Tamar Lasko: 2023 Candidate for Antioch District 34 School Board (2-year term)
Bio
Town: Antioch
Age on Election Day: 41
Occupation: Home Baker
Employer: Self
Previous offices held: None
Q&A
Q: Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?
A: Living in a community where education is prioritized is of the utmost importance to me.
Q: What is the role of the school board in setting and monitoring curriculum?
A: The school board is responsible for the vision of education within the school district, and incorporating the expertise of the school's staff in selecting materials that align with that vision.
Q: Are there curriculum issues within the district that you feel need particular attention from the board?
A: The school board puts their trust in the superintendent to hire and retain staff who prioritize the needs of all students. This trust implies that the school board supports informed decisions made by staff about curricula which will help students achieve success.
Q: How do you view your role in confronting policy or curriculum controversies: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents - even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state authorities?
A: As with all elected positions, a school board member should be able to give a voice to all constituents while also providing leadership that yields the best results for our most important stakeholders: the students.
Q: Concerns are growing regarding a new resurgence of the pandemic. If another massive outbreak of infectious disease occurs, what have we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic that will guide your decision making?
A: The individuals who have been teaching and working in the schools since 2020 are experts in what worked and what did not. In the event of another infectious disease outbreak, we must incorporate their expertise when making decisions about how to provide a learning environment that keeps everyone safe and healthy. There is also room to incorporate the insights of students who experienced all that Covid-19 threw at us, in order to ensure that the decisions we make in the future are as informed as possible.
Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage school district policy? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions of your school board.
A: To be successful in a group setting, there must be a balance of give and take through collaboration. Approaching discussions wherein policy is determined with an open mind is imperative, as coming to such discussions with a closed minded approach is highly unlikely to yield positive results. Coming to the table with a multitude of perspectives and a willingness to consider the opinions of others will undoubtedly produce effective actions and decisions.
Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?
A: My experience as an educator and parent in the community. Both of my children have attended school in District 34 since kindergarten, and so my investment as a stakeholder comes from not only wanting the best for my own kids but for all students as well.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet?
A: I don't have one, because our current school board has been so focused on meeting the needs of students while being fiscally responsible, and that is also the foundation of my priorities. I'm looking forward to working with a forward-thinking school board on a myriad of ways to improve education in our community.