The lessons of youths vying for Prince George’s school board seats

The success of the three youngsters in the primary election for seats on the Prince George’s County Board of Education [“Young slate in school board election,” Metro, Aug. 13] can be attributed to the fact that these are wonderful, hardworking young people willing to dedicate their time and efforts to public service. But it also confirms the following:

Prince George’s schools are capable of producing such high-caliber students.

Loading...

Comments

• Weigh In
• Corrections?

Personal Post

Disaffected voters’ unhappiness extends beyond Congress and into local races, a sentiment expressed by Prince George’s County Young Democrats President Larry Stafford as people wanting “something” better.

But more than anything, the young people’s success in the primary is a manifestation of this consistent election demographic: The majority of voters do not have school-age children. Consequently, most voters are ill-informed about education policy and what is happening in classrooms. Early reporting on the novelty of the young candidates’ ages fed voters’ desire for “something.” Yet, when all voters contemplate the ramifications of people so young having a hand in deciding on a $1.6 billion budget and developing policies for our children’s education, I hope that come November, novelty will be replaced by thoughtful consideration.

I commend these young people for their drive and interest in seeing our school system improve. But I would urge them to focus on their college studies and find another outlet for their public service efforts, perhaps in the classroom or in tutoring after school.

Mike McLaughlin, Laurel

The writer, chairman of the Prince George’s County Board of Education Disability Issues Advisory Board, was a candidate for the District 1 school board seat in the 2010 and 2012 primaries.