The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.

See below for questions on Qualification, Priorities, Parental involvement, Pressing Issue, Role of School Board, Core expectations: results, Core expectations: equity

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Susan Cranley:

I work in the St. Bernard-Elmwood Place School District, focusing on literacy and at-risk students. I also helped to establish a foundation that enables the district to maintain a health clinic. My knowledge of Best Practices and current research means I will help the district focus on and improve student achievement.

Answer from Eileen Cooper Reed:

Former Director of the Children's Defense Fund Extensive background in educational policymaking Directed citizen engagement in CPS building program Only community representative on CPS Redesign Team Extensive experience in Board/Executive roles and responsibilities Experience in budget development and management

Answer from William L. "Bill" Haase:

I am a parent of three children in the district and have a vested interest in their education. My profession in finance will give me insight into the business of running the district. Above all I am an optimist and believe that we can deliver quality education to our children.

Answer from Melanie Bates:

Prior to my four year term on the Cincinnati School Board, I served as an elected member of the Ohio State Board of Education, 1995-2001. I have a track record of board work with the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, Mayerson Academy, SAY East Youth Soccer, and Xavier University Board of Governors.

Answer from Catherine D. "Cathy" (Asbury) Ingram:

I have extensive experience in examining and implementing education reform on the state and national level as well as the impact of those reforms in the context of Cincinnati City Schools. I have graduated two sons from the system. I graduated from Woodward.

Answer from Harriet Russell:

Member, Cincinnati Board of Education, 1994-Present; Chairperson, Personnel & Program Committee; Member, Finance Committee; Chairperson, Facilities Committee, 1999, 2001; Board Vice President, 2000, 2004, 2005. President, Greater Cincinnati Credit Union Board Member, Wilshire Funds Teacher, Heinhold Jr. H.S., 3 yrs Walnut Hills H.S., 27 yrs

Answer from Catherine D. "Cathy" (Asbury) Ingram:

Continue to monitor and evaluate the sizing of the facilities master plan as well as create diverse means of increasing revenue for the benefit of the district and therefore the community. Work closely with all Board members to build consensus and trust with each other, the administration and the community.

Answer from Eileen Cooper Reed:

1. Achievement for all students - Align state and local standards, set high expectations for performance and bold annual goals for achievement, ensure expansion of early childhood programs, instill urgency regarding achievement, monitor closely
2. Teacher Quality - ensure hiring of competent teachers, promote strong and effective professional development programs, link evaluation to effective teaching
3. Fiscal Accountability - serious consideration of Mayor's Budget Task Force recommendations, adopt fiscal policies that comply with best practice, monitor budget alignment monthly and insist on explanation and redress of budget variations

Evaluate CPS administration based on these principles. Better engage parents and citizens in CPS.

Answer from Susan Cranley:

To improve student achievement, the Board must:

1. Start Board meetings with a report on student achievement.

2. Create and implement a new strategic plan.

3. Institute curriculum mapping in the twelve lowest performing schools.

To improve Board performance, the Board must:

1. Adopt a policy of openness and cooperation by publicly disclosing all audits.

2. End closed-door executive sessions.

3. Reduce the number of meetings to two per month and stop micromanaging the district.

4. Have a Board retreat.

5. End the practice of paying Board members per-meeting.

The Board must assure that community learning centers serve all taxpayers by:

1. Ensuring that schools are a welcoming and supportive heart of the community.

2. Partnering with Cincinnati Recreation Commission to use gymnasiums as basketball centers at night.

Answer from Melanie Bates:

To increase academic achievement administration and staff need to be held accountable by the board for the specific academic performance of CPS students. A sense of urgency must be established for making sure that students learn and reach high academic standards. To insure that our schools are the safest places our children can be, Community Learning Centers within our schools shall include space for Community Policing Offices. Also, teachers and auxiliary staff shall be trained to work with children who have significant behavioral problems. To address questions about the credibility of the district's finances, the board shall seriously consider the recommendations of the Mayor's Task Force. The task force is doing critically important work of examining the financial situation of CPS.

Answer from Harriet Russell:

Student achievement will be raised by redesigning/restructuring schools with smaller classes, teams of committed, highly-qualified teachers who are supported by other staff, parents, and business/community partners. Cincinnati Public Schools have established standards in every grade and course. Teachers trained in the standards, covering the standards, measuring students to the standards, will be measured by their effectiveness in teaching the standards.

I will continue to support 1) the Superintendent and Treasurer to reduce expenditures while giving priority support to teaching and learning in the classroom; 2) the implementation of the Facilities Master Plan on time and within approved funding, 3) the school-community planning process developing community learning centers to support students and families

Answer from William L. "Bill" Haase:

To raise student achievement we should first look to the successful schools in our district and use them as models for the underperforming schools. There is a strong correlation between visual arts, music and athletics in the development of children and we should make sure these opportunities are provided.

We must provide our teachers and principals with instruction to keep them current in their fields and use a fair system to evaluate them so that the best teachers are rewarded for their effort.

We should evaluate facilities for safety, cleanliness and comfort and improve those that are lacking.

Answer from Catherine D. "Cathy" (Asbury) Ingram:

The most recent implementation of "Raising the bar for Customer Service" at CPS should lead to ways to make parents feel included and respected. Though this has been somewhat in place it is evident not everyone had buy-in. Working with outside communities should help educate parents and others.

Answer from Melanie Bates:

We must make school about children again. CPS is designed around the needs of adults rather than the needs of children. The culture of our schools must shift to accommodate the academic needs of our students and their families. This culture shift must come from top leadership, and when children and families truly come first, parental involvement will become integral in the system rather than an accessory in the education process of our students. As a leader with the support of the community I will continue to pressure for this change in culture.

Answer from Susan Cranley:

CPS must communicate with parents. Communications must be straight forward and understandable.

CPS must involve parents in school activities. Schools must find ways for parents help from home when they can't come to school. Teachers and administrators must encourage parents help in classrooms, throughout the building and on the playground. To guarantee success, volunteers must be trained.

CPS must involve parents in building governance. Parents must be informed about policies and procedures that are mandated or for which there are Best Practices.

Parents who understand choices and possibilities usually find a way to contribute to the well-being of their children.

Answer from William L. "Bill" Haase:

First visit the existing parent teacher organizations in the schools and gather their input on school issues. If parents believe their voice is being heard they will participate. Promote extra curricular activities with parent volunteers such as athletics in both intervarsity leagues as well as neighborhood associations like SAY soccer. Invite parents into the classrooms to be room parents or help on field trips and other activities. Provide child care for parent volunteers. Reward schools who can show creative ways to involve parents.

Answer from Harriet Russell:

Increasing parental involvement begins by making every parent feel welcome and needed in every school. Parents and caring adults must come to believe that schools need them to help every student succeed. I will 1)continue to support superintendent Rosa Blackwell in our customer training for all employees; 2)continue to support the activities of Parents for Public Schools and other organizations; 3)continue to support the community engagement promoted by Citizens School Committee. My commitment is to work collaboratively to increase parental involvement.

Everyone must work together so that every student will succeed.

Answer from Eileen Cooper Reed:

A proponent of strong parent AND community involvement at all levels of the district; ensure that the Board is open, transparent and accessible to parents and community Identify and develop multiple methods for engagement of parents and community; support the appropriate development of community learning centers and family friendly school environments; strengthen LSDMCs and promote training for them; review policies for engagement of both parents and community,strengthen them and enforce them; and, develop and use appropriate parent engagement evaluation criteria

Answer from Catherine D. "Cathy" (Asbury) Ingram:

Increased academic achievement for all students while developing strategies to close all achievement gaps.

Answer from Eileen Cooper Reed:

I believe the most pressing issue facing Cincinnati Public Schools is student achievement. As a community, we have not developed the will to insure that the educational needs of all of our students are being met. We seem to get distracted by the needs of adults, inside and outside the system rather than placing children at the center of our policymaking and strategy development. As adults in the Cincinnati we have not held each other accountable for our respective roles in student achievement, nor have we found sufficient ways of supporting one another in the carrying out of those responsibilities. I believe that the task before us is developing an adult community - parents, teachers, administration, Board and community, dedicated to the achievement of all students, and the gathering of public and private resources necessary for that achievement.

Answer from William L. "Bill" Haase:

Improving academic achievement is the most pressing issue facing Cincinnati Public Schools. While there are failing schools, there are many bright spots. The magnet schools such as Fairview, Clark Montessori, Walnut Hills and the School for Creative and Performing Arts are among the best in the city. We need to model more schools after these to provide the best education for our children.

We need to provide all of our children with the opportunity to participate in the arts, music and athletics. Many studies suggest that these activities improve the ability of the children to learn.

Answer from Harriet Russell:

To continue to improve student performance is the most pressing issue facing CPS. All of our actions and decisions should be focused on strengthening student learning and building support for our students.

Answer from Susan Cranley:

CPS must create and implement a strategic plan. CPS's Strategic Plan expired in early 2004. A strategic plan maps where you are going and how you are going to get there. The goals it sets forth insure that the district has a focus and a framework. A strategic plan's goals and performance indicators serve as progress monitors. It determines strategies for achieving the goals and makes it possible to create an action plan. An effective plan will be data driven and student centered. It is an affirmation of the mission and vision of the district: it focuses on student achievement.

Answer from William L. "Bill" Haase:

Setting policies that focus on improving student achievement is the most important role and responsibility of a school board member. The policies should give every child an equal chance for a good education which would include distributing recourses fairly. We should set high expectations for students and educators and establish a fair system of monitoring progress. We should reward the schools who do the best in achieving these expectations and make changes in schools that do not. Above all we should maintain an optimistic outlook and work hard to make our schools the best in the nation.

Answer from Eileen Cooper Reed:

The role of the school board member is to: Contribute to the development and refinement of the vision and mission; establish clear standards of performance and to assess progress based on performance goals;be open, honest and accountable to the community;create the conditions by which excellent teaching and student learning and performance will take place;create a climate that is welcoming to parents and commmunity, supportive of administration and teachers, and has high expectations of students; develop collaborative relationships;be a good steward of public dollars, align to system goals and monitor their expenditure. The best interests of students must be the cornerstone of board decision-making.

Answer from Catherine D. "Cathy" (Asbury) Ingram:

The Board of Education members are the oversight governing body of the school district as chartered by the State of the Ohio. The Board's role is to set parameters in which the superintendent and treasurer as CEO and CFO hired by the Board, function to manage the district. Each member is a part of the whole.

Answer from Harriet Russell:

• To establish and appraise educational goals for the Cincinnati Public Schools
• To pass upon matters of policy
• To consider recommendations of the Superintendent
• To select and evaluate the Superintendent and Treasurer
• Adopt the annual budget
• To provide the funds necessary to finance the operation of schools
• To make rules for the operation of the schools
• To solicit and weigh public opinion as it affects the schools, and to inform the public concerning the progress and needs of the schools
• To provide the legal oversight for the implementation of the $985 million Facilities Plan

Answer from Susan Cranley:

School boards must be judged by the academic achievement of all its students. Thus the most important role of a board member is to assure that a quality education is provided for every student. The education must be rigorous and demanding if our students are to be productive citizens in the 21st Century. To achieve that goal board members must be cooperative. Individual agendas and the politics of polarization must be avoided. Board members must understand that their role is that of governance. Governance guided by policies which are established by mission and vision and articulated in the strategic plan.

Answer from William L. "Bill" Haase:

I would follow this simple formula. First clearly define what the problem is. In one school it may be mathematics, in another reading, or any combination. Second, find out the causes of the problem. It could be in instruction; it could be any number of things. Third, list the possible solutions to the problem. It may require a change in curriculum, or simply focusing on the area that needs improvement. Finally, we should pick the best possible solution and implement it as soon as possible. There will always be challenges, but I think we can rise to meet these challenges.

Answer from Susan Cranley:

To improve student achievement, I would:

1. Institute a policy that all Board meetings start with a report on student achievement--bringing CPS back to its core mission: student achievement.
2. Create and implement a new strategic plan.
3. Institute curriculum mapping in the twelve lowest performing schools to protect our most vulnerable students.

To close the achievement gap, I would:

1. Mandate that teachers understand and access disaggregate student achievement data.
2. Insure that the data is used to create interventions and enrichment opportunities.
3. Examine results in all subgroups, identify trends and address problems and successes.

Answer from Eileen Cooper Reed:

Because student achievement is my first priority, aligning state and local standards, setting high expectations for performance, aligning resources to achievement goals, expanding early childhood programs and continuous monitoring of outcomes are important to achievement for all students. Closing that gap would entail taking a good look at the disaggregated data, setting specific goals and strategies at the site level, the allocation of resources to the local strategies and the inclusion of bold goals in a new CPS strategic plan.

Answer from Harriet Russell:

To improve student achievement for all students would require more professional development for principals and teachers in standards, content and examples of effective lessons/activities and the opportunity/training for parents/caregivers of our students to work with their children to support their learning concurrent with our development of support in our community learning centers.

Increased intervention after benchmark testing should be supported by the district's budget and by community volunteers and organizations.

Answer from Eileen Cooper Reed:

The CPS Board is the primary steward of public investment in the public system. Each year the Board approves a budget prepared by the administration. At least once a month, the Board should receive a fiscal report from the Treasurer, determine if there is a variance in the budget and require an explanation and/or plan for relieving such variance. The Board must also attend to the building program and insure that dramatic cost overruns are avoided. If there is a shortfall, the Board must address it expeditiously by considering alternative financing options, searching out other sources of funding, cautiously tapping into reserves or cutting back programs.

Answer from Harriet Russell:

In 2006 those persons who run for the legislature and statewide office must be interviewed and ONLY supported when they make a solid commitment to solid financial funding of K-12 public education.

CPS must intensify its marking efforts to recruit students and families.

Answer from Susan Cranley:

Keeping spending within revenues will be a constant challenge. Revenues are shrinking and costs are escalating. The treasurer must keep the board apprised of revenues, expenditures and encumbrances. Tough decisions must be made. Making them will require thorough consideration, consultations with experts and in collaboration with the various stakeholders. Local taxpayers are paying an ever-increasing portion of the school's budgetary needs through taxes. Board members must be sure that the budget is fiscally responsible. The school board must articulate needs, explain how and why money is being spent, and approach the community for monetary support when necessary. (97)

Answer from William L. "Bill" Haase:

Review the current school budget with the treasurer including both sources of revenue and expenditures. Find out if there are possible ways to trim the budget while keeping it in compliance with both federal and state mandates. Reduce spending without risking the quality of education for our students. Look for other ways to drive revenue including grant writing, partnering with businesses and finding funds at the federal and state level.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.