George Lenard (School District of University City, At-large, Missouri, candidate 2023)
George Lenard (Democratic Party) ran for election to School District of University City, At-large in Missouri.[1]
Elections
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
George Lenard completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lenard's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I've lived in University City since 1987. Before retirement, I worked as an employment attorney. While on the Board, I’ve been its only lawyer member, which has at times been quite helpful. Legal matters–including employment law issues–arise with some regularity, and although the Board has outside counsel, I have played a useful role in translating legalese for other members and aiding their understanding of and comfort with the advice of counsel.
My father was a professor and I grew up in a very academic family and community. In college, I majored in sociology, which gave me a strong interest in and understanding of community needs and institutions.
My commitment to University City schools began almost thirty years ago, as the father of three children who attended district schools from K-12. As they progressed through the schools, our family built connections with many others, ties deepening through involvement in PTO, Scouts, athletics, and other school-based activities. District schools essentially became our community, which was very important since we were originally newcomers to the St Louis area. That sense of community motivates my board service, and remains at the core of my belief in the importance of strong neighborhood public schools.
- I distinguish myself from the other candidates based on my experience serving on the board since 2014, including during the selection process that led to the hiring of Dr. Hardin-Bartley as superintendent. She has been widely recognized as an outstanding school leader, most recently in the receipt of the Missouri Association of School Administrators' Robert L. Pearce award. If I’m reelected, my experience will help continue to provide continuity while the Board adjusts to newer members. There has been great progress in many aspects of district operations, and I’m proud of my role in supporting these changes.
- I helped develop the district's evidence-based Learning Reimagined model and the strategic plan, helped lead board legislative advocacy, and represented the district on the City’s Economic Development Retail Sales Tax Board. I’ve worked on district facilities, finance, compensation, policy, and benefits committees. Professional development through the Missouri School Boards’ Association earned me Advanced Board Member certification.
- We have much to do. Above all, we must improve student achievement. High expectations and academic rigor are essential. I’m proud of the District’s response to Covid, but this protracted health crisis left too many students lagging behind. Catching up will require extraordinary efforts by all. We must ensure we provide high quality, relevant, and engaging instruction by highly qualified staff, even in the face of a national trend of educators leaving teaching more quickly than they are replaced.
I'm passionate about public education and see it as key to improving social justice and equity in a nation that for too long has left too many behind.
This election takes place against a background of political challenges to public schools unlike anything I’ve seen in my lifetime—ranging from legislation on charter schools and vouchers to efforts to censor instruction on topics of vital interest to our students. Inflation and possible recession add economic uncertainty.
My board experience can help provide stability in the face of such challenges.
I’ve helped lead the Board’s legislative advocacy work, including representing the district at the annual Missouri School Boards’ Association conference as it considered changes to the organization’s lobbying positions. I successfully drafted an amendment to these positions emphasizing local control over topics and materials for instruction in the face of efforts by state and federal politicians to score points with their extremist constituents by legislating censorship of instruction on what they deem controversial matters. I’ve been endorsed by the Missouri Equity Education Partnership, which organizes opposition to such legislation. If re-elected, I’ll be in a position to continue such work. I've also been endorsed by the University City Education Association for my support of collective bargaining and my interest in the needs of staff.
University City Education Association Missouri Equity Education Partnership
I have neither sought nor accepted individual endorsements
My first job, beyond paid babysitting, was "America's Best First Job," McDonalds. I had it as a high school junior and senior, including working full time as store opener the second half of my senior year, after graduating early and before attending college. I learned a lot from this job, keeping eyes and ears open to the work of my managers.
To set the direction of the district, in conjunction with the Superintendent, and to hold the Administration accountable. We also have a vital duty to the community to ensure wise use of resources.
I would continue the important work that has been done under the leadership of Superintendent Hardin-Bartley. This includes the evidence-based Learning Reimagined model, which focuses on humanizing, personalizing, and problematizing. Humanize means to me that we recognize that all students have human needs that, if not met, will prevent them from meeting their educational potential. Personalize means that we also recognize that different students have different needs, strengths, and learning styles, and that instruction must take such differences into account. Problematize refers to problem-based learning, which provides a more engaging and relevant educational experience. I would also continue implementing the districts strategic plan, which is currently receiving its first periodic review that includes public input through meetings at all schools. The interests of faculty and staff are best met through the collective bargaining process, as the district communicates and negotiates with unions representing them. I believe the most important way to meet the needs of the majority of community members that do not currently have students in the schools is through fiscal responsibility.
I welcome a contested campaign as an opportunity to meet community members in their neighborhoods as I engage in personal "retail politics," knocking on doors throughout the community. I'm not expending my time on fundraising, but instead am entirely focused on going out personally to directly visit homes. I don't believe any particular individuals or organizations deserve special targeting.
Thoughtfulness, listening, creativity, communication, and knowledge of a wide variety of policy areas. In the case of school board, the policy areas are not limited to those in which educators are primarily trained, but include such diverse areas as finance, real estate, law, and economics. For example, in my time on the Board, we have completed four major real estate transactions and defended a number of lawsuits.
The advanced old age of my parents, which is both a blessing and a curse. My father lived to 92. My mother is 91 and in a memory care facility for advanced Alzheimers. My own health struggles include heart attack and open-heart surgery at age 60.
I don't recall specifically, but I'm a fan of classic rock, jazz, blues, Motown, and country. I was a college radio DJ and saw the Grateful Dead four times in the 70s.
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External links
[1] ↑ Submitted to Ballotpedia's candidate survey in 2023.
