Editor, The News:

Is there anyone out there who wants to make and extra $25,531 a year, including health insurance and other benefits, by attending a School Board meeting once a month?

You could keep your day job, be a full time student, and still make $25,531.00 a year for a four year term being a School Board member.

You can make these big bucks for about 12 hours of work a year if you are:

1. A registered voter in Wakulla County

2. At least 18 years of age

3. A resident of the voting district in which you seek election

If you are not a registered voter, it takes about two minutes in the Supervisor of Election's office to get you registered. They will give you a candidate's packet and answer any of your questions. You may also register by mail.

Time is running out, you must act fast! You can qualify as a candidate by collecting 186 petition signatures by May 17. There are concerned citizens who will help you collect signatures.

The three school board members up for re-election in November are in their 44th year of service as a group. District 3 and 5 members were elected in 1994. District 1 member was elected in 1998. Last year District 2 and 4 members didn't have to campaign because no one else entered the race. They have over 20 years between them. With over 60 years of combined service by our present board, things might be getting too mundane.

You don't have to know the inner workings of the school district, you will never be quizzed or tested. School administrators make up the agenda for the meetings. You will be given an agenda by Friday before the meeting the following Monday. If you don't understand something, a school administrator will explain it, then vote yea or nay and move on to the next item. Please remember to vote in the best interest of the students, teachers and the taxpayers respectively.

High school seniors, get fired up! I know you have a lot of community spirit! Find a candidate within your ranks, your family or your neighborhood to run for school board member in Districts 1, 3 and 5. With the spirited freshmen through seniors waving "homemade" signs – how could your candidate not get elected? We need to "wean" the "oldies but goodies." Get fired up! Get involved! Who knows, it might be you making the $25,531 for about 12 hours service a year.

Two, 4, 6, 8 – who do we appreciate? A young person or any citizen fired up and ready to make a difference! Go pick up your candidate's packet and get started! Let's have an exciting election!

Donna Sanford

Crawfordville