Lancaster school board candidates back budget, call for more teacher support and mental-health services

LANCASTER, N.Y. — At a candidate forum hosted by the Lancaster High School Student Union, the three people running for seats on the Lancaster Central School District Board of Education expressed support for the district's proposed 2025'1026 budget and said recruiting and retaining teachers and expanding student mental-health supports are the district's biggest priorities.

Voters will decide the budget in a May 20 vote. The forum on behalf of Lancaster High School Student Union gave each candidate time to introduce themselves and answer questions from students and audience members.

Melissa Payne Smith, a 21-year classroom veteran and graduate of the Lancaster Central School District running as a candidate, said she supports the budget and wants to "support the teachers, the staff, the students, and be that connection between the community and the school district." She said the teacher shortage is the most pressing challenge: "the pool of candidates is not significant" and that the district should continue to make Lancaster an attractive place to work by providing resources and support for staff.

Incumbent board member John Talarico, who has served six years on the board and said he has been active on committees including audit and school safety, also said, "I do support this year's budget." Talarico said the district's larger challenge is managing "unknowns" from outside the district, citing upcoming mandates such as the transition to electric buses as examples of costs the district must plan for, and he stressed the importance of having "the right leaders in the right places" to respond to those pressures.

Jonathan Van Norwick, a project manager at Rich Products and a Lancaster graduate, said he supports the budget as long as it continues to provide current services and any new needs: "I'm all for providing our students anything and everything they need to succeed." Van Norwick called mental-health awareness "a critical aspect of supporting our students" and urged that schools provide clear outlets for students to talk and get help.

On student mental health, candidates described steps already taken and areas they would support. Talarico noted the district has added school psychologists and social workers in recent years and said he has supported budgets that included additional counseling resources. Payne Smith, who teaches middle school, said staff relationships matter and that teachers who connect with students are key to identifying and helping those who are struggling.

All three candidates said they favor offering Advanced Placement and other accelerated options to students who are prepared for them while ensuring the district continues to provide career, arts and vocational pathways for students for whom AP is not the right track. Payne Smith praised the district for paying for students' first two AP exams, calling the practice "incredible" because it makes AP coursework more accessible.

The forum also covered candidates' motivations for running and their ties to the community. Payne Smith said she wants to bring an educator's perspective to the board. Talarico emphasized continuity of programs and staffing; Van Norwick cited family history of school-board service and a desire to help shape opportunities for students.

Student Union president Leah Wallens moderated the forum and asked candidates questions submitted by the student voting committee. An audience member identified only as Jennifer asked candidates what they were most looking forward to if elected; candidates generally replied they looked forward to serving the district and supporting students and teachers.

The forum was informational; no formal actions or endorsements were taken. The candidates encouraged voters to participate in the May 20 budget vote and in school elections.