Lawrence School Board Aims for Transparency

Dr. David Sussman on Monday was nominated president of a Lawrence School Board that took steps toward community requests that it be more transparent and inclusive.

The board, which has carried past meetings in a brisk five to 10 minutes, took its time at its organizational meeting to go through each agenda item to make sure the community followed along. It also established citizens advisory committees that will advise the board on different issues, and said it will hold meetings at alternating district buildings.

Jesse Lunin-Pack and Dov Herman, who sought board seats in the most recent election, applauded the board for its efforts.

“The Lawrence school board, under the new leadership of Dr. David Sussman, ushered in an era of openness and responsiveness at its 2013 organizational meeting,” said Herman, a member of the Community Coalition of the Five Towns. “We are very pleased and are looking forward to working with Dr. Sussman and the entire board to benefit both the public and private school community.

The board also nominated Abel Feldhamer as its vice president, and new trustees Michael Hatten and Tova Plaut were sworn into office.

Sussman, in accepting the position, thanked the past presidents of the board.

“Murray [Forman] and Asher [Mansdorf] have done a lot of right things,” he said. “Their most startling achievement is our superintendent, [Gary Schall].”

Schall said the board will meet next Monday at 8 p.m. at the middle school to discuss recently reported graduation rates.