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There are two topics on which the majority of Texans have little disagreement: the importance of a quality education for our children and the impact family time has on the development of children. Yet, knowing the importance of education to our young, voter turnout for the one election that controls policy in local school districts is embarrassingly low across the state. As a parent who didn’t place much importance on school board elections, after becoming active this year, I have learned that school district elections are critical to the educational quality of our schools and should be given the time and energy they deserve by me and parents across the state.
School board candidates are willing to volunteer virtually countless hours of their time each week, toward the betterment of our schools and our children. Yet, many of us find it difficult to learn the various positions candidates have on important issues and to take the five or so minutes it takes to vote.
Each candidate has unique views on key issues and it is more important now than ever to
learn the beliefs of each candidate. I urge all parents to join me this year as I let my voice be heard at the polls.
The Scripps-Howard Texas Poll, conducted the summer of 1999, showed that 77 percent of Texans favor a late-August or early-September school start date. Poll results were reinforced by parents across the state as they volunteered to work on calendar committees, addressed school board members and circulated petitions requesting a later school start date. This work by parents was not done in vain. Due to their efforts, many school districts will be enjoying a later school start date this August. School board members listened to parents’ concerns and understood their desire for a more traditional school year. They also understood the early-August school start date was detrimental to teachers wanting to maximize continuing education possibilities during the summer months.
Sadly, many school board members and school administrators were simply not interested in the desires of the community – some seemed to forget they are “elected” officials. Maybe they don’t feel they are accountable because voter turnout is so dismal and parental involvement is lacking. Or maybe, they simply need to be replaced by those willing to do what is best for Texas families and students.
As a parent volunteer for Texans for a Traditional School Year, I know first-hand the organization received hundreds of calls from frustrated parents. These were parents who took the time to get involved and found their school board member had a closed ear to their frustrations or simply ignored their calls all together. The questions were all the same, “How can I get my school board member to call me back or to discuss this issue with me?” The solution is very simple, yet the opportunity to impact change only comes around every few years: Make your voice heard during the school board election.
There is no doubt in my mind that the time and effort I put into becoming an educated voter will be worthwhile throughout the next few years. You may consider doing what I have done. Begin by calling and asking each candidates’ position on issues important to you – i.e. school calendars, social policy, discipline, teacher pay and budget. Next review voting records of those seeking re-election – does the voting record reflect the stance the school board member communicated to you? Finally, let the candidates know what issues you feel are important and that you will be watching their vote next time around.
The larger the voter turnout for school board elections, the greater impact we will have as parents on new policies and procedures.
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