A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.

27 April 2016

Casting an informed vote in school elections is almost impossible

I have until Tuesday evening to learn enough about five candidates for the School District 5 school board to cast an informed vote. It’s not proving an easy task.

There are few sources of information readily available. None of the candidates seems to have a website, let alone a website with detailed biographical information and positions on policy. No candidate has mailed me a letter asking for my vote. I did find one news story on Mary Tepas, but it wasn’t that helpful.

What would I like to know about the candidates? Here’s a partial list:

  • Standard biographical data: age, occupation, community service, education, etc.
  • Conflicts of interest, such as belonging to a teachers union.
  • Why electing them as trustees will result in the school board’s making better decisions.
  • Views on:
  • testing and standardized testing;
  • the Common Core and its suitability for SD-5;
  • athletics;
  • facilities repair and expansion;
  • anti-discrimination policies;
  • zero-tolerance policies;
  • whether there's a need for police in schools;
  • drug testing;
  • proper length of the school year;
  • best utilization of school facilities during the summer;
  • home schooling.

That list is illustrative, not all encompassing. And despite the fact that the trustee positions are nonpartisan, I’d like to know the political affiliations of the candidates. There are, in my judgment, almost no true independents. Whether one is Republican or Democrat or Libertarian or something else has a significant bearing on how they approach issues, especially issues concerning taxes.

But do the candidates explain themselves? Perhaps to the teachers unions and PTA, but generally not to the general public. Partly that’s because the school districts don’t really want to be held accountable to the general public. The hope is that turnout will be dominated by the teachers unions, district employees, and pro-spending parents. That’s why the elections are held in early May and not as part of the general election in the fall.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I always deliver my ballot in person. That’s why I have until Tuesday evening to mark my ballots. If I can find out enough about the candidates to cast intelligent votes.