It’s time for us to hold election endorsement hearings, this time for school boards. Seven of the eight districts have contested races (Ramapo Central has two school board members running unopposed).

We’ve published the schedule in the Opinion section and we have the questionnaire online, too. That information will be put together for voters to peruse.

Already, the schedule is starting to change. In one district, the whole school board had a meeting already scheduled at the same time. That will move. We had one candidate ask how long it would take, so he could let his boss know how late he would be (about an hour). Another will show up a little later, but we have eight candidates running in that district, so there is no way we will find a time that can accommodate everyone. It is ideal to have everyone in one room, at once, even though the hearings aren’t debates. But, that can’t happen. I’ve interviewed candidates just before, just after, in the office, on the phone. I’ve interviewed a few candidates who were out of town—one was out of the country—on business trips.

Especially in contests like school board, which are volunteer, we want to be as flexible as possible (state and federal office, we’re not quite as easygoing). This year, I went with all 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. meetings, figuring it’s easier to cut out of work a little early (also, as a former night shift worker, I must acknowledge that this assumes most candidates work 9-5). Last year, we tried some weekends, but that presents other problems for candidates.

The endorsement hearings are stressful for us, too. (Candidates have, after-the-fact, told me how much they hate them.) But, they give us great information for the election, and beyond. And, we get to meet people who are interested in their community. Whether or not they are endorsed, I think it’s important for the Editorial Board to acknowledge that their commitment is appreciated.

So, in the next week and half, we’ll all plow through. …There goes the phone with someone else unable to make the hearing. Sigh.