I received a flyer in the mail encouraging me to vote for 3 "Common Sense" candidates.

I encourage all voters to vote for smart choices for the school-board election. I learned one of the candidates sends his children to a neighboring district. Smart choice? Nope.

According to the flyer, "Common Sense" candidates want "apolitical" classrooms.

Three of the current school board members are not apolitical. Hidden agendas always rear their ugly heads and are not good for our schools. No politics in school board decisions, thank you. Smart choice? Yes.

Incumbent candidate Matt Moehrle serves on the Benton/Stearns Board that oversees special-needs students. The district cannot afford to lose him. The state budget for special education is large. We need Matt to make sure our tax dollars are wisely spent.

Trisha Meling has earned respect for how she handled the debacle with the three board members who were "no-shows" at the end of June. Recently I learned Meling had been dealing with the issues, but the three "political" board members dug in their heels. Trish Meling is a smart choice for re-election.

In the mailing from the Sartell-St. Stephen Education Association, it's clear candidate Chelsea Thielen supports students to pursue their dreams through academics and extracurriculars; develop confidence, critical-thinking and other life skills, all with caring teachers. Thielen is endorsed by the Education Association. The three "Common Sense" aren't. Chelsea Thielen is a smart choice for school board.