Editorial: Make education better here? Run for school board

The deadline to run for a seat on the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education in the Nov. 8 election is July 26. This is an extremely important election for this community.
You’ve seen all the problems the Van Buren Schools have had under former School Supt. Mike Van Tassel and the present school board. All the tears, all the disruption of lives, all the scared kids.
Four members of the present board that brought you all that furor have terms that are expiring. That’s a board majority. Those who get elected in November could ensure the new board makes its decisions for the good of the students, staff, and taxpayers.
The League of Women Voters has been asked to do another candidates’ forum, this time for those running for the school board. It is in the process of being scheduled and probably will be in late August or early September so it will be done in time for absentee ballot voters to use the information in their decisions.
Those who care about their children’s education are needed. Those who care about all the children and our community’s future are needed. Those who look like our school population are needed.
It’s a four-year commitment, with little pay, and there’s lots of hard work, if you do it right. But, it will be worth the effort.
There’s a new superintendent, but he needs a new board to work with him.