Monday, October 25, 1999
Board hopefuls in Lebanon discuss issues
BY MARK SCHMETZER
Enquirer contributor
LEBANON — Almost everything from unions to uniforms was on the minds of the nearly 60 people for Sunday's Meet the School Board Candidates forum at Berry Middle School.
The nine candidates for the three Lebanon City School District board of education who are up for election Nov. 2 were on hand to briefly introduce themselves, answer four prepared questions, as well as several submitted by the audience.
Incumbents Walt Davis and Katie Poitinger and challengers David Armold, Donny Behymer, Paul Brewer, Michael Eshleman, Steve Kaiser, Mary Lou Lutmer and and Lisa Smith spent an hour and 40 minutes addressing concerns, most of which they boiled down to communication with the community.
Scott Charlton, co-president of the Lebanon Education Association — the teachers union that has sponsored candidate forums for the past several years — was happy with that focus.
“We need a seated board that is absolutely committed to working with the entire community, including the teachers and staff, as a full team,” Mr. Charlton said before the forum, which was moderated by Jay Meno, an advanced placement government teacher.
The candidates were united in their agreement on the need for better communica tion, but some pointed out that it works both ways.
They all agreedthat the district's general atmosphere has improved in recent years. Mr. Davis noted the approval of two recent levies that followedtwo failed bond issues. Butthere's room for improvement, candidates agreed.
“It seems to me that some of the shine has worn off,” said Mr. Brewer, a 15-year Lebanon resident. “We need to shine things up a little bit.”
Mr. Davis also was supportive of making students wear uniforms, but the others either were against it or wanted to study the issue.
“Uniforms are good for the football team and ROTC, but I think they're a distraction from more important issues,” said Mr. Kaiser, who won't be on the ballot and is running as a write-in candidate. “Uniforms don't educate.”
Ms. Smith was ready with a prepared statement when she was asked by an audience member to defend her opposition to a levy proposal. She said it was due to her opposition of the board's decision to privatize bus transportation.
“Any time you can listen to a candidate express their opinions, I think it's important,” said Judy Conrad, a Lebanon teacher for 31 years. “I had some concerns about some of the candidates, a couple of which were confirmed and a couple of which were relieved,” said Bill Haynes, 53, a resident whose wife is a teacher in the district.
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