COMMENTARY
Every vote counts in BOE race
By Joan Husted
|
||
 |
|
|
The disappointing truth is that many Hawai'i voters leave their ballots blank on the choices for the Board of Education, typically because they are not informed about the candidates and don't think it really matters anyway.
They are wrong.
Hawai'i's Board of Education can and must play a critical role in shaping the future of public education in our state. The issues it must decide are complex and weighty, from how to meet the requirements set by the federal No Child Left Behind Act, to successfully implementing the reforms of Act 51, to ensuring new repair and maintenance funds and textbooks for schools are spent wisely and fairly throughout the system. In short, this citizen's board can dramatically help, or hurt, Hawai'i's public schools.
That's why it is imperative that voters become familiar with the many candidates running for the six open Board of Education seats, including one on Maui and five on O'ahu.
What should you look for in a Board of Education candidate? Here's a list of the top qualities we believe the winning candidates should possess:
And they must be willing to fight to build a world-class public education system here in Hawai'i. Quality public education is essential for preserving our democratic society.
Not only do they need to understand the tough policy issues, they must have a deep understanding of the many challenges faced by Hawai'i's 13,000 public school teachers and the nearly 180,000 students they teach every day.
Equally important, once policy has been established, the board needs to support the superintendent and other professional educators so they can do what they do best: teach.
This includes attending each of the board and committee meetings held throughout the year, as well as investing the additional hours needed to read, study, visit classrooms and talk with teachers, students, parents and business and community leaders along with many other education stakeholders.
The winning BOE candidates must work effectively with all interest groups including the Department of Education, the Legislature, unions, parents and the community if we are going to make real strides in improving test scores and student performance.
We must get resources to schools so lasting improvements can begin in classrooms, where they matter most.
Despite the less than optimal conditions in which we ask our teachers to teach and our students to learn, education success stories are happening every day in Hawai'i's public schools. Imagine what our schools would be like when we have smaller classes, adequate and equitable funding for schools, increased parent involvement and competitive salaries that will enable us to attract and retain the best teachers in the nation.
Today's students are tomorrow's business and community leaders. Investing in Hawai'i's public schools now is a smart investment in our state's future.
BOE members must not be afraid to make a needed but perhaps unpopular decision, to speak up for what is right, to listen, to lead and to take bold and decisive action.
KNOW THE CANDIDATES
These are the qualities that matter most when selecting who you want representing you on the BOE.
With the election only a few weeks away, get to know more about the BOE candidates. Ask about their positions, and go to any of the many Web sites that provide information.
Whether you have children in Hawai'i's public schools or not, remember every vote you cast in the Board of Education race is a vote for Hawai'i's future.
Joan Husted is executive director of the Hawaii State Teachers Association. She wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.
