As a beginning journalist, I spent thirteen years attending local school board and village board meetings. I wasn’t always welcome but the Open Meetings Law assured my access. Before my 10 p.m. deadline, I phoned in reports to the Rockford Morning Star. Most of the people who lived in this community subscribed to the daily newspaper and could read my published articles the next morning.
All of us are affected by the actions of these governing bodies. For example, their annual budgets become part of our property tax bills. If you’re a renter, an increase in your landlord’s assessment may be passed along to you.
The community unit school district trustees, who receive no compensation, hire and fire teachers and administrators. They also decide what can and cannot be taught to the students. In the past, one father influenced his fellow members to add a German language class to the high school curriculum. His son planned to be a doctor and needed the instruction.
Those of us who don’t have kids in school are still concerned. Will our educational system attract families? Will our future community citizens be educated or not?
The village board members, who are paid a stipend, oversee the police department and the public works department. They also pass ordinances that govern the residents such as speed limits on the streets and how a home may be remodeled.
All of them might endure flak from their constituents. A disgruntled citizen may button-hole the public servants on the street, in a coffee shop or at church. Rarely do the trustees receive kudos for a decision.
In the Durand community, there’ll be a Consolidated Election April4 for members of these two boards. Residents have time to learn about the aspirants for office. All candidates run independently–none are affiliated with a party. A variety of representatives is needed because as a wise man once told me, “All of us are smarter than one of us.”
Do you vote in the local elections?