Meet the Lake City School Board candidates

There is more than just a building bond on Tuesday’s ballot in Lake City.

Although the possible building bond is on the ballot, there also are two four year seats open for the school board. Julie Cebulski is seeking re-election for her seat and Vianna Burns also is seeking re-election for her seat. The two are running unopposed.

Why do you want to serve on the school board?

Cebulski: I have been on the board for the past year and have really enjoyed it. Being involved with the great staff at Lake City and also with the community has been very fulfilling and I look forward to more years of service for all our children.

Burns: I am running for the Lake City school board because I care about the welfare and education of Lake City’s youth. I am a Lake City native, Lake City School graduate and am proud of this wonderful local school.

What long-range plans do you have to help the school district stay fiscally sound?

Cebulski: I’d like to see us continue to save money in the future the same as we have been so far. We’ve been able to avoid layoffs and big cuts by not filling positions vacated by retirement. A new elementary building will help because we won’t have to spend a lot of money on patchwork repairs to the old building.

Burns: Keep a very close eye on expenditures. Learn what good things other school districts around the state are doing for cost containment. Also constantly look for creative ways to utilize grants and other funding approaches.

Are there any changes to curriculum you would like to see and why?

Cebulski: I would like to see the state ease off some on their graduation requirements. I believe all those classes should be offered for those kids who are going off to college and need as much college prep courses they can get. As jobs are becoming more specialized, this becomes increasingly important. This does however put more financial strain on the district to offer more classes when every dollar is stretched about as far as it can go now. But there are still a number of students who don’t want to go to college and will get perfectly respectable jobs without having to go. These requirements make things a lot more difficult for them and also for those boys and girls attending the Career Technical Center.

Burns: Please see the answer to the question below.

In addition to financial difficulties what do you see as the most important issue facing the school district.

Cebulski: The need for a new elementary building is our next big issue. Our current building is in bad shape and there are many things wrong with it that just can’t be fixed with “remodeling.” There are safety concerns with location of the office, exit/entry doors and traffic flow. Current bathrooms are inadequate for the number of students and are not handicapped accessible. The hallways are very narrow and congested and there is a severe lack of storage space. There are many more concerns, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Burns: One important issue facing the school district in today’s world is preparing students for what they will face in today’s increasingly technical and global work environment. The state is making strides with their new curriculum requirements, but this creates challenges of it’s own. The new challenge is to meet the requirements while balancing the individual needs and different academic levels of students who are unable to meet the requirements. We don’t want students to fail, quit school, etc.

What options do you see to solve the issue? (Stated in the answer for No. 4)

Cebulski: Our only real option to fix this is for our citizens to pass the Bond Proposal. There is no other way to get the money.

Burns: Tutors, greater parent involvement, motivation for success, better preparation at younger ages, academic programs for at-risk kids. Many of the previously listed items, Lake City has already proactively addressed.