PSBA, or the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, was established in 1895 as the first school boards association in the nation. For the past 130 years, PSBA has been fulfilling its mission of providing services, advocacy and counsel to inform and engage the local leadership of the commonwealth’s public schools.

PSBA represents over 4,500 school directors, with voluntary membership encompassing nearly 100% of public school entities statewide. Leading the charge with the unified voice of members, advocates and partners, PSBA is dedicated to promoting exceptional public education for all Pennsylvania students. View our anniversary publication, which was created in 2020 as part of the association’s 125th anniversary, for a more extensive history of PSBA.

PSBA provides an array of resources and services, such as policy and board services to help streamline board operations, assist with human resource needs and improve efficiency. The association provides a variety of online and in-person professional development opportunities including courses approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to meet state requirements for school director training. Through print publications and electronic communications, PSBA keeps members up to date on all things affecting Pennsylvania’s public schools. PSBA also maintains ongoing legislative and judicial advocacy on behalf of public education in the commonwealth.

No, PSBA is not a government agency. PSBA is a private, nonprofit membership association dedicated to serving Pennsylvania’s elected school board directors. PSBA has no oversight or regulatory authority over school boards, administrators, or other school employees.

PSBA is funded by three primary sources. First, membership dues from school entities that choose to join PSBA. Second, from the services and products that PSBA offers its members. Third is from donations, grants, and other sources.

As a private, nonprofit organization, PSBA charges annual dues to all voluntary members. These dues are comparable to any other expense generated by the member entity – such as their utility bills, maintenance, salaries, etc. Monies paid to PSBA for membership and services are not tax dollars.

Pennsylvania’s 4,500 school directors become members by virtue of election to their local board — the board joins as a whole. Membership in PSBA is by school district or other eligible local education agency, such as an intermediate unit, career and technical center, or community college. Over the past several decades, voluntary membership by traditional public school entities has been nearly 100%.

No. Membership is solely voluntary. Pennsylvania’s 4,500 school directors become members by virtue of election to their local board — the board joins as a whole. Membership in PSBA is by school district or other eligible local education agency, such as an intermediate unit, career and technical center, or community college. Over the past several decades, voluntary membership by traditional public school entities has been nearly 100%.

Organized as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit entity, PSBA engages in lobbying at the state and federal level in support of public education. PSBA’s lobbying efforts are guided by its member-driven legislative platform which is voted on by PSBA’s membership annually.

No, because PSBA is a private organization and not a government agency, PSBA’s employees are not state employees.

PSBA’s participation in PSERS dates back to a 1939 opinion of the Pennsylvania Department of Justice (now the Office of the Attorney General) which advised the PSERS board that the activities of PSBA at that time qualified the PSBA employees at that time to be a member of PSERS. In reliance on that letter of advice, the PSERS Board determined that employees of PSBA may participate in PSERS, a determination that has continued for 85 years. PSBA continues to support the removal of its employees from PSERS.

PSBA is not a regulatory body or state agency and does not exercise oversight of local school board matters. Community members should direct questions about their local school district to the appropriate personnel at their district.

Our organization is comprised of policy, legal and government affairs experts as well as specialists who offer members support and professional development. Our mission is to provide school board directors with services, support and counsel as they lead their districts, navigate relationships and promote public education across Pennsylvania. PSBA is not a regulatory body or state agency and does not exercise oversight of local school board matters.

As a nonpartisan organization, PSBA advocates and acts in the best interest of public education. We train and advise our members based on the latest state and federal laws, regulations, and court decisions.

PSBA has no role in determining eligibility of a candidate or monitoring school board elections. Those who meet the eligibility requirements set by the Pennsylvania School Code and secure enough votes from their community are seated on the board. PSBA supports those who are elected by their local communities when they begin their service.

No. PSBA is a nonpartisan association, consisting of members who hold many different political viewpoints. PSBA’s focus remains on the success of students and of public education, which transcends political differences.