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A recent sociological study indicates that, despite increasing polarization and partisan animosity in the United States over recent decades, employers are not hiring based on political affiliation. The study "Partisan Affiliation and Hiring in Public Education: The Selection of School District Superintendents" by Greer Mellon (Brown University) in the American Sociological Review. The author explores the role of partisan biases in one of today's hotbeds of political division—public schools.

Mellon reviewed ten years of data (2009–2019) on school district superintendent appointments in Florida and California to determine the extent to which school boardsfavored candidates who shared their own partisan affiliations.

Within these school districts, Mellon found no evidence that board members prefer superintendents with their own partisan affiliations. When evaluating candidates, school boards look for candidates who demonstrate empathy, listening, and relationship-building skills, drawing links between these interpersonal skills and effective management.

This pattern persists even in districts where board members have highly partisan views on some policies. "Contrary to expectations," says Mellon, "even deeply committed partisans can put aside political divisions when making decisions that affect their local community. Even with growing national polarization over cultural issues in education, this study shows that school board members consistently prioritize professionalism and expertise when selecting district leaders."

Mellon suggests these results can be applied to the rest of the country and have implications for the quality of local educational services and the health of democracy at the local level. While Mellon notes that this research "provides encouraging evidence of Democrats and Republicans forging a practical consensus on hiring for prominent local public sector leadership positions in the United States over the past decade, despite increasing polarization," she also sees a need for similar studies in the future to gauge possible growing polarization.