When school patrons are thinking about spending the last summer barbecue or vacation, the responsibility of being a citizen to vote may be on the back of your mind. That’s why it’s so important to remind patrons that there are some important elections coming up soon.

On August 30, 12 school districts will seek voter approval of $261.4 million for various educational investments. Of that, $144 million will be used to build or renovate school buildings, which he needs a two-thirds vote to approve. An additional $117 million will go toward operating expenses in several districts and requires a majority for approval.

Another important ballot will be held in the Boise School District on September 6th, the day after Labor Day, and the five Council seats will be contested. The winner of that election will determine the future direction of his second-largest school district in the state.

In surveys, people say the government they trust the most is the government closest to them. They also repeatedly tell pollsters that their number one concern is education. Unfortunately, their voting behavior doesn’t always focus on who runs the school and how it’s run.

For example, in 2020, only 6.1% of the Boise School District’s eligible patrons voted in elections for the Board of Trustees. The last time there was a trustee election the day after Labor Day, only 3.7% of his backers voted. That means he’s less than 1 of her 10 voters shaping her one of the best school districts in Idaho.

Nothing is more important to the perpetuation of our democracy than public education. Idaho’s founding fathers thought it so important that they wrote it into the state constitution. Article IX, Section 1 states, “The stability of the republican form of government depends chiefly on the intelligence of the people. The duty of the Idaho Legislature is to establish a general, uniform, and perfect public system, To maintain free public schools.

As an organization representing more than 250 business leaders across the state, Idaho Business for Education believes public education is vital to Idaho’s economic prosperity and quality of life. Our economy cannot thrive without skilled talent, and education is the only way to develop that talent.

If you live in the Coeur d’Alene, Boundary County, Middleton, Vallivue, Blaine County, Jerome, Madison, Plummer-Worley, Ririe, Salmon River, Buhl, or Three Creek school districts, visit your district’s website. Check out the details. How to vote on August 30th.

If you live in the Boise School District, visit boiseschools.org to find out how to vote early, vote absentee, or vote in person on September 6. If you’re worried about forgetting to vote after Labor Day weekend, consider early voting or absentee voting.

All elections matter, even those that take place at the end of the summer. As an Idaho employer, we encourage you to vote in these important elections. Our children’s future, our economy and our quality of life depend on it.

Rod Gramer is President and CEO of Idaho Business for Education.