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U.S. gender wage gap grows for the first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

School Boards: A Tough Job But Somebody’s Got to Do It

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Thursday, April 15, 2010   

PHOENIX, Ariz. - It's a tough time to be a local school board member. Potentially huge funding cuts at the state level are forcing the unpaid governing boards to consider teacher layoffs and elimination of programs like sports and band. But at the same time, parents and reformers are pressuring board members to improve educational quality, according to Tracey Benson with the Arizona School Boards Association.

"They're being encouraged to embrace some really important reforms to education that are aimed at increasing student achievement and opportunities for all students. Basically, they're being asked to do much more with much less."

The Arizona School Boards Association is holding a pair of webinars to encourage public education advocates and school volunteers to consider running for their local boards. The first webinar is Saturday. Details are available at www.azsba.org.

Despite the political heat that elected school board members are sometimes forced to endure, Benson says the position can be very rewarding.

"When you are able in these difficult times to make decisions with children in mind, with courage and conviction, and you see at the end of the day children succeeding, achievement increasing, graduation rates increasing, that's a tremendous reward."

The webinars help explain what it takes to run for and serve on an Arizona school board, including the ability to get along, Benson adds.

"It takes a cooperative spirit and a real respect for the diversity of perspective and cultural backgrounds on the board and in the community. Serving on a school board is definitely a team effort."

A second webinar for potential board members will be held May 12.



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