Candidate Linda Robinson told about 30 people at West Junior High School that placement of quality teachers in classrooms depended upon aggressive recruiting of promising rookies and investment in meaningful professional development programs for veterans.
The district ought not be afraid to let underperforming teachers go, said Robinson, manager of a Kansas University faculty orientation program.
"We may need to help some individuals find more appropriate employment," she said.
Candidate Kurt Thurmaier, KU associate professor of public policy, said junior high school and high school teachers would benefit from student evaluations of their courses each semester.
He said evaluations would highlight outstanding Lawrence public school teachers as well as those not making the grade.
Candidate Dale Vestal, regional sales manager of a trophy company, suggested surveying parents to help identify shortcomings of a school's instructional staff.
The district might be able to use peer evaluations to pinpoint areas teachers need to improve, said candidate Austin Turney, a retired accountant. "By doing this you get a cycle of improvement as peers, respecting one another, hone skills."
Former art teacher Leni Salkind, who is seeking a second term along with Turney, said experienced teachers should serve as mentors to young or struggling educators.
Candidate Nicole Rials, a social worker at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, said teachers had to be held accountable for their ability to prepare students academically as well as socially.
Educators must go the extra mile for students, she said, "to appreciate their diversity -- to get beyond the academic realm."
-- Staff writer Tim Carpenter can be reached at 832-7155.
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