The School Election next Tuesday? Vote, and vote well informed.

Again next Tuesday there is a school election in School District #833.  We have a great number of children in public school in this district; but if past is prelude very few will vote.

For a school district with demographics like ours, the usual turnout for these school election is shameful.  In 2009 the turnout was about 6% of those registered to vote; in 2011, about 8% turned out.  We can do much better. 

This foggy afternoon about dismissal time I drove to three ISD #833 schools.  There, kids were about to board buses; being picked up by their parents; or walking or driving home are what this and all school elections are about.  These are our kids (in our case, two of our nine grandkids) and they deserve our careful attention to who will represent you. 

The school district website is http://www.sowashco.k12.mn.us/HotTopics/Election2013/SchoolBoardElections.asp.    It gives general information about the election. 

There is still time to get to know the issues and the many candidates.  

My intention, here, is to not get into the business of endorsing anyone (though I have my preferences).  Here's my thumbnail sketch, born of a long professional career including hundreds of school board meetings somewhere, and watching an endless array of personalities tackle the public business at those school board meetings. 

1)  Over the years I found that good board members, regardless of ideology, learn how to work together to achieve reasonable objectives for the students in their charge.  A school board should be comprised of people who know what it means to work together, as well as with others, on resolving issues, regardless of personal opinions.

Years ago, my kid sister ran for school board in a school district that seemed a poor fit for her - she is a passionate person with definite points of view.  I gave her a single piece of advice, then: remember that when you're on the Board, you'll need to find someone to second your motion, and then to find a majority to vote for your point of view. 

She won her race, and won reelection three years later, and as best as I know - I wasn't from her area - she was a respected asset on the Board, rather than someone who wouldn't or couldn't negotiate on matters small and large.  She made the decision to not seek a third term: Board work is not easy.

2)  If Board members seem attentive to issues, including complex and controversial ones, it is wise to listen to their advice.  They are the ones who have spent many hours on these issues.

In this particular election, the School Board is bringing forth three referendum issues requiring citizen ratification.  To my knowledge, there was unanimous agreement to bring these issues to the public for approval.  It is reasonable to presume that the School Board carefully and thoughtfully deliberated these referendum issues.  Doubtless they had their internal arguments about this and that, but the issues are now being brought before us. 

On those issues, I will vote yes, solely because my elected representatives at minimum tacitly recommend approval of the issues. 

3)  Related to #2, a number of incumbents are running for election this round.  It takes experience to get experience, and seasoned Board members who have demonstrated an ability to work together are important to retain.

4)  Finally, we are blessed in this election to have an opportunity to vote for candidate(s) who well represent the diversity of our community.  Each day I marvel at how diverse a community we really are.  Our school board ought to reflect that diversity.

But all of these criteria, and others you may have, are of no value if people do not take the time to cast an informed vote in this election or any election.

The hallmark of our democracy is the right to speak at the ballot box.  Not voting at all, or voting with virtually no information on which to base ones decision, is a very negative form of voting. 

Find out the issues and the candidates.  Get out to the polls November 5.