Whenever a school board election comes around I can’t help but think of the pioneering days when all the parents in a community would get together to build a school, purchase the books and hire a teacher. It really was a community-wide project.

Without the active involvement of the community, the school’s of old could not prosper. The same is true today, even though one-room wooden school houses have become modern institutions that serve thousands of students.

But that is where the school board comes in. In today’s world, a school district’s board of trustees is there to make sure our children’s best interests are always at heart.

There are only two weeks left for candidates to file their nomination forms for the Nov. 8 Consolidated District Election. This election includes five seats on the Turlock Unified School District, two seats on the Chatom board and three in Denair.

Don’t rush to get your paperwork done all at once! I wish the previous statement was an accurate description of local residents’ desires to run for office. Now more than ever, our communities need leaders who are willing to step up and make a difference.

My hat’s off to you who have already thrown your hats into the ring, and those who are planning to file by the deadline.

Intentionally vying for a non-paid public servant position in which you could spend the majority of your time trying to keep the school doors open does not sound like a walk in the park.

Gone are the days when school board members got to discuss how they were going to spend extra funds. Now, board members debate which program they’re going to have to cut first. And haggling with teacher and school employee unions until the wee hours of the morning isn’t something most people would like to spend their time doing.

Despite the long hours and tons of technical reading involved in the public school budgetary process, there are still plenty of benefits to serving on a school board.

 All you have to do is visit a school’s open house. That is when children proudly lead their parents to their classrooms. The young students then show their parents all the hard work they’ve been doing. The essays, science projects and art works are proof that our public school system still works.

Someone needs to make sure that everything possible is being done to keep our tax dollars in the classrooms, where the learning happens. While our public school administrators are top notch and perfectly capable of running a district, it takes the input and insight of community leaders to make sure all the children are being served to the best of the district’s ability.

I know there are still quite a few local citizens who know the importance of a community-centered school district. They just need to make the sacrifice and run for a trustee seat.

I guarantee your dedication will be repaid in the success of our local students now and in the future.

Candidates have until Aug. 12 to file nomination papers.  Those interested in becoming candidates can visit the County Clerk-Recorder/Elections Office, 1021 I St., Room 101, Modesto, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. More information for potential candidates is available by visiting stanvote.com, or by phoning 525-5200 or 535-5230 for assistance in Spanish.

To contact Kristina Hacker, e-mail khacker@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2004.