About
Lisa Greenig is mounting a write-in campaign for the Fairfield Community School District Board of Directors.
Greenig is seeking to finish the term of Kelly Scott, who stepped down from the board in July and whose seat was temporarily filled by Frank Broz. If elected, Greenig would serve on the board for two years before the seat came up for election again. Because she is running a write-in campaign, her name will not appear on the ballot. The only candidate whose name will appear on the ballot for this seat is Deborah Williamson. The other seven candidates for Fairfield school board are seeking one of the four, four-year terms.
The Union sent a candidate questionnaire to Greenig, and here are her responses:
1. Why are you running for the Fairfield school board? I am running for the school board because I care about this district, its students, and staff. As a retired teacher, I feel it is important to bring a teacher's perspective to some of the major decisions that will have to be made in the near future. There is major work to be done to create a budget that looks for ways to cut costs without cutting student services.
2. What qualifications do you have that would make you a good school board member? I have many qualifications that would make me a great board member. My past work experiences in accounting have prepared me for understanding the budget process. While full-time teaching I represented teachers by serving as president or co-president of the association for more than eight years. During that time I attended most monthly board meetings, participating when necessary. I have served as a teacher representative on the insurance committee, handbook committee, mentor team, and Labor Management Committee (LMC). I have been part of the negotiations committee for many years. These experiences have given me a great amount of institutional knowledge. I'm not afraid to ask difficult questions. I don't have all the answers to the issues facing FCSD, but I will listen to concerns and work with others to find the best possible outcomes.
3. In 2021, Fairfield voters rejected a $34 million bond vote to build a new middle school and make other improvements to the district. Do you think the district should attempt another bond vote for a new middle school? If so, what should the district do differently this time around to ensure the ballot measure passes? I wish the bond would have passed in 2021. However, informational meetings weren't promoted very far in advance of the vote, and they were poorly attended. I don't think the new board should rush into another bond vote. I think the board should look at the options presented and get more input from the community. I'm not convinced the past survey reflects what the community wants or needs. We don't want to be short-sighted in our planning. Our enrollment may be down now, but it has the potential to grow. I would love to see better facilities for our students. Schools around us have passed bonds. There is a sense of pride for the entire community when the facilities are top-notch. When the time is right to consider another bond, there must be an emphasis on over-communicating the plan, and the needs that will be met for students, to the general public. No one wants taxes to increase, but we must be proactive for future generations. ... - (cont'd) Southeast Iowa Union
