Some superintendents act as though their main job is to protect board members and make them look good. In many instances, district board members, upon being elected, are quickly brainwashed into believing the education administrators know best and board meetings are designed to hear from the public, each for two minutes, and then to dismiss them with a courtesy thank you. Some districts have created committees to tire parents out who do not have the time to listen to lengthy descriptions of what is being done.

Here are some questions you may want to ask your board member or candidate as you work to improve your child's education: How will you make sure teachers are trusted and treated as professionals and have the freedom to practice their profession? How will you get principals who support teachers as professionals and free them from having to waste time with stuff that has nothing to do with student learning?

Children are learning constantly and not limited to the school walls where they spend seven hours of their day. Parents are the most important factor in a child's education, and your responsibility is to make sure your child gets a good one. That includes calling your board members to make sure they are carrying out their promises and duties.

Want accountability? School board elections are coming up. As a voter and parent you will be deciding whom you will elect to run your schools. That's your duty as you make the mental shift from student to parent/customer.

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A Utah native, John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights organizations; been on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch, served on more than 45 state, local and volunteer boards; and filled White House appointments, including deputy assistant secretary of labor and as a member of the commission on Hispanic education. E-mail: jdflorez@comcast.net.