Anyone remember the old Chicago Journal over- and underrated list?

It was a “compendium of swipes and valentines that never fails to elicit frothy letters and angry phone calls,” according to a January 2007 article.

That piece called called local school council elections underrated. Here’s the justification:

“While people continue to line up to run for aldermen, most local school councils practically have to beg people to run for office. And what do LSCs do? Only help select local principals, help determine curriculum and give parents and community members a say in their schools. In terms of making a name for one’s self and getting a comfy salary besides, getting elected alderman is a coup. In terms of making a tangible difference on a grassroots level, we salute the unpaid LSC members who put in countless hours to better their schools.”

More than three years later, we couldn’t agree more. The salute stands.

This year’s election for local school councils at CPS institutions across the Near South and Near West sides comes at a critical time. The school district faces a daunting budget gap estimated at $700 million to $1 billion dollars. Relations seem to be fraying between the central office and the teachers’ union (which is going through a hotly contested election right now).

Schools such as Jones, Skinner and South Loop are already facing or are on the cusp of major changes — a new building at Jones, a new neighborhood component at Skinner, overcrowding at South Loop. And all of neighborhood institutions in the areas we cover — from Dett to Crane, from Young to Brown — are bracing for cuts because of the deficit.

The next round of LSC members must provide a steady hand and advocate for students and schools with respect and transparency. We encourage parents and community members to get to know those who’ve filed to sit on these councils, their ideas and opinions on how to improve schools.

After doing that, get out there and vote. This year’s local school council election for all elementary schools is scheduled for April 21 between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. The high school election will take place April 22 during the same hours.