Mailbag

I know they care about our children or they wouldn't take the time for public service, and I wish them well. I simply wish there were an election because it is only through lively debate that we truly determine the importance of the issues we are facing. It is only through lively debate that our candidates are forced to show us where they stand and must be held accountable for the promises that they make.

Candidates Susan Bowers and Nikki Capshaw truly helped make the last school board election one that generated thoughtful discussion on what is best for our children. Our community benefited from their campaigns.

Our schools are facing many critically important challenges, from declining enrollment — and in some cases, declining test scores — to upgrading technical equipment in the classrooms so our students have the best environments for learning.

From the yet-to-be-started modernization of three of our schools and the completion of one, along with the general upkeep of all the rest (and repairs of past modernization mistakes), to the restoration of our high school fields, there is a lot of money at stake. From college and trade preparation to the shepherding of the new Arts for All program, there are thousands of children's futures at stake. From securing critical government and grant funding to paying our teachers adequately so we can attract and retain the very best, our property values are at stake because homes sell better where the schools are good.

I only hope that the three candidates for the three open positions recognize the good fortune of their free ride onto our school board and that our community continues to hold them accountable for their decisions.

Perhaps some of the money that they would have spent on campaign fliers and yard signs could be put into a 2007 college scholarship fund as a good will gesture toward the future of college-bound seniors.

SUZANNE WEERTS

Burbank