After a wild year of politicized school board meetings, it is time to vote for local school board members.

Hats off to any incumbents who want to remain in the fight and are running for school board this May. The races are getting more partisan.

As a current school board member reelected to a fourth term last year, I saw the beginning of this political move in 2021. I faced two opponents with political endorsements. I am incredibly grateful that my community is aware of the importance of the role of school board trustee.

Here’s what I’ve learned in my tenure:

Political agendas have no place in local nonpartisan school board races. Our kids’ progress matters too much.

We are in a learning-deficit situation due to COVID-19, and the culture wars that have become part of political campaigns are making the situation worse. Teachers are leaving the profession. Parents and communities are confused about how to help. Now more than ever, our kids, teachers, parents and superintendents need knowledgeable school board trustees.

School board service is a marathon, not a sprint. Knowledge and wisdom about school finance, curriculum and instruction, testing and many other topics are essential for school board members. The system is complex, and it takes time for a new trustee to gain essential knowledge for the job.

A lot has changed since COVID-19. Candidates who have never been in or volunteered for our schools will have difficulty understanding the core issues. The learning curves for new trustees are steep, even if they have volunteered previously in our school districts. Completely unknowledgeable school board members undoubtedly slow progress, and our kids need help now.

School board trustee is a governance role, not a representative role. Understanding the system is essential. We expect our trustees to make good decisions for all children, not just some kids.

Beware when someone runs for an at-large position and claims to “represent” a portion of the community or advocate for a single issue. Public schools belong to the public. We all have a stake in our schools, and leadership matters. An effective trustee commits the time to understand and advocate for public schools.

Public education is an opportunity that Texas is constitutionally required to offer to all children. More than 90% of us attended public school. We know what a difference our schools make for our communities and society. Research has shown the importance of quality school board governance and its direct impact on kids.

The best school board candidates get involved before seeking office. Ask your candidates:

1. How and when have you engaged in our school district to prepare yourself for the role of school board member?

2. Why are you running?

3. How much time does it take each month to govern on a school board, and will you commit to spending that time in this unpaid role? (Yes, it’s a volunteer job. Does the candidate have a history of volunteering?)

Vote on May 7. Our most critical community responsibility is to research the candidates running for school board in the local election and then vote. Your kids, teachers, parents and community depend on you.

Please spend some time getting answers to your questions. Look at campaign finance reports (available on district websites) to follow the money. See who is endorsing the candidates. Do the key supporters live in your district?

Use this opportunity to make an informed difference in a world of intentional chaos.

Tracy Fisher is a trustee on the Coppell ISD school board. She wrote this column for The Dallas Morning News.