impression.

We need to be seen. We need to be heard.

Even better? Pass around sticky notes at the event, collect crowd questions, and summarize. Keep it on-topic. Set time limits. Keep it accessible. That’s what we’ve done in our local forums and it works beautifully.

And if you want to be an overachiever (you know who you are), here’s a printable version of these questions you can bring with you. Print, ask, listen, repeat.

Final Thoughts

• Go to the forums. Show up.
• Don’t make it personal or overly complicated.
• Ask questions that reflect curiosity, not confrontation.
• Look for a willingness to learn and listen, not a law degree.
• Bring backup. Bring sticky notes. Bring snacks if you must.

This isn’t about scoring points. It’s about shaping a district that doesn’t make IEP parents cry in their car after every meeting.

So yeah, go. And now you know exactly what to ask.

You’ve got this. Lastly, one of the questions I love asking is: “How do you plan to be accessible to families who feel left out of the decision-making process?” Because spoiler alert: that’s most of us.