Let's try to understand those we don't agree with

As a longtime resident of this community, I'd like to express some thoughts on the recent school board election.

First, regardless of who we voted for, we ought to start by thanking those who serve on our school board for their faithful service to our community. Some are newer to their positions, and others have served our community for many, many years. They serve because they care deeply about education for our students.

Second, we should recognize that there are diverse views and positions in our community, even though we agree on many areas of education for our students. I'd like to call on others who share this view to express their thanks to those who serve in public positions like the school board.

But it would also be hard to miss some of the conduct that we have observed in recent years.

Impugning people's motives, misrepresenting and distorting their positions is the path of least resistance. We see it here in our own community, as well as in other parts of the country. And, each of us struggles with this on a personal level.

Most of us would not want our students to imitate that behavior. We'd want them to learn how to express their views passionately and articulately, but with respect for those who may disagree with them. And, at the very least, we would want to teach students how to attempt to find common ground, whenever possible.

While we don't want to lay this responsibility for our students solely on the shoulders of the school board members (since we, as parents have that primary responsibility), we should acknowledge that the school board isn't irrelevant to the process.

So, we ought to encourage them to conduct themselves in a way that serves as a good example to the community and the students whom they serve. John Franklin Newbury Park