Louis C. Buschle Answers Questions

Candidate for
Board Member; Cincinnati City School District

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

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. What can Cincinnati Public Schools do to restore the public's confidence in their ability to educate the district students so parents will send and keep their children there?

"CPS must show results! Students achievement needs to be higher and the district must do significantly better on the Ohio proficiency tests. The CPS Board also needs to produce results. The Board of Education should be more responsive to the community and take the lead in lobbying for changes in school funding. The school buildings must be repaired and renovated after years of neglect. The Board must find a solution."

2. What effect(s) will the community (charter) schools have in the Cincinnati Public Schools?

Charter schools could have a positive effect on CPS. In the business world competition generally is healthy and encourages everyone to do a better job. Charter schools will force CPS to be more accountable because if CPS does not improve, declining enrollment will accelerate. On the negative side, charter schools will significantly reduce revenue, as Ohio student funding will go to charter schools. This could lead to moe neighborhood public school closings. It is too soon to know the long-term effects on CPS. Suffice to say that if CPS continues to improve it should withstand the threat from charter schools.

3. Evaluate the adequacy of support services for special needs students in Cincinnati Public Schools?

Although I do not have first-hand knowledge of the adequacy of services for special needs students, I can say I have heard mixed opinions. CPS had requested help with an evaluation of these services, which led to the formation of a task force comprised of several interested agencies. The evaluation was contained in a report that was provided to CPS in late 1998. According to a member of the task force the report contained several specific recommendations. Some of which have already been acted upon and others which have not. In summary, I would say CPS is not completely in compliance with its own rules but there is sincere effort to get to that point.