School Board Candidate Profile: Susan Lantz Says Celebrate Increasing Enrollment and Develop Long-Term Vision

In just a few short weeks, Cedar Falls voters will be able to weigh in on three open seats on the school board.

The election will be held Sept. 10. All school board seats are at-large, meaning the entire school district will be able to vote for each seat.

Seven people - five newcomers and two current board members - are vying for the seats.

Patch is running profiles of each of the candidates. Today, meet Susan Lantz, a current school board members who says the district should celebrate growing enrollment and recognize the accompanying need to develop a long-term vision.

Read more candidate profiles.

Name: Susan Lantz

Background? (Job, credentials, experience, etc.)

I grew up in Ames and received my undergraduate degree from Iowa State in education/nutrition. I earned my master’s degree in special education from UNI and taught special education at Holmes Jr. High for many years. I also taught adult ed. classes for Hawkeye Community College and special education at Waterloo West High School.

I have been a long time volunteer in the Cedar Falls schools and have served on the Board of Education for 9 years. My husband Greg and I have 5 children. I currently maintain the Cedar Heights Elementary website and volunteer for and serve on the CFCSD Foundation board.

Why are you seeking re-election? 

I believe passionately about providing a quality education for all our district’s children. I have experienced and am grateful for the difference the Cedar Falls schools have made in my own children’s lives. As a parent of five adult children, all of whom attended CFCSD (four of them during the time I have been on the board), I am very aware of the benefits our district has given them. I have great respect for the district’s past and current board members, administration and staff, and I share with them the value of working as a team when making decisions. We are all strongly focused on what is best for our students and we have worked together to provide the best possible educational experiences for our kids.

There are critical board decisions to be made that will affect our students and our community far into the future. I feel it is important that I continue to take part in those decisions, as I have been involved with this district as a teacher, parent, volunteer, and board member and can provide input from many perspectives. Public education is for all students, and an effective board member needs to see the big picture. I would like the opportunity to continue contributing to the district and the education of our students.

What do you see as key issues the Cedar Falls School District needs to address? 

As we celebrate the increasing enrollment in the district these past few years, it is important a long-term vision is created while also addressing immediate needs. With more students come higher expectations for teachers, so our commitment to, and support of, the Professional Learning Communities is crucial. Long term, we need to develop thoughtful, financially sustainable, collaborative, data-based plans for district-wide facilities, technology, world language, transportation and food service needs, while meeting the requirements of No Child Left Behind and the Iowa Core Curriculum. In partnership with the community, both long range and immediate decisions need to always stay focused on providing an excellent education for our current and future students.

In your time on the school board already, what accomplishments have you been proud of? 

I am proudest of being part of the team that has provided our kids a great education. It is a privilege to live in a community that has high expectations for our quality of life and also places such a high value on education. Some highlights these past few years:

-       Our unwavering focus on our students’ needs

-       Our students exceed state and federal standards (test scores)

-       Quality teachers and staff

-       Professional Learning Communities

-       Administrators that are willing to pilot and implement new programs

-       Technology infrastructure now in place for a sustainable technology plan

-       Remodeled and new schools and additions

-       Presenting diplomas to our graduates

-       Partnerships with Hawkeye and UNI

-       Excellent fiscal management

What is your feeling on the facilities issue the district is facing, especially regarding the high school? 

I am excited about the work that is taking place with RSP & Associates (enrollment projections), Iowa Construction Advocate Team / Estes Construction (planning consultants), Fielding-Nair International (district facilities master planner) and the Cedar Falls Community Schools District Facilities Committee. With their input, Fielding-Nair will be presenting a 10 year, holistic, district facility master plan to the board this fall. I am looking forward to having this information before moving forward with the high school and other building plans.

And now, a question from a readers:

From AJ: Do you believe that student representatives should continue serving as a non-voting member to give points of view on the issues? 

I have enjoyed the student’s input this past year, just as I have appreciated input from all our community members.