Seeking candidates with vision

Then there’s the School Board race.

It’s not the lowest rung on the political ladder, but close. Seems odd, right?

That’s reality. The League of Women of Voters of Citrus County had the School Board District 2 candidates at their meeting Thursday. You can see the turnout from today’s photo.

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Last month, the Coastal Region Library community room couldn’t hold everyone who wanted to hear the four sheriff’s candidates. I’d expect a similar turnout for county commission races.

The School Board, though, tends to fall off the political radar some. That’s actually a good thing as it tends to indicate all is well. Or at least well enough not to raise a fuss.

Two School Board races are up this year. In District 4, incumbent Sandy Counts is so far unopposed and will automatically be re-elected to a third term if it stays that way. 

District 2 has four candidates: Ken Frink, Laura Gatling-Wright, Dale Marie Merrill, and Victoria Smith (incumbent Ginger Bryant is not running again).

This is a nonpartisan race. Everyone gets to vote in the primary for School Board.

I’ve had pleasant Cattle Dog chats with three of the four District 2 candidates. Once I speak with all four, I’ll break each down individually.

For now, though, some thoughts on what I’m looking for in a School Board candidate:

— Service to the community is very significant. My first question is, “Who are you? What have you done to make Citrus County a better place to live?”

(I asked the community service question once of a candidate, and he answered, “I’m running for office.” I said that didn’t count.)

It’s important for candidates to have community skin in the game. If they can’t name some involvement outside of their job, that’s a flag.

— They should be familiar with the school district. It’s a tall task. Harder than you think. We have 21 schools and each one is its own fiefdom, plus the district office, transportation, maintenance, athletics, and who knows what else.

I encourage candidates to understand the differences between schools and communities. Homosassa Elementary has issues separate from Citrus Springs Middle.

The focus is narrowly defined. Classrooms. Schools. Teachers. Supplies. State policies. Very little happens out of the blue.

I’d like School Board candidates to understand the relationships within the district community and how best to foster them.

— This is a biggie: They need to know how the government works.

This isn’t a blanket statement by any means. But you’d be surprised how little A) candidates know about the government job they’re seeking and B) how little they care to know.

But, geez, it’s so obvious when a candidate speaks whether he/she knows what he/she is talking about.

Invariably you will hear a candidate say the school district is top-heavy with administrators. Consider vague statements like that the clickbait of local politics. Nearly every school board candidate of the last 30 years has said we’re top heavy with administrators. But what exactly does that mean?

School Board candidates who have simple solutions to complicated problems should explain themselves. Not in theory (“This is how I’d do it…”) but with actual data pertaining to Citrus County. 

As a government, public schools are extraordinarily complex. I wrote a school budget story decades ago and the finance director complimented me on it. I felt like I had just explained nuclear science.

School Board candidates who think they’ll just waltz into office and figure this out on Day 1 are sorely mistaken.

Nope. They need to know how it works NOW. School Board candidates should attend board meetings, visit schools, and have district experts explain the intricacies.

This is a complicated job. I’d like to see how prepared they are for it.

— Finally, I’m looking for vision.

This is an exciting time in Citrus County. It’s also nerve-wracking. The community is undergoing a profound transition. The pendulum is stuck. We’re really not sure how to proceed. This election will help determine that direction.

I’m hoping candidates for all races come in with vision beyond the office they seek. Where do they see this community in five, 10, or 20 years? How can they best help to achieve it? What can we do to help them?

The School Board race this year is less about how to hire bus drivers and more about the state of our community. 

I don’t need candidates to have the answers. I want them to care like I care, like you care. Answers will come if motives are in line.

With that, I’ll enjoy this Thursday. Do the same, friends.

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