League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 8, 2011 Election
	Colleen "Colleen Greissinger" Greissinger Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Sycamore Community School District

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What are your qualifications for office?

Highly responsible fiscal conservative both personally and professionally. I was successful in my medical career as I changed the mind-set and culture in our group of physicians and then in the community at large in our efforts to rein in health care costs through managed care and quality improvement. I understand the foundation principles of economics as they relate to debt and spending as I helped navigate our church through five years of financial crisis. I am a voice of reason and common sense who sees reality and is not afraid to confront what stands in the way of just doing the next right thing despite the opposition or fallout. My convictions are based on sound values and priorities that protect those who do not have a voice and educate those who do not yet understand what they need to know when it impacts their lives and the future of their children. I am a strong advocate for justice and fairness.

2. What would you do to advance the concept of "equity in education" in your district?

The spending in all school districts needs to be brought to a level that is pared with the community wages and benefits. I intend to ensure the full transparency of future plans and all fiscal, curriculum and district philosophy. I will 'do my homework' and get all the facts and truth for myself and out to the community who deserves the chance to make a difference before it is too late for their input. Unions and politics must begin to exercise less power and control. The children and their education and future is the real priority. A culture of choice and pro-competition can have only positive results. Changes from the state and Federal levels must be legislated to help turn the tide as our economy struggles to establish a 'new normal' over this decade.

3. How would you use your students' state test results to improve education in your district?

I would ask a lot of questions of the administration and get answers. I would look at the results in light of the results statewide. I would look at what works in other parts of the country. I am a believer in free market, pro-competition, and choice for parents and will embrace any forces that drive a new education and not just a better traditional one. I would encourage more "digital friendly" options and remove the cap on charters schools and further enhance their access to facilities. Again, competition and choice driving improvements in attracting and keeping students in the best environment.

4. What will you do to build consensus in the community in support of public schools?

I am not sure that this is the relevant question to ask. I would rather think that we need to build consensus in the community in support of education of our children whether that is done through public, private, charter, home, or however. Parents know their children the best and that choice should be their preference for their own children. The schools are not the parents and there is no "one answer" product for our families. I see no justification to make it a priority to build consensus in support of only public schools. The question is: How will be begin to come to a consensus and agreement that there is no one right way and that schools and unions are not the best at parenting children.

5. What are your budget priorities?

I will endeavor to obtain a State Auditor or private analysis of our school system to have an independent appraisal of all operations in an attempt to find ways to cut costs that will not hurt the children or families in our community. I will ask for every piece of information I need to look at the numbers and ask questions to clarify the picture. I will support legislation like SB5 and other future tools that will help rein in education costs as 85-89% of the budget currently goes to labor costs. I will do everything in my power to end extortion and manipulation of taxpayers by the unions. I will educate Sycamore taxpayers as to the state of the district in ways that are currently not being fully disclosed and give them opportunity for input. The Board needs to come clean and make it clear how taxpayer money is spent. I will begin to attempt to dismantle the bonus called "pick up" that is given to our 26 administrators as a gift every year towards their retirement package.

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 5, 2011 13:15
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