A great opportunity to serve your community

There are many ways to give back to your community. You can join a service organization such as the Lions or Kiwanis clubs, or volunteer at Franklin Hospital or a local food pantry. And perhaps one of the most under-appreciated service opportunities is the local school board.

Board of Education members are unpaid and spend many hours each month ensuring that the community’s most valued asset — its children — are receiving the education they need in a safe, comfortable environment. This sounds like an editorial we’d write in April, when candidate petitions are due. But District 13 has an opportunity available for a community member ready to make a difference.

The seven-member school board is one person short right now, following the resignation of Thomas Speranza in May. After serving the first two years of his term, Speranza moved out of state. The board is seeking to fill the vacancy and to be at full strength for the 2010-11 school year. This summer, the board is accepting letters of interest from community members.

District 13 is the largest of Valley Stream’s three elementary school districts, serving parts of the village, North Valley Stream, Franklin Square and Malverne. It has about 2,200 students and 200 teachers in four school buildings.

In September, the Board of Education will meet with the applicants and choose someone to serve out the remaining year of Speranza’s term. We hope the board has several quality candidates to pick from. In May there were no contested races in any of Valley Stream’s elementary school districts. District 13 has not had a contested election for any seat in the past three years.

The lack of challengers is concerning. It could mean that people are content with their school leadership, and we agree that the District 13 board does a good job. Yet it could also mean that there is apathy in the school district. We understand that people are busy, and the school board is a big time commitment for no money, but the schools are any community’s biggest investment. They also account for the biggest chunk of your tax bill.

To be on the school board, you have to be at least 18, a U.S. citizen and a resident of the district for at least a year. You cannot be a district employee or a family member of a current trustee. Board members establish district policy, create the yearly budget and hire the superintendent, who carries out the board’s decisions and sets the tone for the district.

We encourage residents of District 13 to consider school board service. It is challenging and often difficult, but it is a noble and rewarding way to make a contribution to your community.