We rarely, if ever, endorse candidates. But we do endorse ideas.

In this case, we endorse the idea that change is good, specifically with regard to the Bristol Warren Regional School Committee.

On Nov. 6, voters will see a long list of candidates for the school committee, with nine people seeking three seats. Among those nine are three incumbents who have all served for more than a decade, some more than two decades.

All three incumbents deserve enormous praise and respect. They have been in leadership positions while this district has overcome enormous challenges, improved classroom performance, and changed its reputation both locally and across the state, and all three have served with distinction.

Yet as they and others seek office, term after term after term, in a race where name recognition typically matters more than anything else, they effectively create barriers to entry for the next generation of volunteers.

In private business, this would not be a problem. Management would reassign or elevate employees to make room for new talent.

In party politics, this would not be a problem. If local Democrat or Republican town committees had a slew of passionate, accomplished candidates demanding a seat at the table, they would take the necessary steps to get those people into office — or risk losing them.

Most healthy organizations know that a successful strategy blends new talent and new ideas with experience and knowledge. The school committee needs that, too, and this year, it has an opportunity for change.

This is not a “get the bums out” message. Not at all. If any of the incumbents are returned to office, the community will be in good hands.

Yet if none of the challengers win a seat, the voters will have missed a chance. There are candidates with energy and passion for the job, and it feels like this is their time. It’s up to the voters to give them a chance.