Highland Park voters face a grim reality with the upcoming Board of Education election, a total lack of choice. There are three available seats with only three candidates running. For young voters, this inspires numerous questions. What good is it to have a vote with no options? Will this be a continual cycle? Is this the death of a small-town democracy?
The function of the Board of Education is not well known, so it may seem insignificant to some. Still, as students, our academic experience is directly impacted by the Board's members' decisions.
The Board of Education is a committee dedicated to giving students a high-quality, rigorous education that will prepare them for a promising future. Whether that future is college, trade school, or a job, the Board dictates the opportunities schools provide. Boards of Education usually consist of 5 to 9 elected members from the community who attempt to promote equity in education. Therefore, the members are a vital part of our school system. With only one candidate running for each seat, however, voters' opinions are not factored into deciding these members.
Before the election even takes place, your Board members have been chosen. Here are their names and duties. Mark Krieger is the returning Vice President. He was elected to the Board in 2018. Since then, he has dealt with the financial aspects because of his business experience. Additionally, he was the only candidate that responded to our outreach, in which he stated how strong the Board has been with him. "We have never been in better shape. We don't see any danger in what we've budgeted." Chris Woodward, the Board Liaison, was appointed in 2019. He converses with the Board of Directors and deals with advisory boards. Jennifer Voorhees has the least board experience of the three candidates. Interestingly, her first time running will be unopposed. Voorhees currently works as an Applications Developer at Rutgers University.
“We have never been in better shape.”
In our small town, we have just enough candidates to fill the seats on the Board of Education, but that shouldn't downplay the importance of voting. Although no one can be forced to vote, it is crucial to uphold in our democracy. In 2000, George W. Bush won the Electoral College merely 0.009% of the votes. If 600 more people had gone to the polls, we might have had a different president from 2000-2008.
Voting is critical on the local level, too. A study from Portland State University found that less than 15% of eligible voters participated in polls to elect mayors, council members, and other local offices. Because of this, local issues are determined by a limited number of voters, making a single vote even more meaningful. It is our duty as citizens to participate in our democracy, and we must do the best we can.