Most pressing issue

Teacher retention and recruitment remain major challenges facing the district, Cartier said. He said he would advocate for competitive salaries, stronger mentorship programs for new teachers and expanded business partnerships to provide more resources for schools. In addition, he said, he would fight to protect education funding and oppose efforts to divert resources to private institutions through vouchers.Goodwin said the district’s most pressing issue is providing the best education possible while being responsive to taxpayers. LPS, he said, should strive to recruit and retain the best teachers and ensure all students have a safe and welcoming learning environment. The district will need to work with parents, educators and community leaders to address its challenges, he said.

Top budget priority

Goodwin said the district must find ways to lower property taxes by finding innovative ways to be more efficient and effective with its funding. LPS also must do everything possible to secure state and federal funding to reduce the reliance on property taxes, he said.

Cartier said the district should invest in student achievement by reducing class sizes, expanding mental health resources and strengthening teacher support. He said he would advocate for transparency in spending and a data-driven approach to budgeting.

Superintendent search

Cartier said stability and strong leadership are essential, noting that the district is fortunate to have a strong interim superintendent. Instead of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a national search firm, he said, the board should consider the qualified leaders in the community and seek broad community input and implement a rigorous vetting process.

Goodwin said he is looking for a leader who is transparent and honest. He said the superintendent search is about finding someone who can build a successful culture and develop relationships with all stakeholders to find common-sense solutions. The board, Goodwin said, should strive to find someone who wants to be in Lincoln and invest in the district long term.

Test scores

The district must recruit and retain high-quality teachers and ensure all students feel safe and have a welcoming learning environment, Goodwin said. The district, he said, also must motivate students to get excited about education. Goodwin said he would work to expand partnerships with local businesses, colleges, trade schools and organizations to provide more career pathways for students.

Cartier said that while graduation rates have improved, LPS must prioritize early intervention in struggling schools through targeted literacy programs, STEM initiatives and more tutoring. Adequate funding for wraparound services, after-school programs, mentoring programs and parent engagement efforts will be key to closing achievement gaps, he said.

Safety and mental health

Ensuring school safety, Cartier said, requires a comprehensive, multilayered approach that fosters strong partnerships between schools and law enforcement, expands mental health support and strengthens anti-bullying initiatives. He said he would advocate for adequate funding for school counselors, social workers and behavioral health resources.

Goodwin said the district must do more to address students’ mental and behavioral health. By reducing disruptions in the classroom, he said, it not only helps students who are struggling but improves all students’ ability to learn. He said he would listen to experts concerning the best policies to implement and find cost-effective solutions.

Teacher recruitment and retainment

Goodwin said the district must ensure it is competitive in pay and benefits to recruit and retain the best teachers. The district also must provide students with better mental health services to allow teachers to teach. LPS also can look at partnerships with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and other universities and consider such efforts as tuition reimbursement.

Cartier said he would push for competitive pay and benefits with a focus on high-need subject areas. He said he also would support mentorship programs and leadership pathways and work to expand affordable housing partnerships to benefit teachers.