Hall Pass: Your Ticket to Understanding School Board Politics, Edition #175

By

Samuel Wonacott

Welcome to Hall Pass, a newsletter written to keep you plugged into the conversations driving  school board governance, the politics surrounding it, and education policy. 

In today’s edition, you’ll find:

  • On the issues: The debate over ending school vaccine mandates 
  • In your district: Open enrollment policies
  • School board filing deadlines, election results, and recall certifications
  • Voters in Colorado and Texas to decide education-related statewide ballot measures this November 
  • Extracurricular: education news from around the web
  • Candidate Connection survey

Reply to this email to share reactions or story ideas!

On the issues: The debate over ending school vaccine mandates

In this section, we curate reporting, analysis, and commentary on the issues school board members deliberate when they set out to offer the best education possible in their district. Missed an issue? Click here to see the previous education debates we’ve covered.

On Sept. 3, Florida Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo announced he would seek to end all vaccine mandates in the state, including for children attending school. Lapado said, “Who am I to tell you what your child should put in your body? I don’t have that right. Your body is a gift for God.”

Florida requires vaccination against polio, chicken pox, measles-mumps-rubella, and other diseases. Ladapo said that the Florida Department of Health can remove the requirements for some vaccines without legislative approval. The Florida Department of Health later said it was initiating a rule change to end mandates for vaccines it said aren’t required for school entry, such as chickenpox, but that other requirements remain in place until changed through legislation.  

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health policy organization, all 50 states require that parents or guardians vaccinate school-age children against at least some diseases before they can attend daycare or school. Forty-seven states, including Florida, provide exemptions for religious or personal beliefs. 

Lake County Commissioner and former Florida state representative Anthony Sabatini (R) argues that vaccine mandates undermine parental rights, discourage families from doing their own research into vaccines, and violate the principle of informed consent. Sabatini says officials pushed unproven stay-at-home orders and mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, undermining trust in public health. Instead of mandates, Sabatini says education and persuasion are better tools for encouraging families to vaccinate their children. 

The Washington Post Editorial Board argues the data shows stricter vaccine mandates lead to higher vaccination rates, reducing the spread of harmful viruses. The Editorial Board says that although many public health officials made ill-considered recommendations during the pandemic, the answer is not to give up on public health. The Editorial Board encourages the Florida Legislature to keep the mandates, so the state doesn’t become the latest to struggle with rising measles cases. 

DeSantis and Ladapo are right: Florida doesn’t need vaccine mandates | Anthony Sabatini, USA Today

“Mandates erode public trust. Public health relies not only on compliance but on cooperation and trust. When people feel coerced into vaccination, suspicion toward the medical system grows. …

“As a policymaker, I’m fine with education campaigns, community outreach and transparent communication regarding vaccines. However, vaccine mandates open the door to broader infringements on individual rights.”

Covid backlash gave anti-vaxxers a foothold. They’re taking it too far. | Editorial Board, The Washington Post

“Over the decades, it has become clear that strict school vaccine mandates mean more kids receive immunizations. The higher the vaccination rate, the less likely that infectious diseases will spread. In 1900, infectious diseases made up the three leading causes of death in America, with 40 percent of these deaths occurring among children younger than 5. A century later, not a single pathogen appears among the top 10 killers of children and adolescents.”

In your district: Open enrollment policies

We’re still accepting responses to our reader survey on open enrollment. Please complete the very brief survey below—anonymously, if you prefer—and we may share your response with fellow subscribers in an upcoming newsletter.

K-12 open enrollment allows students to apply to attend public schools outside of the one they have been assigned to based on their home. Depending on the policy, students in states with open enrollment laws can apply to schools within their district, a different district entirely, or both. 

While states set limits or requirements on open enrollment policies, many details of policy and implementation are left to local school boards and superintendents.

What is your position on open enrollment policies in your district and state? 

Click here to respond!

You can read our previous reader surveys and responses here. 

School board update: filing deadlines, election results, and recall certifications

In 2025, Ballotpedia will cover elections for more than 30,000 school board seats. We’re expanding our coverage each year with our eye on covering the country’s more than 80,000 school board seats.    

Voters in Colorado and Texas to decide education-related statewide ballot measures this November 

On Nov. 4, voters across the country will decide municipal, school board, county, and in some cases statewide elections. Over the next month, we’ll spotlight a number of school board battleground elections—those we expect to have a meaningful effect on the balance of power on school boards or to be particularly competitive or compelling. To kick off our November election coverage, we’re looking at the statewide ballot measures that will affect K-12 and higher education. 

This year, voters in Colorado and Texas will decide on three statewide ballot measures related to education. Two in Colorado affect K-12 public schools, while the other in Texas concerns higher education. 

Earlier this year, Louisiana voters rejected a measure that, among other things, would have affected teacher pay.  

The ballot measure has been a tool for voters to weigh in on education-related policy issues since the 19th century. Last year, voters decided on 13 education-related measures. Read our post-election deep dive into those measures in the Nov. 13, 2024, edition of Hall Pass. 

Colorado

The Colorado Legislature placed two measures on the ballot when it passed House Bill 1274 on May 16. The measures deal with funding for Colorado’s Healthy School Meals for All Program. 

What’s the story: Voters will decide the Allow State to Retain Revenue From Proposition FF Measure (retention measure) and the Tax Deductions and Revenue for School Meals Measure (expansion measure). The measures relate to Proposition FF, which voters approved 57-43% in 2022. Proposition FF reduced income tax deduction amounts for those earning $300,000 or more and allocated revenue from the change to the Healthy School Meals for All Program. The program provides free meals to students.

  • Allow State to Retain Revenue From Proposition FF Measure, the retention measure, would allow the state to retain and spend $11.3 million in tax revenue collected above the initial estimates for Proposition FF. The measures require voter approval under the Colorado Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). Adopted in 1992, TABOR requires voter approval for any tax policy changes resulting in increased tax revenue. 
  • Tax Deductions and Revenue for School Meals Measure, the expansion measure, would further reduce the allowable state income tax deductions. Proposition FF reduced the deduction limits from $30,000 to $12,000 for single filers and $60,000 to $16,000 for joint filers. The 2025 measure would reduce the deduction limits from $12,000 to $1,000 for single filers and from $16,000 to $2,000 for joint filers. Revenue would first support the Healthy School Meals for All Program. If the program’s fund balance reaches a calculated reserve of at least 35%, additional revenue could also support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), SNAP outreach, and community-based nutrition education. 

How it works: If voters reject both measures, the Healthy School Meals for All Program will end after the 2025-26 Fiscal Year and the state would be required to refund $12.4 million to taxpayers (the $11.3 million in additional revenue plus 10% simple interest). If voters approve the retention measure and reject the expansion one, the program continues with some modifications (such as requiring $1 million each year for technical assistance and education grants). If voters approve the expansion measure but not the retention one, the state would refund taxpayers $12.4 million, the deduction limits would decline, and the program would continue. 

Click to learn more about the Allow State to Retain Revenue From Proposition FF Measure and Tax Deductions and Revenue for School Meals Measure.

How the measure got on the ballot: The two measures were placed on the ballot through HB 1274. The Senate approved the bill 24-11 on May 6, with all 23 Democrats voting in favor and 11 of 12 Republicans voting against. The House approved the bill 42-22 on May 7, with 42 Democrats voting in favor and all 22 Republicans voting against. One Democratic representative was absent. 

Colorado has a Democratic trifecta. 

Texas

Texas lawmakers voted in May to place Senate Joint Resolution 59 on the ballot. SJR 59—now Proposition 1—deals with funding for the state’s Technical College System. 

What’s the story: Proposition 1 would create two special funds to support the capital needs of the Texas Technical College System—the Available Workforce Education Fund and the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund. These funds would be separate from the state’s general fund and managed by the state Comptroller. 

Texas State Technical College (TSTC) was established in 1969 and is a public technical college with 11 campuses, offering associate degrees and certificates in 48 programs across nine industries. As of 2021, it enrolled roughly 16,600 students. 

Background: In 1984, voters approved a constitutional amendment authorizing dedicated funding for 26 institutions of higher education. The amendment requires the state to allocate the first $100 million it collects—that hasn’t been otherwise appropriated—to the 26 schools for capital improvements.

  • Voters approved a measure in 1993 that added the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) to the list of eligible institutions. 

How the measure got on the ballot: The Texas State Senate approved SJR 59 29-2, with all Democrats voting “yes.” Eighteen Republicans also voted “yes,” while two voted “no.” The House approved it 110-16, with 14 Democrats and 10 Republicans absent or not voting. One Democrat opposed the bill and 47 supported it. Fifteen Republicans opposed the bill and 63 supported it. 

Statewide education-related ballot measure context and a preview of 2026

Between 2000 and 2024, voters decided roughly nine statewide measures related to education each year. Voters decide an average of three such measures in odd-numbered years like 2025, however. 

Looking ahead, three education-related measures—two in Louisiana and one in Nevada—have been certified for elections in 2026. 

  • In Louisiana, voters will decide on April 18 whether to redirect state funding dedicated to pay raises for teachers to the state’s Teachers’ Retirement System. Louisiana voters rejected an amendment which would have made similar changes in 2025. Also on April 18, voters will decide on a measure that would confer on the St. George School System, in East Baton Rouge Parish, the same funding and constitutional treatment as other school districts treated as parishes.
  • In Nevada, voters will decide a measure on Nov. 3 that would change state law to allow public school teachers and other education personnel to strike. In 1969, Nevada passed legislation making it illegal for state and local government employees, including teachers, to strike.

Click here to learn more about education-related ballot measures. 

Extracurricular: education news from around the web

This section contains links to recent education-related articles from around the internet. If you know of a story we should be reading, reply to this email to share it with us! 

Take our Candidate Connection survey to reach voters in your district

Today, we’re looking at survey responses from two candidates running in the Nov. 4 general election for three at-large seats on the Widefield School District 3 school board, in Colorado. 

William Dolphin’s career experience includes working as a teacher. Robin Jones served in the Air Force and has worked as a photographer. Three other candidates—Michelle Hubbard, Pamela Jones, and Luis Ybarra, Jr.—are also running in the election but did not complete the survey. 

Widefield School District 3 is the 22nd-largest in Colorado, with roughly 9,000 students. It is located in southeast Colorado Springs. 

Here’s how Dolphin answered the question, “What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?”

“I am personally passionate about policies that put students first. I support expanding Career and Technical Education programs to give students hands-on skills and future opportunities. I believe in district transparency through clear communication, open meetings, and regular public reporting. I am also committed to character education, because teaching respect, responsibility, and empathy helps create safe, positive school environments. Additionally, I focus on nutrition, safe routes to school, and supporting teachers, ensuring every child has the resources and opportunities they need to learn, grow, and thrive”

Click here to read more of Dolphin’s responses. 

Here’s how Jones answered the question, “What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?”

“The Board of Education recognizes that effective learning and teaching takes place in a safe, secure and welcoming environment and that safe schools contribute to improved attendance, increased student achievement and community support. Safe schools are a priority of the district, and the district is committed to providing a safe environment in school, on school vehicles and at school-sponsored activities.”

Click here to read more of Jones’ responses. 

 In the 2024 election cycle, 6,539 candidates completed the survey, including over 500 school board candidates. 

If you’re a school board candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey.

The survey contains over 30 questions, and you can choose the ones you feel will best represent your views to voters. If you complete the survey, a box with your answers will display on your Ballotpedia profile. Your responses will also appear in our sample ballot.

And if you’re not running for school board, but there is an election in your community this year, share the link with the candidates and urge them to take the survey!

If you’re a school board candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey.