Consider cost to serve

The Amherst school board is looking to fill a seat vacated by the resignation of Nick Dimacchia. And while we would encourage any resident of the school district interested in filling that seat, we would also caution them to consider Dimacchia's reason for resigning.

The work of a school board member goes largely unnoticed, even by those who follow the board regularly. That's because a good board member -- such as we have in the Amherst schools -- does more than simply show up at a meeting once a month.

School board members ideally have a keen interest in the children of the schools. Often they have children or grandchildren in the schools, or they value the education they received in the Amherst schools and want to continue that for future generations.

That one meeting in a month is the culmination of committee meetings, weeks of poring over financial reports and updates from various agencies watching educational matters in Columbus and Washington, and fielding questions, complaints, and comments from constituents.

Dimacchia said he resigned because he found it increasingly difficult to balance his roles as parent, teacher, coach, and school board member. He knew he would be doing a disservice to the children he deals with in any of those roles to continue.

We commend Dimacchia for realizing this and stepping down to allow someone else to take the seat who can devote the time and energy necessary to serve the school community properly.

We urge anyone who is interested in filling the seat to send a letter of interest to school treasurer Shirley Antel by noon on Monday, March 15. But first make a self-evaluation and ask if you have the time and energy necessary for the job.