I attended the League of Women Voter’s and Uncompaghre Valley Education Association’s School Board Forum at the Ute Museum on Monday night. I was interested to attend a non-partisan forum (unlike the one held by the Montrose County Republicans at the Cowboy Church). It was well attended and would have been a great way to get to know those running for our School Board.

Only, there were four of those running who chose to not attend. Kudos to Alice Murphy, Sara Fishering and Eric Kelly for showing up. Shame on you to the others who could not find time in their busy schedules to show up.

As noted by Dennis Anderson’s Editorial in the Saturday Montrose Press, there are three candidates running as a “slate”. Although each had their own opening remarks read by Kay Alexander, they did their closing remarks as a group. The school board is not a club. It is not a popularity contest. It is an independent board that determines the policies of our schools for our children. Why would we want to vote in three individuals who are incapable of doing one on one interviews with the Daily Press, insisting they must be interviewed as a group? Why would we want to vote in a group that will always vote the same way, and are not independent critical thinkers?

One of the questions asked by a person in the audience was regarding attendance. Both Sarah Fishering and Eric Kelly stated they had only missed one and two meetings respectively. The “slate” of candidates have missed at least that many school board forums. It appears that they are not taking the election to a public office as high importance. Why would the voters think they will show up at the school board meetings? (If one is absent, will all three be required to be absent?)

After listening to Alice Murphy, Sarah Fishering and Eric Kelley, I would strongly urge the residents of Montrose County to vote for these individuals. The school board is an intricate part of our county and needs to have individuals who are concerned about the safety and well being of our students. What the school board does not need is three candidates who are too scared to show up and face the public unless all members of their club can all be in attendance.

Bobbie Kuns, Montrose