What our country, state and county need right now is unity, not more political divisiveness. Marci Mustello's House Bill 2093 prohibiting the ability of school board candidates to cross-file (filing as both Republican and Democrat, regardless of party affiliation) is just one more way to fuel the flames of political fires burning all around us.

The one neutral ground that should remain neutral is the arena of public education — where the goal across this country should be to provide a quality education for every student in the system. Politics should never enter into the effort to educate our youth. Never!

The position of school director in the state of Pennsylvania is unpaid. We are volunteers who give a great deal of our time each month in an effort to oversee our districts, act as responsible financial stewards, hire the best administrators we can find, and make decisions (sometimes difficult) that affect every student, teacher and staff member in our district.

In my district, we have a mantra that I have heard for over five years now: "It's all about the kids." That's true. Every decision we make, at some visceral level, is driven entirely by what we believe is best for the kids.

While we may disagree from time to time on what is best, those decisions should be apolitical. Period. Our service to our community (which is the reason most of us choose to run for this office) should not be wedded to our political leanings.

We are driven by our desire to provide that quality education to each and every student who attends our school. Our desire to serve our communities should transcend politics.

This is the one platform where we should all come together for the good of our community — our students, parents, teachers, staff and our neighbors.

Rebecca Freehling Boyd,

school director

South Butler School District