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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
Qualification,
Priorities,
Parental involvement
Click on a name for other 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 Tawana Lynn Keels:
Experienced Board Member, served 8 years on the Princeton Board, Former President, Vice President and Legislative Liaison, Recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Education, Former Trustee and Executive Committee Member - Ohio School Boards Association, Princeton Graduate '78 & Princeton Parent. I bring strong financial skills, project management and boardsmanship experience.
Answer from Lillian A. Hawkins:
I offer the unique perspective of diversity and experienced educator. I know what good education looks like. I have experienced it in the classroom and as a principal. I understand staffing, curriculum, special education, and the unique needs of minority students.
Answer from Jenny Pansing:
8 years of experience on the Board, demonstrating my high level of dedication and commitment to our students, schools, and the Princeton community. I invest much time and energy into Board efforts, because I believe in their importance to us all.
Answer from Paul A. Culter:
I am an active parent in the School District and feel it is important for at least one school board member to have children in the District. I graduated from a school district very similar to Princeton - Diverse with many outstanding academic programs. I believe in the public school system.
Answer from Robert P. "Bob" Maine:
First and foremost, I am an involved parent with 4 children in the district so I have a vested interest in the success of the district and am a strong advocate of public schools. My children range from Kindergarten to 7th grade, and from honors classes to special needs. Additionally, I have a strong financial background and a great deal of experience managing organizations and large budgets.
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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 Jenny Pansing:
Academic Excellence-- I'm very proud of our "Effective" report card rating, but know we can continue to improve. Academics will always be my #1 priority--that is why we are here.
Facilities-- we have faced some huge challenges in our elementary schools project, but our Board has made the commitment to move forward. I will remain involved through Core team and ensure we maximize our available funds as we complete ALL 8 buildings, as we promised our voters.
Funding-- work with Columbus legislators to ensure we maintain sufficient funding without placing the burden more on local property owners.
Answer from Tawana Lynn Keels:
1. Excellence in Academic Programs + District test results show improvements in our teaching methods in the classrooms. We must continue to strive for Excellence at all schools in every community.
2. Continue to monitor district budgeting and spending, work with legislators to understand and develop a school funding system to address the affects of HB 66.
3. Build a bridge between the community and the board, work together to complete the facilities plan as promised.
Answer from Robert P. "Bob" Maine:
Better communication between schools and home to increase parental involvement. Communication must be more efficient. As it stands now, it is hard for a parent to separate out the important things from the "clutter".
Increased scrutiny of major expenditures/budget items to insure they are adding value to the education of our children. More benchmarking and use of best practices from similar districts. Continue/expand our work with State Legislature to minimize impact of State Tax Law Changes.
Continue great work on State Test scores with minor adjustments to improve key subject areas or student groups. Insure Princeton remains committed to serving the needs of ALL students, including those with disabilities.
Answer from Paul A. Culter:
First, to strive to meet the "Excellent" rating for ALL schools within the District to follow the three that are currently recognized by the State. Second, open and honest communication with the taxpayers, parents and teachers regarding budgets, levies and Board decisions. Third, to work with the Board and State to find alternate means for school funding to counteract the damage of House Bill 66.
Answer from Lillian A. Hawkins:
To address academic excellence, I will look at test results and methods that are being used for test preparation. Teachers will be encouraged to collaborate and utilize best practices of teachers with successful results.
Fiscal responsibility is key with increases in gas prices and rising educational costs. We need to look at spending and taxes and see how to maintain the Princeton standard of excellence.
Princeton has a fine reputation and has attracted an outstanding staff. We need to keep them from going to other districts and work to have a staff that proportionately represents the diversity of the district.
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3. What will you do as a Board of Education member to increase parental involvement in your school system? (100 word limit)
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Answer from Paul A. Culter:
A child's success in school is borne by both parent and teacher. A teacher can instruct during the school day, but it is up to a parent to instill discipline, morals and a hard work ethic. Information regarding the child's specific school and class activities must be provided by teachers and principals on a weekly basis. Getting the word out on parent volunteers in classrooms is important. Newsletters, emails and frequent forums at each School will help to distribute important information accordingly.
Answer from Robert P. "Bob" Maine:
Focus on communication.....not the quantity, but the quality. Insure teachers are more accessible to parents via technological improvements (i.e. email at the teacher's desk). Streamline school communications to separate out the important from the "nice to know". Implement systems at schools to make information systems more efficient. The more time parents can spend communicating with teachers vs filling out forms, the more involvement we will get.
Answer from Tawana Lynn Keels:
Create a community forum where parents and community members are encouraged to get involved and provide feedback directly to the board. Every community should have a voice in the Princeton District. Improved communication between the district and families with a focus on keeping parents informed will increase the level of involvement.
Answer from Lillian A. Hawkins:
Parental involvement is key. I hope to engage each community in school affairs by holding meetings at times that are convenient for parents and attempt to not only understand and address community concerns, but work to create district unity so that community concerns become a district focus. The benefit will be collaboration of thought to solve problems on all levels.
Answer from Jenny Pansing:
- Model the philosophy that parents are partners in the education of their children, and that we are respectful of their concerns and open to their ideas
- Utilize existing organizations (PTA, PTO, etc) as ways parents can get involved in their own schools.
- Encourage administration to assist staff to implement practices to become more open to parent input and ideas.
- Improved communication avenues for parents to teachers--have instituted e-mail for all staff; all newly built classrooms will have phones with voice mail.
- District wide task forces, as needed, will continue to have parent participants
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.
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League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
