As my kids grow older, and as I do too, the importance of local elections is becoming clearer. To affect change where we are likely to feel it and see it ourselves, engagement in local politics is crucial and necessary.

It is our civic duty to inform ourselves on who is governing education in our local community and how their strategies and perspectives are shaping the future for our children and our children’s children.

What do we value? What do we appreciate about our local schools, and what would we like to see change or improve over the next 4 years? What issues do we believe are affecting how our children learn and whether they are being given what they need to thrive within the public school system?

Furthermore, if we are homeschooling privately, what issues keep us from enrolling our children in the public schools or even going through a charter? If some of these things were to change, would we consider sending our kids to a local public school? Some parents would homeschool regardless, but for those parents who feel they were not left much of a choice due to the condition of our public schools, what would need to change to give them a sense of true educational choice?

We need to consider these questions and move forward with boldness and confidence, asking questions of those who will hold the power to make decisions for childhood education and recognizing that ultimately, we, the people and parents, have the power to vote in our hands.

How would we like the future of education to look? Are we on course, or do we need to make some adjustments? Let’s step up and find out.

Join me as I do some investigating into the school board candidates to learn just a little bit more about who could be shaping the future of our schools.