League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 3, 2009 Election
	Melanie Bates Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Cincinnati City School District

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What are your Qualifications for Office? (50 word limit)

Prior to serving eight years on the Cincinnati School Board, I served as an elected member of the Ohio State Board of Education, 1995-2001. My three adult children are all graduates of the Cincinnati Public Schools.

2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)

Increase Academic Achievement

• Set high expectations and goals for raising student achievement, and ensure accountability for progress.
• Increase innovation and flexibility to incorporate new and proven best practices for student learning.
• Provide more excellent school options for parents and children.
• Ensure the highest quality teachers in the classroom. Ensure Safe Schools
• Support Student Resource Officers
• Hold school staff accountable for enforcing the Code of Conduct. Fiscal Accountability
• Continue to increase financial efficiency, transparency, and stability within the district.
• Closely monitor the budget and the ongoing work of the facilities building project.

3. Would you support a "year around school" pilot program for grades K-5? Why would you support or oppose such a program? (100 word limit)

Cincinnati Public Schools had implemented a "Fifth Quarter" in our schools of greatest academic need this past summer. This was not traditional summer school; this was an expansion of the academic year through the summer for all students enrolled in the targeted schools. If the data indicates that students who participated in the "Fifth Quarter" significantly increased their academic achievement, I would support the program's expansion and inclusion of all students whose families' desired year round school and make funding this initiative a priority.

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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.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 27, 2009 14:57
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