League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 6, 2007 Election
	Jill S. Cole Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Sycamore Community School District

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What are your qualifications for office? (50 word limit)

I have held numerous volunteer leadership positions over the 20 years we've had our five children in Sycamore, including PTO president four years. I am known and trusted by parents, staff and administration. My business experience in banking, accounting, communication and management will serve the district well. See http://www.votejillcole.com.

2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)

Our excellent rating must continue, and will require us to look closely at weak areas and institute programs as needed so that all children develop to their full potential. Our current financial results and future needs should be reported regularly to our stakeholders, in clear and understandable ways. We need to continue to earn the trust and respect from those we serve through sound decision-making in finances. Programming decisions need to be based on sound research with accountability for results. We must strive to involve our community in the schools through open dialogue.

3. What is your position on amending the Ohio Constitution with regard to the funding of public schools? (150 word limit)?

School funding in Ohio has long been a problem: one without any obvious solution. The current proposed constitutional amendment presents areas of concern and leaves many questions about how it would be implemented. Chiefly, I am concerned that communities would lose local control over local decision-making about schools. We would not be able to determine the level of education we feel would prepare our children for success beyond school, either in the workplace or as they seek additional education. The specifics of funding are unclear. I am also concerned about the creation of a new layer of bureaucracy. The plan as proposed was reached out of compromise, and is not necessarily the one that will serve the children of the State of Ohio. Perhaps as work continues on this plan, and questions are answered, more support can be generated. Otherwise, a new more effective plan will need to be developed.

---

Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits apply for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter

---

Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 4, 2007 17:44
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.