Snoop

by Michael Boyink

Managing Editor/mike@douglascountyherald.com

It’s Spring. When the daffodils poke through the still-brown grass.

And it’s election season, when the drama pokes through social media feeds.

I get hung up on some of the words used.

Like “agenda.”

I see comments about this or that person “having an agenda.” 

Like it’s a bad thing.

Mirriam-Webster defines “agenda” as “a list or outline of things to be considered or done”

Another definition provided by Google is “a list of items to be discussed at a formal meeting.”

Running for school board?

You better have an agenda.

An open one, though.

Not a hidden one.

See, we have those already.

I’ve only been going to the school board meetings for a couple of years. But during that time I’ve seen people who have successfully campaigned – at a cost of time and money – to earn one of those seats.

Only to sit there.

Mute.

Never a new idea.

Rarely taking part in any kind of discussion.

Mostly just uttering a vote.

With no explanation given.

For all the world, what I can’t figure out is why. Why would you go through the hassle and expense to run for an elected position, win it, and then sit there looking for all the world like a judge had sentenced you to community service?

I don’t expect a healthy school board to always have 7-0 votes. 

But I do expect elected school board members to bring ideas to the table. Suggestions for improvements. Roadmaps to a better school for Ava.

I expect them to be an active voice in discussing their ideas and the ideas of others.

And explain their votes to the people who elected them.

School Board candidates? The clock is ticking.

Let’s hear those agendas.

And not just vague platitudes like “I just want what’s best for the kids.”

That’s understood.

But we want specifics.

What, specifically, will you do if elected?

The Snoop is the Douglas County Herald’s editorial opinion column.