We moved here for the schools…

In 1991 when my daughter was 4 years old, our family lived in New York City. As we contemplated our child’s entry into kindergarten, we faced a question common to many parents: where was the best place for our daughter to attend school? For us, the answer was a move to suburban Westchester County.

Schools in our suburban village were significantly different from city schools. Smaller class sizes, less diversity, more green space for outdoor play. Another big difference that I hadn’t fully appreciated before our move was that the schools were governed by an elected Board of Education and that the residents of our school district voted for or against the annual school budget . In other words, every year we choose the people who set educational policy for the district and vote to tax ourselves to pay for our children’s schools. Wow!

As a new suburbanite, I was excited to turn out for my first school election day in May (this year’s elections will be held throughout New York State on May 19th). I figured the polls would be mobbed as residents clamored to exercise such direct control over their children’s education and their communities’ finances. Imagine my surprise to find out that only a small percentage of eligible voters actually turned out for these important elections (2014 Westchester turnout ranged from 2.4% to 23.2% of voters in a district)!

How come? People believe a number of myths:

1. “It doesn’t matter who is on the school board.”

The local School Board or Board of Education sets major policies for the district, as well as hires (and fires) the Superintendent, the chief educational officer for the district. Basically, the Board decides what the overall goals for the district will be (How large will our classes be? How important are sports? Arts? A new science lab? What about artificial turf? When do we need to add a new kindergarten class?) and makes sure the Superintendent manages the district in keeping with those goals. They approve the budget that is presented to voters and this in turn determines how much property taxes you will pay. This is why it matters who sits on the Board. Find out who is running for school board. Attend a candidate forum, sometimes sponsored by the local League of Women Voters, or read the candidate bios on the district website or in the local newspaper/blog. For more about the importance of school board elections, click here.

2. “I’m no good at math; the school budget is too complicated to understand.”

In the months prior to the school election day, Boards of Education must hold public meetings where the district administrators explain the budget and answer questions from the community. These meetings are usually held in the evenings and are open to everyone. It’s a great way to learn about what’s in the budget and why it is there. The Board may also mail budget summaries to residents in the weeks before the budget vote. Here’s a breakdown of some of the steps the district will use to develop its proposed budget.

If you have more questions about the budget, you can call a member of the Board (they are your neighbors!) and ask for clarification, or you can approach a district administrator for more answers. Remember, they work for you!

3. “One vote won’t make a difference.”

Voting is a way to demonstrate your concern for your community. When very few people vote in an election, the outcome of the election has less legitimacy than when the turnout is robust. And if you never vote, you have no leg to stand on when you want to complain about the results!

Furthermore, in any election, even one vote can be crucial. This is even more true in school elections where the pool of eligible voters is small and the turnout may even smaller. In my own district, school budgets have been approved or disapproved by a one vote margin….more than once! Yours could be the vote that makes all the difference.

So…

Before the next school elections (May 19th in New York State), learn about your district’s proposed school budget, find out who’s running for school Board and what their views are. Then show up and exercise your right to determine the future of your community’s schools. Your children will thank you. To find your voting location, call your district office or check the district web site.

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