Our local elementary school district is near and dear to my heart. Having been a part of said district–as a parent of students attending over a period of 21 years–I’ve kept up with the progress and issues involved. I am familiar with both the five board and various staff members.
Directors are elected for two year stints, term renewals alternating between two members and three members each year. That is to say, two members come up for reelection one year, then three the next, and so on. This year, all three of the members whose seats are up for renewal have decided to bow out. One of the other two members, last seated in November, 2008, has decided to run for a spot on another secondary school board. So, there will likely be four seats out of five vacated this fall.
I have been asked to opt for one of the seats. I have to admit, I was immediately, immensely flattered that I could be considered competent enough to sit on this important board. I hold the Superintendent in the highest regard, and appreciate the magnitude of responsibility he and his staff shoulder. Word of my potential campaign spread quickly, and I’ve been contacted by several friends to ask if I will be running.
I am tempted. Serving on the district board would be a great way to stay involved in local education (even though my yougest child is no longer a student of this district) and offer my support during these challenging times for educators. I already serve on the SCV Education Foundation board, and am significantly involved in their efforts to support excellence in local education. I spoke at length with both the Superintendent and one of the outgoing board members. Resounding in their comments was the hope that newly elected (or appointed, as may occur) board members be committed for the long term. While it is technically a two-year term, departing members have served as many as twelve consecutive years on the board.
Making this decision has been difficult. Yesterday, I had a brief discussion with a very good friend, himself a principal in this same district. While he was, at first, delighted at the prospect of my service, he noted my hesitation and advised me to decline if I was not 100% certain I wanted to go forward. Of course, he was right.
It would be wrong for me to fill the seat when someone else might be able to make a longer term commitment than I. So I’m stating today that I will not be throwing in my hat for November’s election, but am honored to have been considered.