This Election: A Critical Thinking Exercise

And Tools for Voting

Dear Friend and Community Member,

In just one week—Tuesday, November 4th—our community decides which future we give to our kids. I’ve included links to your sample ballot and candidate profiles to help you cast an informed vote at the end of this message. While there may be other offices on your ballot, you and I agree, I believe, that nothing is more important than our youth. Trustees and school boards directly impact every single student who walks through our doors—and even the local kids who don’t.

Even if your kids are grown, or you don’t have any in school, you still shape the world they’ll live in. If you homeschool, remember that your children will one day marry, work with, and and be likely governed by those educated in our local schools. What kind of world do you want your kids (and mine) to inherit? Ask yourself this: which candidate will personally sacrifice to provide the best possible future for our youth?

No one has to agree with me on every issue for us to work well together on the board. The only thing we need to agree on is that every single child in our community comes first—before anything else. When trustees put kids first, a board of trustees who have different perspectives reconcile their differences for the benefit of our students: through transcendent decisions rather than compromise.

That said, I want to pose a brief critical thinking exercise: Which candidates have focused on what’s best for kids? You likely know what’s best for your own children—now, which candidates have spoken to those priorities? Does a candidate share your vision for what education should be to create the world you want your children to inherit? Does their vision make you excited about your kids’ futures? Governance can be learned—but heart, commitment, and a willingness to personally sacrifice for the sake of our youth cannot be learned. Who do you trust to build a better future for your kids, grandkids, and neighbors’ kids?

As promised, here are some links to help make voting easier. If you have questions for the candidates, I always encourage you to reach out to them directly or attend one of their campaign events in person.

Sample ballot and voting locations: <Link>

Valley Lookout candidate profiles: <Link>

McCall Star News candidate profiles: <Link>

Please make a plan now to vote next week. My family and I appreciate you taking that ~10 minutes to ensure that all of our community’s kids have the best possible education to build their adult lives upon.

See you at the polls!

Brad Howlett