I could be selfish. I have a big writing project that has gotten delayed by my service to the school district where I live. I WANT to focus on the book I am doing and just work like mad to get it finished, edited, and sent out for publication. I WANT to do this and not much else.
I am frustrated. The past year and a half have been fraught with disasters, many caused by our school board's lack of vision, lack of basic concern for kids (though these concerns are stated over and over when the TV cameras are running), and a SERIOUS lack of know-how in education (we have a citizen-board made up of anyone who can get elected). Yes, I am frustrated.
So I won't run again, right? That's what I had planned — until yesterday when 4 different people convinced me otherwise.
1. Have you considered that your not being on the board might undo what little progress has been made? Whoever might take your place might not care the way you do about EDUCATION issues rather than personal power.
2. I, for one, am glad we have a poet on our board; someone who thinks creatively and cares about kids's minds.
3. Oh you have to stay on the board; we count on you to speak up when things are wrong and not care about your own popularity or agenda.
4. What would we do without your willingness to say the hard things and to call out those who are out of line?
I do not believe in coincidences. I believe in messages from unlikely sources that speak sense or call me to act. 4 in one day? How can I ignore this?
So I shall run again for another three-year term. I hope the voters will keep me on. If they do not, well that is a message too. I'll say thanks for everything and go finish the book.
C'est la vie!
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