Op-Ed: Monday's Board of Education Vote Matters

On Monday, March 5, the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education will vote on a proposal to . However, students were introduced to the changes last week, at grade-level Guidance assemblies [Editor's Note: These meeting are annual scheduling meetings where students begin the process of planning for the coming academic year.]. A number of students asked if the changes meant “deleveling,” and others asked how the school will ensure that the changed classes will maintain the level of challenge. Another student asked if the changes were definite, and we learned then that the vote hadn't yet happened. This motivates us to write.

Our purpose is not to discuss deleveling pros and cons, but to remind adults in the community that even when the outcome seems certain, the voting process is important. The Board of Education members represent the citizens of South Orange and Maplewood, and we believe that it’s important they have their say by casting votes.  They should not be treated as a rubber stamp of approval (in this case) or disapproval (in other situations).

While the guidance counselors introduced the changes as “proposals,” that they gathered hundreds of us to discuss them means the administration is confident that these will pass the Monday vote.

We want to remind everyone that this year’s primary season is a good lesson in not counting votes before they’re cast. It’s also vital that everyone entitled to cast a vote, whether for changes at CHS or for President of the United States, be treated as if that individual vote matters.

After the 19^th Amendment passed, allowing women to vote, a man in one of our families drove 20 miles from his farm to town to vote for mayor. When he got back, his wife, entitled to vote for the first time, drove 20 miles from farm to town to vote for the other candidate. They spent a day of travel cancelling one’s another’s votes, yes, but they each had their say. That’s what we’re asking for now, to allow Board of Education members to vote, representing the community, as they were elected to do.

Maybe because we are too young to vote and because the changes at CHS will affect us most, this issue matters to us right now. When it comes to voting, it’s not only the result that matters, but a fair and valid process where each vote counts. 

This op-ed was submitted by two members of the Columbia High School class of 2015.