Anisa Liban – School Board Candidate

What made you decide this was the right time to run for the school board?
I’m running to keep my seat because I’ve served this great district for only one year and want to continue the good work I’ve started. I am an advocate at heart and a deeply engaged Westerville resident, bringing a unique set of skills as a public affairs and nonprofit professional. I have invested in Westerville kids through my time, contributions to initiatives, volunteerism, and, of course, my role as a school board leader. I love this district and all of the diverse communities we are part of. I see my role on the board as twofold: advocating for parents, kids, and WCS staff while also maintaining key services during this unprecedented time of financial uncertainty. Additionally, I’d like to increase engagement opportunities and resources for parents—this is personal for me as the only member on the board with a little one. I am always thinking about the future of the district and want to ensure every child’s journey from preschool to senior year includes enriching learning opportunities.

How do you want residents to feel about your approach to leadership?
I want residents to feel that I am approachable, genuine, and truly invested in our community. My goal is to create an environment where parents, teachers, and students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. I believe that when we work together, we can create a better future for our children, and I want everyone to feel like they have a seat at the table. I am also big on action and I think I’ve demonstrated in just the short time I’ve been on the board that I am truly dedicated to our district, parents, and kids. I believe in the power of listening, as a school board member that’s important. My leadership style centers around me being a voice for all in our community.

Can you walk me through the moment you realized the funding issue was deeper than just numbers?
The moment I realized the funding issue was deeper than just numbers was during a conversation with a teacher who shared how budget cuts could affect her classroom resources. Hearing her talk about former losses due to cuts and how that made it difficult for her to provide engaging lessons for her students really hit home for me. This is why I dedicated time from my professional career last school year to advocate for our kids at the Ohio Statehouse and educate hard-to-reach communities about the state’s biennium budget and cuts to our district. Through this advocacy, along with other leaders, students, teachers, and community members, we were able to consistently represent Westerville schools at public hearings, and I’m proud of my role in that. However, it really wasn’t until I visited multiple classrooms and heard from teachers about their concerns that I realized what was at stake for all of us.

What part of the levy rejection stood out to you most—and what do you think it reflects about community sentiment?
What stood out to me most about the levy rejection last time and this time was the clear message from our community about wanting more transparency in regard to finances and general district communication to parents. People want to know how their hard-earned money will be used and how it will directly benefit our students. This shows that our community is engaged and cares deeply about the future of our schools. It’s a reminder that we need to do better in communicating our intentions and plans. We do a good job, I believe, but every resident and community requires different methods of outreach. I’ve heard those concerns and will do my best to work with my colleagues on addressing those concerns—whether it’s getting information out in multiple languages or increasing digital communication to reach residents who can’t attend board meetings.

How has that public response shaped your thinking about the district’s financial future?
The public response has made me realize that trust and communication are paramount. It’s not just about securing funding; it’s about showing our community that we respect their concerns and are committed to using their contributions wisely. I’m focused on building a future where our financial strategies are clear and community members feel involved in the process.

What’s something from your life or career that prepared you to face a challenge like this?
My experience in nonprofit leadership has prepared me well for this role. I’ve spent years advocating for underserved communities and ensuring their voices are heard. This background has taught me the importance of collaboration and compassion—skills that are essential for addressing the challenges our district faces today. As a parent to a rising preschool student, I also understand the hopes and dreams we all have for our children, and that motivates me to fight for their future.

I’ve shared my own personal experiences with facing housing insecurity as a high school student—that year was difficult for my family. I recall not being able to get homework done and struggling in class because of sleepless nights. I was fortunate not to have to experience this for long, but many kids in our district today face what I did as a child. I think about them daily. How can I help our district meet their needs both in the classroom and outside the classroom? How can we address the root issues leading to chronic absenteeism and poor test performances? This lived experience makes me who I am, and I show up every day with the intention of helping all of our kids thrive. It’s possible—I did and am a proud product of public schools.

When you imagine earning the trust of voters who are skeptical of taxes, what does that look like to you?
Earning the trust of skeptical voters means being transparent and approachable. It looks like having open conversations about our financial needs and showing how their investments will directly benefit our kids. I want to be a leader who listens and responds to concerns, demonstrating that we are all in this together for our children’s education.

What are some ways the board could improve to demonstrate transparency and foster community confidence?
To improve transparency, I believe we should host regular public forums and workshops where community members can ask questions and share their feedback. Creating a regularly updated and easy-to-navigate online portal with clear information about funding and resources would also help. It’s important that everyone feels they can participate in the conversation about our schools.

What do you think people misunderstand most about how school funding works?
Many people don’t realize that school funding comes from various sources, not just property taxes. As our treasurer always reminds us, it’s a shared responsibility between the state and community. They may not understand how state funding formulas can create inequities between districts or how constant changes to state laws impact districts like ours by requiring more dollars to be invested in meeting requirements, offering additional educational opportunities like workforce and college readiness programs, or instructional materials and trainings. A good example would be the “Science of Reading” requirement. I want to help demystify this process and show how we can work together to advocate for fair and adequate funding for all our schools. We are doing the best we can as a district with limited resources.

What’s one thing you think the board must protect at all costs—even in tight budgets?
We must protect programs that support our most vulnerable students, especially those struggling with reading or facing other challenges. As a parent to a rising preschool student, I know how important it is for every child to have access to the resources they need to succeed, regardless of their background. Investing in these programs is essential for creating an equitable educational experience.

I also believe it’s important to take into consideration data and feedback from district and building leaders who know firsthand what our kids need. They’re in the field daily, so their input matters to me. Additionally, protecting resources for vulnerable populations like students with special needs, disabilities, and language barriers is especially important now more than ever when cuts are being made not only at the state level but federal.

How do you balance listening to financial concerns with fighting for what students need?
As a parent to a rising preschool student, I’m always thinking about the future of our district and the well-being of our kids. I take into account data, insights from board meetings, and feedback from educators, students, and parents. This holistic approach helps me make informed decisions. I believe we all bring unique perspectives to the table, but what unites us is our passion for our children’s success. My priority is always to invest in our kids and remove any barriers they face while navigating the complexities of state policies—something that can be challenging but is crucial for stability in our schools.

If you could change one part of the board’s process to reflect what you’ve learned from the community, what would it be?
I would enhance our feedback processes to include regular surveys and workshops that allow for more direct conversations about complex topics like district finances. These workshops would offer opportunities for one-on-one dialogue, making sure everyone feels engaged and empowered to share their thoughts.

What result would make you feel like your time on the board was worth it?
I would feel my time on the board was worth it if we see significant improvements in literacy rates and overall student outcomes. Additionally, I want to witness the positive impact of our newly implemented MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support) framework. If we can foster a culture of transparency and trust within our community, knowing that parents and residents feel involved in the decision-making process would be incredibly rewarding.

What was not asked in this questionnaire that needs to be answered?
One crucial aspect that deserves attention is the importance of ongoing professional development for our educators. Ensuring that teachers have all of the resources they need, including training, is vital for enhancing the learning experiences of our students and addressing their diverse needs.