001Good evening everyone and welcome to the 28th annual student union's board of education candidates forum. My name is Miriam Holloway and I am the 2020 2026 president of the Lancaster High School student union. In front of me is Shelani Kajovi, the student union president-elect for the 2026 2027 school year. Gelani will be serving as the timekeeper for tonight's question and answer session. The purpose of tonight's program is to allow for each candidate running for trustee of the Lancaster High School District Board of Education the opportunity to express his or her personal opinion in response to questions that will be asked by members sitting here tonight. We will offer a question and answer period where anyone from the audience can come up and ask a question that will be answered by the candidates running. There are
002candidates running for three positions on the Lancaster Board of Education. Board members are elected at large and will serve a three-year term from July 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2029. I will now introduce each candidate and read a short biography that they have prepared. Will each candidate please stand as I introduce you and then we'll begin the question and answer session. Our first candidate is John Celerico has proudly served the community as a member of the Lancaster Board of Education. As a Lancaster parent, he has embraced every opportunity to be present and engaged. From volunteering at PTO events to cheering on students at concerts, performances, and school presentations, witnessing the district's programs in action at the ground level has only deepened his commitment to the community he serves. With a background as a local business
003owner, Mr. Tiller Rico brings a practical understanding of organ organ organizational leadership, fiscal responsibility, and decision-m to the board table. Throughout his tenure, he has applied this expertise to the district's planning and budgeting processes and has served in key roles including the healthcare committee, audit committee, and school safety committee, as well as holding holding delegate rights within the New York State School Boards Association. He most recently stepped into the role of or president, a position that has expanded his understanding of school administration and reinforced his passion for meaningful collaborative leadership. Mr. Rico is seeking reelection to build on the progress Lancaster has made and to keep the district moving forward. From landmark capital projects that have united the community to preserving and growing outstanding educational, artistic, and athletic programs that Lancaster families count on, he
004remains focused on the work ahead. At home, Mr. Telerica has been married for 15 years to his wife Jennifer, a dedicated educator who has taught in the Buffalo public school system and now serves as a professional development specialist at Boseies. Together, they are proud parents of a daughter currently in fifth grade at William Street School. Having a child in the district gives Mr. Del Rico a personal investment in Lancaster success and a firsthand perspective on the hopes and concerns of local families. He takes great pride in the hopes and concerns of local families. He takes great pride in the relationships he has built with students, parents, and staff. He remains committed to being an accessible, engaged, and forwardinking leader for the Lancaster community. Thank you, Mr. Telico. Our next candidate is Katie Piro. My name
005is Katie Piro and I'm honored to be a candidate for the Lancaster School Board. I'm a proud Pew Wildcat now raising the next generation of Lancaster Legends. My husband John is a trained engineer for CSS and we have three sons in the Lancaster Central School District. Dominic is a fourth grader at William Street. Ben is in a self-contained third grade classroom at Shelley Elementary and Sam is a kindergartener at Hillview Elementary. As a parent of a child with special needs, I have firsthand experience navigating the school system, advocating for services, working closely with educators to ensure my my child is supported and able to thrive. I understand the importance of an individualized support, clear communication, and strong collaboration between families and schools. I have participated in important conversations, celebrating meaningful progress and work through challenges
006uh alongside dedicated educators strengthening my commitment to ensuring every child is seen, supported, and able to reach their full potential. Professionally, I serve as a senior development manager within the American Cancer Society where I focus on community engagement, relationship building, and fundraising. I hold a bachelor of arts and communication and political science from the University of Buffalo and bring more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit and healthcare related organizations. I have been actively involved in the Hillview PTO for the past 5 years and currently serve as a district PTO representative helping lead events initiative that supports students and teachers. I am a I am a schools and now serve as a professional development specialist at OCE. Oh, sorry. I'm a firm believer that it truly takes a village. The teachers and mentors in my
007own life help shape who I am, and I see that same impact every day in the lives of my children. If elected, I will focus on listening, working collaboratively, and ensuring every child and family has the services and opportunities needed to succeed. It would be an honor to serve this community and our schools. Thank you, Mrs. Piro. Our final candidate is Timothy Tel. Mr. Timothy Telvet resides in Lancaster with his wife Jamie and Aloney and his son Oliver who's 8 years old and his daughter Eleanor who's 5 years old. Oliver is currently attending second grade and Elanor is attending kindergarten. Tim is excited to continue his involvement in the Lancaster School District and believes that investment in knowledge provides the best interest. Tim Stop runs a financial planning practice called attaining wealth planning with a
008team of five. In his work, he helps individuals and families plan for their financial futures and navigate important life decisions with confidence. Mr. Talbert's main goal with joining the Lancaster School Board is to support the Lancaster Central School District and provide each student with the best opportunity to meet the tools that allow them to succeed. He plans on continuing to do this by collaborating with the board and the administration in order to make sound and educated decisions on what is best for the district, community, and students. Timothy Talbet holds his degree in business administration and maintains multiple professional licenses in the finance industry. Tim enjoys watching spending his free time with his family, playing sports, and watching the Bills and Sabers. He's also involved with WNY Make a Wish and is active in providing help
009to those in need. Mr. Tobit is currently in his third year serving on the Lancaster School Board and serves as vice president. He believes that his background in finance and planning with the Canadian Assets Lancaster School Board. Thank you, Mr. Toet. We will now begin our questions and answer session. We will proceed as follows. If anybody would like to ask a question tonight, we ask you could please come up to the front where you will state your name, address, and your question. I will then repeat your question and please remain standing as the candidates will answer those questions. Nobody's got anything to say. Come on. I know some of you guys have questions that you're too shy to ask. All right, if nobody has any more questions, I will proceed to the prepared questions. Question
010one is, what experiences do you remember from your K through2 education? How will these experiences affect your performance on the board of education? The question answer order for number one is Mr. Terico will go first, Mrs. M pure will go second or Mr. Talbet will go third. The question again is what experiences do you remember from your K through2 education? How will these experiences affect your performance on the board of education? >> Thank you. >> Um when I look back at my K through 12 education, I mean I think probably I feel what a lot of people are thinking and remember back to a lot of the things you got involved with. So different clubs and communities and people that you find you wind up finding the niche of your people throughout high school. Um
011I'm a product of public schools. Um I went to uh Mville and you know a lot of the the good times that I remember were from joining the music program. I was heavily involved in music um different sports and those type of clubs and activities really shaped the person I am. They taught me how to work within a team. They taught me how to be a leader in different ways. Um they taught me what a leader is and what a leader isn't. Um and that's brought me throughout my entire life. Um I think in general when it comes to education, the people who in partner with the whether it be teachers or friends from growing up really make a lasting impact. And those are the things that I remember throughout my entire career in my
012K through 12 education. Thank you, Mrs. Hero. The thing that I remember most from K through 12 days is the teachers that supported me over the years and the friends and the experiences. And I think this progression, this is kind of a continuation of my life is being heavily involved in student government and my dad and supporting the school and making things happen, organizing things. And so once you become a mom, you kind of get siloed into forgetting about all those extracurricular things you can do. And so this opening just kind of helps to fill a void in me in terms of service and what can I do to help the teachers more, what can I do to help our district more, what can I do to help all the kids more. Um, so anything
013that I impart, you know, can help in any way. That's that's my main goal. And so I receive service and I just don't continue that um, >> thank you, Mr. So excuse me. I just got I just got invisalines. So if I'm slurring a little, that's fine. Um, but if you don't know me, I grew up in a small town out of Adica with actually Mr. Candell. It was my uh I didn't even back when I was in high school, which is kind of crazy to think about that. But for me, it's just, you know, thinking back, it's much different than than Lancaster is obviously being here 3 years now, seeing my second grader and my kindergartener and uh seeing what they're going through obviously brings a lot of knowledge back for me. big things
014I think about is the support I received from a lot of the the teachers, the friendships I made along the way and kind of discovering who I was as a person. I feel like a lot of that happens throughout the, you know, the course of the year. You have an idea of what you want to do and life has a way of telling you maybe that's not being taught. I think I wanted to be a DJ. Um, you know, if that means anything. Uh but the point of it point of this all is it's kind of it's kind of surreal being on the other side of it now being in the district and then seeing my second and kindergartener be supported in the way that they get supported by their teachers and it really gets
015me emotional seeing my son home from school and just they love it you know and that's it says a lot about the district cuz that's how I felt when I went to school you know I'm pretty positive I joke around a little bit but I also listen and listening my kids talk about their day and hearing kind of the experience I have at have that in the past here and there it just you know it's awesome. So but the long story short it's uh it kind of gives me an idea of what what to look for and uh moving forward and you know pretty happy about what experience and what I'm experiencing so far with my kids. So >> thank you Mr. Question number two in your estimation what is the biggest challenge that faces
016the Lancaster school district if elected how do you plan to solve this challenge? The question answer order for question number two is Mrs. Piro is in reverse, m Mr. Telvet and then Mr. Telico. The question again is in your estimation, what is the biggest challenge that faces the Lancaster School District? If elected, how do you plan to solve this challenge? I think one of the biggest challenges for our district and probably many districts is the evolving landscape and and new needs for kids and more families moving in or people who are speaking a different language. And so all the adjustments we're making and more special ed needs, all that is all happening all the time. And so constantly reevaluating what we're doing, how we're doing it, and how do we support the school, how we
017need social workers, how we need more special ed teachers. So I think it's um constantly refining and being efficient and figuring out the best way, but supporting the teachers in all of that. And I think that's a huge challenge. And part of what what I would do is um I remember last week at our special education EPA chamber chapter meeting and George Brimmer said that everybody wants to live in a village but nobody really wants to be a villager. very few people. And so I think the more we can make the community involved and a part of the district and bringing everyone in to feel that that's when people succeed. That's when kids succeed. That's when people feel heard and supported. And so whatever I can do to help that bridge that would be amazing.
018>> Thank you, Mrs. Mr. T. I obviously echo a lot of uh what she said and I think in addition to that um would be a lot of the way the economy is nowadays you know we have rising expenses we have a different environment for a lot of children that go to school and I think mental health in my opinion is a big challenge that people are facing now because you know you can't escape anymore you know when when I was in school and a lot of you you could go home and shut it off that doesn't work the same way anymore you go home and you know there's a lot of benefits to it but there's a lot of challenges that arise from that as well and you a big component that I've always
019talked about is is mental health. And you know, sometimes it's it's not people that are are causing waves or are the loudest that have a problem. It's people that are quiet and don't want to talk about it. So fostering an environment that makes people comfortable on a regular basis is really important. So I think kind of those two in tandem of of adapting to the different environment, you know, as far as everyday life, but expenses and and things like that, but also to kind of put a focus on mental health, too. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Tico. >> I think when it comes to like the things that I think about that kind of keep me up at night is just as a community, the biggest danger that I see is just ignoring the noise. And
020when I say that is it's very easy to get caught up in things that are happen happening nationally and whatever else and focusing on what is impacting us here in Lancaster. it's easy to get carried away by whatever news story is happening today and you know get angry about it or whatever else but looking inward to our district and seeing what we can do to help our students that are here dealing with real world problems um instead of getting caught up in things that may or may not even be happening in our community. So, um, you know, again, over the last couple years, I kind of echo what um what Katie and Tim have said. You know, we have we've hired more social workers. We put a a bigger impact on on mental health and
021making sure the kids get the assess the necessary things that they need if they're having issues. There's always somebody to talk to, trust an adult or something professionally. Um, but I think in general Lancaster should continue to do the things that have gotten it to become a destination district, which is focusing on education first and the guiding principle of what's good for kids. So, what's good for the teachers to help our children continue to get better as they eventually leave and get ready for life after? >> Thank you, Mr. Salo. Question number three is what is your stance on mental health awareness in Lancaster and how would you take extra steps to improve the social emotional education for Lancaster students? The question answer order for question number three is M is Mr. Tala goes first,
022Mr. Torico goes second and Mrs. Pure goes third. Question number three again is what is your stance on mental health awareness in Lancaster and how would you take extra steps to improve the social emotional education for Lancaster students? Let me just just start talking about this. So, I I kind of echo a lot of what John said as well. I think Lank does a great job of of giving people the tools and a lot of resources if someone ever is in that position. And I'll then kind of go one step further and, you know, just kind of pushing parents and family members just to kind of have the conversations that aren't always the easiest. You know, someone knows me and knows my mentality. It's sometimes the hard conversations aren't ones you want to have, but
023it's important to have them instead of letting them sit and boil and fester because that's what a lot of people want to do and that's what I think a lot of the mental health side that you know I myself I believe in and just seeing a lot of what my cast done in the past 3 years for for individuals that were struggling or uh students it's they do do a good job but you can always do more you know like just because you're doing a good job doesn't mean you can improve on it and I think just always thinking about what you can you you never never res anyone. >> Thank you, Mr. Sel Mr. I feel like I expressed a lot of this, but one thing I just I I think about when it
024comes to mental health is when I was in school, um I sound like a very old person, but um when I was in school, bullying kind of stopped at 3:00 for the most part, right? So you could if you were having trouble with another kid and you got on the bus, you went home, the bullying or the issues you were having, the social emotional issues you were having kind of stopped until the next day. Now with the way that everybody, you know, gets a cell phone younger, they're connected all the time. Um issues, interpersonal issues, things of that nature, they don't really stop and we can go 247. So, um, the push in in my my push is that I want more access, more ways for kids to get access to get help if they
025need it. If they're having trouble dealing with, you know, some relationship at school, if there is somebody who's bullying them, if they're just having trouble at home, um, you know, maybe it's the opposite. Maybe they're having trouble at home. when they come to school, that needs to be their their space where they have trusted adults that they can speak to, get help, um learn different ways and different uh strategies to deal with those type of things. Um so again, like I said in my previous answer, we've done a pretty good job of hiring additional social workers and things of that nature to make sure that students do get the uh mental health um the mental health um help that they need, you know, if if they need it. Thank you, Mr. Tiger, Mrs. I'm a
026firm believer in mental health counseling and doing whatever you can as a parent to support your child. And even if that doesn't line up with how you thought being a mom would be, you know, I two of my three sons go to mental health counseling and for no other reason that I would like to raise men who are emotionally intelligent and wellrounded and that comes from home, but I also have gotten so much support in school. I've had Mrs. Forg me, give me 15 minutes of her time just to give me a rundown of different things. for you. There is nobody with more steps than Mrs. Wilkins. She is up and down the hall all day helping all these kids and it's so important and just recognizing it and the teachers are usually the first
027to recognize it if it's not recognized at home. And so just continuing that to educate the kids, to educate the teachers and what to look for and all the different things. The more we know about it, the more we learn about the brain and how it works and everything. It's just it's so eye opening and I think if you don't have to think about it all the time then it's something you don't think about. But you know as a mom I don't nobody knows what they're doing when they become a mom. So you just figure it out. And so if I could have somebody tell me you know like you should maybe say it this way or this is how he's feeling and they give you a buffer. That's all kid means really. And so
028to make them feel more safe at school and like this is their community, you know, whatever we can do to provide for that, I'm in support of I think that Lake is doing an amazing job so far. >> Thank you, Mrs. Puro. Question number four. Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board of education? The question answer order for question number four is Mr. Torico, then Mrs. Piro, then Mr. Talbet. Question number four again is, is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board of education? >> Thanks for the question. Um, I wouldn't say that there's a specific issue that pushed me to run again or anything like that. Um, what I would say is what kind of drives me to continue um to serve on
029on the board is to continue the work that we've done in the district to give these these kids the the best access to the best education, uh, the best athletics, and um, you know, prepare them for life after a big week. Um when I look around at all the things that are offered here um it's very impressive uh the different college level courses, the different clubs, the different um and we don't do that without not only having you know strong school district but having great teachers great teachers that understand that they kind of take these kids they take these kids in their in their arms every single day for years and make sure that they get the best education possible. when it's not always easy, especially these days, it's not easy to be an educator.
030Um, you're expected to be part coach, part teacher, part counselor, part this, part that, part everything. Um, so just in general, you know, I I come in through my job on board and uh try to make things as easy as possible. What can we say yes to? What can we do to make it easier for kids to get a good education? um if they had the access that you know I may not have had at the school that I went to or a lot of us uh didn't have that. >> Thank you, Mrs. Mrs. Bureau. >> Um I don't think there was necessarily one reason motivation for wanting to join the board other than I'm just really enthusiastic about what I do to give service to the district. And so initially when I got involved
031with to go. I was just looking for something to get me out of CO really um and something that I could do that that was my interest. But um if what really drives me now is making sure that the kids have the best experience that they can have at elementary school at William Street. And so if it means, you know, dressing up as Cathy cat or surprising them with a Sunday party, like all those little things are things that are memories for them, I need them to remember that. And it makes their them feel happy and part of something. And so whatever I can do in in the schools I'm in to kind of make that feel and make that vibe culture of the school, I spend hours doing it. Um, so that's kind of
032where I figured I could do bigger and better things here maybe. But, um, I'm just so happy to to do whatever I can to support the teachers and the admins of every building and just make it really really special for the kids. >> Thank you, Mrs. Hero, Mr. T. >> So, for this year, no, but three years ago, obviously, there was my my kids were finally going to the district and being somewhat new to Lancaster, I lived here, but, you know, never really go to Lancaster. So, it was my kind of way of being involved and learning more about the district. And, you know, when I when I went to school, we didn't it was just different. You know, it's a smaller town. Seeing the things that Lancaster had to offer after being here for
0333 years, it's amazing. The teachers my kids have had, people I've met, the things that I've been able to help with have been, you know, amazing. It really has been. And, you know, it wasn't always the easiest three years. There a lot of hard things that happened and, you know, handle and deal with as being a board member and and that's part of your job. But, you know, Kudos to everyone else coming up here. It's uh it's you're doing it for really good reasons and that's what I wanted to be doing. My kids a district and what it makes for the district continues to grow in case it's growing and continue to be a destination district for kids and um I really want to continue to see that through. >> Thank you, Mr. Question five.
034List and explain three reasons why you are running as as a candidate for the board of education. The question answer order for question number five is Mrs. bureau and Mr. Talbert and Mrs. Haro. Question number five again is listen and explain three reasons why you are running as a candidate for the board of education. Um I think one of the major reasons is I'm a mom of a special needs child. So I understand the all the dialogue that has to happen between a parent, administrators, old schools, new schools, teachers, everybody involved, therapists, social workers, and I see the support that I'm getting and I I know that I'm hoping that everybody gets that. with that if you're not that part of the solution is is to communicate clearly to make the phone call to send
035an email asking and what I realized is that everybody's on the same team we just have a different vantage point and so how somebody's thinking is completely skewed by what their job is what their title is what their experiences was growing up and so whatever we can do to kind of bring everybody together even more. So, um that was a huge, you know, reason for learning. Um, another one is, like I said, I love community. I love school community. I loved school growing up. Um, and I hope that, you know, I'm raising kids that feel the same way about school that they feel if they want to go there every day. They want to see their friends. They want to experience. And so part of being in the community is going to go going to
036the events at the schools, you know, volunteering for events, volunteering for that. And so being part of the community means that's being part of the community. And so whatever I can do to kind of push that and people realize that um I just like seeing kids enjoy school and learning and being excited about different things. So, whatever I can do to make that happen more and whatever support I can give to our teachers, we're always trying to help you to say yes to everything we can budget wise for PTO and provide whatever we can do. So, if I can do that more then then that would be great. >> Thank you, Mrs. Mr. So, like I said before, obviously running obviously I have kids in the district. So, that's that's a big one for me.
037Um, just being involved and continue to make sure that every child in district has a good experience and then it's a very positive environment. Um, like I said before, I'm a very positive person. I feel like you choose to be positive and you know, the glass isn't always half empty. It can be half full or whatever way you want to put it that makes you feel a little better. And second big reason is I found it work for years. There's a lot of stuff that we've been working on and I feel like lead is a good conductor. I just want to kind of keep that going. And then lastly, you know, I really do feel like I I'm a good listener. If we talk, I kind of listen to everyone. Doesn't matter what your opinion
038is, how you feel, everyone can feel that you and feel like your opinion counts. And I try to kind of go that keep that same mentality in everything that I do. You know, even if we have differing opinions or or feel some different way, there's some common ground. you know, he can agree to disagree sometimes and move forward and that's very important. So, >> Mr. I think first and foremost I'm a I'm a badly district um and my daughter is going to middle school next year and she's excited and I've seen um all the teachers and all I've seen all the things that she's done in the last six years. Um, and she's really kind of coming to her own as a a little person, as a little adult being, you know, children. Um, and
039that comes from the community of people that have helped her get there. The teachers she's had every year has been fantastic. So, first and foremost, you know, again, this is my number one reason that my daughter's experience with overwhelming positive is the same experience for the rest of the kids in the district. Um, you know, I I talk often in my own uh family with my my daughter about having a servant's heart. So, you want to serve other people in the community come back to 10fold. So, I want to continue the good work that we're already doing and the trajectory we're on pretty excellent. You know, in my estimation, we can always be better. But for the most part, I I believe the district is headed in the right direction is not providing for the
040students in the district. Um and lastly, take the backs off presentation different clubs and activities and sports and whatever else involved in. Um, you know, kind of my why is to make sure that students in the district always have the ability to find the people um and find their niche, find new people because those relationship build character and build eventually. >> Thank you. As we reached the halfway point of the uh brief questions, I would like to open the floor again to any questions from the audience. If anyone would like to come down and ask a question. Come on. I see some teachers in the back who love picking on us. Don't make it big on you. I try. Question number six. Do you support the proposed 2026 2027 school budget? Please explain your answer.
041The question answer order for question number six is Mr. Tel goes first, Mr. Terico goes second and Mrs. Bur goes third. Question six again is, do you support the proposed 2026 2027 school budget? Please explain your answer. >> Yes, I I do support it. Obviously, we we sat through like 3 months of budget, you know, going through what we're doing, how it's working, and you know, it's uh it's kind of one of those things where a lot of the the hard work happens behind the scenes. You know, there's there's a lot of inner work pieces, a lot of special education pieces for an everchanging environment that constantly requires you to adapt and change and a lot of that work into what we do on a regular basis and how stuff happens. Uh, obviously, you know,
042there's there's a lot of pieces that involve teachers and things like that on a regular basis inside of there. So um obviously other things too you know improvement projects and stuff like that that are happening on a regular basis as you see every day and a lot of the work that we've put into the budget even I've been on the board for the past three years there's a lot of um I feel like a big thing when I first joined the board was working proactively not reactively and I think that's a lot of what of what this board has done is is try to improve and and always looking ahead forwards Thank you, Mr. Mrs. I I do support the budget. I'll echo a lot of things that said um it is a uh it's
043a well put together budget and maintains the programs that the kids are used to, maintains the staffing levels. Um and it funds the school district and all the excellent programs that the community has come to expect from this school. Um and obviously it's one of the reasons that a lot of people move here to Lancaster. So um the budget and I do hope the community will come out and vote yes for it. >> Thank you Mr. Mrs. >> I do support the budget. Um, I believe in what everybody has worked towards this year with the budget and I think that if it continues to the students first, the staff and faculty and teachers in the circle and figuring it all out together. I think that's the direction from just realizing that we're all working for
044it together and figuring it out. Um I I budget and I think that if everybody keeps the children at the center and what can we do for them all that matters? >> Thank you Mrs. Question number seven. What concrete steps or experience will you bring to the board of education in order to better the communication between the school district and the community? The question answer order for question number seven is Mr. Terico then Mrs. bureau and Mr. Tel. Question number seven again is what concrete steps or experience will you bring to the board of education in order to better the communication between the school district and the community? >> I think that from going to continue to do what I've been doing the last few years on board and that's that I'm very out there
045in the community and I'm very accessible. I volunteer at the schools um pretty often. Um, I like to if I can things from, you know, different teachers or things like that. I do like to show up and you know, just show my support. Um, I'm always there question. I think just consistently available and visible in the community is what I'm going to continue to do as I continue um on the school board. >> Thank you, Mr. Tico. Mrs. Kira. Uh the question is question number seven is what concrete steps or experience will you bring to the board of education in order to guide the communication between the school district and the community. Professionally that is part of my job is is relationship building communicating with people and rallying people and getting them to support the
046cause and charity. And so I think that lends itself really nicely being on the board that you know everyone's coming together. And I think sometimes when there is miscommunication and misinterpretation that as a board or as an administration saying most people just want to be heard and understood. And so if you just take a step back and hear everything you're saying, you realize that no one want the same thing too. So I think taking those steps in terms of being listening with open ears and being you know supportive and sympathetic to everybody's situation is the best way to go about it and then communicating clearly consistently to everybody and that's how you know we try to do that even as small as a PTO that all the parents know what we're doing they know where
047the money is being spent that we're transparent about I mean, they can watch and they can add anything. And so that's, you know, that's just how you run something where you want people to feel invested in each other. >> Thank you, Mrs. Mr. big thing that I would say is honestly the way I kind of think about myself in general is to always be moving. I'm not the kind of person that wants to stay stagnant. And I would say there's one concrete thing that would make me be the best candidate. But what I will tell you is I will always be trying my best to do better than I did the day before. And I like to have a mentality that you know, you should always be looking to improve no matter what it is.
048And I feel like even as a school board, we're doing we've been doing that for the past 3 years. We're always been looking to improve, always looking to do a little bit better. And you know, even in this past three years, I I own a uh own a business and just building a business and listening to different people and different mindsets and you know, everyone's different. Everyone has something else that motivates them that doesn't motivate someone else and it's about finding what works for someone may not work for you and that's okay. So that would be I'd say the biggest thing for me. >> Thank you, Mr. Toga. Question number eight. Do you support the push for students to actively take part in AP classes at an earlier age? Please explain the question answer order
049for question number eight is Mrs. Piro then Mr. Table then Mr. Terrio. Question number eight again is do you support the push for students to actively take part in AP classes at an earlier age? Please explain. >> I support it for some children obviously and and some not. And I think that that's up to the discretion of the teachers, the guidance counselors, the kids and the parents. And so, as long as the opportunities are there for the kids who are ready to take the easy courses and understand it and feel like they're going to succeed, then they should absolutely have that opportunity. But realizing that not everybody learns the same way or performs the same way that they're not feeling like they're lost in. And so, just making it as equitable as you can make
050it, but um not pushing just realizing where kids are and making sure that there is open communication between all the parties on what's expected, what isn't expected, you know, is this really the right choice for my junior student and figuring that out together as a group. Um because sometimes, you know, high schools don't want to listen to their mom and say, you know, you shouldn't take that. So, like any input from teachers or guidance counselors is always, you know, helps the situation. Um but necessary. >> Thank you, Mrs. Hero. Mr. Tel. >> Uh, yes to to that. I think a big thing that Lancaster does is they give you a lot of tools to succeed and making a lot of these AP courses accessible and kind of almost expected in some ways that if you're
051ready, it's there for you. And I think a lot of what we talk about is preparing students for a white for Lancaster. And if you can get them as ready as you can uh you know to go to the next step, they're always doing the better off for that. So >> thank you Mr. T Mr. Tico. >> Um I I like the fact that there's an opportunity to take the AP courses um earlier. Um again I'll kind of echo what um what Katie said in the fact that if the student wants it and they are the you know teachers agree that they are ready to do so the opportunity should be there. So I appreciate that there is an opportunity to take some of the AP courses earlier um than you know I I may
052have had the opportunity to do so. So, um I do like the fact that AP courses are available, but again, it's uh it's a a decision based on the student and whether or not they are ready to do so. Um again, I do like to say that the opportunity is there um if that student can handle it. >> Thank you, Mr. Salo. As we conclude with the prepared questions, I'd like to open the floor for the final time to anyone who would like to come up and submit any questions to be answered. My goodness, it's like a stampede. Everyone's ready to come submit some questions. Come on, guys. I know you have some thoughts about what was said today. Participation grades are going down. All right. Then with that, thank you to everyone for listening
053to the prepared question and answer periods. At this time, we'll begin to close our forum with each candidate having a one minute closing statement. We will begin with Mr. Terico. Um, first of all, thank you so much for for doing this. You did a wonderful job. Thank you for trying to get the audience involvement. It's appreciated. Um, I'll say just thank you everybody for being here. I appreciate that the teachers came. I appreciate the members of the community came. It's nice to see people uh take an active role in seeing what's going on with the the school and coming to meet us. if you haven't already gotten a lot of time to talk to us in general. Um, I hope that the community comes out and supports the three of us on election day. Um,
054I hope that the community sees the merits of this budget and sees that it continues to do the great work that we've been working so hard on over the last couple of years. Um, and I I look forward to continuing to be a small part of what makes Lancaster great. So, I hope everybody comes out again on election day. Thank you very much for being here tonight. >> Thank you, Mr. Toico. And next we have Mrs. Piro. >> I just want to say thank you to everybody. Um, this is, you know, not the easiest thing to do. I guess we'll miss America. But, um, this was really nice. And if I can express that, you know, the children are always first. And you know in everyone's home the kids are you know obviously first and
055so I think Lancaster does a really good job at always thinking about the kids and the students and everybody first and whatever I can do to be a part of that and help you know move us into the future because everything changes so much every day. Um but I have seen so many great educators and administrators in my five short years here that um you know they inspire me to to care more and to you know just thinking she did an art session last week like she was a pro and she is a pro but like giving that of her time was like amazing and the kids thought it was so cool and there are so many great things that go on in our schools and I think sharing that information with the community just
056brings them in even more if even if they don't have to school. Uh so anything I can do to be a part of that and just make it the best experience and um just raise successful human beings that's all I >> thank you Mrs. Hero and finally we have Mr. a little bit. >> Obviously, I'm going to echo on a lot of uh what's kind of set here. I just want to say thank you to everyone, not even just for today, just the past three years. There's been a lot of names in my head. Sometimes it's still tough to keep them on track. But throughout the past 3 years, I've met a ton of great people, great teachers, um you know, great fellow candidates and uh fellow board members. And it's just been really honored
057to spend the last 3 years. And I I really spent the past I don't know 3 months deciding if I did want to run again because you know it wasn't the the easiest at times but I really do feel like sometimes you make a difference and I really do enjoy this. So I I appreciate everyone taking the time to come out. Um I wanted to go up and ask myself a question. And if I could, I would have, just so you know. I don't know if I could have did that or not, but um but that being said, you know, uh I really appreciate it and obviously hope to see you all at the the budget vote and hopefully to support the children and in the district and and all that stuff. So, thank you.
058>> Thank you, Mrs. Sloven. On behalf of the Lancaster High School Student Union, I would like to thank the candidates and the attendees for their interest in our schools and their future. Our hope is that this evening's forum was informative and helpful. Good luck to all the candidates and please remember to vote on Tuesday, May 19th, right here at the Lancaster High School Java gym from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. This concludes our program. The board of education meeting will begin momentarily. Thank you all for your attendance.