CARLISLE, Pa. — From book bans to transgender bathroom policies, hot-button debates have become front and center in school districts nationwide, including many in central Pennsylvania.
“A lot of what people mean when they talk about the nationalization of politics is really the type of issues being talked about and maybe just the tenor of that conversation which has become more acrimonious,” said Sarah Niebler, associate professor of political science at Dickinson College.
When voters head to the polls this Election Day, many communities will be deciding on new school boards, a choice that has become more polarizing in recent years.
Niebler says the bleeding of national politics into local races can present a few dangers.
“The level of conversation that happens in a community has now become a lot more hostile and that can transfer over into lack of trust and just the degradation of community,” she explained.
There’s also the worry of gridlock, much like what’s becoming commonplace on Capitol Hill.
“I don’t think we’re there with school boards yet but certainly the decline in trust or erosion of trust that might occur with this politicization could down the line lead to school boards that are much more dysfunctional,” said Niebler.
She says many times, it’s the students who get stuck in the middle.
“Kids aren’t really thinking about politics when they go to school and if they’re forced to because their friends are on different sides, or friends’ parents aren’t talking to each other, that becomes challenging for kids too,” explained Niebler.
But there is a plus side.
“School board elections this year…People know who’s running in those races,” added Niebler. “They’re interested and excited to participate. Maybe that’s because they do see a real choice.”
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