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 Jeffrey Paul Biddle:

I have served on the Southwest Board for eight years and had previously served on Harrison City Council. My local small business keeps me in contact with the public. Finally,my four daughters have been educated in Southwest Schools. I know our district well.

Answer from Linda Peak:

I have a family business background and business education. Twenty years experience as high school secretary gives me insider knowledge of how schools are run. I'm the Treasurer of Concerned Citizens for Better Schools, support group of the SLSDistrict. I'm passionate about the success of this district.

Answer from Carroll E. Roberts:

I have served a four-year term on the Southwest Board of Education; resident of the school district for 40 years; successful teacher, coach, and school administrator; parent of two kids who have been educated here; married to the best kindergarten teacher in the world; concern for kids.

Answer from Linda Peak:

I will become educated as to the function of school boards and their members and learn to carry out that function. I plan to be the board member who is available to the children, parents and taxpayers of this district by way of e-mail, phone and personal contact.

Answer from Jeffrey Paul Biddle:

These priorities are best addressed by listening to the concerns of our residents and acting accordingly. We are in the process of adapting classroom offerings to today's needs. Our taxpayers provide operating funds and our board must make sure administration spends money in a manner that accomplishes as much as possible in our classrooms.If we keep matters on track, our state report card will improve and get us back to an excellent rating. We have come a long way in this district from where we once were.

Answer from Carroll E. Roberts:

I plan to continue working on my top three priorities, which by the way, are the same goals I have worked toward in my first four-year term. I will address these priorities by: 1) learning all I can about each priority by reading widely and attending conferences and workshops, 2) working in harmony with fellow Board members and the school administrators, teachers, and staff, and 3) soliciting and listening to the opinions of parents and community members.

Answer from Linda Peak:

It is imperative that Ohio find a better way to finance public education so that public education in Ohio survives and thrives.

Answer from Carroll E. Roberts:

First, let me say that for the past 15 years, I have not been impressed with the elected officials in the state legislature. Told on several occasions by the Ohio Supreme Court that the present method of funding schools is unconstitutional, what did the legislature do in response? The answer to that question is, "Very little - nothing of substance." If amending the Ohio Constitution is our last hope, then I am in favor. Do I think it has a snowball's chance of being enacted? No.

Answer from Jeffrey Paul Biddle:

State funding for public schools has been inadequately addressed for years. Over thirty years ago, the state lottery was supposed to rectify problems. Over the years,our state officials have been ordered to fix matters by the judiciary, but nothing substantive has occurred. As a rule, I think a state constitution should not be the site where legislation is written. It is best to let the legislature make laws and the executive branch enforce them. However, when elected officials don't address problems, then citizens must take action. I support a constitutional amendment to address school funding. I would hope the effort spurs action by state officials on this issue.

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