In November, voters living in the Cortez RE-1 and Mancos RE-6 school districts will vote to fill seats on their local school boards. Though congressional and presidential candidates get a lot of attention, school board elections rarely garner the same level of interest even though school boards make extremely important decisions that impact not only students, but the greater community as well. The largest group of elected officials in this country is school board members, but too often voter turnout is low resulting in a small percentage of eligible voters choosing the individuals who will fill these very important positions.
What do school boards do? Candidates and voters need to have a sound understanding of exactly what school boards do. The school board sets the vision and establishes both long and short-term district goals. It regularly reviews, tweaks, and adopts new policies that are used to achieve these goals, and “students first” should be the most important consideration in any decision the board makes.
The school board has one employee: they hire, oversee and evaluate the superintendent. They do not micromanage the day-to-day operation of the district, nor do they oversee other employees. They set policy, establish a direction for the district, and then hold the superintendent accountable for achieving the goals and implementing the adopted policies.
School boards oversee the budget and district facilities, ensuring that district resources are wisely used to best serve students and the community. School boards have an integral role in building community support for schools and educating the community on what constitutes a quality public education. Board members should be willing to meet with their constituents, consider community views when making decisions, and should be transparent which then fosters confidence in the board.
What qualities make a school board effective? Effective school boards, first and foremost, understand that their most important role is to support student learning. While every child can learn, not every child comes to school with the same preparedness. Needs, resources, and educational backgrounds all differ from student to student. How to allocate limited school resources to address these differences can be challenging. Demanding access to reliable data, then making time to understand and discuss that data, is critical if the board is to make wise decisions when adopting programs and providing services. Encouraging community involvement and nurturing a collaborative relationship with both the staff and the community are paramount to achieving success. Providing a quality education requires a partnership which includes all the stakeholders.
What should voters look for when vetting candidates? Does the candidate understand the role of the board vs. the role of the superintendent? Do they have a student-centered vision they can readily articulate? Ask candidates to provide examples of their ability to work collaboratively and be a good listener who respects diverse viewpoints. Does the candidate have the time and willingness to commit significant hours each month to school board business? If the candidate is an incumbent, review their record; watch past school board meetings to get a sense of how they interact with their board colleagues and the public. Are they conscientious in attending board and district functions? Talk with the candidates to learn how they plan to interact with the community.
A Mancos RE-6 Candidate Forum is taking place 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 29 in the school cafeteria. Four candidates are running to fill two seats.
The Montezuma County League of Women Voters is hosting a Cortez RE-1 School Board Candidate Forum, 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 16 at the County Annex, 107 N. Chestnut St., Eleven candidates are running to fill five board seats. We encourage community members to attend these forums; then vote!
Karen Sheek of Cortez is the chair of the Montezuma County League of Women Voters. She served two terms on Cortez City Council and two terms as mayor. Contact the local league at lwvmzc@gmail.com and on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3YgpBZt.
