Well, think about it. Quickly. The filing deadline is Aug. 3. But there’s still time.

There are no specific qualifications. You don’t need permission.

No community service could be more rewarding. Besides, education now tops everyone’s national agenda. It’s an exciting time of challenge and change.

This column provides enough of the basics to get you started.

The Iowa City Community School District includes Coralville, Hills, North Liberty and University Heights as well as Iowa City. Like other districts, it is a public institution governed by elected public officials.

There are seven School Board members. Each serves a three-year term. Annual elections are held in September. Every third year, like last year, three are elected. Otherwise just two.

At the time of writing this, one board member was definitely retiring. The other whose term expires hadn’t decided.

I’m neither supporting nor opposing anyone. The more who run the better.

Voters are shamefully absent from School Board elections. A 10 percent turnout would be a record. Each candidate brings more people into the process and the polls. Each adds issues and insights. Each strengthens our school district.

What do you do to run? It couldn’t be easier. Ask for nomination papers at the Central Administrative Office, 509 S. Dubuque, or the County Auditor’s office, 913 S. Dubuque.

The papers require you get 100 signatures of registered voters who support your running. You can do that during an afternoon on the Ped Mall, a Sunday morning at church, or a couple days at work. Try to get two or three times that if you can. Some signatures could be challenged. Besides, each signer is more likely to vote. And you’ll have a start on your list of supporters.

Aug. 3 is the deadline for filing nomination papers. That puts your name on the ballot. But don’t wait until the last minute. Get your signatures now. You can change your mind later, but you can’t file later.

The present School Board members don’t pick the new ones. The voters do. But you’ll find a board that welcomes you.

Many board members have expressed their desire for more diversity: more women, minorities, and representation of the cities in our district. A high school student expressed interest in running. He’s decided not to. But he got nothing but encouragement from the board members he consulted.

It’s a board that works well together. Members who take the job seriously, but retain a sense of humor and fun. An innovative, working board that enjoys a mutual respect, even affection, with the superintendent.

How much time does board membership take? How much time do you have? There are two board meetings a month that last two to three hours each. A board packet of agenda items should be read before the meeting. That’s the minimum.

Beyond that there are numerous school events that board members can (but don’t have to) attend. You might want to visit informally, one-on-one, with teachers, students, parents, or administrators.

I’m really proud of the accomplishments of our junior and senior high school staff and students. But when board business gets me down I visit an elementary school. The dedication of the teachers, and the eagerness, innocence and potential of the students is an emotionally moving reminder of what it’s all about.

You may want to take on a special project, as have board members Don Jackson and Lauren Reece with parental involvement. But it’s not required.

There are thousands of books, reports, journals and articles about K-12 education in libraries and on the Internet. Check out www.nicholasjohnson.org. You will be up to speed on the issues in no time.

Don’t you need experience? No. Presidential appointees in the federal government don’t have any. And they average only two years in office. You’ll have three. If they can do it you can. Remember, there’s a difference between 30 years’ experience and one year’s experience 30 times. You’ll learn fast.

And there are plenty of experienced professionals, as well as board members, willing to answer any questions.

So what are you waiting for? Do it. Get those nomination papers today.

Nicholas Johnson is an Iowa City School Board member. More information is available on his Web site.