League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
	Hamilton, Butler, Warren Counties, OH November 5, 2013 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Member of Board of Education; Princeton 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, Equity Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What are your qualifications for office? Answer from Lillian A. Hawkins, PhD: I have been in education for over forty years. I taught high school English, was a high school principal, earned a PhD in Educational Leadership from Miami University, and currently work as an educational consultant for The Leadership and Learning Center in Denver, Colorado. I have already served eight years on the Princeton School board as a member, as vice president for three years, and as president for two years. I am seeking re-election to a third term. Answer from Mary Cleveland: I have been a resident of Princeton for more than 16 years. I have two children who are currently students at the high school, and have spent countless days and hours volunteering my time in the schools, working alongside staff and parents. Currently I serve as a trustee on the Princeton Education Foundation. In this role, I have had the opportunity to work closely with the Princeton community as a whole+parents, students, faculty/staff and community leaders+to enhance the overall Viking experience. My experience in business, law and working as the executive director of a non-profit give me a well-rounded insight to work to solve the challenges and issues of the district. 2. What can be done to improve your school district's results at current funding levels? Answer from Mary Cleveland: Because I am not a current member of the board, I am not privy to the current financial status of the district. However, I am aware that districts across the country are being faced with the challenge of doing more with less money. One of the things that I believe can be done to help with this challenge is to always put the needs of the students first in each decision that is to be made. We should consider and implement programs and curriculum that will continue to advance our students and prepare them for the long-term as well as looking at programs that aren't working and figuring out how we can eliminate or restructure them in a way that is most cost-effective. Answer from Lillian A. Hawkins, PhD: If re-elected, I will continue Princeton's focus on increased student achievement, and reduced spending, while maintaining a safe and orderly environment. I will work with teachers, administrators, and support staff to collaboratively create cost cutting solutions that will enable us to maintain the quality Princeton is known for. 3. What will you do to build consensus in the community in support of your school district? Answer from Mary Cleveland: One of the things that is most important to building consensus and support of the Princeton district in the community is to actually get out and talk to the stakeholders of the community and district and ask for their input and concerns regarding the district. I strongly believe in all members of the community and district working together to make the schools a better place for our children. I will also be open, honest and receptive to the needs and concerns of the community so that they can understand their value to the district and the important and vital roles that they play in it's success. Answer from Lillian A. Hawkins, PhD: Information, communication, and transparency are key. Constituents need to understand the big picture and impact of decisions made. I will make myself available for dialogue about the issues facing the district and the community. 4. What would you do to advance the concept of "equity in education" in your district? Answer from Lillian A. Hawkins, PhD: As a mother and grandmother, and an educator, I am sensitive to the issues that our children face on a daily basis, while having the educational insight to see and understand what is expected and what obstacles through which our children have to navigate. I truly believe that every child is precious, and has the right to a quality education. As the school board creates and enforces policy, I will make sure that every child has access to the Princeton Advantage. Answer from Mary Cleveland: The best thing to do is to look at the processes, people and procedures that we have in place to make sure that we are creating safe, innovative learning environments for ALL students, being mindful of the demographics of the community and district, both now and in the future. We also need to be sure that we are not making decisions or upholding policies that are neglecting any students. 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.