… Even if You Don’t Have Kids in the School District
Election season is upon us again. While this year isn’t a “big” election year, there are still many important local matters on the ballot. Local government has a significant impact on your day-to-day life in your community. The Issaquah School Board is a critical part of our local government, and its impact has a reach beyond our property taxes.
What does the school board do anyway?
Essentially, the school board is the superintendent’s boss. School board members ensure the superintendent leads the school district in alignment with the vision, mission, and goals of the district.
Why should I care about the school board?
Whether or not you currently have students in local schools, all members of our community feel the impacts of the decisions made by the Issaquah School District (ISD) and its school board. ISD is responsible for educating the children in our community, children who will one day go out into the world and become business leaders, members of our government, or even our caregivers as we age. Children are our future, and it is important to care about the education they receive.
This pandemic has shined a new light on many areas of our society, including education. Because of the pandemic, more community members are paying attention to the actions of the school board. As a community member, you may have strong feelings about the recent actions of the school board, either positive or negative. Having an awareness of who your school board candidates are and what they stand for is important for getting a sense of how they would vote on matters as a school board member. This year, four candidates are running for two director district positions. Voters vote for all district positions, regardless of where they live in the school district.
Take time to research the candidates. Attend a town hall to get to know them and make the decision that aligns best with your values. The virtual School Board Candidate Forum, hosted by Highlands Council, is October 6. Register to attend here.
What about after the election?
Once the election is over, stay engaged. The school board holds regular meetings and takes feedback from the community on all topics related to education. School board member decisions are guided by what they hear from community members. Even if you’re not eligible to vote in the upcoming election, know you can have a say in the actions of our local school board. (Find upcoming Issaquah School Board meetings listed here.)
As published in Fall 2021 Connections >>
Toni Hunter is an Issaquah Highlands resident.
