On April 4th, two Lodi School Board positions were up for grabs. Among the candidates, Adam Steinberg was reelected, while Sarah Raemisch was elected to replace former member Barb Beyer. As students of the Lodi School District, it is crucial for us to know who represents our education. I had the opportunity to ask some questions to both board members, and here are their responses:

H. Adam Steinberg

Tell me about yourself, what would you like the Lodi students to know about you?
“Over the last almost 40 years I have worked with people from all over the world, and what one quickly realizes is that people everywhere are just as smart, funny, loving, caring, passionate, and driven – as we are right here in Lodi! We really are all the same no matter our cultural, religious, social, or economic differences… We MUST come together as one – despite our differences – to secure our future on this planet. We need to work as ONE – to solve the global climate change we have created, the mass extinction of our fellow species that we are causing, and to integrate fairly the amazing technology we create.”

What is your main focus this year to improve the school district?
“To secure adequate funding. We, ALL students, teachers, parents, board members, business leaders, and community members need to be talking with our senate and assembly reps at the State capital! We need to tell our reps how important our schools are to our future, and how important they are to providing educational opportunities and co curriculars for our children.”

Why do you want to be a board member?
“For you, the students! Over the last 17 years as a community member and as a school board member I have been a driving force in putting together coalitions of people to create and support: OSC (our 3-5th grade charter school), our K-12 STEAM program, Stem Academy, getting Chromebooks and iPads in all students hands, updating and maintaining our IT infrastructure, creating our Strategic Plan, keeping everyone safe during covid, LCAT the Lodi Community Action Team, pushing forward our curriculum and co curriculars, building the new Primary school, upgrading and updating our other buildings, and empowering our students to lead their own educational opportunities.”

How will you be able to accommodate students’ concerns?
“I was the one who led getting a student representative on the School Board. I would gladly support expanding the current School Board Student Rep position out into all grades at the High School, and perhaps even down to the Middle, Elementary, and Primary schools! Let’s form a team of students and integrate YOUR ideas, thoughts, and concerns directly into the School Board. Also, I am the Advisor for the High School Science club and I am the guy you all meet in 4th grade to hatch and raise baby chicks!”

Sarah Raemisch

Tell me about yourself, what would you like the Lodi students to know about you?
“My husband and I grew up in Madison our entire lives. When kids arrived, we knew we wanted to move to a smaller community to raise our kids and outside of the Madison school district. We moved to Harmony Grove in 2021. Our oldest son, Logan graduated in 2016 and twins, Hunter and Mary, in 2018. (Yes, I’m a mom of that crazy class of 2018 that had a LOT of twins graduate that year.) I’m a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and for the past four years, I’ve worked at a large senior living facility where I am the Health Information Services Manager (which really is a fancy name for medical records).”

What is your main focus this year to improve the school district?
“As a school board member, I want to make sure we are making fiscally responsible decisions as well as making sure last year’s referendum money is spent on the needs laid out to the community. It will be difficult with soaring costs and inflation, but I’ve already seen things happen to help alleviate some of the current costs. COVID-19 really did a number on schools across the country when students were not in classrooms and were trying to navigate virtual schooling. Testing scores for the district have been down the past couple years, probably due to COVID. I’d like to see scores improve in all grade levels and from what I’ve observed, Dr. Karls (Director of Curriculum & Instruction) seems to be on top of the needs of students and teachers to help get those scores move upward.”

How will you be able to accommodate students’ concerns?
“People who work with me, and know me, will tell you my door is always open and I’m always willing to lend an ear to anyone. I’m very approachable and will always make time to listen to or discuss any concerns someone may have. I alone as a single board member will not be able to address or fix concerns, but I will always bring items to the board and administration to try and find the best solution for everyone.”

And finally, what are your plans for the future of the Lodi School District?
“My kids look back now and have realized what a great experience they had in the Lodi School District. Of course, they didn’t think so at the time they were in school. I want to make sure students get the best education and experiences the Lodi schools can offer! Part of that includes supporting teachers and staff so they have the tools needed to continue to provide top notch classes, educational experiences, and co-curricular activities.”

Congratulations to all new Board Members!