Why School Board Elections Matter: Even for Non-Parents & Renters

When it comes to school board elections and decisions, parents and teachers are usually the most involved. This makes sense because they are directly impacted by the quality of education. Parents heavily factor in the local schools when choosing where to live, whether they’re buying or renting a home. Teachers and school staff care deeply about school board decisions because these affect both their careers and the students they serve.

But what about everyone else? If you’re not a parent or educator, does the school board election really matter to you? The answer is yes—and for reasons that might not be immediately obvious.

Schools Affect Everyone’s Future

A benefits the entire community. Schools shape the next generation of workers, leaders, and citizens. While some graduates may leave the area for new opportunities, many will stay, becoming part of the local workforce or raising their own families here. Even those who leave often maintain strong ties to the community.

Schools are Paid for by Taxes

The Concord School District is rare, and possibly even unique, in that the school board has effectively unchecked to tax and spend, without requiring approval of the voters or city council. Very few people realize that the board has this level of power.

Of course, a good school system comes at a cost. In New Hampshire, school funding relies heavily on property taxes. In Concord the total property tax rate is $26.86 per $1,000 of property value. For a home valued at $350,000, that means an annual tax bill of $9,401—more than half of which, about $4,763, goes toward funding local schools. While this might be manageable for some, it creates financial hardship for others, especially those on fixed incomes.

In a perfect worked, we can all agree that money should be no object when it comes to the the education of our youth. In the real world, however, resources are limited and we must make trade-offs That’s why school board decisions about how much to spend and what to spend it on are so challenging.

Renters: Why School Taxes Matter to You

You might think that if you’re a renter, property taxes don’t affect you, but that’s a common misconception. While renters don’t directly pay property taxes, landlords invariably pass on a portion of the cost on through higher rents. So, when property taxes rise, rents will eventually go up too. That’s a key trade-off: every dollar allocated to schools can drive up housing expenses. Concord is already facing a severe housing affordability and homelessness crisis. Rising property taxes only aggravate the problem.

Good Schools Boost Property Values

On the flip side, strong schools attract families looking to settle down, increasing demand for housing and, ultimately, boosting or maintaining high property values. Homeowners sometimes ask themselves whether their tax dollars are delivering value in terms of quality education. If the schools are performing well, homeowners may at least feel there is some type of return for their property taxes dollars. However, if they feel their tax dollars are being wasted through an inefficient school system, they will be disappointed.

Schools and the Local Economy

Beyond property taxes and housing costs, good schools play a vital role in the local economy. Businesses looking to relocate or expand often consider the quality of the local school system as a key factor in their decision. A strong school district signals to companies that the community values education and can provide a skilled workforce. It also makes the area more attractive to employees with families, encouraging investment and economic growth.

This ripple effect means that even if you don’t have children in the local school system, strong schools help create a more vibrant local economy, which benefits everyone. More jobs, more services, and a more engaged community are all direct outcomes of a well-supported education system.

Conclusion: Shared Responsibility for a Stronger Community

School board decisions have a profound impact on everyone, not just parents or homeowners. A strong public school system benefits the entire community. On the other hand, a weak or inefficient public school system creates expensive property taxes without a corresponding positive benefit. Even if you don’t have children in school, and even if you rent instead of own, these decisions affect your cost of living, your local quality of life, and the future success of the local economy.