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Debates and Presentations

Candidates typically engage in 1-3 public debates and presentations, addressing diverse questions posed by the host and the audience. Reviewing these debates and presentation videos is crucial for gaining a deeper understanding of the candidates and their perspectives on pressing local issues. We will continually update the information to reflect the progress of the campaigns.

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  • Start — Livingston LWV co-president Robin Weiss opens the event and welcomes moderator Catherine Kazan, president of the Wayne LWV, to explain the rules and introduce the candidates.

  • 3:50 — Candidates introduce themselves and share why they are running for a seat on the LBOE.

  • 8:40 — (LWV Question 1) What qualifications and skills can you call upon to help you be an asset to the LBOE?

  • 12:30 — (LWV Question 2) What are your ideas about a growing student population, classroom sizes becoming bigger and resources becoming more limited?

  • 17:15 — (LWV Question 3) What ideas do you have to attract the best and brightest staff for Livingston Public Schools?AUDIENCE QUESTIONS

  • 21:17 — Should the LBOE support the removal of certain books and reading materials in the classroom and school library based on parent concerns? Why or why not?

  • 26:30 — Support of LGBTQ students and gender-affirming policies are in the news, including metal health and anti-bullying policies. What is your viewpoint on these issues?

  • 29:10 — Can you advise what the current funding resources for Livingston education are and what will be added or used more efficiently to better support with the extra enrollment year over year?

  • 31:45 — What is the major challenge that LPS is facing now, and how would you address of improve it?

  • 33:50 — How do you plan to commit to the heavy workload of a board of education member

  • 36:15 — Does the LBOE have the authority to make policies, for example, to ban books, teach creationism or put prayer in school?

  • 38:10 — Candidates are looking for data to make decisions. What do you do if data is not available? What principles or strategies will you apply?

  • 40:35 — How could we increase enrichment and extracurricular programs in the district?

  • 42:50 — Can you speak about after-school care and if it meets the needs of families?

  • 45:15 — More money is always desired, but what if the incoming funds do not increase? What ideas would you have to reduce costs and reuse resources to meet the deficit?

  • 47:35 — Do you see inclusion students as an asset to the classroom? Please elaborate.

  • 50:35 — What is your position on twice exceptional students? Currently, LPS excludes twice exceptional students from Gifted & Talented (GT) programs.

  • 53:25 — Do you think out-of-district placement should be increased or should we encourage in-district placement? Why?

  • 55:50 — What is the communication channel between the LBOE and LPS parents? Currently, there is feedback about school lunch, for example, and we are not sure how to address it since the schools have advised that this is out of their hands.

  • 58:50 — Do you think the busing system is working well in the district, and what improvements could be made?

  • 1:01:15 — Candidates provide closing remarks summarizing what they believe they can offer the community.

  • 1:04:30 — Moderator Catherine Kazan congratulates the candidates on their detailed responses to 19 questions posed during the debate and thanks them for stepping up to run for this important role.

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