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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
Qualifications,
Equity,
Student test results,
Building Consensus,
Budget
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What are your qualifications for office?
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Answer from Susan Elizabeth (Garrity) Wyder:
I have been a resident of Princeton for 41 years; I have four children who went entirely through Princeton; and, I just retired after a 31 year teaching career in Princeton. I feel that my unique perspectives from these different vanatage points, especially from one in the classroom, coupled with my passion for Princeton will qualify me for this position. I am also a life-long learner, who is willing to study and learn whatever is needed to perform this job. Finally, because I am retired, I am able to give as much time as is needed.
Answer from Bob P Maine:
I have served on the Princeton Board of Education for 4 years. During that time, my passion for this great district has only increased and I have learned a great deal about this unique district. I have led benchmarking efforts on both academics and finances for Princeton and surrounding school districts and have been part of a team that continues to deliver solid results on both the academic and financial front. Additionally, my work at Procter & Gamble provides me the solid basis for understanding the oversight of a large, diverse organization.
Answer from Sandy J. (Kennedy) Leach:
I am a current board member. We have significantly increased student achievement, reduced per pupil spending, and led a successful bond campaign for new M.S./H.S. complex. In addition, I have 26 years of sourcing experience at GE Aviation in Evendale. Demonstrated leadership, problem solving, and negotiation skills. I am a lifetime resident of Princeton, I am an alumni ('80), I am a parent of two sons, Matt ('08) and Todd ('11), who are products of the Princeton Advantage. They both attend Ohio State. I feel this has provided me a better understanding of what our students need to be successful in college and beyond. My husband Bill ('78) is a teacher in the district. I feel this broad experience is a benefit in making decisions as a board member and understanding the impact of those decisions.
Answer from Steve Moore:
I have extensive experience in private industry (P&G) leading organizations that get results. More importantly, I have been on the Princeton Board the last 4 years where we have achieved great results: Excellent Rated District and Schools, reduced costs by $2300/pupil, voter approved $120 MM Middle-High School complex, Standard & Poors AA+ highest rating that saved $13MM in financing for the district. He have modernized the district with state of art systems in insurance (self-insurance), transportation and energy management.
We have a systematized school improvement process entering its 4th year.
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2. What would you do to advance the concept of "equity in education" in your district?
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Answer from Susan Elizabeth (Garrity) Wyder:
I think that Princeton does strive to advance equity in education! There is continuity of programs throughout the schools, and Princeton does have intradistrict enrollment, so that parents can choose the school the best meets their child's needs. Additionally, Princeton is extremely inclusive with all of its special needs students, both during the school day and in extra-curricular activities. Furthermore, the arts serve as a great equalizer, and Princeton makes these programs available to all. More than anything, we need to work with the state and federal governments for equity in school funding, so that Princeton and all school districts have equitable resources to meet the educational needs of the students.
Answer from Steve Moore:
You will notice that Excellence for ALL is a top priority for me. We are in year 1 of the "Success For All" (SFA) model in four of our elementary schools ... this is a validated model that when applied with fidelity is proven to SIGNIFICANTLY improve literacy and academic achievement for all. We will achieve this and apply as appropriate to our other K-5 elementary schools. We are aggressively pursuing the NewTech high school model...again a validated project based/computer for all school reform model proven to achieve academic and career/college readiness for ALL students.
Answer from Bob P Maine:
I would continue to pursue academic curricula that are designed for success among different groups of children. Princeton is a diverse district and while we need to maintain a level of consistency across our schools, we also must be cognizant to the different needs and learning styles of different children. Princeton continues to deliver in this area with the achievement gap between caucasion children and other minority subgroups closing at a rapid rate.
Answer from Sandy J. (Kennedy) Leach:
I feel it is important for our teachers and administrators to continue to engage all of our students one on one, understanding the instructional process that works best for each student. Creating an environment and setting expectations that all students can achieve at High Levels. Additionally, I believe that effective use of technology can create efficient ways to deliver a more customized, individual education plan for our students.
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3. How would you use your students' state test results to improve education in your district?
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Answer from Bob P Maine:
The overall state test results are a good broad strokes indicator of how we are doing and can be used to identify some general focus areas (i.e. "we are consistently down in our science scores vs other subjects", or "the 5th grade Math teachers at XX elementary seem to have found something that works"). However, these are still only one set of data from one day of testing and improving student performance requires much more frequent monitoring and assessment on an individual level, student by student.
Answer from Susan Elizabeth (Garrity) Wyder:
I would use data analysis to determine strengths and weaknesses of our programs. I would work to strengthen areas of weakness by utilizing the problem solving skills of the staff in finding ways best to attack our problematic areas. In the past, when I have seen groups of educators work together on such tasks, great and successful solutions in the areas of concern are usually ascertained quickly and efficiently!
Answer from Sandy J. (Kennedy) Leach:
We will continue to review the data to identify gaps and identify areas that students need additional support to meet state testing requirements. Besides the state test results we use periodic assessments to identify at-risk students as early as possible providing early intervention.
Answer from Steve Moore:
We are in year 4 of a holistic school improvement process that is completely based upon data based assessment of kids. We are already drilling deep into the data using RTI models to identify students in need for intervention (and providing it with in school and out of school tutoring etc). For example this years data analysis we have identified middle-school and high school science as an area for systemic improvement to improve our test scores (and student academic/career readiness)...we have participated in the Race to the Top programs and are using these $'s to develop improved programs in science.
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4. What will you do to build consensus in the community in support of public schools?
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Answer from Sandy J. (Kennedy) Leach:
The Princeton community has always been very supportive of their public schools. We need to continue to improve on our communications to our taxpayers so they are knowledgable on the issues facing Princeton and are aware of the great things happening in the Princeton District. I will continue to emphasize the importance of open and transparent communication.
Answer from Bob P Maine:
As in the past, I will be as visible and approachable as possible to constantly provide transparent information to the community on the status of our schools. I am at the schools and events on a daily basis and am constantly interacting with teachers, staff, administration, and students. I will also continue to direct our administration to provide timely and transparent updates to the community on both academic performance and financial forcasts.
Answer from Susan Elizabeth (Garrity) Wyder:
I would like to see the Board more visible in the buildings; I would like to see the Board have a representative at each PTA or PFO meeting; and I would like to see the Board hold Community Forums to make the members of our communities feel that they are valuable partners in the education of our children. If the community feels welcome and involved, consensus is a likely outcome.
Answer from Steve Moore:
We have put in place 'state of the district' annual reports and periodic updates to the ENTIRE district (not just school families). We have parent advisory boards at district level and and PTA/PTSA's at all school now, including high school. We have quarterly breakfasts with all six mayors of the villages we serve. This upcoming year we are anticipating/planning a community forum series focused on the state of the district finances and proposals to deal with them ... including dialogue for a need for an operating levy (first since 1999). Also next month we are starting our recently chartered district Finance Committee that has employees (including union), community, and business partners from across the district.
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5. What are your budget priorities?
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Answer from Susan Elizabeth (Garrity) Wyder:
Princeton has taken some heavy hits in the financial arena, and the current Board has done a magnificent job of making cuts to keep us within budget boundaries. However, there is always room for improvement, and I think that looking at the budget through educational lenses would allow us to fine-tune what has been done, so as to ensure that the fewest cuts are in the areas that directly impact our students, in the areas of tools and services, and the biggest cuts are in more peripheral areas. And, of course, we need to continue to press atate and federal governments for equity in school funding!
Answer from Steve Moore:
We will meet our budgets. We have reduced our per pupil expenditures by more than $2300, and will reduce costs further with smart cost reduction using benchmark analysis and systemic improvements. We will use the state benchmarking efforts completed by SmartSchools to guide us. We will continue our tax lobbying efforts in Columbus to maintain our state funding from Tangible Personal Property Tax...that has been challenged with legislative changes at the state level. We will determine the need, timing and amount for an operating levy (we have not had a levy since 1999).
Answer from Sandy J. (Kennedy) Leach:
My priorities are to continue to look for efficient ways to deliver the high, quality Princeton education that our community expects. We need to continually benchmark against other districts and identify best practices to implement. Additionally we need to look for creative ways of generating additional revenue.
Answer from Bob P Maine:
We simply MUST have a balanced budget. Our budgeting process needs to be Purposeful, Prudent, and Planned. With the changing revenue picture for Princeton, it is clear we will need to build even stronger partnerships with our community to collaboratively provide financing necessary to provide an excellent education for our students. This will be painful at times as we make tough decisions on excellent programs that we have enjoyed in the past but cannot afford now. Through it all, we will always maintain the vision of providing an excellent education, second to none. I am sure the communities comprosing Princeton will always support a prudent and well planned financial plan to support this vision.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits may apply. See individual questions for specific word limits. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. Please edit your work before submitting. We are unable to provide spell-check at this time.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
