Editor's note: This is one in a series of profiles on candidates for Lawrence school board. Each day this week, the Journal-World will profile one of the six candidates in the race.
Former art teacher Leni Salkind is known for producing beautiful ceramic sculptures.
But the clay, kiln and other instruments of her artistry have fallen victim to neglect amid her determination to be a full-time player on the Lawrence school board.
"My first year on the board, I tried to work in the studio, but, if you really want to be involved, there are many committees and meetings that you can attend," she said. "And I feel I've learned a lot participating in those."
Activity in her ceramics studio may remain low for a few more years, if Salkind gets her way. She's running for re-election and will compete April 3 with five other candidates for three vacancies on the board.
In the primary election on Feb. 27, she received the most votes in the eight-person field.
"I think I've done a good job," she said. "I've listened to the facts, the information presented by all the parties, and weighted the factors."
Salkind, who has lived in Lawrence for 29 years, said she didn't represent a particular faction of the community. She was elected four years ago with the backing of people who felt the district ought to keep neighborhood elementary schools open, but that doesn't mean she is unwilling to contemplate consolidation in the future if it's in the best interests of the district.
"I want to keep the whole community in mind," she said. "I don't just vote on my own opinion. I vote what is best for the community."
Here are Salkind's top priorities:
Recruitment and retention of quality principals and teachers.
Rigorous assessment of all school programs in creation of budgets.
A facilities study that permits the board and community to shape the district's future.
Integration of computer technology at every level of the curriculum.
Equity of educational opportunity for all children.
"I think we still need to have a baseline for what is acceptable," Salkind said.
Salkind, 53, is married to Neil Salkind, a developmental psychologist who teaches at Kansas University's School of Education. A daughter, Sara, graduated from Lawrence schools, and son, Micah, is a junior at Free State High School.
Salkind brings a varied background in education to the race. She taught in elementary schools in Maryland for five years and then at Baker University in Baldwin. She also taught art classes at KU's Helen Foresman Spencer Museum of Art and at the Lawrence Arts Center.
"There probably hasn't been a year that's gone by that I haven't worked with kids," she said.
Salkind was an administrator with Young Audiences in Kansas City, which allowed her to work with teachers in five school districts. In 1992, she earned a doctoral degree from KU in visual arts education.
She also was co-founder of the Oread Neighborhood Assn. and has been active in community organizations, including the Jewish Community Center and Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen.
During her stint on the school board, Salkind said, the district's rapport with community members has slowly improved. Development of a board liaison program with schools two years ago and the hiring of Randy Weseman as superintendent last year helped ease tension, she said.
Salkind says she has learned that serving as a school board member is quite political. She also has come to realize that change in a district rarely happens quickly.
"In some ways, that's a good thing," she said. "We don't want quick fixes. We need answers based on research."
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