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Neighbor News

On Keeping BOE Non-Political and Campaign Fundraising

What non-political really means

Ellen Lin, Neighbor
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Jeremy Li BOE Campaign Flyer
Jeremy Li BOE Campaign Flyer (Committe to Elect Jeremy Li)

Politics in the BOE is not the member's or candidate’s party affiliation, but how the preconceived notion of their affiliation affects their decisions on education matters and how people react because of their affiliation.

Education itself should not be political, however, the set up of the public education system is the result of many politicians, and they continue shaping the system. The curriculum is largely determined by law that’s made by partisan legislators. Practices and policies also are largely guided by state and federal law. Laws need to make sense and work as intended, BOE members should have their voices heard by the legislature and be able to voice beneficial feedback about law and regulate education. For a BOE candidate, endorsement and support from lawmakers speak volume on their ability to do so. The board of education, as a governing body, is also responsible for policy making that impacts local school districts. Knowledge and experience with the legislation process is a good quality for a BOE member.
In this race, there are two exceptional candidates, Jeremy Li and William Atkins, young but highly achieved for their age and knowledgeable with lived experience of recent graduates, who want the best for Bridgewater’s schools and students without seeking to benefit themselves. They are concerned about the educational excellence for all students, mental health and safety of the students, and promote responsible and smart spending without waste. They want to selflessly contribute to the betterment of public education here in Bridgewater, drawing on their freshly lived experience through the system.
It is unfortunate that instead of talking about issues, policies and the candidates abilities, the opposition took a form of nasty political attack opposing these candidates because of their affiliation, showcasing the exact political motive on the BOE election they claim to keep out. Even the two candidates’ selfless community service were attacked as “no skin in the game”.

“That is your public agenda. However, you are known by the company you keep.” “You are part of that agenda, therefore you need to lose.” These quotes from facebook are obviously a conspiracy theory that is a smear campaign based on partisan speculation and fear mongering.

BOE elections have been low information elections: most voters don’t know the candidates well. Being non-partisan, meaning the candidate’s political party affiliation is not listed on the ballot, makes it even lower information about the candidates for voters. Most voters do not know the candidates or their stance on the issues. To inform voters of what they represent, candidates need to spread the word about what they stand for. This is transparency and responsible candidacy, but it will cost money. The two candidates Jeremy Li and William Atkins, who held fundraisers, are performing as responsible candidates doing the work needed to gather resources and inform voters about their candidacy. To discourage fundraisers only prevents well qualified candidates from being known by the voters. The success exhibited through their fundraisers and engaging legislators and elected officials shows the exceptional ability of Jeremy Li and William Atkins. I am confident they can not only inform voters, but also serve as good board of education members.

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In summary, a campaign that informs voters will help voters make an informed decision and is beneficial to the democratic process of elections, board of education election included. Support from legislators and elected officials is a strength of board of education candidates. The board of education can function independently of the members’ party affiliation, by respecting the elected members and their voice representing the collective community, regardless of their party affiliation. The key element we request is that when conducting board matters, all elected board members keep political affiliation and people affiliation out of consideration and truly look out for the best interest of the children on behalf of the community. That is truly taking politics out of the school board.

Ellen Lin

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