Why I am seeking a second term

By Sally Warner

My platform four years ago emphasized accountability, efficiency and results. I'm proud to say I've helped our school district make great strides in all three areas.

My platform four years ago emphasized accountability, efficiency and results. I'm proud to say I've helped our school district make great strides in all three areas:

Accountability - Cincinnati Public Schools now has an accountability model that measures how well schools are doing and holds each accountable for results. Those schools that fall short are redesigned with new programs and new staff. This has been done successfully in four schools so far and will be done in three more this fall.

CPS has also developed and implemented the first performance-based teacher evaluation and compensation system in the country. Developed cooperatively by CPS administration and the teachers' union, this system compensates teachers based on evaluations conducted by principals and lead teachers.

Efficiency - CPS continues to decentralize, putting control of resources in the hands of Local School Decision-Making Committees. These are the people best able to put resources to use improving student achievement. Less than 5% of our current budget's general funds are for central administration. We believe this to be the lowest of any major urban school district in the nation.

Results - Student proficiency scores have risen steadily at all levels--fourth, sixth, ninth and twelfth grades. Preliminary results from the State of Ohio show that CPS has moved from "academic emergency" status to "academic watch." We still have a long way to go, but this is a significant first step.

Key to our progress is Superintendent Steven Adamowski. He is a reform-minded leader of great vision, and he is moving our district in the right direction. I am proud to have consistently supported him. We have made tough decisions, bold decisions, to do things differently. And this strategy is working.

I believe the most important job of each board member is to assure that this progress continues by pledging support for our current superintendent and his vision for our schools. I certainly am pledging my continued support and commitment.

But Steve needs more than just support. He needs the active involvement of board members. Here are some of the ways I have personally contributed over the past four years:

Chairing the board committee responsible for reviewing and referring for action all the major reform programs in our schools.

Working hard to ensure equitable funding for all schools. This fall, for the first time, neighborhood schools will be funded at the same level as our successful Montessori magnet programs.

Consistently working for--and voting for--lower class size at the K-3 level, restoring cuts made in student allocations once the levy passed, and providing funds to ensure our facilities are well maintained once they are renovated.

I believe I have made a critical difference these past four years. I believe I can continue to make a critical difference for the children of our community.