One simple thing you can do to influence your community's future         

[March 26, 2007]  What are the key influences and considerations affecting the quality of life and the growth of a community? Jobs, housing, cost of living, schools and services would probably top of the list for most people.

From this short list there is one thing that might be credited as having the most diverse impact on all these areas. It is revealed in the often-heard question, "Is this a community where I want to raise my family, and where my kids will want to stay or come back to when they are grown?" More specifically, will the education our young people receive prepare them for vocational training, college or in some way prepare them to move forward in the world?

Education is a primary factor considered when industry and businesses are looking to expand or relocate. The quality of education does influence attracting and keeping a population.

What can you do?

So, what can you do to ensure the future of education for our young people? There is one thing that requires little effort that you can do.

On the April 17 consolidated general election ballot, there will be five names to choose from for the District 404 Board of Education. There are only three seats open on this board that serves the Lincoln Community High School.

It is important for citizens to know and understand the board's purpose and its limitations and then to know the candidates' priorities.

Questions

Questions that probably come to most people's minds:

• How do I know who would serve best?

• What does the board do?

• What are the board's responsibilities and limitations?

• What are the choices that lead to a good educational system?

Answers

Last week the Lincoln Community High School Education Association hosted a public forum to introduce school board candidates. Four of five school board candidates participated in a round-robin style forum at Lincoln Community High School. Candidates participating were Rick Hobler, Marianne Krusz, Reatha Owen and David Welch. Dennis Wilson was not able to attend due to an uncommon emergency at his workplace.

Seven questions were asked in a series, and then questions were taken from the floor, after which the candidates were permitted closing statements. During this question-and-answer period, the candidates demonstrated their comprehension and beliefs on:

--how financial, academic and extracurricular activities mesh.
--how they would make financially sound decisions about buildings and grounds, offer a well-rounded education that includes a diversity of extracurricular activities, and look to students' social and emotional well-being.

--how they would prioritize technology, curriculum, student services and textbooks.

Lincoln Daily News invites all citizens to listen to this informative forum.

The audio begins as moderator Joe Ryan is introducing the candidates. They were seated in this order: Rick Hobler, Marianne Krusz, Reatha Owen and David Welch.

There is a brief break of 44 seconds beginning at 53:11, and the audio ends at one hour and 13 minutes. (Hear School District 404 candidate forum.)

Questions posed by the Lincoln Community High School Education Association to the candidates:

1. Because many of the school board decisions concern school finances, what do you consider to be the three most important funding priorities within the district? Explain.

2. Describe any specific goals you would like to accomplish in the district in relation to the finances of the district; issues relating to the staff, teachers and administration; and issues relating to the building and grounds.

3. Do you feel that Lincoln Community High School is currently doing a good job of preparing our students for the future? Explain what you view to be our strengths and our weaknesses.

4. One of the areas identified by Lincoln Community High School's strategic plan addresses the need to include teachers, students and parents in making important decisions at the school. How do you plan to address this need to include the opinions and input of teachers, students and parents in making important decisions?

5. Do you have a social relationship with any of the school personnel? If so, how do you feel you will be able to balance your responsibilities to the school board with your loyalty to a personal relationship? If you are faced with a situation in which you are in disagreement with your friend concerning a school board issue, do you feel that you will be able to voice your disagreement without jeopardizing the relationship you have with this person or your obligation to the school board? Please explain.

6. Explain what you feel to be the purpose of the school board. What do you believe is your purpose as a school board member?

7. Explain what type of relationship the school board should have with each of the following groups: administrators, teachers, staff, parents, students and community.

Other supporting information

• Lincoln Community High School District 404 board policy

[]