Coming Soon: The Boardroom in the Cafeteria
The Boardroom in the Cafeteria: Friendship, Power, and the Cost of Transparency in a Small Town
The “village” is supposed to raise the children. But what happens when the village is run by a shadow government of status hungry mom’s and parking-lot politicians?
When Harper stepped into the role of PTSO President at Cypress Ridge Middle School, she expected a year of volunteerism and community building. Instead, she found an ecosystem of unchecked influence, where bylaws are treated as suggestions and “likability” is the only currency that matters.
After a financial scandal rocks the board, Harper is determined to restore integrity. But as she pushes for transparency, she discovers that her greatest obstacle isn’t the missing money—it’s the curated silence of those who benefit from the status quo.
Led by Dani, the charismatic Treasurer who masters the art of weaponized vulnerability, a new board begins to form a lethal social architecture. In the quiet corners of the school spirit store and over lukewarm coffee in the cafeteria, Harper’s competence is reframed as “intensity,” and her pursuit of accountability is labeled “control.”
As the stakes escalate from missing receipts to anonymous threats and character assassination, Harper is forced to navigate a harrowing landscape where:
- Friendship is a Trojan Horse: Used as an entry point for manipulation and leverage.
- Competence is a Threat: Disrupting the hierarchy of those who value the “vibe” over the mission.
- Silence is a Weapon: Employed by leadership to maintain neutrality while the foundation rots.
Set against the backdrop of a high-stakes middle school fundraiser and a life-altering personal diagnosis, The Boardroom in the Cafeteria is a gripping, forensic look at power in small spaces. It is a cautionary tale for anyone who has ever volunteered for the “good of the group,” only to find themselves in a battle for the truth.
Perfect for fans of Big Little Lies and The Social Climber, this narrative explores the chilling reality that transparency doesn’t create conflict—it reveals it. And once revealed, you must decide what you serve: comfort or integrity.
At its core, The Boardroom in the Cafeteria asks a disquieting question:
What happens when accountability threatens identity?
For readers who appreciate character-driven dramas about institutional politics, community dynamics, and the fragile line between service and control, this novel offers an intimate look at power — not in a skyscraper boardroom, but under fluorescent lights in a school cafeteria.
Mark Kaley is the author of the book “From Pennies to Millions”, creator of the rock musical “Those Days” based on the music of Nickelback, and the PR Manager with Otter Public Relations. He has been featured in Forbes, Fox Business, Authority Magazine, Modern Marketing Today, PR Pioneer, Market Daily, O’Dwyer PR, DKoding, and Consumer Affairs. Mark is also a contributor with Hackernoon, you can view his contributor profile here. Learn more here.
