LAURA HARDER
Incumbent
Age: 59
Career: Account executive, Xerox Creative Services
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Education: Bachelor of science degree from Rochester Institute of Technology
Family: Married with two children, both graduates of Webster Schroeder
Time served on board: 18 years (six terms)
What’s the biggest issue facing Webster students and taxpayers in the upcoming years?
“The biggest issue facing students is being fully prepared for the next step after graduation. Regardless of what direction they take, they will need to find a fit in a fast-paced, rapidly changing world. Being prepared by taking advantage of what a Webster education offers will enable them to compete with the best.
“The biggest issues facing taxpayers are ever-increasing New York state and local taxes. The current model of relying heavily on local taxpayers to support education is not a sustainable model. Yet investing in education is the foundation of our children’s future. The state needs to have the political will to provide mandate relief to schools. Addressing mandates
will enable districts to significantly save money. Containing the rising cost of pensions and health care will also benefit schools economically.”
How can the school board address this issue?
“First and most importantly, the board needs to be fully educated on what makes for good school governance. We set district goals, create policies and approve a budget to meet the needs of our students while remaining fiscally responsible to our taxpayers. An effective board supports the operational work of the district as they seek better ways to deliver curriculum, use best practices and implement efficiencies. Additionally, the Webster BOE is a participating member in the Monroe County School Boards Association, which actively informs and lobbies Albany on issues that impact academics and costs.”
Why did you originally run for the school board, and why have you continued to do so?
“I originally ran because I had a preschooler in daycare that needed to be bused and daycare busing was an issue back then. I wanted to add a parent’s perspective to the decision-making policies of the board. I have found over the years that there are endless issues affecting so many aspects of public education. Staying focused on student achievement at a strategic level and supporting the district is important work and immensely satisfying. Webster is a high-performing, quality school district, and I am proud to a part of that success.”
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TOM NESPECA
Incumbent
Age: 58
Career: Retired from Kodak; currently working for Carestream Health Inc.
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Education: B.S. degree in business management, St. Joseph’s College; licensed U.S. Customs broker, granted by U.S. Department of Treasury
Family: Wife of 35 years, Elaine; three children, Maria, Beth and John all Webster graduates
Time served on board: 12 years (five of them also on board of directors of the New York State School Boards Association)
What can you do for the Webster School District?
“Hopefully I’m able to bring both life experiences gained through work and other organizations I’ve been part of, to select a capable superintendent to oversee the operations of the district, develop policies that support a sound education for the children of the Webster School District and that conform to New York state law and help set the framework for an affordable budget that the taxpayers of our community find supportable and valuable.
What’s the biggest issue facing Webster students and taxpayers in the upcoming years?
“The major issue the students are facing is trying to become prepared for a world in which many of the jobs and career paths they will follow are not even known yet. This is a very big issue that I call ‘educating for the unknown.’ An issue that requires us to blend an education combination that includes the historic basics (language, social studies, mathematics and science skills) with a blend of current technology.
“Regarding issues facing the local taxpayers, unless the NYS Legislature finds sustainable ways of funding public education in New York state, as an investment in the state’s future, the local tax burden will continue to increase. To help alleviate the increasing tax burden that is looming, I would ask the local voters help us in sending a message to our local NYS representation that they need to relieve/reverse the many unfunded mandates placed on the education system that drive up the cost of our local education operations. To do this I would ask them to look at the candidates slated for election this fall; and if they have a history of voting for things that appear to be good but don’t have a sustainable funding stream behind them, meaning that they will become the local taxpayers’ responsibility to sustain, then they have a choice to make about sending him or her back to Albany.”
How can the school board address this issue?
“To address the issues the students face, the School Board needs to look at the current program offerings and make choices (some possibly tough choices) to maintain the necessary combination of the basics and make sure we introduce the technologies used today to help prepare our graduates for a future that contains a lot of unknowns.
“To address the issues our taxpayers will face, which includes each of us on the board, we need to continue our efforts to make our elected officials aware that the laws they pass have local taxpayer ramifications. It will also be our job to keep the local public aware of the voting history of their local state representatives regarding these laws.”
Why did you originally run for the school board, and why have you continued to do so?
“I originally ran for the board to give back to the community through volunteerism in an effort that prepares the community for the future. We are all part of the greater education system through efforts we make with our families and communities. I continue to run for the board because of the sense of accomplishment I feel in representing a community that understands and values education and the role our students can and will play in the country’s future.”
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LISA S. SMITH
Incumbent
Age: 47
Career: Consultant
Hometown: Penfield
Education: BS degree in applied mathematics, Rochester Institute of Technology; MBA degree, Simon School, University of Rochester
Family: Married with three sons, ages 16, 17, 20
Time served on board: Three years - one term
What can you do for the Webster School District?
“Financial and business perspective, combined with a conservative approach and the lens of a parent.”
What’s the biggest issue facing Webster students and taxpayers in the upcoming years?
“Finding the sweet spot between reducing spending and increasing the potential of our students in an ever-changing world.”
How can the school board address this issue?
“Start with a superintendent who is driven to find high quality and cost-efficient methods (which we have with Adele Bovard), ask the strategic questions necessary to ensure our policies are focused on the end result and ask the questions necessary to ensure our tax dollars are spent efficiently.”
Why did you originally run for the school board, and why have you continued to do so?
“I ran for the school board because I believe in giving back to my community and recognize that education is key to our community’s success, and I believe my knowledge and experience can help the district.”
