Jefferson County School District voters have a choice in May between a committed, effective incumbent and a newcomer who has skills and knowledge uniquely suited to one of the district’s critical challenges.

We urge them to choose a new perspective in Courtney Snead, while fully appreciating the effective service of incumbent Lyle Rehwinkel.

Rehwinkel, 42, has served on the board for eight years and is seeking his third term. During his school board tenure, the board hired an effective superintendent and passed a critical bond measure.

But the district has a critical challenge that Snead, 31, is particularly well-suited to address.

Snead, who now manages and teaches at the Madras campus of Central Oregon Community College, is studying for a doctoral degree in education with a focus on dual credit enrollment. Dual credit allows students to earn college credit during high school, and is believed to be an important tool in helping more students make the transition from secondary to higher education.

She is focusing on the fact that only 58 percent of Madras High School’s students graduate on time, according to 2012 statistics, compared with a state average of 68 percent. That means 42 percent of the district’s students are facing the job market without even a high school diploma. Snead wants to explore ways to help them focus on career and college options.

Snead, whose husband is the community development director for the city of Madras, is fully involved in the community, serving on the Kids Club board and the city’s budget committee. After moving to Central Oregon, she worked in the office of Bend’s city manager, where she impressed observers with her thorough and thoughtful presentations. She’s bright, energetic, well-spoken and enthusiastic about helping students for whom post-high school training isn’t the norm.

Voters should take advantage of the new perspective and insights Snead can bring to improve the lives of the district’s students.