For Montgomery School Board

Phil Kauffman emerges as the strongest candidate.

LITTLE NOTICED in all the excitement surrounding Maryland's surprisingly meaningful presidential primary is the presence of a handful of important local races. Of prime importance in Montgomery County is the contest for the Board of Education. Voters should pay attention tomorrow, as the person eventually selected for the school board will have an important say in the education system that comprises more than half of the county budget -- including a big role in selecting the next schools superintendent.

Three seats come open this year, but only one race on this week's ballot is contested. Incumbent board member Christopher S. Barclay, appointed to fill out the term of now-County Council member Valerie Ervin (D-Silver Spring), faces no opposition in District 4. The two candidates in District 2 -- Incumbent Stephen N. Abrams and attorney Laura Farthing Berthiaume -- automatically advance to November because the primary selects the top two vote-getters.

Of the five candidates vying for the at-large seat left open by Sharon W. Cox's decision not to seek reelection, we are most impressed by lawyer and Olney activist Phil Kauffman. Mr. Kauffman, whom we endorsed in 2006 when he ran unsuccessfully for the District 5 seat, has been active in school and community affairs for 13 years. He is knowledgeable about school issues, has a good overview of the county and has proven to be an effective advocate for change. Moreover, his budget expertise -- he works at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he provides legal support to an $8 billion contracting program -- is apt to come in handy as the county faces uncertain economic times and tightening resources. That gives him an edge over association executive Alies Muskin, a well-regarded parent activist with good experience and thoughtful approaches to school issues. The three other candidates -- Carey Apple, Tommy Le and Rob Seubert -- suffer by comparison with Mr. Kauffman and Ms. Muskin.