MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Luncheon Club hosted a candidates” forum on Wednesday for Lake County Superintendent of Schools.
Moderated by Helen Whitney, the forum gave south Lake County residents an opportunity to hear and ask questions of Judy Luchsinger and Wally Holbrook.
A series of prepared questions was followed by an opportunity to talk one-on-one with the candidates.
Asked how they feel about consolidation of Lake County school districts, the candidates both expressed an interest in consolidation of similar functions, such as transportation, purchasing and food services, among the local districts. “We have opportunities now without consolidation,” Holbrook said. “One of the big challenges to consolidation is the loss of local control.”
Luchsinger said that there is a difference between “consolidated” and “unified” districts. She added, “Unified or not, we need to make sure we have as many dollars going into our classrooms.”
Responding to concerns about loss of school revenues, “We need to cut farthest from the classroom,” Luchsinger said. “The farthest from the classroom is the county office.” Holbrook cited a $9.2-million reduction to the budgets of Lake County schools.
“We will have to reduce costs while maintaining our focus on education. We need to look at the funding mechanisms (set by state and federal governments) and we need to have an influence outside of Lake County.”
Asked how they would ensure that south county schools received their fair share of services, Holbrook said he would stand on his past service providing one-on-one support to south county principals and superintendents. Luchsinger suggested the county office of education could divide its services based upon student population in each of the county districts.
Both candidates expressed strong support for retaining music and arts programs in the schools.
Luchsinger said there was a strings program during her original tenure as superintendent of Lake County schools. She also cited her involvement on the board of the Lake County Wine Alliance, which distributes $3,000 each year to school arts programs in Lake County.
Holbrook said that while he was serving as superintendent of the Dixon Unified School District, the district formed a partnership with UC Davis and the newly-built Mondavi Center. “All students got to attend at least one live performance, at no cost to the school district.”
The candidates” closing statements summarized platforms and goals for serving as superintendent of schools:
Luchsinger said her goals are to re-establish fiscal accountability in the superintendent”s office, reinstate meaningful support and services to local districts and, most important, provide quality tools and classroom resources to improve student performance. “I have the knowledge, direct experience and skills in education and business.”
Holbrook pledged a complete financial and performance review for each service provided at the Lake County office.
“Our job is to provide these services and the way that we”ll do that is by working together. My 100-day plan starts on the day I”m elected.”
For more information about candidates Wally Holbrook and Judy Luchsinger, visit www.electwallyholbrook.com and www.vote4judy.com respectively.
The Middletown Luncheon Club meets at noon each month in the social hall of the Middletown Community United Methodist Church.
Upcoming forums to be hosted by the Middletown Luncheon Club include Lake County District Attorney candidates on April 21 and Lake County Sheriff-Coroner candidates on May 19. Lunch is served by a nonprofit group and costs $5 per person. Please RSVP to 928-9812.
