Fellow Marengo Residents,

Today, I want to urge you to look beyond the stereotypes that paint older generations as out-of-touch or obsolete. We often hear terms like “dinosaurs” tossed around, but let’s be honest: experience and wisdom don't age—they only deepen. Our older community members have weathered challenges and learned lessons over decades, and they bring a perspective that is vital for making sound, long-term decisions. They understand the complexities of our world, having seen trends come and go, and they know that not every decision should be driven by the moment. Their guidance can help steer our communities away from the pitfalls of short-term thinking.

Intergenerational collaboration is not just an ideal—it’s a necessity. Our fresh ideas and energy, combined with the experience and proven leadership of our elders, create a synergy that is far more powerful than any single generation working alone. Our older citizens often serve as mentors, offering insights that can illuminate our paths forward in education, finance, governance, and more. When we embrace their strengths, we create a future that honors both tradition and innovation. So, as you step into the voting booth, remember: choose leaders based on their vision and competence, not merely their age. Let’s build a future together where every voice is heard and every lesson from the past informs the promise of tomorrow.

Why Older Members Are Critical for School Boards – and the Risks of Not Having Them

A well-balanced school board requires experience, financial responsibility, and long-term vision—all qualities that older members bring to the table. Without them, school boards risk short-term thinking, financial mismanagement, and instability that could negatively impact students, teachers, and taxpayers alike.

1. Experience and Institutional Knowledge

✅ With Older Members:

• Decades of experience in leadership, education, and finance ensure better decision-making.

• Institutional knowledge prevents repeating past mistakes and allows for smart long-term planning.

• They can mentor younger board members, ensuring knowledge is passed down over time.

❌ Without Older Members:

• Decisions may be based on trends rather than proven strategies.

• Important lessons from the past could be forgotten, forcing the board to relearn old mistakes.

• School priorities could shift constantly, creating instability for students and staff.

2. Financial Responsibility & Taxpayer Protection

✅ With Older Members:

• Strong understanding of budgeting, taxes, and financial planning leads to better management of school funds.

• Ensures smart allocation of taxpayer dollars, preventing unnecessary spending.

• Protects against short-term financial gimmicks that could hurt schools in the long run.

❌ Without Older Members:

• Schools risk financial mismanagement, overspending, or failing to budget for future needs.

• Risk of over-relying on temporary funding solutions instead of long-term financial stability.

• Potential for wasteful spending on ineffective programs, taking resources away from what truly matters.

3. Balance of Practical Skills and Academics

✅ With Older Members:

• They value vocational education, shop classes, and home economics, which prepare students for real-world jobs.

• They support balanced curriculums, ensuring students learn both academic and life skills.

• They advocate for programs that help students enter trades, small businesses, and skilled careers.

❌ Without Older Members:

• Schools may become overly focused on theory-based education, neglecting career and technical training.

• Important life skills like budgeting, home management, and skilled trades could be cut.

• Students may graduate without job-ready skills, leaving them unprepared for the workforce.

4. Long-Term Planning and Stability

✅ With Older Members:

• Focus on long-term investments in school infrastructure, teacher retention, and student success.

• Decisions are made with generations in mind, not just the next election cycle.

• They serve as a steadying force when younger members are tempted to make abrupt changes.

❌ Without Older Members:

• Short-term thinking may lead to constant shifts in school policies and priorities.

• Lack of vision for the future could result in poor infrastructure, underpaid teachers, and declining school quality.

• Schools could fall victim to reactionary decision-making, creating unnecessary turmoil.

5. Neutral Perspective and Community Focus

✅ With Older Members:

• They no longer have children in the schools, allowing them to focus on the big picture rather than personal interests.

• Their strong ties to the community ensure schools reflect local values and needs.

• They help maintain important traditions, fostering a sense of history and continuity.

❌ Without Older Members:

• School boards may become dominated by parents with short-term personal agendas.

• Decisions could be made based on personal conflicts rather than what’s best for all students.

• Schools might become disconnected from the community, reducing public support and engagement.

6. Protecting Schools from Being Trend-Driven

✅ With Older Members:

• They have seen education trends rise and fall and can distinguish between what works and what’s a fad.

• They push for proven methods of teaching, ensuring students get the best education possible.

• They provide a historical perspective, helping avoid reactionary decision-making.

❌ Without Older Members:

• The board may constantly change direction, leading to inconsistencies in curriculum and policies.

• Schools could invest in short-lived, expensive initiatives that don’t improve learning.

• Teachers and students may struggle with a lack of structure and continuity.

Conclusion: Older Members Are Essential for Strong, Stable Schools

The presence of older, experienced school board members provides stability, financial oversight, and long-term vision, while their absence creates a high-risk environment of poor planning, financial instability, and short-term thinking. A school board that lacks older members is at risk of fiscal mismanagement, lost institutional knowledge, and reactionary decision-making—all of which can harm students and the community.