If the city of Attleboro's election were to be held today, all but one member of the school committee would be elected without opposition.

The same is true for three of the six ward seats on the city council.

And as of now, no one is running to represent Ward 1 - which includes much of South Attleboro - on the school committee.

That's a shame because this fall's election shapes up to be a good one in Attleboro.

Three candidates have taken out nomination papers to challenge two-term incumbent Kevin Dumas for mayor. The plan to rebuild the city's downtown around the commuter rail station is slowly moving from the drawing board to reality and will likely be the focus of much debate during the campaign. At-large seats on the city council have also attracted much interest with nine candidates likely vying for five seats. That race was further enlivened when former Mayor Judith Robbins, a towering figure in city hall since the 1970s and fresh off a stint as acting town administrator in North Attleboro, threw her hat in the ring along with four of the five incumbents and four other challengers.

Three candidates have emerged so far to seek the city clerk's position left vacant by the death of Sue Flood.

But the lack of interest in the school committee is distressing.

Superintendent Pia Durkin is just one year into her tenure and faces many challenges, led by the prospect of having to rebuild or even replace Attleboro High School during a time when the state is giving out little if any reimbursements for construction projects. Voters will be best served if there are contested races on the ballot so that education issues can be debated between incumbents and challengers.

Time is running out for anyone considering a run. Candidates have only a little more than a month, until July 27, to take out nomination papers, and just a few days later, until July 31, to return them to city hall with the required number of signatures.

Running for office can be challenging, demanding but also exciting and rewarding. Holding office is both a privilege and a duty not to be taken lightly.

However, we urge anyone concerned about the future of the city to consider running in this year's election.