The race is on once again to fill a seat on the El Reno School Board. As a reporter by trade, I am always fascinated by what candidates say are the issues that they feel are most important for seeing our childrens' education improved.

What has disappointed me personally is that over the years, the first thing that many candidates mention is a need is to improve our sports facilities. There are definite needs there and my hope is that the current bond package recently approved by voters will do a lot to improve what we have. But I really want to hear a candidate say "we need to improve our science labs."

I have recently toured both the Union High School and Bartlesville High School campuses, and I am stunned by how far they have come. They are mini universities, and I can't help but feel students attending those schools are getting advantages our children lack. I also read how one Minnesota high school science course is researching cancer cells in cooperation with a neighboring university. That is the kind of education I want for my daughter.

Many of El Reno's problems stem from the strangle hold on funding that we face in light of the federal lands and dependent school districts that surround us, but that we receive no revenue from.

How do we change this?

Isn't it one of the issues that should be on the table in this race instead of issues like how to refurbish a concession stand?

Let me know what you think.