Should School Board Candidates be able to run as a member of a political party?

[David Lifferth]

I have thought about this and had constituents suggest that School Board Elections be partisan. There are a few benefits that I see that would help improve school board elections

1. There would a better vetting process to properly prepare and educate candidates on issues
2. Voters would have better access to candidates policy positions
3. Candidates would have freedom of speech in expressing their political views
4. Level playing field for candidates of varying political view points

What do you think about this idea? Are there other strengths and weaknesses to this idea?

[Ted Boren]

David can you explain more about how each of your points above is better supported by a partisan format? Also, are candidates prohibited from expressing their political views under the current system? That would seem odd to me...

[Cameron]

David, can you expound on numbers 3 & 4?

[Craig Erickson]

I don't support partisan school board elections. Our government is in enough turmoil with political parties unwilling to work across the aisle and the last thing we need to do is allow that same poison enter our school system. If City Council's are not partisan why should local school board's be?

[David Lifferth]

@Craig, City Council elections in Salt Lake City and County are partisan.

[Craig Erickson]

I realize they are partisan in Salt Lake City/County. I was referring to our City Council and the others in the cities your represent. Way bad idea.

[Scot Hazard]

David, while I subscribe to most of the tenets of the Republican platform and appreciate efforts made by many elected officials who belong to that party, I would support efforts to minimize the influence and power of our political parties.  I certainly don't want more of it -- especially at the local levels, school boards, etc.  The thing is, I don't have any great solutions on reducing partisan politics, and I understand some of the positive aspects of what the parties bring to the table, but I do feel strongly that inviting more of it is not the right answer.

[David Lifferth]

I am preparing my presentation that I will post later.

@Craig, can you expound on the "poison" that you don't want to enter the school system?

[Scot Hazard]

David, curious ... what do you see as the benefits of SLC and County elections being partisan, for example, versus the limitations of other cities in our area that are not?

[David Lifferth]

@scot, I'll post my presentation later this evening. In the mean time, I appreciate the thoughts and discussion that has been posted. This discussion and debate is very valuable. I think more elected officials should do this.

[Craig Erickson]

The “poison” I’m referring to is the inability for some people on both the conservative and liberal sides to see the good, positive and beneficial ideas that their counterparts have. It makes me sick to think that one party has ALL the answers.  Also, if we allow partisan elections at the school board level, we potentially fall victim to political party money, Political Action Committees, and lobbyists influence our local schools (not likely, but I don’t want to chance it). The people that freely give of their time to serve their community and help our children obtain the best education possible don’t need to be distracted by trying to uphold a political platform or further their political ambitions (although I’ve seen it happen before). Like Scot mentioned, let’s minimize the political influence of the parties and remove as much partisan politics as possible.