Welcome to our online chat with school board candidate Leonard Ortiz.

The chat took place on Wednesday, February 19, at 6:30 PM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Moderator: Welcome, everybody, to tonight’s chat with school board candidate Leonard Ortiz.

Moderator: Let’s take our first question.

Noelle Fox: I assume that you are familiar with the $$ spent on teachers per student ratios in this Sunday’s paper. Do you feel these ratios are fair? If yes, please explain why and if not, please explain what you would do to make these figures more “equitable.”

Leonard Ortiz: Thanks for the question. First, I do not think that $$ ratios take into account others monies such as federal funds that are equated int the tottal amount. I do agree that the district should pay closer attention to the monies allocated per child.

Parent: Currently, the school board and the city commission meet four times a year. As far as I know, the school board does not meet with the city’s planning commission at all.

What would you do to facilitate communication between these government bodies if you were elected to the school board?

Leonard Ortiz: I think that it is essential that the school board meets regularly with the city commissioners. Together the board and commisioners could examine ways in which the current concerns and problems facing both Lwarence and the city could be addressed. I belive that a collaborative effort by both entities would be an efficient way to obtains our goals for the community.

¢ 6News video: Yulich and Ortiz speak with voters in online chat

Tess: I have read you don’t want to close elementary schools. If saving $1 million or so that way is wrong, how would you come up with savings that could go help with teacher salaries or other needs? Be specific, because if you know of alternatives to replace school closings, I might vote for you.

Leonard Ortiz: Concerning the second part of your question, I see myself acting as a liason between the to bodies. I would look at how I could address the city commision with proposals that the city could help facilitate in gathering funds or resources for our schools.

Leonard Ortiz: Thank you for considering me for the board. i am not convinced that he closure of schools would actually save 1.4 million. The savings on the closing of grant Elementary is far less than te original projection. I think that a viable option is to consider a closed end sales tax. here are currently three bills before the house that seek to allow school districts money from local funds or city taxes. We need to contact our state reps and push that they will truly consider those options. These proposals are only short term solutions and we would have to look at perhaps postponing projects or even look at the county picking up the funding of school nurses . There are no easy answers.

Parent: It appears the current school board may move ahead and close certain central and east Lawrence elementaries before the end of May.

If elected, what steps would you take to reverse these decisions?

Leonard Ortiz: What I have already done as a candidate is to introduce to the forum the many studies and reports from such places as the Oregon state legislature, North Carolina public schools, University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, Bank Street College and Minnesota University to name just a few that argue that small neighborhood schools benefit at-risk and low income students. These studies show higher adademic achievement; decrease in truancy, vandalism, violence, increased teacher sastisfation, and parent participation. What I am trying to show is that the boards studies are inconclusive and raise reasonable doubts about the closure of small neighborhod schools. It is an awareness issue.

Al: How would you rate the performance of the superintendent? Do you feel the administration is bloated and filled with dead weight such as Dan Neuenswander, School Improvement Specialist? And do you feel the information the district and the board is providing regarding the bond issue is accurate?

Leonard Ortiz: At this point I am not in a position to judge the performance of the current superintendent. I hear from many that he is comitted to the finest education possible for our children and had consolidated some administrative positions. I think that both sides of the debate should be discussed more by the board to create a more informed public.

Parent: Last year, despite looming budget problems, the school board approved a 5% pay hike for all district employees, and laid off others.

If elected, are you willing to look at the possibility of at least a 5% pay cut as part of a re-examination of district-wide budget needs?

Leonard Ortiz: When a company that I use to work for in California was considering layoffs, the employees agreed to take a pay cut or rather a reduced work week to keep everyone employed. I would not consider pay cuts for teachers. I believe that they do not earn enough as it is.

Haley: I’m in fifth grade. I wanted to take band next year. Now it’s going to be cut! Will you change that?

Leonard Ortiz: Hi Haley. Thank you for participating. The proposed budget cuts are not set and will be addressed when the board actually knows what the budget will be. If band is cut, I have suggested that the board work with the PTO’s to identify our many talented citizens and possibly create Saturday Morning Academies where musicians or artists could volunteer their time to by continuing programs. Thank you for your questions. By the way, do you know if the Jayhawks are winning??

Moderator: (We’ll take one more question.)

Bart: I understand wanting to wait to evaluate personnel on an individual basis until a later date, but I was curious to hear your answer on what you thought of the accuracy of the information provided by the district and the board regarding the bond issue.

Leonard Ortiz: It is difficult to determine the accuracy of information until all projects within the bond are concluded.

Moderator: That’s all the time Mr. Ortiz has for today. Thanks for joining us, everybody.

Leonard Ortiz: Thank you all for participating in the forum. am pleased that I was able to compete with the Jayhawks! Please vote on the 25th.

Thanks again