Andes, McComas deserve reelection

The Worcester County Board of Education election in Districts 3 and 5 is, thankfully, rushing toward a conclusion  on Tuesday. It has been a nasty affair, stoked by people who apparently believe that the county’s public school system is the manifestation of everything they see as wrong with society today.

We disagree and therefore endorse the reelection of District 3 board representative Dr. Jon Andes and District 5 representative Elena McComas, whose avowed interests are to help students have successful lives. That’s it. They aren’t on the board for any reason other than to instill in these children the desire to become good, productive citizens.

It is certainly notable, however, that the opposition’s insinuations that the incumbents are anti-religion so offended Andes that he posted his religious bona fides online, even though religious beliefs should have nothing to do with public education.

We have churches, spiritual leaders, our families and religious schools for that, whereas public schools are morally and legally obligated to embrace and educate children from all faiths and backgrounds.

Further, a centerpiece of the challengers’ platform is their pledge to prohibit any kind of accommodation related to students’ gender identity.

The fact is that is not the school board’s call to make. It is federal and state law. Although the law is being challenged in federal court by other states and schools, this county’s government doesn’t have the appetite or the budget to do the same, especially when there’s been no sign of a problem in the local system.

These strident calls for change in the school board’s composition aren’t backed up by the need for change, since Worcester’ schools are among the best in the state.

This school system didn’t arrive at the top by accident or good luck, but by good planning, good management and good teachers. Reelecting Dr. Jon Andes and Elena McComas will help keep it that way.