My close friends and the public need to know that the board members of the Lakeport Unified School District have not listened to the teachers or to the community who have spoken at board meetings and sent letters and emails.

Saying that “We have heard you” and continuing on the same path is evidence they have not heard.

The issues are:

Safety: We have had major problems in the district. Lacking a reasonable discipline policy, children and teachers have been assaulted. Classrooms have been torn apart and teachers lack support. Parents are taking their children out of Lakeport schools. We need to fix the serious safety issues that have been allowed to develop at our schools.

Mass exodus of teachers: More than 50 percent of the elementary teachers left the school this year and many more from the upper grades. This is a trend that will continue unless meaningful changes are made. We need to fix the way we treat our teachers and volunteers

Fiscal management: We need to fix the fiscal management of our school district. It turns out that in spending the bond money, the board did not prioritize the pool, which now may not be built. This was one of the main reasons the bond passed. They have also approved additional administrative positions which do not improve student outcomes, but increase the budget.

I ask you to join me on Nov. 6 and vote for the two women and the buffalo: Carly Alvord, Dan Buffalo and Jennifer Hanson.

Dr. Judith E. Luchsinger, former Lake County superintendent of schools, lives in Lakeport, Calif.