League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
	Hamilton County, OH November 5, 2013 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Member of Board of Education; 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.     See below for questions on Qualifications, Improvement, Building Consensus Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What are your qualifications for office? (50 word limit) Answer from Betsy Ann Shank: As a passionate educator engaged in the community, I spent 31 years in the classroom preparing students for their successful futures;13 of those years on Know Theatre's board I worked with fellow board members to provide the community with unique theatre experiences. Answer from Daniel Arturo Minera: I am a proud resident of College Hill. I have a background in Healthcare, non-profit organizations, faith communities and I am an active community leader serving Price Hill and surrounding neighborhoods. I am committed to the work that I am doing for the students and families of Cincinnati. Answer from Sally Rebecca (Tookman) O'Callaghan: Because of my strong belief in public education, I spent my entire career teaching in public schools and now all four of my children attend CPS. As a CPS parent, educator and member of this community, I am ideally suited to be a member of the Cincinnati School Board. Answer from Melanie Bates: I have been an elected board member for the last 12 years on the Cincinnati Board of Education, serving as chair of Finance, Policy, and Student Achievement Committees and Board Vice President. I served for 7 years on the Ohio Board of Education, including chairmanship of the State Budget Committee. Answer from Martha Good: I have 30 years experience as a CPS educator and parent including service as Kilgour School PTA President and Board member and on parent committees at Walnut Hills High. I also taught at University of Cincinnati College of Education and College of Law, Miami University and St. Xavier High School. Answer from Marcia A. Futel: I bring a variety of perspectives as a business owner, leadership trainer, teacher/coach, and parent advocate. As a financial services professional, I serve families as a coach and problem-solver. As a former computer systems professional and project manager, I bring process, logic, and a results-oriented focus. Answer from Elisa Hoffman: I've devoted my entire professional career, 17 years, to working in education, first as a teacher and then at an education nonprofit in recruitment and hiring. As a parent, I know how important it is to feel confident that our children are being challenged at school to reach their potential. Answer from Victoria Straughn: Proud graduate Cincinnati Public Schools, Hughes High class of 1979. Graduate Grassroots Leadership Academy and strong community organizer. Employed at the University of Cincinnati. Experienced mentor with Cincinnati Youth Collaborative; voluntarily assisted with in-school reading and spelling during lunch breaks because I care about the success of our children. Answer from Ericka Copeland-Dansby: I am a native of Cincinnati and have had a life-long commitment to improving educational opportunities for students. My family and I live and work in the Cincinnati Public School District. I am a proud parent of a Cincinnati Public Schools' Sophomore, and a graduate of Cincinnati Public Schools. I have been actively involved with children and families in the Cincinnati and Hamilton County community for more than 25 years. I have served children and families through numerous successful programs and initiatives including: Teaching Preschool, Leading Youth Development Initiatives in Collaboration with Cincinnti Public Schools, Implementing Social Services Programs, Investigating Child Abuse and Neglect, Developing and Implementing Community Infrastructure and Health Programming, and Championing a large, multi-faceted, non-profit organization for a decade at Mercy Health St. John in Over the Rhine. I currently serve as the Director of Resource Development with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati. 2. What can be done to improve Cincinnati Public Schools' results at current funding levels? (100 word limit) Answer from Daniel Arturo Minera: Strengthening the role of community partnerships through our Community Learning Centers (CLC) will allow us to bring to the local neighborhood school, programs and resources that will enhance the outcome of the students education, health and wellbeing. This approach will not put a strain on the budget, but rather enhance what is already being done, and allow for each school to fill the needs that affect them individually. Working together with our teachers and administration, in order to provide a pathway to leadership development and career improvement through the Mayerson Academy, will provide for the retention of high quality educators. Answer from Victoria Straughn: Demand more accountability from each school, engage civic leaders, parents and the community to assist with mentoring and volunteering in schools and homes. Teach outside of text book using real-world issues in order to improve the education gap related to race, culture and other social economic factors our children are facing. Strengthen business and community partnerships for career programs and internships. Creation of more Summer Enrichment Programs. Answer from Betsy Ann Shank: Investigate and determine the needs of each school community where improvement is necessary. Support these school communities with the personnel, leadership and resources they require to ensure future success. An effective model is the current community learning centers. Implement a plan to foster leadership roles within the schools for future administrative positions in schools and at the district level. Promote a disciplined approach to a stable financial foundation for the school district. Answer from Ericka Copeland-Dansby: I bring a new, innovative, and collaborative approach to problem solving. The following are areas to focus on to improve our School District at its current funding levels: - Intentional focus on Best Practices in Early Childhood Education - Implement policy that is centered around accountability and measurable results - Strengthen/build relationships and partnerships that support students and families - Support Bottom-Up Solutions that include the voice of parents and community - Improved recruitment, hiring, and evaluation - Robust Professional Development for Teachers and Principals - Access to Teachers and School Administration - Increase/Welcome Parental Involvement - Educate and empower parents and community to involve themselves with local schools and decision making bodies - Increase Community Partnerships and Support Networks for families, i.e. Community Learning Centers - Innovative and Aggressive Leadership and Accountability/Financial transparency - School Board leadership that sets strategy and demands and ensures accountability Answer from Elisa Hoffman: The first step is to conduct an independent financial review so we know where we are and are not getting the best return on our investments- that is, spending money in ways that are most impacting academic achievement. For example, since research shows that teachers are the most important in-school factor contributing to student success, we should be investing in recruiting the best people to CPS and then developing them so they are successful. Additionally, investing in high-quality preschool has also been shown to yield a high return on investment and, therefore, is a long-term investment worth making. Answer from Melanie Bates: Ensure a high quality teacher in every classroom by providing ongoing professional development and accurate teacher evaluation. Excellent teachers energize and inspire students to do their best. Provide an individual academic plan for each student based on individual needs and goals. Support Community Learning Centers by encouraging partnerships. CLC's are making a difference in academic success for students and helping families be meaningfully involved. Engage families and the community in prioritizing services for their children. In tough economic times, those closest to the students know what programs and services are most important. Answer from Marcia A. Futel: EVERY Cincinnati Public School, whether it is a magnet or neighborhood school, should provide a high quality education for ALL students. Struggling students must be brought up to at least their current grade level. CPS must attract and retain the best staff through effective performance evaluation and intentional career paths. Building strong relationships with parents which leads to raising academic achievement, should be promoted, supported, and expected. Combined, these would make CPS district schools more attractive, resulting in increased enrollment and revenue. Answer from Martha Good: We need to ensure that every dollar spent maximizes student academic achievement. Current spending should be evaluated and funds should be re-purposed for maximum direct impact to make schools effective institutions for nurturing each child's unique skills and talents. We need the best possible teacher in every classroom. We should stop preparing for tests and focus on fostering real learning and competence. We also need to engage parents and the community in educating all children for the benefit of both the children and the community. Finally we must ensure that all students participate in sports, art, music and other activities. Answer from Sally Rebecca (Tookman) O'Callaghan: In order to improve student academic performance, I propose that CPS create and maintain an Expectation of Excellence for both students and teachers, and make sure all of our students have Access to Quality Preschool. I would directly Address the Issue of Mobility by offering transitional classrooms where students can be assessed and acclimated to the new school prior to entering their new classroom. We need to continue to Foster the Community Building within our district. Our families need to know they are our most valuable resource and that we respect and appreciate them. 3. What will you do to build consensus in the community in support of Cincinnati Public Schools? (100 word limit) Answer from Melanie Bates: We have to accelerate sharing the good news of what is happening every school day in classrooms throughout CPS. Our children are learning in world class facilities and being held to standards used in high-performing countries around the world. Our teachers are being evaluated on the success of their students. CPS is leading the country in the implementation of the Common Core Standards. Other cities are seeking our counsel to improve their districts. Prioritizing community and family engagement as well as sharing the success and ownership of our schools is the key to building support for CPS. Answer from Daniel Arturo Minera: Promote the success that we have in all of our CPS schools. Promote parent participation and involvement. Promote Community Learning Centers (CLC) throughout the district. Work Closer with the Local School Decision Making Committees (LSDMCs). Answer from Betsy Ann Shank: Continue to engage parents, students, educators and concerned citizens in dialogues aimed at supporting and improving schools started last year by several groups in the school district. Results of these conversations are identifying the need for pre-kindergarten education and the realization that each community has individual needs so one solution will not work for every school community. Coordinate information from different constituents and communicate their needs to the board. Answer from Ericka Copeland-Dansby: To build consensus for support of any initiative, I firmly believe that you must consistently work to build and maintain relationships with the key stakeholders of that initiative. This must include open communication, transparency, and utilization of effective tools and opportunities (such as regularly scheduled forums between the school board/education community and Cincinnati families) that will serve as the sounding board for collaboration to take our school system to the next level. My professional and personal experience in this community has prepared me to do just that. Furthermore, being a parent of a present CPS student while being a School Board Member will allow me to relate to my fellow Cincinnati parents. Communities and schools are intrinsically linked. Schools serve as centers of neighborhood life. Cincinnati Public Schools must also remain in close partnership with the non-profit community in order ensure children and families are supported. Answer from Victoria Straughn: Increase awareness of the needs and successes of Cincinnati Public Schools to show how educational success is directly linked to better employment and thriving communities. I'll Encourage more parental and community participation to help defeat the social economic and health barriers that are often overlooked in the school system. Increase overall communications between the school board and community. Answer from Sally Rebecca (Tookman) O'Callaghan: As a board member, I would be accessible and accountable to all of our families. I would work to nurture our relationships so that we can continue to work together to provide the best possible educational experience for our children. I would also work with members of the community and our elected officials to ensure that there is consensus among all interested parties. Answer from Elisa Hoffman: Every neighborhood deserves an excellent school. Cincinnatians understand the importance of a great education for each of our children, and that excellent schools are vital for Cincinnati to be a growing vibrant city that keeps young families in its neighborhoods. Just as I've approached my campaign, as a board member I will bring together diverse members of our community and listen to their ideas and concerns. We need all voices- parents, educators, religious leaders, small and large businesses, community leaders, and elected officials- to build support for CPS and to help the board come to the best decisions. Answer from Martha Good: I will build consensus for CPS by working to engage all community groups to recognize how CPS benefits them directly and improves the overall quality of life in Cincinnati. Building on my experience as a mediator, I will engage stakeholders in making CPS the premier school district in southwest Ohio, attracting students from Catholic, charter and neighboring school districts because of the quality of CPS academic programs and results. I envision involving parents and community groups in CPS to foster community pride and civic engagement so that even those without children will become involved and participate in the education process. Answer from Marcia A. Futel: I would create a "win-win" scenario where businesses, community leaders, retirees, etc. could offer internships and service learning opportunities that complement what students are learning in each grade. I believe that adult leaders would be rewarded through the relationships with students and helping them to learn marketable skills. Students would have "real work world" experiences that would contribute to these workplaces. This would build a local employee pool for our city. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits may apply. See individual questions for specific word limits. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. Please edit your work before submitting. We are unable to provide spell-check at this time. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.