“That Wild Month of September”: Addressing Equity and Governance in a School Board Crisis

Abstract

This case focuses on the Board of Trustees of a large urban school district in Texas, as they worked to decide when learners would have the option to return to in-person learning even as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect the community, particularly communities of color. This decision-making process included two back-to-back school board meetings with 6 hr of public comment that suggested a divided community. The case raises questions of racial equity, quality educational opportunities for students, governance, and decision making during a time of crisis. Through a deep dive into a crucial moment, this case highlights the challenging nature of governance during a crisis.