At last week’s Newton Board of Aldermen meeting, the aldermen decided to keep current board member Shannon Moore on the Newton Municipal School Board.
Moore informed the board that she would be willing to serve another term, and the aldermen went along with her decision.
I think Moore has done a good job on serving the Newton school district and has represented the district well in her appointment.
However, I believe the aldermen should always open it up to anyone who is willing to serve in the community. I know it might even be a formality to do it, but I think it’s a good idea to allow everyone a chance to put their name in the hat for consideration.
This is the only way that our community leaders will know who is willing to serve their community by being on the school board. I know it’s hard to keep saying no to people who don’t make it, but it’s something that the board should do.
For instance, Arthur Nelson is currently serving on the school board, but it took him several times before he received the appointment to the school board. By having that persistence of putting his name in the hat, coming before the aldermen and making his case, he showed the city that he was willing and excited to have an opportunity to serve.
So when the last opening on the school board occurred, Nelson might have had a leg up on the competition because of the persistence he showed. Sure, he was told no multiple times. And I’m sure it was a little discouraging to keep coming back to the aldermen time after time, but the persistence paid off.
By the same token, I think it’s a good idea to open up the nomination process up every time, whether it be by a written form or coming before the aldermen to state their case. Of course, the sitting school board member will likely have an advantage, but it’s important to see who is willing to serve.
So I hope next year when the aldermen have the next opportunity for a school board appointment, I hope that they give everyone a chance to say they’re willing to serve.
Brent can be reached at bmaze@newtoncountyappeal.com.
