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 Qualification, Priorities, Parental involvement

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Scott Faulkner:

Having spent a lot of time in our schools working with the students, I've seen many areas that need to be addressed and aren't. I would like to have the opportunity to step up and address these issues.

Answer from Carmen McKeehan:

As a Mom and past educator, I understand the importance of a great education. As a Norwood homeowner and taxpayer with an accounting background, I also understand the importance of fiscal responsibility.

My education background includes working with grades K-12 under the International Baccalaureate Program for diplomatic corps children.

Answer from Carolyn Atwood:

I am a current member of the Board of Education for the past 4.5 years, an active community member and graduate of Norwood Schools.

Answer from Michael Clemons:

I bring 20 years of direct education experience across a wide variety of learners and styles. My formal education, running my own business and non-profit experiences allows me to critically examine what works and collaborate with staff and agencies to implement those strategies. Accountability to community and taxpayers.

Answer from Michael Clemons:

Proficiency test and graduation rates will be improved through rigorous academic standards, dedicated partnerships with community, business, and agencies. Examination of curriculum will have to be grounded in best practices not on the latest fad. Extravagant spending on non-academic related items will stop by instituting policies that will restrict spending over $5,000 without examination by the board. Competitive bidding will become fact rather than an afterthought. Academic leadership will begin by my motion that each school gain autonomy by developing committees to address each schools needs. The community involvement and participation is priority one!

Answer from Scott Faulkner:

Communication is the key.

By establishing open lines of communication, we will create an accountability to the public that seems to have been lost over the course of time.

Financial accountability and test scores can only be helped by communication. Once we start talking to each other about the problems, we can start working on the solutions.

Answer from Carmen McKeehan:

Inherent to all successful school districts is a reliance on strong leadership. As a school board member, I intend to ensure that top leadership positions are filled with the most qualified and experienced candidates with a thorough knowledge of the most successful academic programs.

It is essential that school counselors and advisors increase contact with students and that mentoring programs be put in place to ensure that all students are headed toward graduation. The Superintendent's Advisory Council should be reinstated and Board of Education committee meetings need to be open and receptive to the comments, concerns and suggestions from parents and the community.

Along with streamlining costs, financial priorities need to be reassessed and a renewed emphasis needs to be placed on the academic needs of the students.

Answer from Carolyn Atwood:

In the past 4.5 years I have tried to build a working relationship with our community and our school leaders. If we all work together toward the same goals, to provide whatever it takes to see our students succeed, we will see our district become Excellent Schools and our students will be well rounded.

Answer from Carmen McKeehan:

For the last several years, I have actively petitioned the Norwood Board of Education for reinstatement of the Superintendent's Advisory Council. The council, which was cancelled in March of 2003, was a part of the Continuous Improvement Plan filed with the State of Ohio. The council served as a valuable communication link between the school administration and the residents and I would make reinstatement a priority.

As a board member, I would also like to make committee meetings more open to parents and residents by allowing all attendees, not just those employed by the district, an opportunity to voice concerns and participate in the discussions.

Answer from Michael Clemons:

I will ask that the members of the board hold meetings at each school outside of regular board meetings. I also want to develop school committees that address site specific concerns. Parents, staff, partners and administration should all be part of the decision making process with ample time to dialogue about issues. I also would like to fund after school activities that enhance family and communities. One last idea for increased involvement is the notion that each of those parents have something to teach to the students. I want to cultivate the idea that being the best is expected despite obstacles.

Answer from Scott Faulkner:

A parental advisitory committee needs to be set up so that the parents can help fix our problems.

Volunteers in the schools are a must. We need to have parents and family members working together with the schools staff to educate our students. The saying that 'it takes a village to raise a child' is as true today as ever.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.