School board members deserve our thanks

The nation's school boards may be the closest thing to pure representative democracy. The men and women who serve on school boards generally are or have been involved as parents of schoolchildren, pay taxes to local schools and work with or employ the graduates of our public school systems.

For all of their policymaking and financial oversight, school board members tend to get very little limelight, nor does their public service take on much of the trappings of political office often associated with those who seek the attention of voters.

This is School Board Recognition Week, which offers an opportunity to reflect for a moment on the importance of the service provided by school boards in our area. If you know someone who is on a school board, this would be a good time to say thanks.