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, Addressing priorities, Funding

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

Answer from David E. Denny:

Professionally, I've worked with many organizations throughout Greater Cincinnati and have spent my career to date educating them of the importance of leadership, commitment to a mission, and people knowing their roles. This is no different.

I have had P\L & budget responsibilities in many roles. I have spent the past 20 years volunteering in many capacities, including the district (Expense Reduction Team, Alternative School Team), the Colerain Boosters (Executive Committee), Leukemia Society (raised over $10k) through running marathons, White Oak Presbyterian Church (Elder + 3x), and little league coaching. I believe a good board member is one who gives of themself to a greater good and not a personal agenda + I, as I have throughout my professional and volunteer capacities will continue to do that.

Answer from Suzanne Lekson:

Appointed to board 8/06 and have improved board's working relationships. Medical background and family values (mother of 4 attending schools in district) as well as deep roots in the community.

Answer from Don Johnson:

Resident of community for 34 years in same area. Active in sports in community with grandchildren. Current active board member in community of Colerain Township

Answer from Elaine (Stahley) Gauck:

Life-long resident of NWLSD; Manage two business located in district. I manage a Manufactured Home Community as well as a Convenient type store; Member of the Board of Directors for the OMHA and Treasurer for the local chapter; Secretary of CTBA and involved with Scholarship Endowment Fund; Attend School Board meetings on a regular basis; involved with Black Tie Gala which raises money for Scholarship Endowment Fund

Answer from Dan Unger:

Lifelong career in private industry Northwest Expenditure Reduction Committee 2004-06 Northwest Audit Committee 2006-07 Regular attendance NW board meetings since 1994 Clippard YMCA Building & grounds COmmittee Member Hamilton County Tax Levy Review Committee Chaired review of Council on Aging 2007 Chaired review of Cincinnati Zoo 2006 Review team for Children's services 2006

Answer from Elaine (Stahley) Gauck:

1. Be accountable to taxpayers and be open with what the School Board does.
2. Keep good teachers; encourage families to become more involved with their children's learning.
3. Help to find options for parents to get their children to school safely.

Answer from Dan Unger:

Academics - Classroom instruction needs to receive a greater portion of available funding, we will devote our limited financial resources to those areas that most directly impact student learning. Technology - Update all computers now using the savings and the annual $600,000 lump sum payments from the recent transfer of the vocational programs to Butler Tech. Fiscal Issues - Implement reforms recommended by our outside, independent auditor. My election will help to continue necessary reforms started with the audit committee. We need to have all board members support the update of our policies and procedures as recommended.

Answer from Don Johnson:

Review all three priorities from standpoint of needs for all students, including students with special needs. Insure everyone is given the opportunity to be included.

Answer from David E. Denny:

1. Increased communication - because of our large and varied district we need to get more involvement and a much better understanding of the challenges we face and the constraints we have. I would proposed more study teams and communication laisons throughout our community (seniors, parochial, churches, civic & business associations.

2. Bigger vision - the school board and the township need to work together for the betterment of the entire community

3. Challenge our administators - we have done an outstanding job of doing "more with less". We need to continue to be creative in our thinking to provide the best quality education for the lowest possible cost.

Answer from Suzanne Lekson:

Continue good working relationships with district administration and teachers, encourage increased community involvement in board activities, and continue conservative spending with responsible oversight.

Answer from Dan Unger:

The current system of reliance on property taxes to fund elementary and high school education has placed a disproportionate burden on homeowners, especially in a district like ours that is primarily residential. In the Northwest Local School District, homeowners pay for 15 separapte line items on the county property tax bills, including the new item for joint vocational school. The State of Ohio legislature and the federal government continue to place additional unfunded mandates on our local school. If the Ohio Constitution was to be amended, it should be that any educational spending mandate from the Ohio legislature be offset by spending reductions in other areas.

Answer from Don Johnson:

Currently - no position.

Answer from David E. Denny:

I'm not quite sure we need a consitutional amendment. We might start by looking at best practices of other states and learning what works for them.

Answer from Elaine (Stahley) Gauck:

I don't think we need to add an Amendment to the Ohio Constitution. I do believe that we need to make our Senators and State Representatives as well as our Governor accountable. This problem has been used as a political football long enough. I have talked to many politicians when in Columbus for Small Business Day at the Capitol and most of them don't really have an answer. I do hear that some of the top Administrative salaries are too high. We need to have less Administrative Staff and more teachers. An amendment to the Ohio Constitution cannot change where the money is spent by the different entities. Only the voters in each locality can do that.

Answer from Suzanne Lekson:

This is definitely needed, and the proposed amendment was a decent starting point, but the need to fix funding is so urgent that many districts, including Northwest, found themselves unwilling to support it since it would hurt ongoing efforts to pass a levy. This vicious cycle, the very thing that necessitates the amendments, makes it difficult to promote.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.