Emporia school board: Leslie Rathke-Seeley
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Name: Leslie A. Rathke-Seeley
Age: 27
Occupation: Financial Center Manager/Personal Banker for ESB Financial
Education: Graduated from EHS in 1998, graduated from ESU in 2002 with a BA in German and a BA in Spanish
Personal: My husband, Samuel, and I have been married for six years. We have 2 children. Sophia is 5 and Calvin is 1.
Q Why are you running for this office?
A I am running for office because we cannot thrive as a community or a nation without a strong educational system. There are many issues currently facing our nation’s schools and I feel it is my duty to meet the needs of the students, teachers and parents of Emporia .
Q If elected, what are your goals?
A I would like to see before and after-school care provided at all the elementary schools in USD 253. I think it is imperative that every student be required to take a foreign language beginning in kindergarten and continuing through graduation. I would also like to see more educational summer activities, such as enrichment courses and day camps. My main goal is to ensure that each student excels and we don’t just settle for passing.
Q How will the Emporia school board be better with you as a member?
A The Emporia school board will be better with me as a member because I remember what it’s like to be a student in USD 253. I am a young go-getter and a forward thinker who values education immensely. I would not be who I am today were it not for my teachers and administrators. I only want the best education possible for each and every child in the district. I have no pre-conceived notions or agendas to fulfill. My political mind is more or less a blank slate. For me, it truly is about the kids.
Q What do you think is the biggest issue facing the Emporia school board and how would you resolve it?
A Money, money, money. The biggest issue, as always, is money. There’s not enough of it. It’s not being allocated properly. The teachers don’t make enough. The amount spent per student has barely changed in the last 10 years. Bottom line, we get what be pay for. If we want quality teachers and students to excel, it costs money and lots of it. I don’t profess to be an expert on budgets and mill levies, but I am willing to learn. Money also ties into the next biggest issue, which is the No Child Left Behind Act. How will we ever achieve “Adequate Yearly Progress” is we’re not spending the money we do have in the right places? No one has ever been rewarded for being average. The United States spends more money on education than any other nation in the world and yet our students are failing.
Q What should the Emporia school board’s priorities be when it plans a budget?
A As redundant as it may sound, the number one priority should be meeting the needs of the students. The students needs will not be met if the teachers are poorly paid and unhappy. So, number two is competitive teachers’ salaries. Last Fall I looked at several school supply lists and was astounded to see items such as graham crackers and copy paper on the lists. I cannot believe that we do not have enough money to give our kindergarteners a snack every day. I am not a budget expert, but it seems to me that allocation of funds is a huge priority.
Q Looking to the future, what are three things you’d like to see happen in the Emporia school district?
A As I stated in question 2, I want every student to be given the opportunity to reach their full potential. I would like to see before and after-school care provided at all the Emporia elementary schools. I would like to see foreign language become an integral part of the curriculum for grades K-12. Emporia is already a great place to raise children and I just want to do my part to make it even better.
midnight_rider (anonymous) says...
Get Real Lady - There are more important things in a school budget then graham crackers for the little kindergarteners. And since when do you go by the name Rathke-Seeley? What do you think, using your daddy's name is going to help you get any more votes.
March 29, 2007 at 6:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Media_Critic (anonymous) says...
There's no question that she's counting on name recognition to win a seat on the school board, because other than that, she's got nothing going for her -- as she amply demonstrated during the candidate debates last Monday night, in which she was destroyed by Glen Strickland, among other opposing candidates. That is to say, it is not only her "political mind" that is a blank slate -- it's simply her mind, period. The hard truth is that all students, regardless of their ethnicity, ought to become fluent in English before another thin dime is spent on graham crackers for kindergarteners, or on her stated goal of requiring every student to take a foreign language beginning in kindergarten and continuing through graduation.
March 29, 2007 at 11:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4_Emporia (anonymous) says...
What is wrong with you people? She wants to help. What are you doing other than tearing her down? Do you even know her or her family? They are the nicest and greatest people ever. As for name recognition, what the hell she is a Rathke.
You really don't understand her point on the crakers, it's the fact that we spend so much and still have to ask for more.
Her father is a great man and leave him out this. If you could actually walk in his shoe, which you can't......
If you speak more that one language as an American you can do anything. You are just jealous that you couldn't possibly learn another language. Just embrace the fact that to get ahead in the future you will have to speak another language or two, it's a global thing.
How can you say that she is using the voting system to advance herself. You probally believe in aliens too. Go back to the whole you crawled out of.
If you do not know someone as a person do not insult them.
March 30, 2007 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Emporia_Proud (anonymous) says...
Woah, there’s no need to be hateful. It’s easier to lash out at those who run for office that to actually run for office yourself, isn’t it? She said in both of the candidate forums that she participated in that the main reason she ran was because no one else was stepping up. She saw a need and put herself out there. If you feel so strongly about all the issues, why don’t all of you run instead of putting her down. As for the whole name thing, she also stated that she used her maiden name so her teachers would remember her. Is that so wrong? You all need to find a better outlet for your anger!
March 30, 2007 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4_Emporia (anonymous) says...
One more thing, it was a formun not a debate. I am sure that Strickland wouldn't appreciate you speaking that way about some one else who cares so much about children and education.
March 30, 2007 at 11:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Media_Critic (anonymous) says...
Nobody here has attacked her father, 4_Emporia. In fact, it is precisely because he is so well known and well respected that she is using his good name to increase her name recognition at the ballot box. And, Emporia_Proud, if you truly believe that she's only using it "so her teachers would remember her," I've got some prime real estate to sell you for the low, low price of only a few trinkets. Do either of you seriously think that she is worthy of a spot on the school board simply because she is the daughter of a great man? That's a terrible way to decide an election. So is voting for someone merely because they want to "help" or because "no one else was stepping up," since by those criteria, everyone would be a great candidate. Moreover, Emporia_Proud's claim that nobody here has the right to criticize a candidate's views unless they themselves are willing to run is ridiculous, since it means I shouldn't be allowed to criticize George Bush since I'm not willing to run for president.
Meanwhile, 4_Emporia, I do not and cannot speak for Mr. Strickland -- I speak only for myself. Whether you prefer to call it a "forum" or a "debate" (which, by the way, is a meaningless distinction), last Monday he demonstrated a far greater grasp of the issues facing the district than she did. That's my opinion (which is not based on anger as claimed by Emporia_Proud, but on the actual statements made by the candidates), and I am entirely free to express it here, whether you or anyone else (including Mr. Strickland) agrees with it. Finally, 4_Emporia, as you know absolutely nothing about me, your assertion that I am "just jealous that [I] couldn't possibly learn another language" is nothing but a laughable personal attack based on no evidence whatsoever. It is also very revealing that Emporia_Proud did not condemn that attack, which demonstrates that his or her concern about "putting [people] down" only extends to those who oppose Ms. Rathke-Seeley.
March 30, 2007 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
A_Student (anonymous) says...
It is obvious that many of you do not know the candidates well enough to be making the comments you are. For instance, if you don't know that Leslie Rathke-Seeley has children you don't know the candidates well enough. These candidates are not here to argue that the offical language of the U.S. should be English, they are here for the kids. Get over your own personal hatred and feelings and start thinking about the bigger picture, our nation's future. And since you are so against learning a second language maybe you would like to know that studies show that children who are bilingual have better congnitive ability and do better in English grammatically. Also, it was obvious by Leslie's comment about the graham crackers that she isn't just worried about the lack of snacks but the fact that our school system has got to a point where children are having to provide even the most basic materials. Finally, don't punish Leslie for being a Rathke. You are obviously people who have personal issues with a Rathke. Get over it! And hey, Snake, how is Leslie using the Gazette voting system any differently than the other candidates? Tell me that and maybe your comment won't sound so stupid.
March 30, 2007 at 2:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4_Emporia (anonymous) says...
This will be my last comment for Media_Critic. You could criticize her veiws if you actually knew what they or understood anything normal. Have you even spoken to her? And don't compare this to a Presidential race. This is Emporia and She's just down the street. If you had any idea how a real family works, you would realize that her Father did a great job raising her and that's just one of the many reasons you should vote for her. She did not have to say that she anything more or less than a caring parent and citizen who want to help make a difference. Lots of people sound smart but still the wrong people get in. If you knew this great woman you would not be so quick to judge her. Why do you think people shouldn't try to run if they want to help and step up? What kind of Canidate do you want someone who says the right things or someone who does the right things?
March 30, 2007 at 2:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
midnight_rider (anonymous) says...
What makes her or her family so great.
Yes, she has 2 kids, so what.
Yes, her father is just a city employee, so what.
Teachers and schools have been asking parents to help pitch in for years - that is nothing new. The only thing new is now that her kids have gotten to be school age, she has to start pitching in too. So what.
There are other candidates more qualified to be on the board and they do not have to all of a sudden take back their daddy's name.
Question - Did she actually go to court and get her name changed to Rathke-Seeley before she filed for election?
March 30, 2007 at 6:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4_Emporia (anonymous) says...
She happens to be the President of her children's PTO and if you listen to the radio forum she stated that she buys things and gives them to schools. She isn't one to boast. She will always be a Rathke you idiot! She's letting people know who she is now. midnight_rider is just too much of a chicken to say these things publicly and let people know who you are. sounds like you know a little to much about her family to sit there and be a liar to their faces. I challange you to come forward you SHAMELESS CHICKEN!
March 31, 2007 at 12:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
midnight_rider (anonymous) says...
Name Calling - How mature are you 4_emporia? You should be ashamed of yourself.
April 3, 2007 at 9:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Media_Critic (anonymous) says...
It appears that yesterday, the citizens of Emporia managed to look past the Rathke name to see the "bigger picture" and elect four qualified board members who actually had the credentials and experience to serve, as well as good ideas and the ability to express them clearly. So, to 4_Emporia, Emporia_Proud, and A_Student, all of whom argued (explicitly or implicitly) that those who had the audacity to oppose Ms. Rathke-Seeley's candidacy were ignorant, reactionary idiots driven solely by anger and hate and who had no idea how "real" families work, I say: Clearly I am not the only one who thought there were better candidates than her.
April 4, 2007 at 12:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Media_Critic (anonymous) says...
One final thought as to Snake's allegation that Ms. Rathke-Seeley and her supporters were "using the voting system on the Gazette web site to advance [her] in the voting for the school board." In the web poll, Ms. Rathke-Seeley finished in second place, just slightly behind the top vote-getter, Angie Schreiber. In the actual election, however, she finished in next to last (seventh) place, far behind Ms. Schreiber, who was once again the top vote-getter. I leave it to the reader to draw his or her own conclusion as to just who is looking "stupid" right now.
Meanwhile, as an aside, I note that Mr. Strickland finished fifth in the web poll but second in the actual election, just behind Ms. Schreiber. Guess most of his supporters had better things to do than cast 110 non-binding votes for him in the Gazette's non-scientific online poll, eh?
April 4, 2007 at 1:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4_Emporia (anonymous) says...
You are all just a bunch of losers! Yes, I called you a name because thats all that stupid people understand. If you could add you would see that 500 to 600 voted online and thousands voted in Tuesday election. She did have strong support and did not need to buy everyone's vote. She also could not do that because she isn't 40 yrs plus. As for experience, most people are put into a postion one step higher than they should have been. If these people are so quailfied why did they take so long to run? And you are hateful people. Your so called opinion has cross a line and you are just trying to justify ignorance. People put too much stock in what people have done and know nothing about who people are. Just remember she did not finish last. You all who did not vote for her. Things will change and one day young people like her will be your boss and that's because they are not scared of change.
April 4, 2007 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Media_Critic (anonymous) says...
Speaking of losers, let me spell it out for you, 4_Emporia. The fact is that Ms. Rathke-Seeley enjoyed a great deal more success on a percentage basis in the online poll than she did in the election, which means that, for whatever reason, the poll was in no way representative of the sentiments of the electorate as a whole -- and that was Snake's underlying argument all along. And in case you haven't figured it out yet, the fact that thousands voted in the election while about three times fewer than that voted in the online poll does not support but actually undercuts your argument and supports Snake's claim that there was something unsettling about the wholly disproportionate level of true support for Ms. Rathke-Seeley as indicated by the results of the online poll.
As to the rest, your ageism is also now showing rather dramatically. In fact, if you were the Human Resources manager at any company, your comments would be more than enough to support an age discrimination claim in court. (Congratulations; with supporters like you, Ms. Rathke-Seeley did not need opponents.) Finally, if pointing all of this out makes me a "hateful" person in your estimation, then so be it. Meanwhile, I suggest that you take your own advice and run for a seat yourself next time.
April 4, 2007 at 1:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4_Emporia (anonymous) says...
Once again Media_Critic you talk a big game behind an secret user name. Yet you are still unwilling to see that you are the one who put importance on the online poll not I. As for "ageism" I have a Business Degree and your comments prove that she only lost because of her age and your so called idea of qualified.
One more time, He/She uses "Snake" to represent themself which says it all for me. If you want to side with the likes of them maybe you should read more articles that this person has commented on and see what a moron they are.
Don't call me out unless you have already ran. Because I have given more in my life than someone like you ever will. Because I stand up for what's right when everyone else sits by and does nothing.
Also, you seem to have never made a comment before this article which leads me to believe that you have a personal issue with Leslie. What is you deal?
April 4, 2007 at 2:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4_Emporia (anonymous) says...
I wanted to spell losers for you. It's M.E.D.I.A._C.R.I.T.I.C and S.N.A.K.E.
April 4, 2007 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Media_Critic (anonymous) says...
For the record, 4_Emporia, YOUR username is just as "secret" as mine is. (However, unlike you, I have no interest in pistols at dawn.) Here is what you said in your very first reply to Snake: "How can you say that she is using the voting system to advance herself. You probally believe in aliens too. Go back to the whole you crawled out of." Moreover, even at this late date, you do not (and cannot) deny that Snake made a potentially valid point since Ms. Rathke-Seeley received a level of support in the online poll that was wholly disproportionate to her true level of support, as measured by the actual election results. And as to your claim that Snake is a "moron," I don't really care what he or she may have written elsewhere; the argument advanced here stands or falls on its own merits.
While you have a business degree, you have shown an embarrassing lack of knowledge of employment discrimination law. I repeat: if you were the Human Resources manager at any company, your comments (in particular, your claim that "one day young people like [Ms. Rathke-Seeley] will be your boss and that's because they are not scared of change") would provide ample support for an age discrimination claim in state or federal court. Indeed, that is exactly the kind of stereotypical, discriminatory thinking that employment law was designed to punish and deter.
As to the rest, I urge you to continue to feel free to "stand up for what's right when everyone else sits by and does nothing." (That's why I suggested that you take your own advice and run for a seat yourself next time. Are you going to do that, by the way? If so, I wish you luck.) All I have argued is that you shouldn't whine about it when the vast majority of other voters disagree with your conception of what's "right" -- which obviously happened in this election.
Finally, I have already clearly stated my "deal" with Ms. Rathke-Seeley, which, as I have also previously explained, does not stem from personal animosity, anger, or hatred (as claimed by you, Emporia_Proud, and A-Student, the latter of which chose to simply disappear into cyberspace rather than attempt to defend their positions). Instead, it stems from her positions on and limited grasp of the issues, and her blatant (but ultimately unsuccessful) attempt to use name recognition to win a seat on the school board. I cannot make it any clearer than that.
April 4, 2007 at 7:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
midnight_rider (anonymous) says...
I am very impressed with Media Critic knowledge of the employment issues, ethics, and usage of language. I for one would gladly vote for Media Critic if he/she were to ever run for office. Media Critic has shown great maturity in this whole discussion. Referring back to what has been written and shared between all of the participants.
Whereas with 4-Emporia, I would be concerned. 4-Emporia you seem to wear you emotions on your sleve. Having a business degree does not make one responsible to handle business decissions. It is a well know fact, that just becasue a person has "book knowledge" does not mean that they have the maturity, common sense and life experiences to make sound business decissions. You show that book knowledge does not make professional mannerisms by your simple act of name calling and you show that you are threatened by others having and voicing an opinion that is different than yours.
I for one have totally enjoyed reading the comments from Snake and the others. Neither you or I have any idea if any of us have a degree or not; and that is not important. We all have a right to vote for who we want and the voters spoke on Tuesday.
Unfortunately not all candidates can win. We can only support the winners as they serve our school children. The school children are the ones that really matter. Not Snake, Media Critic, A_Student, Emporia_ Proud, myself or anyone you has read any of this.
So 4_Emporia, before you respond and start name calling, and critizing others, etc., think about what your actions and words say about yourself.
April 4, 2007 at 8:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4_Emporia (anonymous) says...
I THANK you all, you have helped me prove my point. Slow down try to look at the bigger picture and see that you have stood against and for the same things that I do. At the same time contradicting yourselves. Remeber you threw the first STONE, I only caught it and threw it back it your faces. Done and Done. THANK YOU VERY MUCH! As for Midnight_rider I am so sorry that I forgot to include you in the spelling bee. And finally, I suppose that Emporia_proud and A_student had given up on trying to help you understand your own ignorance in the issue at hand.
April 4, 2007 at 10:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Media_Critic (anonymous) says...
4_Emporia, your laughable attempt at a final rejoinder proves absolutely nothing, as it does not respond to a single argument I made in my previous post, does not explain how I have contradicted myself, and does not even say what your "point" was (if there ever was one). To use your analogy, what actually happened here was that you were hit very hard right between the eyes with the first stone (and the second and the third), and never managed to get off a shot of your own before collapsing ala Goliath. Adios, amigo -- and by all means, continue deluding yourself to your heart's content. Until we meet again, I'm looking forward to your candidacy in the next school board election.
April 4, 2007 at 11:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Media_Critic (anonymous) says...
I neglected to say thank you to midnight_rider for the very kind comments. If you would like to see how I have analyzed a very different issue discussed in the online Gazette, visit http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20... It's a fascinating and complex issue regarding the use of ethanol as a partial alternative to gasoline. I'll see you around!
April 5, 2007 at 1:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4_Emporia (anonymous) says...
If you had used logic and correct data. You would have spoken to the candidate and not just what was in the MEDIA. You profess to have this knowledge and you still no nothing but what you want to know. So this has still been an attack on her personally because you information is incomplete. As for Emporia_Proud and A_student I had already contacted them and know who they are and as for the drive by comment. They just tired enough not to try and help the misguided and misinformed.
I posted this to you personally and publicly.
My point is you think you have enough information about something, yet you do not even know the person. Her only failure was boast of her accomplishments. And no one is impressed with you entries, (other than Snake and others like them). When it looks like you got out a dictionary and use, gosh, thems big words thar, to help you prove that you are still ignorant.
April 5, 2007 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hjcary (anonymous) says...
I no longer live in Emporia but was born and raised there not leaving until I was done with school. I do have experience with the school board from my high school days when I went against them on a couple issues attending many a school board meetings. I do not know this mother you all have taken so much time to belittle but now that I am a parent myself I would not want to vote for anyone that does not CURRENTLY have children in the school system. Without children in the schools they can do whatever they want and its no "skin off their backs" They have NO vested interest in the job since it does not really affect them. A parent wants what is best for their child some businessman is only in it to make them selves look better something to put on their resume, biography or what ever. I saw first hand a school board going against the good of the students and future students.
Now I do not agree with some of her goals and I am not saying I would or would not have voted for her I don’t live there so I did not research each person but you brought up education and that really does not play a role in a school board candidate.
As far as college degrees they mean nothing as to how qualified a person is for a job. My husband is the senior software development engineer for the company he works for and does not have a college degree, he has experience. If someone does not have children in the school system that would tell me they are not qualified. A business degree does not make a person qualified to say how my child will or as usually the case is will NOT be educated.
I am just commenting because the reasons this person is being attacked are not very valid reasons. You need to remember it is the children that need to be in the center of these elections not whether someone is wealthy, has a degree, is well known its are they going to be looking out for the best interest of the children. When I attended the school board meetings I saw a lot of decisions being made that were not in the best interest of the children they made for political reasons and the children of USD 253 are still suffering from those choices that were made.
April 5, 2007 at 10:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Media_Critic (anonymous) says...
4_Emporia, I couldn't care less whether you or anyone else is impressed (or unimpressed) with what I have written and how I have written it. Likewise, my vocabulary is utterly irrelevant except to the extent it allows me to express myself clearly. Meanwhile, as I have said before, you don't know anything about me, my education, or my background, so your claim that I used a dictionary to look up what you think are the "big words" found in my posts is as vapid and vacuous as the rest of your appeals to emotion and age discrimination.
So for the second (and final) time, I now bid you adios, amigo, as I have now said all I am going to say about the school board election, which is water under the bridge now, anyway.
April 5, 2007 at 1:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4_Emporia (anonymous) says...
If you said everything, why do you keep writing? I know it is because you know that I am right about everything and you are just trying to keep your ideas alive.
You also knew nothing of Mrs Rathke-Seeley, yet you still spoke up. Now you are saying that I am unable to do the same thing you are doing?
By the way nice use of the Spanish language, that she supported so much.
Water under the bride, if that how you feel about then why did you even join in on the conversation?
April 5, 2007 at 1:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lurker75 (anonymous) says...
hjcary, I'm curious as to what school board decision you are refering to? Since Emporia's students are still suffering the consequences, maybe it would be a good topic to bring up?
April 5, 2007 at 1:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hjcary (anonymous) says...
Lurker75, there were two, decades long,things that ended during my time in high school all because of one little complaint. The first was the Christmas program that my mom was in as a child and then I was in was discontinued. The second was the student led student initiated prayer that used to be said at graduation every year. We lost two students during our 4 yrs and our class president was unable to say a prayer in his speech. There are Supreme court rulings all over upholding student initiated and led prayers but our school was too chicken to stand up for itself and its traditions. Public schools are being ripped to shreds all over because of a few people, life long traditions being ended because one person might complain. We had a large student and parent body present at the school board meetings to get the prayer added back into our graduation and the school board voted in our favor and we all rejoiced and then there was a school board meeting just a few days before graduation and they changed their mind and re-voted to not let the student led prayer be said but of course since there was no meeting before graduation we were screwed. I thought that was very shallow. I have to say I lost respect for the people on the school board at that time.
I said the students are still suffering the consequences in that I know the Christmas program has not resumed as far as the student led prayer I cannot say as I have not attended any graduations since mine.
This thread has really rabbit trailed from what it started out as talking about a mom wanting to be on the school board of her child’s school.
April 5, 2007 at 6:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
midnight_rider (anonymous) says...
4_emporia why do you not give up. I believe if Lesley really know how childish your comments were she would be ashamed. Also if you look back at the beginning of this. You will see that Media-critic was the second person in this discussion. You, 4-emporia, were the fourth.
I remember being in the old traditional Christmas program and being blessed to have a prayer said at my graduation from EHS. I always like the story where during the graduation ceremony the class president sneezed and the whole student body said "God Bless You" all at the same time.
Good Bye.
April 5, 2007 at 7:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4_Emporia (anonymous) says...
midnight_rider, If you knew (spelt) Leslie, you would know that she is ashamed at people like you who put down others who only want to help. So what? I was fourth, it wasn't a discussion until I commented. It was more like a one sided tounge lashing. NO, I will not back down. I will always stand up for the people who are true and honorable.
April 10, 2007 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )