A new era begins on the Fountain Hills School Board.

Three new members – Wendy Barnard, Judy Rutkowski and Edith Stock – will take their seats on the dais this evening for their first meeting in 2015.

Two long-time familiar faces associated with the Governing Board decided last fall not to seek re-election – Helen Howard and Melanie Anderelli.

We believe it was former President Jimmy Carter who said the toughest public office position he ever held was that of a school board member, and there are many reasons for that type of reasoning.

Both Howard and Anderelli faced their fair share of critics over the years – a common trait when holding elected office in a community – yet they put in hundreds and hundreds of hours toward our school system and our school children over the past decade. It takes commitment, perseverance and a love of children and community to put in those kinds of thankless hours on a board.

So for that, we thank them for their service to the community, to Fountain Hills Unified School District No. 98 and to the many families who have graced the halls of our school campuses.

As for the three newcomers, we’re sure they’ve already found out there is plenty to learn about the district, about education in Arizona, the funding mechanisms and more. It’s a complicated system, and we’re hopeful that they, too, will put in the volunteer hours that their predecessors put in. It’s time to forge ahead in this new era and new year and keep FHUSD moving forward in a positive manner throughout 2015 and beyond.