Have questions?
Please review the frequently asked questions below to learn more about our association and how we serve members.
About PSBA
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 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.
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%.
Our organization is comprised of policy, legal and government affairs experts as well as specialists who offer member 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.
For members
You may call PSBA’s main office at (717) 506-2450. Members may also log in to myPSBA and visit the team directory to view staff emails and phone numbers.
myPSBA is a member portal available exclusively for members of PSBA. Our member portal provides school board directors with trainings, resources and events designed for their role.
When school board directors begin their service, they will receive a welcome packet and email from PSBA with information about their membership and login credentials to access myPSBA.org. If you are a PSBA member and need help accessing myPSBA for the first time, please submit your information using this form and a member of our team will reach out to offer assistance.
For the public and media
PSBA is a private, nonprofit association dedicated to serving our members. We are not a regulatory body or state agency; therefore, we are not able to assist with citizen inquiries.
PSBA can offer a comment or connect members of the media with internal subject matter experts when appropriate. If you are a member of the media seeking a comment, please complete this form to receive a timely response.
Pennsylvania’s school districts are governed and supported by an elected or appointed board of officials that holds certain assigned responsibilities and authorities. Visit the Great PA Schools website to learn more about what a school board is, the authority and responsiblity of a school board and how community members can participate in a school board meeting.
PSBA is dedicated to serving Pennsylvania’s elected or appointed school board directors, but our service begins when an individual is elected to and seated on their school board. As a resource for any member of a school community interested running for a seat on their board, PSBA has compiled resources about how to run for school board on the Great PA Schools website.