Little Interest in BOE Race?

The very small turnout for the school board candidates' forum Thursday could have been due to several factors, some of which may in turn affect the number of voters who go to the polls on Wednesday.

First of all, the timing of the BOE election was changed to allow for one very important religious holiday. The normal date fell on the start of Passover, so the election was pushed off not just for a week, but on to a Wednesday rather than the traditional Tuesday. The League of Women Voters of Plainfield plans its forum to precede the election by about a week, which along with a conflict over school use pushed it to Thursday at Washington School.

Not only did those circumstances alter the usual pattern, the forum landed up on the eve of Good Friday, during the Holy Week observed by Christians. Easter can fall in late March, early April or later in April and though schools no longer call it Easter break, there is a school vacation linked to this moveable feast. So for many families, Thursday evening was the beginning of a long vacation involving family activities and possibly travel.

Someone at the meeting surmised that attendance might have been sparse due to the fact that it was in a part of the city that has once again seen violence. Indeed, Monday's strafing of a West End home was followed by gunfire Thursday afternoon at a playground and the gathering Thursday evening of an armed crowd at another West End location. News of these incidents could very well have kept people home.

Whatever the reason, only about 25 to 30 people came out to hear the candidates.

As for Election Day, some of the same circumstances may keep the turnout even lower than the normal single-digit percentage. The field of four candidates for three seats this year stands in sharp contrast to 10 last year, with an additional four vying for an unexpired term.

It may even be that people have just thrown up their hands over the public schools after the roller-coaster ride of hope and dismay engendered by the Gallon administration and the somewhat gloomy prospect of finding a new superintendent to take the helm of a district with chronic, multiple problems.

All this leaves Plaintalker thinking that readers of any religious persuasion would do well to say a prayer this season for the schools, the children, the teachers and future prospects for all. The unchurched could at least cross their fingers that things will get better. And please, check the candidates' bios and views on the League web site and come out on Wednesday, April 27 to cast your vote.

--Bernice