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Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues
See below for questions on
charter schools,
special needs students,
proficiency tests
Click on a name for other candidate information.
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1. What effect would the community (charter) schools have on the public schools in your district?
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Answer from Edward Casagrande:
Unfortunately, only (21) large districts in Ohio can have community schools introduced as a competitive force to floundering districts. If Norwood were allowed to have a charter school, I think this district would begin to be responsive to the parents and students needs both academically & financially and it would be full.
Answer from Debi Cochran Gay:
As of right now, Charter Schools have little effect on Norwood Schools. I believe they would take funds away from our school district. But they would also provide friendly competition.
Answer from Rick Guy:
I am not sure how much discussion there has been on this subject to date, but as a board member I would welcome it. I believe it would make us more competitive, and that should help improve test scores.
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2. Evaluate the adequacy of support services, beyond state standards, presently provided for special-needs students in your district.
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Answer from Rick Guy:
Being the parent of a blind child I have personally felt that the services we as a family have received have been adequate.
Answer from Debi Cochran Gay:
With having a student with special needs myself I have experienced first hand how the schools system handles this. They go beyond the state standards. Teachers and tutors alike are always available before, after and during school.
Answer from Edward Casagrande:
I did not have enough time to adequately research this issue.
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3. Has the use of proficiency tests in your school improved the education of students?
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Answer from Edward Casagrande:
Yes, and the reason is no surprise - with the reporting to the public via report cards and district comparisons, the public has finally been given the tools to hold broken districts accountable - the district will find it increasingly difficult to continue to "spin" and misrepresent test/academic data, improvement will be the only acceptable path to maintain their employment.
Answer from Debi Cochran Gay:
The proficiency testing has made the teachers aware of some of the needs of the students and helped the focus on goals for the district. But it has left less time for the elective courses.
Answer from Rick Guy:
All teachers are able to concentrate on the same curriculum. However electives have suffered due to this, having said this I believe that all children have been placed on a level playing field.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League, but formatted for Web display.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.
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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
