This years school vote is in three parts. There will be a budget for next year, purchase of school buses, and three positions on the school board. The vote itself will be happening Tuesday May 16, 2023 in the Board of Education room (room 129), which is across the hall from the B-Gym. Nearest doors are off Church Street. Same location as last year.
Quick election recommendations:
Yes to Candidates (Pick 3 of 3)
No to Buses
No to Budget
Board of Education
As usual, I expect all the candidates would fulfill their role well enough. Which is good, as there are the same number of candidates as there are seats. Thus making it a near certainty they all get elected.
Having said that, I do find it concerning that two of the three have close ties to the education profession. One is currently HFL staff, she would resign if elected, to avoid that clear conflict of interests. Another was a professional educator, while currently living in a house with two teachers.
I have nothing against the education profession, or the individuals involved here. I just feel there is danger when elected officials are too closely aligned with those they have oversight over. Not sure if ‘regulatory capture‘ or ‘fox guarding the hen house‘ makes for a better analogy here, but neither is good. Of course, I could be wrong (and would like it if I am). Mind you, I didn’t force the only person I could to run, so I only have so much room to complain.
Buses
Buses continue to be an easy choice. Avoids debt, continues regular replacement schedule, is a needed logistical tool for the current model. Until/unless something major changes, this approach continues to seem reasonable enough. Having said that, looking on the horizon, I would not be surprised if that ‘something major’ ends up being the state mandate for all electric buses. But that’s not this year.
Budget
My opinion on the budget continues to be essentially the same as last year. The budget dollars themselves matter less and less. What matters is how you think the District prioritize educating students, with the side issue of what they educate them in. Because all education is religious education, the question is ever ‘what religion’.
There is always cause for hope, and the Board itself says many good things. But at the same time, I hear worrying things. Since I’m not in the building during the day, I can’t verify those. As with all too many topics, it ends up coming down to trust. Do you trust the HFL school district to spend the taxpayers money in a prudent manner? Or not?
In any case, you (and I) have a week to ponder more before the actual election is upon us.
And as said at the top, polling location is the Board of Education room (room 129), which is across the hall from the B-Gym. Nearest doors are off Church Street. Election time is 7AM and 9PM.
(and a thank you to the district for producing this image reminder)