It’s easy for college students to forget the importance of K-12 education - and their roles as citizens in helping to make sure public education survives and thrives.

But those students - and the entire MSU community - should be interested in the affairs of local school districts. MSU students need to understand the importance of picking responsible representatives to local school boards.

Today, voters in the East Lansing school district will pick two people to sit on the local school board. These two people will help direct the education of the district’s children, make important policy decisions, and decide how to spend taxpayers’ money.

Yes, even MSU students help directly pay for the local school system to operate.

Every time a bond issue is approved for school improvements or new facilities, East Lansing residents pay higher property taxes - and MSU students living in East Lansing pay higher rent.

The local school board chooses when to ask voters for those tax increases.

Polls in today’s election close at 8 p.m.

Regardless of whether East Lansing residents, including MSU students, have children in the school district, the actions of the local school board affect the entire community.