Here are excerpts from Monday night’s online chats with Eddie Lehman and Samuel Gould. Both are candidates for the Lawrence school board; Lehman is also running for the Lawrence City Commission.

Eddie Lehman

Parent: The bond issue, if passed, will improve our older facilities east of Iowa Street that are inferior to others within our district. It also helps to reduce operational expenses so that our budget resources can be used for more meaningful items in our district budget … all at a time when the costs to acquire this debt (interest rates) are at an all-time low. Why are you against this?

Lehman: I am against this bond issue as it is configured. I believe the school board has erred in the design of this bond. And yes, while the costs to acquire this debt are low, you wouldn’t go out and buy a new car just because the interest rates are low.

Rob and Jamie: What are the consequences the district will face should the bond issue fail to pass, and how should we address these?

Lehman: The same consequences that the district is in if the bond issue would pass. There is a shortfall in the district’s budget and this bond issue will not close it. We can address the shortfall through seeking alternative financing mechanisms, and yes that may mean considering taxes. But before we do that I believe we need to take a look at the efficiencies and structure of the district’s administration.

Samuel Gould

6News video: School board candidates share ideas online¢ Gould transcript¢ Lehman transcript¢ More school board candidate chat transcripts, stories, profiles, voting information

Jill: How do you propose the district balance its operating budget if the bond does not pass?

Gould: There is a corporation I am currently working with on a funding proposal that can realistically generate $2 million to $5 million in the next year — that’s a start. I also know that we must pressure the Legislature to fund education. We must also work with the city commissioners to tie in tax abatements with some type of funding for education. The tax abatements represent a significant loss of income to our school district.

A M: What do you see as the reason so many parents send their children to private school and home school?

Gould: Teacher-student ratio, more challenging curriculum, family environment, schools which reflect the attitudes and beliefs of the parents, and spiraling costs in public education make it more attractive.