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Bethel Journal
News
September 17, 2009
Seven running for Felicity BOE the financial situation? 2. What are the major issues you would like to see addressed in the FelicityFranklin School District? 3. What strengths would you bring to the elected position?
Seven candidates have filed for the three open seats on the Felicity-Franklin Board of Education. They were asked, via email, to tell readers a little about themselves and why the voters of the school district should select them as a representative. Here’s what we asked and here’s what they had to say:
Candidates Jen Hall did not submit her answers and Donald Woodall did not return calls.
Questions: 1. It’s clear that every community is struggling financially, and the state budget doesn’t do much to alleviate the strain. What do you think are the priorities for the Felicity-Franklin Local School District and what are your solutions to
Chris Smith 1. To provide the best education possible for the kids. At this time, everyone, including the school employees and parents, are working together, volunteering, to provide the best education during this financial hardship.
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Mary Ann Belt 1. I would hope that every candidate, board member and district employee would share the same main priority – for every child to be able to receive the best education we can provide to them. As far as my solution to our financial situation, I am waiting on financial information that I have requested from our treasurer, Mr. Napier. I have requested to view the salaries of all employees for the past five years, to include all pay increases for the past two years, requisitions for purchases and pending purchases for all three schools and the administration for the past two years. After I receive the infor-
mation and review it, I hope to be able to answer the question. I can honestly say no matter which candidate is elected there is a very rough road ahead of them. It is time to tighten the belt and start a new beginning for our future.
Aaron Taylor 1. The priorities of a school board member representing the Felicity-Franklin Local School District revolve around the children. Every child should be given an opportunity to succeed in life and that starts with a quality educational program which is the foundation for such success. With the understanding that a quality education is the main priority, all the other priorities easily fall into place. Other such priorities are: Setting educational goals, establishing school policy based upon the community’s values, fiscal restraint and responsibility while providing a quality education (i.e. balancing the budget), representation of the local citizens who elected its board members, increased transparency by informing the public about the progress and needs of the district along with obtaining and weighing public opinion as it affects the district and holding the superintendent and treasurer responsible for managing the school in accordance with the board’s policies. Before offering solutions to any problem, research and due diligence are need-
ed. I have taken the time to educate myself to understand the issues our district currently faces. I believe after analyzing the school’s five-year financial forecast in detail, attending numerous school board meetings, speaking with school treasurers, superintendents and board members within the school district and/or outside this district, that I have a firm grasp of the current financial situation. I have addressed the school board numerous times about the lack of fiscal discipline it has and currently is displaying regarding the school’s budget deficit. For example, the financial forecast for this year prepared by the treasurer projects a $640,587 deficit (shortfall). This shortfall will cut into the cash balance of the school’s finances taking the cash balance down to $854,387 by the end of the current school year. At this pace, the school is projected to run out of money during the 2011-2012 school year. Cost savings or revenue enhancement measures would need to be in place before this occurs or more drastic cuts will occur. There are numerous cost savings and revenue enhancement techniques that should be considered but no specific one by itself will fill the current shortfall. It must be a combination of cost savings and/or revenue enhancement ideas that will close the existing budget gap. When considering and ultimately making those deci-
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Caring Above All.
This election season, to make sure every race for township trustee, village council, school board and city council is covered, the Community Press will place one question and answer from each candidate in the paper. Readers are asked to see all questions and answers of the Felicity Local School District Board of Education candidates at Cincinnati.com/felicity or Cincinnati.com/franklintownship. sions regarding the school’s finances, one must remain true to the school’s core philosophy of providing a quality educational program and the impact those decisions might have. My 15 years of financial experience which includes financial forecasting and analyzing financial statements make me well prepared to represent the community in helping solve the current financial crisis facing the FFLSD. Laura Lowe 1. I believe that overall there is one main priority, and that is the quality of our children’s education, as measured by the following four items: 1. Adaptability of our curricula to the national economy. a. Developing our children to compete and succeed in not only the local or state, but also the national arena. b. Fostering in our children the awareness of what impact our daily decisions have on the environment, through potential new environmental education resources. 2. Effectiveness of our teachers and staff. a. Maintaining a healthy teacher-to-student ratio in the classrooms. b. Introducing some sort of recognition system for our most effective and engaged teachers. This system truly would best serve our children. c. Creating a unique learning process that encourages more involvement from parents and the community. As children enjoy hands-on learning, it would not take too much effort from our parents or local businesses to come in with real-life projects/problems to the various classrooms, and allow the students to formulate their own answers or ideas. This exercise can reinforce what kids are learning at that time in their studies. I know from personal experience that all it takes to make a difference in a classroom is about one hour per week. The ability a volunteer has to truly engage our children is amazing and this all helps take some strain off the teachers for a short while, allowing them to recharge and remain effective. Again, a unique process that would encourage this kind of community participation could be implemented with little to no funding necessary from the district. 3. Quality of the learning environment. a. While some items indeed must be cut due to budget constraints, we must remember the importance of keeping our kids healthy, safe and active. b. There are indeed ways that buildings can be kept clean, but a tad differently, and safer, than to what we are accustomed. c. The learning environ-
ment ... our buildings ... also possess some possible areas able to become more energy efficient. By being proactive in this arena, there are potential grants available for modernization of public school facilities, as well as intuitive ideas that couple facility modernization with a different approach to school lunches. 4. Our district report card. The Felicity-Franklin Local School District has come a long way since we moved here about 10 years ago. The district carried an academic emergency rating, and although we did yet not have children, we were still concerned about their future education. The district rating progressed, and as our three children reached school-age, I chose to get involved and do my part to even better the effective rating that the district had then carried for a number of years. The goal of my involvement with the reading program in the elementary school during the past four years has been to foster in our children the pleasure of reading at a young age, which will hopefully translate into better overall test scores on future achievement tests. I made my decision to run for school board when our district report card of continuous improvement was issued for the 20072008 school year. I felt that my outside business experience could help the school board and allow me to play a bigger part in our children’s education. Now with the great news of our new excellent rating, I am eager to continue my involvement and foster the process that has started to maintain that excellent rating. Teresa Battista 1. The number one priority for the Felicity-Franklin Local School District should always be the students. Anything that addresses the needs of the students is a priority. This includes providing whatever resources teachers and students need to improve learning, hiring the best staff available, involving parents and other caregivers in their children’s education, and providing a safe and secure learning environment. Good decision making is the best solution to solving the financial situation. Decisions must be made based on what is good for the students. We must use the resources we have available to their greatest advantage. Priorities have to be set. Spending has to be cut. Attention must be paid to getting the best deal on supplies and services while not sacrificing quality. We need to apply for any grants that we are eligible for. At times like this, creativity becomes important. We need to listen to any and all ideas and suggestions people have to save money and to stretch the money we have.