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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
Qualifications,
Equity,
Student test results,
Building Consensus,
Budget
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What are your qualifications for office?
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Answer from Sean L. Rugless:
I am sensitized to challenges facing public education and my experiences will help me address these challenges. As a non-profit executive with extensive board experience, I am equipped to deal with difficult issues and solve problems. I have a track record of including stakeholders for the purposes strengthening organizations, and would value and act upon feedback from parents, teachers, and taxpayers about administrative spending and curriculum decisions. Within the past 6 years, my involvement in school and finance levies from Springfield Township to Forest Park has equipped me with a view of what makes our communities great, and I have voted to support development and progress.
I come to this campaign as a product of public schools, with the expectations of a private one. As a former Board Chairman for a private school, I have experience in establishing strong standards and a focus on teaching staff and delivery.
I believe that "progress" is the evidence of success. It tells us how far we have come, and much further we have to go. As your next school board member, I will settle for nothing less than progress.
Answer from John J. Jordan:
I am a father of four Winton Woods High School grads. I have spent the last few years actively involved with the Music Boosters and the concession stand at the high school. This experience gave me great exposure to many people in the district (parents, seniors, alumni, etc.). I was able to see first hand what happens when many people in our district come together for a common goal.
Answer from John Pennycuff:
I have been a leader on the Winton Woods School Board, serving 10 years as president and 10 years as vice-president. As the Board's legislative liasion, I have worked hard with our state and national associations and elected members of the General Assembly and the Congress to advocate for improvements in laws that govern public education. I assisted in preparing the DeRolph case in which the method of funding of Ohio's public schools was declared to be unconstitutional.
Answer from Jack Lee:
Prior to joining the Winton Woods Board of Education 16 years ago, I served on a variety of school candidate and levy campaigns, School Board Advisory Council, PTO volunteer, as well as supporting my two children, who are successful K-12 graduates of the District. My college degree from Miami University was in Business Education. While I chose other employment upon graduation, I did teach a Junior High level of Junior Achievement for 15 years and am Past President of the Hamilton/Fairfield Junior Achievement Board of Directors. The Greenhills-Forest Park Kiwanis are very supportive of our local schools and I am a Past President of that organization, as well.
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2. What would you do to advance the concept of "equity in education" in your district?
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Answer from Sean L. Rugless:
Achievement for all students is imperative. We must create a competitive edge with a balanced curriculum that includes general education, honors and AP courses, while also serving the needs of students with learning challenges. Our district needs approaches that move performance forward for every grade level and every student. I would openly support maintaining higher level courses that invite all students with the opportunity to participate. I also support creative approaches to meet lower performing students where they are. Equity begins in knowing (assessing) where our student's abilities lie, and aligning resources and offerings to put them on their individual path toward realizing their potential. In this way no one group faces being disenfranchised, but rather all students can walk boldly toward a bright future.
Answer from John J. Jordan:
Quality education is a universal desire but it is harder to accomplish without the help of the parents and others in the district. Getting more people, particularly parents, to be involved in their child's (or their neighbor's children's) education would reduce the inequities in education.
Answer from Jack Lee:
Winton Woods comes close to defining "diversity", and not just racially, but in students with disabilities, students deemed economically disadvantaged, students where English is a second language (26 nationalities at last count). We don't talk the talk, we walk the walk. We strive to assure that each and every student has access to a thorough educational experience and that they achieve success to their full potential. This is evidenced by improved standardized scores over the last 8 years and a tripling of graduate college scholarship offers.
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3. How would you use your students' state test results to improve education in your district?
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Answer from John J. Jordan:
The state test results identify the areas that need focus and help us concentrate our efforts properly.
Answer from Jack Lee:
While it is necessary to have accountability, demonstrated through comparative state test results (Ours have risen sharply over the last 8 years), those results should and must be tempered by the fact that we are a unique public school. Very few schools have 1 in 5 students being Special Needs students, 54% Economically Disadvantaged, and 24% student mobility over the course of a year and still achieve the type of results we do. Our Administration and Staff do Excellent work, but we will won't be satisfied until we achieve an Excellent rating. We are nearly there at the High School and Elementary School. We have shown gains, but need more work at the Intermediate and Middle School. We are on the right track.
Answer from Sean L. Rugless:
The state test results are one of many inputs that calibrate the strength of our district. When combined with findings from our teachers and parents, I would use the state's test results to target efforts and investments toward strengthening our ranking and offerings within our schools. The weaknesses within our district have been known for years and are not unique. For example, we have to address multi-year trend of underperformance in our lower grades so we can build a pipeline of success for our upper grades. Also, there is a real opportunity to introduce learning and curriculum modifications to strengthen math and science outcomes. I would also seek to maintain momentum in areas of our district that are meeting or exceeding state standards.
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4. What will you do to build consensus in the community in support of public schools?
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Answer from Sean L. Rugless:
Building consensus requires a responsive leader that begins with embracing parents, teachers, and community stakeholders as full partners in making decisions for our district. From a parental standpoint, I will be a student-focused school board member who listens to parent input and acts upon that feedback. With teachers, I would be sensitive to creating an environment in which they can deliver the best academic experience possible. For our broader community, we can leverage our assets and facilities in a manner that fosters positive relationships and adds value. Despite the use of traditional media vehicles, there are many in our school district that are not informed on matters of the district. To gain consensus, I would evolve the way that we engage all stakeholders.
Answer from John J. Jordan:
Again, increased parental involvement will facilitate discussion and input into all the processes in the district. This should help drive information flow and consensus.
Answer from Jack Lee:
In a day and age when it seems way too popular to take pot-shots at teachers/administrators and public schools in general, where the media seems almost gleeful to point out the bad, there is a lot of good going on in our schools. We are mindful that 80% of the voting public has no direct contact with the schools and there a variety of new educational choices for school age parents. We communicate both our successes and challenges via the printed and electronic media, email newsletter, websites, social media, phone calls, public meetings, and the tried and true notes in the back pack. Anything we can do to convey that we are out here, we need your support, and we are making a difference.
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5. What are your budget priorities?
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Answer from Sean L. Rugless:
Ohio school districts currently face decreasing budgets due to declining property values, lower business tax revenue, and state budget cuts. The board will have to make tough budget decisions. As administrative costs are a significant percentage of the overall budget, I support targeting areas within the administration: (perform salary comparisons and review roles and positions) to preserve academic offerings that promote learning and achievement. I will challenge the district to get smarter and more creative about how we get things done.
This district will have to `earn trust' and show progress in the minds of our voting residents before it can entertain any additional levy.
Answer from John J. Jordan:
Being creative to bring in funds from sources other than taxes. Continue to support the success of the open enrollment and the Academy of Global Studies.
Answer from Jack Lee:
We passed our last levy in 2009 after 5 tries. Since then we have seen substantial cuts in State funding and roll backs of primarily business taxes. Budget cuts and layoffs have been made. Extending the time for any future levy requests has become a challenge of mammoth proportions. We have undertaken studies and initiated programs (such as the Academy of Global Studies) to find ways to reduce our cost per student, offer improved educational opportunities, and find additional avenues for income through cost sharing with other entities, sharing of services, Open Enrollment and International student tuition. We are seeing some success and we want to further expand those efforts as opportunities come up.
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.
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League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
