Editor, Gazette Journal:

On behalf of the Mathews County School Board, I want to acknowledge and thank the nine citizens who applied to serve on this board. As was said by board members during the Nov. 30 public hearing and also during the Dec. 14 monthly school board meeting, such interest in serving on this board speaks of this community’s interest surrounding public education.

During the board member selection process there were many references to political party in that members of the Republican Party were concerned that members of the Democratic Party advocated for a candidate and vice versa. This is to be expected in that we advocate for individuals with similar interests and/or values; however, school board members in Virginia are precluded from representing any political party.

Equally as important is that members of school boards should have the interest of the students as their priority, not partisan politics or advocacy of any particular issue(s). Strong school boa...