It might seem an overstatement to argue that the upcoming school board election is pivotal to the future of our community, but it is that important.
While the Española Valley and its schools have been subject to the whim of selfish politicians for years, if not decades, the last nine months have been a clear demonstration of the lengths some will go to ensure their own survival. Recent revelations from the media, the state Public Education Department and the Attorney General’s Office have only revealed more about the majority of board members, our current superintendent and their political backers. But let’s not get bogged down in the political muck.
Instead, let’s remember how important education is to real progress and the overall wellbeing of our Valley. If we ever hope to build a vibrant, engaged community, it will require an intelligent, well-educated population. According to U.S. Census estimates, only about one in six Rio Arriba County residents has a bachelor’s degree or higher. We’ll need to do better if we hope to be competitive with our regional neighbors.
That statistic directly impacts our future. Numerous studies have shown that parents’ education levels affect those of their children because better educated parents are more involved in their child’s education, are more likely to read to their children and are better able to navigate barriers to educational success.
If only about 60 percent of Española Valley High School students are graduating, and even fewer are getting college degrees, we’ve set ourselves up for failure.
Among other things — lack of economic development and a shallow employee pool, for example — this lack of education also leaves us with a less engaged populace and a dearth of qualified candidates for all elected positions. Which brings us back to the board.
It’s probably safe to say that all four of the current board candidates, whatever their intentions, are politically connected in one way or another. It is clear by now where their allegiances lie. Regardless of the outcome, the winners will be at least partly beholden to their political supporters.
But that shouldn’t keep us from voting. It is the exact reason we should. As long as the residents of our Valley leave the outcomes of any election to political insiders, those insiders are only accountable to their supporters. In effect, we’ve given up our voice and our ability to call our elected officials on the decisions they make. We know where that has gotten us.
This election, then, is not only an opportunity to get our schools back on track, it is also a chance for us to get our voice back. And we can’t stop there. We need to be visible at school board, city council and county commission meetings. Our presence is a concrete reminder to elected officials that their decisions affect real people.
It’s true that too often we have felt helpless to make things better in our community; that things feel out of our control. With this election, and because of the potential educational and economic implications, let’s say together that we will no longer allow that to happen.
John Sena, a graduate of Española Valley High School and New Mexico State University, is an English teacher at Española Valley High School.