Mark Twain once said that everyone complains about the weather but no one does anything about it. The same cannot be said, however, when it comes to elections. Elections, the saying goes, have consequences, particularly when it comes to the allocation of our tax dollars. We just witnessed this on the federal level, as the Obama Administration passed a sweeping healthcare reform package. Love it or hate it (or something in between), it will bring significant change to the system.

Now another election is upon us, though of the locally, rather than nationally, consequential variety: that of the school board. School districts throughout our region and state will be holding elections in the coming weeks for positions that often have a profound effect on the lives of our children. School boards make the day-to-day decisions that also affect the lives of parents, teachers, administrators, and, of course, taxpayers. They oversee budgets that run into the tens-of-millions of dollars, and they ensure that our school districts are held to account when it comes to how well our schools perform.

Yet, if you travel to school board meetings in the ridge area, you'll notice how sparsely attended they often are. There are even times when not one member of the public appears at these meetings, lending the appearance that people in our community aren't particularly concerned about what goes on in these important elected bodies — unless, of course, something controversial is being proposed.

It shouldn't be this way. Members of the community, particularly those concerned about higher taxes, have an obligation to try to understand the processes responsible for how these taxes are being spent. No one wants to pay higher taxes if these funds are being spent in an unwise manner.

So, it would behoove all of us, as taxpayers, to do more to keep our collective finger on the pulse of our school boards. One of the ways you can do this is by attending school board meetings — and, when necessary, asking pointed questions about the decision-making process.

We can also be sure to get out and vote, using the power of the ballot to approve, or disapprove, how the district is handling its resources, and who exactly will be allocating these resources. And while the school budget vote allows only a tinkering around the edges of its mammoth expenditures, the budget vote is the one opportunity we have when it comes to letting the district know how we, as taxpayers, are feeling.

But you can go one step farther: you can run for the school board, yourself. In Ellenville, and in other districts in our area, there are school board seats up for reelection. If you happen to be among those who are critical of how the schools are spending our money, this is your chance to make a difference. Go out into the community, collect your signatures, and get your name on the ballot. Who knows? At the end of Election Day, Tuesday, May 18, you might find yourself among those charged with overseeing our children's futures. It's a huge responsibility, and not one to be taken lightly. But it will ensure that a few new, and perhaps dissenting, voices will be heard. If you're thinking of getting involved, now is the time to put your money where your mouth is.

If you lose, you can always go back to complaining about the weather.