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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,
Addressing priorities,
Funding
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? (50 word limit)
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Answer from Lynn Ellis:
I have been an involved parent and advocate. For 2 years I have attended all meetings, I believe I understand the issues that face our district. With my background, I see myself as an asset in assessing the test scores and finances of the Norwood School District.
Answer from Lisa Bauer:
My children have attended Norwood Schools from kindergarten on. One graduated and two are still Norwood students. I've lived in Norwood since 1984 and have taught children and adults in public and private schools. My experiences provide the background to make good decisions about how best to serve Norwood's children.
Answer from Rick Guy:
I have served the families of Norwood for the past eight years on the school board. I am a good listener, I tend to be proactive rather than reactive and I am a strong advocate for better public education.
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2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)
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Answer from Lisa Bauer:
a. Be present in the schools and at school functions. Advocate for Norwood City Schools in the community. Be available to children, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members.
b. In collaboration with the Board and the School District, develop ways for the public to get timely responses from Board members through use of school communication technology and Board Office personnel. Advocate for scheduling school events so that parents don't have to choose between job and family.
c. Monitor district use of funds and personnel. Hold administrators accountable for carrying out Board policy in the spirit in which it was written.
Answer from Lynn Ellis:
To improve test scores I will research and utilize the practices of successful school districts and evaluate and improve the leadership of the district.
I will spend tax dollars responsibly and wisely by making sure the competitive bid process is used for major purchases, spending for needs first, having a maintenance plan. I believe that spending should be prioritized to children first a then infrastructure.
To repair the relationship between the district and community there must be transparency in school business, welcoming citizens into the school buildings and encouraging parent input in decision-making.
Answer from Rick Guy:
1) To continue to provide the tools necessary for our administration and our teachers to help our students attain the next level.
2) To work with our city police, fire, building and health departments to provide a safe healthy and happy environment for our students, families and our staff.
3) Do whatever possible to maintain the talent that we have so much invested in. We cannot allow them to run off to the richer, larger districts. We need to try and maintain a good balance of good wages and benefits for them to want to stay.
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3. What is your position on amending the Ohio Constitution with regard to the funding of public schools? (150 word limit)?
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Answer from Rick Guy:
I am a true advocate of ammending the Ohio Constitution. We can no longer afford to keep this burden on the backs of local taxpayers. It is difficult as a board member every couple of years to ask people to give up more money or explain that is just a renewal. The citizens of the great State of Ohio need to stand up and elect only individuals who will take on this challenge.
Answer from Lisa Bauer:
I admire many of the features of the proposal being circulated by the Campaign for Ohio's Future at http://www.rightforohio.org/summary.php. However, I cannot support it because I see nothing built in to safeguard the power of local school boards to decide what is best for their students as the proportion of the funding they provide through property taxes goes down in comparison with state money.
We moved to Norwood so that our children could enjoy the benefits of an urban district in an environment that was small enough for us to have meaningful input into their educations. My experiences as a parent, a volunteer and a teacher have taught me that serving smaller groups of children makes it easier to see those children "our children" instead of "the children." The responsibility for making decisions on school district policy should rest with those who actually know the individuals and communities they serve.
Answer from Lynn Ellis:
While it is true that funding must be equitable, the burden cannot be placed continually on the taxpayer. I am not sure what the answer is to this problem, but the last proposed amendment wasn't it. That amendment didn't explain where this new money would come from and allowed districts to continue the practice of levies. Further, the amendment promised a "high quality education" without giving any provisions for accountability. For now, school districts should be mindful of their spending habits and provide oversight.
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.
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
