The Flowers Appear

Months after voters approved a division of Alpine School District, the first fruits of that decision are starting to flower. The first week of June was the filing period for candidates for school board and so many candidates signed up that only 3 of the 21 new districts will not have a primary. The other 18 have 3-5 candidates each and voters will decide on Aug 12 who will be on the general election ballot. Only 2 candidates from each board seat will advance.

This is exactly the result that we hoped for and expected. Smaller, community-sized school districts result in more participation, more opportunities, and more discussion about how to improve public education. 29 people with various experience and positions are coming forward to shape the future districts. Now, we have many months of robust conversations with residents to find the right board members to start the new districts off on the right foot.

This could not have happened in the former Alpine School District because the board seats were too big. Not only was it cost and time prohibitive to run in such large districts, but after the election board members had too many schools to serve in a part-time role. Now, board members are closer to their constituents and can devote more time to understanding the unique needs of the schools they represent.

The fruits will come in time, and they will be sweet. But each of the districts will need to be nourished like young trees by capable and collaborative school boards. The future is bright!