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Rebecca Lazarus
Rebecca Lazarus was an at-large member of the Ann Arbor Board of Education in Michigan. She assumed office in 2019. She left office on December 31, 2022.
Lazarus ran for election for an at-large seat of the Ann Arbor Board of Education in Michigan. She won in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Lazarus completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Rebecca Lazarus earned a B.F.A. from the University of Michigan in 1985. Her professional experience includes working as a business consultant.[1]
Elections
2018
General election
General election for Ann Arbor Board of Education At-large (4 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Ann Arbor Board of Education At-large on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jessica Kelly (Nonpartisan)  | 15.6 | 29,801 |
| ✔ |  | Rebecca Lazarus (Nonpartisan) | 15.2 | 28,990 |
| ✔ |  | Bryan Johnson (Nonpartisan) | 14.5 | 27,545 |
| ✔ |  | Susan Baskett (Nonpartisan) | 12.3 | 23,492 |
 | Lucas Cole (Nonpartisan) | 12.3 | 23,346 | |
 | Christine Stead (Nonpartisan) | 11.0 | 21,021 | |
 | Patricia Ashford Manley (Nonpartisan) | 9.6 | 18,288 | |
| Suzanne Perkins (Nonpartisan) | 9.1 | 17,385 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 585 | ||
| Total votes: 190,453 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2016
Three of the seven seats on the Ann Arbor Public Schools school board were up for general election on November 8, 2016. Incumbents Simone Lightfoot and Deb Mexicotte filed for re-election, while Andy Thomas opted not to seek a new term. Lightfoot and Mexicotte ran against challengers Jeff Gaynor, Rebecca Lazarus, Jeremy Glick, Harmony Mitchell, Don Wilkerson, and Hunter Van Valkenburgh. Gaynor, Lightfoot, and Mitchell won in the election.[2]
Results
| Ann Arbor Public Schools, At-Large General Election, 4-year terms, 2016 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Jeff Gaynor |
16.04% | 22,258 |
| Simone Lightfoot Incumbent |
15.48% | 21,487 |
| Harmony Mitchell |
14.78% | 20,507 |
| Deb Mexicotte Incumbent | 14.07% | 19,524 |
| Hunter Van Valkenburgh | 12.66% | 17,566 |
| Rebecca Lazarus | 11.40% | 15,822 |
| Don Wilkerson | 7.88% | 10,940 |
| Jeremy Glick | 7.00% | 9,718 |
| Write-in votes | 0.68% | 940 |
| Total Votes | 138,762 | |
| Source: Washtenaw County, Michigan, "Official Election Results," accessed November 22, 2016 | ||
Funding
School board candidates in Michigan were required to file pre-election campaign finance reports with their county election offices by October 28, 2016. Post-election reports were due by December 8, 2016.[3]
In Michigan, candidates are prohibited from receiving contributions from corporations or labor organizations. Within 10 days of becoming a candidate, candidates must form a candidate committee. Following the creation of the committee, candidates have an additional 10 days to register the committee with the school district filing official by filing a statement of organization. A candidate committee that does not expect to receive or spend more than $1,000 during the election cycle is eligible to receive a reporting waiver, which allows that committee not to file pre-election, post-election, and annual campaign statements.[4]
October 28 filing
Candidates received a total of $15,654.22 and spent a total of $8,378.46 as of October 30, 2016, according to the Wasthenaw County Clerk/Register.[5]
| Candidate | Contributions | Expenditures | Cash on hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simone Lightfoot (incumbent) | $4,143.57 | $3,282.62 | $1,005.98 |
| Deb Mexicotte (incumbent) | $2,262.30 | $450.00 | $1,812.30 |
| Jeff Gaynor | $1,361.12 | $0.00 | $1,361.12 |
| Jeremy Glick | $3,815.00 | $3,281.60 | $553.40 |
| Rebecca Lazarus | $1,350.00 | $1,364.24 | -$14.24 |
| Harmony Mitchell | $1,361.12 | $0.00 | $1,361.12 |
| Don Wilkerson | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Hunter Van Valkenburgh | $1,361.11 | $0.00 | $1,361.11 |
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Rebecca Lazarus completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lazarus' responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
1. Oversee the District's spending to ensure sound management with a focus on reducing wasteful spending. 2. Review outsourcing agreements to ensure our buildings are safe, clean, and well maintained and students and teachers are receiving quality services. 3. Make sure that ALL students have equal access to state-of-the-art resources and their privacy is protected.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
One area of public policy is education. I am passionate about providing all children equal access to a high-quality educational experience. As a parent, it is important that our local school board has clearly defined district policies that allow them to be more responsive and proactive to student and teacher needs. I believe social policies impact not only the educational opportunities available to all young people, but they also impact a district's ability to distribute knowledge and give all students fair access to high-quality resources. Putting a priority on caring, passionate teachers is an essential part of building a stronger public educational system. I believe that having a strong school district is critical to building a thriving community both socially and economically.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
"How Schools Work" by Arne Duncan
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Honest, good work ethic, fair, humble, approachable, and a good listener
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I believe I posses all the characteristics listed above. This is why I am willing to step forward and run for Ann Arbor Public School Board Trustee. I will be a good listener to all constituents, I am honest, fair, humble, approachable, and my parents raised me to have a strong work ethic - work before play.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Be a fair and honest representative of your constituent base.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
Growing-up on a family farm, my first job was gathering eggs 7 days a week. I quickly learned that if I did not do my job well and consistently, it would negatively effect my family. Learning responsibility at such a young age has proven to be one of my most valuable life lessons.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My 2 kids, husband, and 2 dogs.
What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?
The purpose of the board is to set district policies that are based on best practices, student, teacher, and community needs. I bring business management experience and years of working with government systems to the board. I will also bring a fresh perspective and transparency to the board, so the district can be more progressive and more responsive in delivering high-quality educational services to all students and teachers. I promise to keep student needs at the forefront of every decision I make as a board member.
Who are your constituents?
Ann Arbor Public School District
How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?
One of Ann Arbor's best qualities is our diversity. Many of us choose to live in Ann Arbor because of this wonderful trait. To support diversity in our community, I will listen to all stakeholders and their concerns regarding equity and access to state-of-the-art resources. I will work with the superintendent, board members, teachers, and community leaders to address these concerns in meaningful and financially sound ways. Follow-up with stakeholders to ensure that we properly address concerns and put in place the necessary changes for a successful outcome.
How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?
Building strong relationships with our community and our neighboring communities is important to bringing change to how public education is funded. If we want to fix our state and local funding, education needs to be at the forefront of our political debate in Michigan. I would actively reach out to other neighboring school districts to push back against Lansing and petition our state representatives to put forth a new proposal to amend Michigan's 1994 Proposal A.
What will you do to build a better relationship with parents in the district? What plans do you have to be inclusive of parental involvement?
Parent involvement is so important in maintaining a strong school district. As a parent, I am stepping up to run for School Board this election. Over the years, I've had the pleasure of talking with many parents and they want the same things for their children as I do – to have them attend schools with caring passionate teachers in a clean safe environment with equal access to high-quality resources that prepare them for life after graduation. I will continue to meet with parents through neighborhood organizations, PTSOs, advocacy groups, churches, etc. to hear their concerns. I will encourage others, just like me, to be bold and run for office to help make real change happen. The best way to bring fresh new ideas to the board is through new leadership.
Do you believe it is important to intentionally recruit with the aim of diversifying the district’s faculty, staff, and administration? If so, what would be your policy to achieve this?
Having a diverse faculty, staff, and administration is a goal that our district has struggled with in the past. Research shows that students who have teachers that reflect their ethnic backgrounds have a more positive learning experience. As a board member, I would encourage the district to continue to work with local colleges to actively recruit diverse educational professionals. I would also like to implement a teacher mentoring program districtwide to better prepare 1st year teachers before unleashing them in a classroom of young students. Veteran teachers would mentor these 1st year teachers and would be rewarded for their mentoring service.
What issues get in the way of quality education? How would you address these obstacles?
There are many aspects to providing a quality educational experience to all students, one of the most challenging is funding. That is why I would work with other school district boards to put pressure on our state and local representatives to amend Michigan's 1994 Proposal A law.
What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?
Teachers are our district's greatest asset. I will work with others to create a fair and effective teacher evaluation system. Streamline the process to reduce the amount of time currently imposed upon teachers and principles to administer the current 76 category evaluation system. Upon implementation of a new system, the district will provide proper training to all administrators to ensure the new system is used fairly.
What type of skills should students be learning for success in the 21st century?
Students need to excel academically and learn important social skills such as team building, professionalism, cooperation, active listening skills, critical thinking skills, and presentation skills.
In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?
Working in the real estate development industry, I see too often the need for quality trade workers. I would like to see Ann Arbor expand their trades curriculum and reach out to trade unions and businesses to mentor these students in real world applications. This would encourage students to stay in Michigan after graduation and build our state's economy.
What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?
As a board member, I will use my business management experience to oversee district spending to ensure sound fiscal management of tax dollars with a focus on reducing wasteful spending.
What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?
There is always more that can be done to make our district better. Ensuring our schools are safe for all students is a top priority. Student safety includes busing, cross-walks, outside contractors, bullying, discipline, student/adult interaction, water, building conditions, special education, equipment, team sports, etc. But as a school board member I will consistently and diligently work with the superintendent and others to ensure student safety is monitored and improved on a constant basis. Our schools are not islands. We need to reach beyond our school walls to the greater community. Collaborate with others is key. We need to share resources, so the district must be a leader in reaching out to each school and their surrounding community to include other stakeholders, e.g. neighborhood organizations, businesses, law enforcement, etc.
How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?
Repair the administration of special education services throughout our district. To improve and streamline processes and procedures. Provide the necessary professional development to teachers to recognize early detection of student mental health needs and special education needs.
What role do you imagine technology playing in (and outside) the classroom in the future? How would you prepare the district for this?
Technology has quickly changed all aspects of our daily lives -- the way we work, learn, communicate, think, and play. Technology in the classroom is necessary, but as responsible stewards of your tax dollars, the board has to keep up to date on industry trends and how technology can support shifts in teaching and learning. In general, the newest technology has a shelf life of 18 months or less before something faster, newer, and better comes along. This is a reality of the fast pace industry of technology. So, before the board considers investing in any new technology, we must reach out to teachers and staff to hear and listen to their views and concerns regarding how it fits or doesn't fit into their teaching environment. We also need to include proper training and support mechanisms to support any technology investment.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Ballotpedia biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | What is your political philosophy?
I feel there is a need and the opportunity for our board in Ann Arbor, Michigan to be more responsive and more progressive in delivering high-quality services and support to our students, teachers, and principals. I will bring a transparency to the board so the district can be more proactive in how we address student, family, and teacher concerns. I will also use my business management experience to ensure the district spends our tax dollars wisely while keeping a focus on reducing wasteful spending.[6] |
” |
| —Rebecca Lazarus[1] | ||
2016
Lazarus provided the following responses for the voter guide compiled by MLive.com:
| “ |
Why are you running for office? What are your top three priorities? What is the most pressing issue for this office? |
” |
| —Rebecca Lazarus (2016) | ||
See also
- Ann Arbor Public Schools, Michigan
- Ann Arbor Public Schools elections (2016)
- Ann Arbor Public Schools elections (2018)
External links
|
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted on Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form on October 9, 2018
- ↑ Washtenaw County Elections Division, "Official List of Candidates-November 8, 2016 General Election," August 26, 2016
- ↑ Michigan Bureau of Elections, "2016 and 2017 Campaign Finance Filing Schedule," January 12, 2016
- ↑ Genesee County, "Filing Requirements under Michigan's Campaign Finance Act," February 7, 2014
- ↑ Washtenaw County Clerk/Register, "Campaign Finance," accessed October 30, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ MLive.com, "Voter Guide," accessed October 20, 2016
| Ann Arbor Public Schools elections in 2018 | |
| Washtenaw County, Michigan | |
| Election date: | November 6, 2018 |
| Important information: | What was at stake? |
