☆ CUHSD trustee-elect: Stop overlooking school board elections

Elisabeth Halliday, Campbell Union High School District Area 2 trustee-elect, shares her biggest takeaway from this election cycle: School board elections — while underemphasized by many — impact our community’s safety, quality of living, and leaders of the next generation. An Opp Now exclusive.

While canvassing the neighborhoods and meeting voters, I was surprised at how many people told me that they didn't pay much attention to the school board elections because they do not have kids attending our schools. Many people didn't realize that they had a voice in those elections, and many simply ignored them on the ballot.

But school board elections are so important for everyone. School board elections are about as local as they get.

Our school districts affect the people near and dear to us. Great schools really shape our communities and influence so many factors, such as our quality of life, crime rates, and our property values. When we have an emergency, our schools and their staff are activated for community response, while the facilities would be used as shelters if there is a need. During the pandemic shutdown, our school districts provided food to those in need.

We shouldn't take our schools for granted, even if we do not have children who are currently receiving educational benefits. As with the Greek proverb that states, "a society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit," caring about each other—and the children of others in our neighborhoods—is an investment that will offer the best future returns.

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