School board elections are coming up in May. I'd like to call on all the young people out there to step up and do your community — and your alma mater — a favor: Run for your board.
Your schools will benefit from your firsthand knowledge of what really goes on in their halls, and you'll benefit personally and professionally by developing many critical life and job skills early on.
Your perspective is unique and, I argue, essential to improving our public schools. The education field is in a tizzy over new standards, expanded testing and gutted budgets. Who knows the direct impact of this paradigm shift better than you? Technology in the classroom is a buzz phrase uttered constantly. Doesn't it make sense to have representation from someone who actually had the Internet while they were in high school? Context is crucial to good decision-making, and you'll provide a whole new vantage point.
Sure, you may ask how the public can trust someone with so little experience to wisely spend their tax dollars. The reality is there's a reason that school boards have five, seven or nine members: It's so the group as a whole can still function successfully regardless of individual experience. Most board members, regardless of age, come on knowing next to nothing about school governance, education policy or how to teach a child math. You're more akin to your potential opponents than you might think.
The immature and vindictive need not apply. Don't do it to get back at that one teacher that gave you a C in 10th grade. What your district needs is a young adult who can make the tough decisions for the betterment of all students, not just the football team, not just the drama club, but for all. Be a role model to today's students. And give your generation a reason to get to the polls; I'll bet they don't normally vote in school elections.
Take it from a young board member who first won a seat at age 22. Now, I proudly serve as president of my school board, and I represent seven counties' worth of schools at the state level. School board service is the quintessential democratic experience. It's local control at its finest.
But it also comes with human emotion, drama and even some disappointment. Above all, it's a continuous life lesson, an essential public service and an early step into your professional life. Trust me, it will come up during job interviews.
Petitions to run for your board are due April 21. The board and budget vote is May 20.
The requirements to run are simple: Be 18 or older, be literate, and live in the district at least a year before the election. If you attend college nearby and live on campus, your permanent address counts, so don't let that stop you. Go to your school's website and check out the board of education page to learn more, or just call the district clerk.
And give me a shout if you win.