The Art of Public Service

As I write this week’s column, my Internet hotspot is sketchy. That simply means whatever I write will not include anything that requires research or verification. You just got me today, plain and simple.

School board elections took place across the state last weekend. Coming from a family of teachers and school board members, the significance of such polling days is of keen interest. The honor of serving one’s community is not to be taken lightly.

School board candidates sometimes run with a single agenda or focus. That focus might be a personnel issue regarding an administrator or a teacher or coach. Currently, some trustee elections in Texas have turned contentious over critical race theory and book banning.

But it is the wisest of school board members who understand their service is not agenda-driven but includes sacrifice and hard work. School trustee roles involve recognizing what is best for a broad base, not a few. Sometimes the few need their advocates, of course. Elected public servants worth their salt have the discernment to know when to step up and go to bat for certain individual causes that rightfully need attention.

Now more than ever, school board members face challenging roles. Our public schools comprise a variety of demographics which require empathy. Many children do not go home to the stability that majority of our elected public officials enjoy. Listening to teachers who are in the trenches with these children is vital. Particularly in small schools, understanding that athletic coaches not only have four sports to coach but also STAAR-related subjects to teach is a far cry from a 5A football coach who is paid far more to just coach one sport and serve as athletic director. When conflicts arise, mature communication between parties involved can sometimes impact the complexion of the problems in a positive way.

In a media climate where our young people see elected government officials worry more about showmanship than service, it is the local school board member who can restore faith in the art of public service.

Congratulations to those newly elected trustees. May you join a team of fellow school board members who understand that serving others is noble. It is also necessary if we are to be the best version of ourselves.

Snyder, Texas, native Sue Jane Sullivan is a retired schoolteacher whose thoughtprovoking commentary appears occasionally in several West texas newspapers, including The Texas Spur and The Caprock Courier.