Why is it important to vote for school board members?
The school board oversees the operation of the
schools, sets policy, approves the appointment of administrators and
teachers, and determines the direction the school system will take.
School board members who are familiar with the schools, are involved
in the schools, and are sympathetic to the schools are the best at
carrying out those responsibilities.
You can learn which of the several candidates
who run for the school board each year have the best qualifications
by attending school board meetings, reading the reports of those
meetings in the local papers, evaluating the candidates’
qualifications and records of public service, and attending the Meet
the Candidates Night on Monday, May 7, 2001 at 7 PM at the high
school.
What qualifications should school board candidates have?
A candidate who would be an effective addition
to the school board should have most of these qualifications:
A
desire to provide the resources the schools need and to make
decisions based on what is right for children
Sensitivity
to taxpayer concerns and the burden of school taxes
Willingness
to express his or her philosophy and ideas openly in the hope of
persuading others
Having
an open mind
Respect
for community members, other board members, school leaders,
teachers, and staff
Familiarity
with Board of Education meetings from frequent attendance
Willingness
to acquire familiarity with state education law and to attend
training workshops, seminars, and conferences
Willingness
to commit time beyond Board of Education meetings
Understanding
that the role of the school board is to make policy, and the role
of the administration is to run the schools
Willingness
to listen to concerns and then recommend action through proper
channels
Having
a relation to a school system, as a parent of a student (past or
present), as a teacher, or from working in another capacity in a
school system.
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