The Goldwater republicans began rebuilding from the base after the 1964 election. The "moral majority" types took it a step further, in the late 1970s and early '80s, by targeting school boards.

I remember, about a decades ago on this forum, debating a fellow who sincerely believed that there was no connection between school board contests and other elections for office. His ignorance -- and I say that without malice -- was an accurate measure of how little many people understand about the world of politics. The tension between the right wing republicans and public education (including teachers unions) shows just how important having ethical people on school boards really is.