LAKE COUNTY ? Watercolors Restaurant hosted candidates Judy Luchsinger and Wally Holbrook, who are running for Lake County Superintendent of Schools, for 10-minute speeches and a question-and-answer forum on Tuesday morning for the Retired Teachers luncheon.
Luchsinger, Ph.D in education administration, was the first to speak, highlighting her experience in education as well as institutional quality management.
“I have spent most of my adult life in education,” Luchsinger said. “… First as a teacher, then as a principal and for 16 years, I served as your county superintendent of schools …”
Luchsinger said she is running because she was urged to do so by friends and former education colleagues following a grand jury report that was highly critical of the current superintendent and his practices.
Current Superintendent of Lake County Schools, David Geck announced his intention to retire at the end of his term last year.
Luchsinger said her priorities in running for office again are what she calls the “three R”s,” in reference to re-establishing fiscal accountability, re-instating meaningful support and services to districts and revitalizing education with quality classroom tools and resources in order improve student performance.
Wally Holbrook, who has experience as a teacher, vice principal, principal, superintendent and leadership coach said, “It is time to come together around our commitment to children and education in Lake County.”
Holbrook said some things need to be done differently in order for children to thrive in a world that “some of us have only dreamed of.”
His goals for education are for schools to be safe, clean and fun places, full of purpose and activity. He said students should fully participate in courses and activities that are rigorous and relevant. He said parents should be active partners in education, teachers and staff should be highly-trained and effective in making sure each child learns and grows to their fullest potential. He cited the need for children to graduate with a plan.
He said the critical issues facing education are, lack of funding at all levels, staff reductions, higher class size, reductions in important programs and services counseling, career tech, the arts and sports.
Luchsinger said bulk purchasing of office and classroom supplies, unified text book purchasing and technology utilization could greatly reduce costs, thereby creating more funds for education. She said California ranks 47th in the nation for per-student spending and it is imperative that money is used judiciously, always putting the students first.
Holbrook said, “My work for the past 35 years has been based on working together, working with teachers and parents. I have direct hands-on experience in many critical areas: Reducing budgets in a fair and equitable manner, improving under performing schools, passing school bonds to build new schools and upgrade older ones. He said he would lead, support, administer and partner.
Both Luchsinger and Holbrook cited the need to restructure spending and to provide transparency.
To learn more about Wally Holbrook visit the Web site electwallyholbrook.com or call 489-4979. To Learn more about Judy Luchsinger visit the Web site vote4judy.com or call 263-3280.
Mandy Feder can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or call directly 263-5636 ext. 32.
