Susan Macfarlane

Why are you running for school board and why are you the best candidate for the seat?

I am running for the sole reason of wanting to make LUSD an even stronger school district. As a 28-year Lodi/Morada resident whose children have only attended Lodi Unified schools, and because of my multi-faceted volunteer experience with the district and surrounding community, I will apply my knowledge and communication skills to support LUSD employees, teachers, students and administrators. Through relations I have cultivated through my years of volunteerism, I hope to bridge gaps between school sites and Lodi Unified School District.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish?

I want to build dialogue between the district and school sites to best serve the community, teachers, students, staff and administration.

What role should a school district serve and how would you measure success?

A school district’s role is to educate all students at all sites with equitable access to quality education in a safe learning environment. A save environment doesn’t just stop at students, educators, staff and administration. All employees are entitled to safety in the work environment. With safe environments academic achievement at all sites K-12 will flourish.

How can LUSD better serve the community?

LUSD must continue to involve the community as a whole to serve students which will build a partnership with the community. This can be accomplished through information meetings, outreach to students, families and employees. Each site is unique and should have the opportunity to best serve its student/parent population. Student success starts with communication and involvement by parents, employees, district and the community.

In what areas has Lodi Unified School District improved, how would you promote further improvement and what concerns you about the district?

To develop strong education the district must continue to stay in touch with the needs of the students, teachers, staff, administrators and community. Students deserve career tech options, classroom technology learning options, as well as practical STEM options. Technology is a learning tool, but computers should never replace teaches in the classroom. The district needs to continue lowering suspension rates, addressing safety for all, and academic achievement standards for all students at all sites. The district should continue focusing on being proactive not reactive. Success for me, not just as a parent but as community member, needs to show continued adjustments in all areas (classroom education, school sites, administration, student/parent involvement) to meet the changing needs of the entire LUSD population. The district must continue to monitor growth of its student population site by site, considering each site’s unique needs. Committed respect for all members of the LUSD community (teachers, staff, administrators, parents, students) will lay a foundation to build communication as the district continues to grow.

Who’s a leader you admire and why?

Many people come to mind. In raising strong, independent, compassionate and aware children I have learned it takes a village. Steve Takemoto is probably one of the most influential people/educators my children and my family came in contact with at Lodi Unified. He exemplified honesty, fairness, and respectful directness with students, parents and his community. He empowered students as a positive visionary with his “can do” spirit on and off campus. He put his powerful words into action each and every day at Morada Middle School. All who have had the good fortune to have had him as a teacher or administrator, work a bit harder and understand what being committed to LUSD and children should look like.

Your thoughts on School safety/security

Addressed above

Student work/life balance

Students and families need to access and help create balance based on an individual student’s ability and family commitments. As a district we need to be fair and equitable in what is asked of ALL students.

Low-enrollment schools

Individual sites must be assessed to know all the information to make an educated decision about each site and the families, educators and staff affected.

Trade Schools

I am in favor of career, tech-based classes

Technology

Technology is necessary for all students at all sites. Technology is no substitute for teaching. Teacher-student interaction is a vital part of the education process.

School start times

The District must look at the community impact before any change is made. Each individual school site needs to be assessed to determined how it affects education, sports, and buses.

Teacher tenure/retention

This is addressed in the collective bargaining agreement.

School discipline

Discipline is essential to build a positive and safe working relationship with all students. When these relationships exist a positive impact on behavior allows leaning to happen.

Standardized testing

This is a necessary measure of success, but the system has to have checks and balances. Standardized testing is one measure and should not be the sole measure.