To the editor:

Using your right to vote is responsible. Educating yourself on the candidates, before voting, and using that information, is courageous.

Having seven candidates to choose from for three seats on the ISD 88 School Board is an exciting opportunity for voters on November 8, 2022.

Our local school board has had to deal with a lot of interesting things the past couple of years, no doubt. And all over the nation, parents have realized that we can no longer be absent in our children’s education.

I believe that change is necessary and other passionate, smart, articulate and committed people should be voted in. With 47% of our students at grade level proficiency in math and reading, there’s a lot of work to do and from what I see, current leadership has allowed a “mission creep” and lost sight of the role of public education in our nation.

I encourage you to check out all the candidates for school board. You can pick and choose, mix and match – it’s a “pick any 3” opportunity. Ask yourself the questions. Why are they running? What problem are they wanting to solve? Why do they want to continue to serve? What are their motives for wanting to serve? If they are wanting to be re-elected, what have they done to deserve another term? If they are new, why do they deserve a chance to serve?

I will not endorse a candidate in this letter. Incumbent doesn’t always mean effective.

Audra Shaneman

New Ulm