Wilmington News Journal 04/29/2012, Page A31
Just who is running for our school boards?
Anyone who has been following national politics will have to wonder what impact the newly permitted “Super PACs” will have on the upcoming presidential campaign.
Many Americans are concerned that elections will be won on the basis of money spent and not necessarily on the character and qualifications of the candidates.
While the national election might seem a little far removed, surprisingly, a similar movement is occurring in Delaware with the upcoming board of education elections.
A recent e-mail was sent to various individuals by a group called Voices4Delaware.
It urged recipients to contribute $600 to various board candidates that this group supports.
Four districts, including Appoquinimink, were targeted as being “strategically important” to their mission.
I am not knowledgeable enough to comment on the qualifications of the candidate that was being endorsed for Appoquinimink, nor do I have an issue with him.
The only information that was given about him in the e-mail was that he had attended a Christian school, was an active member of the Republican Party and had attended Leadership Delaware training.
When I contacted the spokesperson for Voices4Delaware, I was shocked to learn that none of the other candidates running for the board in Appoquinimink were even vetted, leaving me to wonder how could the most qualified candidate be promoted.
School board elections may not have the stature of national elections, but they are absolutely critical to the well-being of the communities they serve. I would hope that we would consider all candidates who are running and would ask some very critical questions of each one.
Are these candidates running to serve their schools and community or do they have some personal agenda?
Are these candidates involved in our schools so that they understand the critical issues facing education today?
Will these candidates work on behalf of all students in the district?
Do these candidates have enough confidence in the public school system to send their own children to them?
Hopefully, as the school board elections occur, we will be wise enough to keep rampant politics out of the race and elect school board members who represent kids – not Super PACs or political parties or unions.
Real reform will come to our schools when caring community members who are willing to do the right things for the right reasons are elected to boards of education.
Tony J. Marchio is the former superintendent of the Appoquinimink School District.
DELAWARE VOICE
TONY J. MARCHIO
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