Help Desk: Can the board pay for incoming board members to attend training?

Yes, that's permissible. 

Your board doesn't have to let incoming board members miss out on important training just because they haven’t yet taken office. One of the best ways to ensure a smooth transition as new members come on-board is to make sure they get solid training early, and AASB’s new member orientation can provide that. 

Attorney General’s Opinion 2004-169 holds that your board may pay the training expenses of incoming board members if the board determines a public purpose would be served. This would cover city board members who are appointed in April but don’t take office until June as well as county members who have won their primary election and have no opposition in November.

Note that the School Board Governance Improvement Act includes a requirement for board member orientation in certain subject areas.