How I Would Vote In District 135

Even though we don't have a contested race for mayor or any of the township offices; that doesn't mean that a political junkie can't still enjoy the upcoming municipal elections in April.

One of the more interesting races coming up is the Orland School District 135 school board election. I may or may not make any endorsements, but I would like to look at some of the things I would consider in voting for a candidate.

School boards are sort of like entry level political offices. Many political careers begin on local school boards. Some are by design, others get the political bug and keep going. My run in 2003 was a combination of an interest in politics and government and a desire to have input in a district that had a huge impact not only for my community, but also for my two children who were students in the district.I wasn't one of those folks who had an agenda or an axe to grind. I was happy with what I saw and wanted to see the district continue to prosper and succeed. I also wanted to help the district pass a badly needed referendum that, among other things, allowed us to expand on three of our schools. And yes, Mrs. Quilty, you were there too!

I don't have any problem with a person running for school board because they are unhappy with the direction of the district; that's the whole idea of elected politics. What I could have done without are folks who get on a school board and then realize that by ripping on administration and other board members, they could make a name for themselves ( sorry Tom, just telling it like it is).

While on the 135 board, I served with several different kinds of people with different motivations. Some were focused on curriculum others were more focused on the finances (I was in that group). Unfortunately, some are interested in getting rid of a superintendent they don't like, or maybe an administrator or principal. Some want to secure goodies for their friends and political supporters. Some even want to get a friend a secretary job even though that job was already given to someone else ( sorry Ann!).

I think the most important thing for a school board member is to remember that the district belongs to all of the taxpayers. That's easy to say, but the reality of it is that you have to balance the interests of the children and their parents, the taxpayers who don't have kids in the district and the employees of the district. Remember, all property owners have to pay for the schools whether they have kids in the district or not (don't discount renters either because landlords usually factor taxes when they calculate what they charge for rent).

Everyone wants smaller class sizes and the most up to date textbooks and technology, but all that has to be paid for. The same goes for employee compensation; you want to take care of your people, but, again, someone has to pay for that. The same thing can be said for art, music and sports.

I believe that a good board can balance those interests; getting excellent academic results while being a good steward of the public's money. I also think its important to always act in the best interests of the district as a whole. Not everyone will always agree on what those best interests are, but a good, respectful debate will ensure that the board will, collectively, make good decisons. If I do endorse anyone in this blog, it will be because they've demonstrated a willingness to do that.