Three Candidates Participate in Lindbergh School Board Forum

The 50 or so people who attended a forum for candidates for the Lindbergh Board of Education witnessed a low key affair Thursday where candidates expressed their overall support for the current board and administration of Lindbergh.

Three of four school board candidates attended the forum: Karen Schuster, Kate Holloway and George Rezabek. A fourth candidate on the April 3 ballot—James Goss—was not in attendance.

Neither Schuster, Holloway or Rezabek said they were running to change the way the board of education or to correct any major problems in the Lindbergh School District.

"I have no definite desire to change the way the board operates," Schuster said. "It operates well. It's not the reason I'm running."

Schuster said is seeking a school board position as a way to continue to support the district where she attended school and where her four children attended classes. She also says her finance background will be helpful in as the district sorts through its decision-making process in times of financial uncertainty.

"I believe it is important for me to give back to the community that helped to shape my life, "Schuster said. "I have a financial background. I understand finances."

Holloway also said she is happy with the way the school board has been operating.

"I think the board does an excellent job," she said.

Holloway said she is "very community-minded."

"I am very community-oriented," she said. "We all have a mutual interest in providing for our families a safe community." she said. "As a parent who has put kids through the schools I would be a voice for the community."

Rezabek said his advocacy for children is a strong point in his candidacy.

"I'm a strong advocate for kids," he said. "As a pediatrician, I have to listen, problem-solve, and find solutions. I would bring that to the board."

Rezabek also expressed no specific issues with the manner in which the school board operates, but said occasionally there is misinformation that swirls around district decisions that could be lessened with more communication.

"One change is to get a little more information to the parents," he said.

The three candidates shared concerns about the challenges facing the Lindbergh schools in the coming years, including a potential shortfall of revenue as well as implications from a pending court decision that could cause significant enrollment increases from adjacent school districts that are deemed to be "failing."

"Our biggest challenge will be a shortfall of revenue and a projected increase in enrollment," Holloway said.

Schuster said a big challenge will be to maintain class sizes as enrollment potentially grows.

"I'm interested in keeping class sizes small with the resources we have," Schuster said.

Rezabek expressed much the same sentiment as to future challenges.

"We need to use the funding we have to maintain quality teachers and quality educational programs," he said. "

The three candidates also were in agreement that pursuing additional interactive technology options in the schools would be a good option for the district to pursue.

"What an excellent way to educate our children," Rezabek said. "That's how kids learn today. And we need to train teachers to use the technology."

Schuster said she was impressed with a recent district demonstration of classroom e-books and said she favors adding additional technology options to the mix.

Holloway agreed, calling e-books "a good tool for kids."

She also pointed out a side benefit of moving forward with more e-book options. "No more 50-pound backpacks," she said.