The Lawrence City Commission election is drawing more than the usual amount of interest this year, but the Lawrence school board race has gotten little attention — and that’s too bad.

The local school board plays an important role in the community and is responsible for setting policy for one of Lawrence’s greatest assets: its public schools. The job is particularly demanding right now because of the uncertainty surrounding the amount of state school funding and the manner in which it is allocated.

By Friday, only three candidates had filed for a seat on the board. Because two unexpired terms on the board were filled by appointment in the last year, local voters will elect five members of the seven-member board on April 7. The five board members whose terms will expire on June 30 are Bob Byers, Marcel Harmon, Rick Ingram, Shannon Kimball and Randy Masten. Ingram and Kimball are the only incumbents who have filed in the race. They are joined by Lindsey Frye, a member of New York Elementary’s Parent-Teacher Association. Candidates have until noon on Jan. 27 to file for election.

Unfortunately, it’s not unusual for the school board race to attract a small field. In 2013, four candidates ran for three seats on the board. Board members serve without pay in a job that makes them the target of criticism far more often than praise.

It’s no wonder that the field usually is small, but the interests of both local school children and local taxpayers depend on the willingness of well-motivated and knowledgeable individuals being willing to serve. Board members need to represent the community as a whole and not be beholden to the interests of a particular neighborhood or group. The best board members know that the right decision isn’t always the one that makes everyone happy.

It’s not an easy job, but it’s an important one.

The Lawrence City Commission race appears to be headed toward a large slate that presents some real choices to local voters. Hopefully, by the time the filing deadline rolls around two weeks from now, the same will be true of the school board field.