Millions of California voters found a blank spot on their ballot where they might normally see candidates for school board.

EdSource analyzed data from 1,510 school board races in 49 California counties and found that 56% did not appear on ballots because either no one ran for the seat or a single candidate ran unopposed, making that person an instant winner.

What's keeping people from running for school board? What's lost when school board members are appointed rather than elected? Are there any upsides?

Guests:

Read more from EdSource: Lack of candidates means many Californians won't vote for school board

Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.