Lancaster ISD candidates talk budget, transparency

by Bill Conrad of Lancaster TODAY

Budget cuts and greater transparency were among the items discussed at the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce's Candidates' Forum April 21. The forum was open to all six candidates running for positions on the Lancaster Independent School District Board of Trustees. All candidates except District 1 incumbent Marie Elliott attended.

All candidates agreed that the board and administration must do a better job of improving the district's image, and that will start with the hiring of a new superintendent.

District 7 incumbent Debi Miller said “We don't want to just find any superintendent, we want the right superintendent. We want a superintendent that will feel strongly about the educational excellence of our children. We want a superintendent that will bring financial integrity back to our district and earn the community's trust.”

Miller's challenger, Ellen Clark said she feels some good things in the district have been overlooked in the past.

“I want us to have recognized schools and have the image of the school district improved,” Clark said. “I feel that much of the poor image of the district is because of the school board. I think our teachers and students have had many achievements that have not been recognized because they have been overshadowed by the board.”

Marion Hamilton, who is challenging incumbent Ed Kirkland in District 2, said Lancaster is being challenged and she believes she can help the district meet that challenge.

“Lancaster is being challenged academically and financially and struggling with integrity,” Hamilton said. “My goals are to work with the board and to bring a higher level of trust to the community. I will work to resolve our financial and academic issues.”

Kirkland said that improving the district's image starts with improving the conduct of the board of trustees.

“I feel we have accomplished a lot in this district,” Kirkland said. “The last five years have been a renaissance period for Lancaster unlike any we have ever had. I am looking forward to the future. This board has done more to diminish the respect in this community than any outside agency. I believe that some stronger regulations at the state and local level are something that we need.”

Cynthia Corbin, who is opposing Elliott in District 1, said there needs to be more transparency in the district.

“I believe we must never sweep our problems under the rug, hide our dirty laundry or blame subordinates for failing to accomplish their goals,” Corbin said. “I want to clearly define the goals and policies we will follow. I want to bring the public full and complete records of our investigations.”

The other major issue discussed was what could be done to improve LISD's financial situation. Forum moderator John Polewski asked the candidates what items in the budget should be cut, and what items should not be touched.

Clark said the budget for legal fees should be cut. She said she was appalled at the amount of money that attorneys made on the investigation into former Superintendent Larry Lewis and that money could be better spent in the classroom. Clark did not want to see the budget cut for programs such as International Baccalaureate.

Miller said there is room to cut salaries in the administration and that some administrative positions can be shifted to allow them to cover more areas. Miller said she doesn't want to see the money earmarked for classroom supplies to be cut and that the district should be able to have substitute teachers.

Kirkland said the 2008-09 budget doesn't have many extras in it and said the administration is already understaffed according to what TASB said it should be. He said the district needs to spend money wisely and realize that there is never going to be an excess of money. Kirkland did not want to see any of the educational programs such as IB cut.

Administrator pay was also the issue for Hamilton, who said it should be cut. She said teachers also need to have their pay increased.

Corbin said the new superintendent needs to take a pay cut from the $197,600 Lewis made. She also said the pay of the department heads and some of the administrative staff should be cut. She said the district needs good quality teachers who deserve to be paid well.

Early voting is underway and runs through May 5. Election day is May 9.