In late April, Ralph Reed, the controversial executive director of the Christian Coalition , announced his plans to resign effective September 1, to start a private consulting firm. In a statement issued by Reed , he confirmed his plans to provide consulting services for state and local candidates who support a conservative agenda. "I will be forming a new company, Century Strategies, to provide quality campaign consulting services to pro-family, pro-life, and pro-free enterprise candidates at every level of government. I expect this new company to be active initially in dozens and eventually hundreds of campaigns across the nation. Century Strategies' primary focus will be on building a "farm team" of hundreds of state legislative, school board, and local candidates across the country."

Reed is no stranger to local politics. During his eight years as the Christian Coalition's executive director, he focused on building grassroots support to forward the coalition's aims of school choice and voluntary school prayer. During the 1994 elections, his organization was criticized for distributing millions of allegedly partisan and deceptive voter guides highlighting the viewpoints of state and local candidates on various issues.

Reed's announcement has sparked an on-going debate on the role of conservative politics in local school board elections. In response to the coalition's political activity, the People for the American Way have organized local election networks throughout the country. These local networks monitor candidates and request that they make their views known on a variety of topics. The organization also conducts training sessions in cities throughout the country to educate voters on assessing local candidates.

Special interest group influence over local school board elections is not reserved solely for conservative organizations. In 1989, the Los Angeles Teachers Union campaigned vigorously to elect local school board members sympathetic and supportive of the union. Since the election, critics have complained that the School Board is beholden to the union instead of parents and students.

While this debate rages on, it's important for all voting citizens to exercise the right to vote responsibly. Organize with other citizens to hold candidate debates. Ask potential candidates to issue written position statements on important school issues. Ask if the candidate has received funding and, if so, from what organizations? Whatever your political affiliation, educating yourself about your local candidates will make you a smarter voter at the polls.

Article by C.M. Gallagher
Education World™
Copyright © 1997 Education World

Related Sites

• Christian Coalition
• People for the American Way
• 'Parental Rights:' The Trojan Horse of the Religious Right Attack on Public Education , People for the American Way, October 1996.
• Attacks on the Freedom to Learn '96 , People for the American Way, September 1996.