2021 Election Forums
CHUH School Board Candidate Forum
The Noble Neighbors' CHUH School Board Candidate Forum is going virtual due to the Covid infection rates in Cuyahoga County. The questions that participants submitted to us before September 30, 2021 were combined into the following broad categories and were submitted to the candidates on October 1, 2021 for written response. Responses are due by October 12, but will be posted on this site as they are received. Please read the candidates' responses, look up their campaign websites, and link to other forums and questionnaires. We are better voters when we are better educated.
Email submitted to Cleveland Heights CHUH School Board Candidates on October 1, 2021:
Email submitted to Cleveland Heights CHUH School Board Candidates on October 1, 2021:
Hello Candidates for Cleveland Heights University Heights School Board,
Noble Neighbors' leaders have decided to cancel our in-person Candidate Election Forums for October 5 and 12 due to the rising Covid-19 delta variant infections. Instead, we'd like to give you the opportunity to answer the questions we would have presented to you in writing. We will post your answers to our webpage as soon as we receive them and ask you to observe our October 12 deadline. We will also post links to other candidate forums and questionnaires and use our social media platforms to encourage our neighbors to educate themselves before voting.
Please provide a link to the social media pertaining to your candidacy. We will include that link on our website.
Please respond in 250 words or less to these questions:
1. As a BOE member, you will share information and listen to residents' concerns. How will you make sure you hear the concerns of less vocal and less visible parents as you make decisions that affect them and their children? How will you communicate with those who are unable to attend BOE or PTA meetings?
2. Homeowners in the CHUH school district pay high property taxes and a large part of those taxes go to support the public schools. What role should the CHUH BOE play in advocating for adequate state and national funding for our schools and for other legislative changes?
3. In some quarters perceptions of our schools understate our assets and overstate our problems including the State of Ohio Report Cards for public school districts. As a member of the school board, what role would you play in correcting these kinds of misperceptions?
4. There are increasing numbers of refugee families living in the CHUH school district. How could the BOE ensure families receive the support they need to navigate the education of their children?
5. Name three concrete policy changes that you would seek to implement as a school board member.
Thank you for your participation. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Noble Neighbors' leaders have decided to cancel our in-person Candidate Election Forums for October 5 and 12 due to the rising Covid-19 delta variant infections. Instead, we'd like to give you the opportunity to answer the questions we would have presented to you in writing. We will post your answers to our webpage as soon as we receive them and ask you to observe our October 12 deadline. We will also post links to other candidate forums and questionnaires and use our social media platforms to encourage our neighbors to educate themselves before voting.
Please provide a link to the social media pertaining to your candidacy. We will include that link on our website.
Please respond in 250 words or less to these questions:
1. As a BOE member, you will share information and listen to residents' concerns. How will you make sure you hear the concerns of less vocal and less visible parents as you make decisions that affect them and their children? How will you communicate with those who are unable to attend BOE or PTA meetings?
2. Homeowners in the CHUH school district pay high property taxes and a large part of those taxes go to support the public schools. What role should the CHUH BOE play in advocating for adequate state and national funding for our schools and for other legislative changes?
3. In some quarters perceptions of our schools understate our assets and overstate our problems including the State of Ohio Report Cards for public school districts. As a member of the school board, what role would you play in correcting these kinds of misperceptions?
4. There are increasing numbers of refugee families living in the CHUH school district. How could the BOE ensure families receive the support they need to navigate the education of their children?
5. Name three concrete policy changes that you would seek to implement as a school board member.
Thank you for your participation. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Voters will choose three of these candidates
Candidate Responses
Mario Clopton-Zymler www.mario4tigernation.com
Received Oct. 12, 2021
1. As a BOE member, you will share information and listen to residents' concerns. How will you make sure you hear the concerns of less vocal and less visible parents as you make decisions that affect them and their children? How will you communicate with those who are unable to
attend BOE or PTA meetings?
Effective communication to a diverse population of families is an essential key to the success of our schools. We must start by creating and implementing a district wide communications plan. This plan should be informed by the thoughts and feedback of students, parents, and residents without children in the district. There should be an effective communication audit for each school and the district-at-large. I have found in my work engaging with marginalized communities that any organization must first go to where less vocal and less visible families live, work, and play. This requires a community organizing approach to leadership that, I know from experience as a doctoral student in education administration, is not taught in school leadership programs.
I will advocate for the continued video recording of Board meetings and will also advocate for folks to be able to submit written public comments to the Board as well as including the option to phone into Board meetings. I think virtual or hybrid (in-person and remote) PTSA meetings may help increase attendance.
2. Homeowners in the CHUH school district pay high property taxes and a large part of those taxes go to support the public schools. What role should the CHUH BOE play in advocating for adequate state and national funding for our schools and for other legislative changes?
Tiger Nation must continue to advocate for immediate full implementation of a fair funding plan with a diverse coalition built on trust, understanding, and empathy of our racial, religious, and socioeconomic diversity. Let's be fiscally responsible with school district spending, transparent with our accounting, and implement my budget and accountability plan.
Let’s advocate for:
● the State to meet its constitutionally required duty to fairly fund our public schools with an adequate and equitable funding formula.
● the State to make permanent the end of deductive funding that has been detrimental to public schools.
● the Ohio Legislature to conduct an open and transparent legislative process for every stage of the revision and implementation of school funding legislation.
● an adjustment of the Per Pupil Local Capacity (PPLI) to include an increase to potentially 100% of the state share of funding for Ohio’s most impoverished school districts.
● 100% of the state share of funding to be provided for all public school students who qualify as economically disadvantaged.
● The state should eliminate all caps and reductions on the state share of funding or equitably apply all caps and reductions to, both, voucher recipients and public school per-student allocations. If voucher caps/reductions are applied, the remaining dollars should go back into the state share of the student’s home district.
● The legislature to create a model for regressive voucher qualifications based on household income. This would ensure that wealthy Ohioans aren’t using public money to send their children to non-public 250
3. In some quarters perceptions of our schools understate our assets and overstate our problems including the State of Ohio Report Cards for public school districts. As a member of the school board, what role would you play in correcting these kinds of misperceptions?
We need to continue to remind folks that the state report card is only one measure of the school or district’s testing achievement. As educators, we implement evidence and research-based practices to promote learning and to improve teaching. It’s important that we communicate several different measures of student success to our community. As a building principal and as a teacher during COVID, I witness every single day the impact of this pandemic on our student’s socioemotional, maturity and intellectual development.
As a Board member, I will support:
● the implementation of the education equity policy with fidelity to ensure we remove barriers to quality education for our students.
● embracing the Universal Design for Learning framework and instructional practices wherein students can demonstrate understanding in multiple ways.
● continuing to identify, broaden access to, and uplift community support services for students and families
● a district-wide commitment to providing more access to mental health services and continuing to monitor progress on Social-Emotional Learning Action Steps; Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care Scale; and Attendance Intervention Plans
● working towards 100% authentic compliance with the implementation of IEPs and 504s and other services for exceptional learners
● exploring additional Community-School models and partnerships, along with supporting post-secondary planning, and more opportunities to learn-by-doing
4. There are increasing numbers of refugee families living in the CHUH school district. How could the BOE ensure families receive the support they need to navigate the education of their children?
From my conversations with refugee neighbors in the Noble community, I understand that that there is a disconnect in communication of the services that we provide as a school district. We need to continue to find new and dynamic ways to improve upon the way we connect with refugee families. One actionable example may be for the Board of Education to collaborate with the City Council and partner with refugee community service providers that may have better connections with refugee families.
5. Name three concrete policy changes that you would seek to implement as a school board member.
1. Equity, anti-racism, and intersectionality in our schools I am a doctoral scholar with a research focus in education equity. I intend on using my
research skills and knowledge base to lead the revision of our education equity policy to include gender neutral language, a commitment to anti-racism and to understanding the intersections of identity and privilege.
2. Transparency & accountability to our residents I have outlined several actionable steps to improve transparency and accountability in
our reporting of information to community members. I will propose on day one of my office or soon thereafter for the CHUH School District to join the Ohio Checkbook. I will also move to add a Budget and Audit Committee to focus on monitoring our fiscal accounting and controls. Other propositions I will advocate for include implementing a responsive and transparent public records request system.
3. Equitable Union Negotiations
COVID-19 has demonstrated how important union representation and the ability to collectively bargain is to the safety of employees. I witnessed first-hand, unions enforcing employees’ rights according to their contracts as schools were grappling with reopening during the worst surges of the pandemic. Unions and their ability to collectively bargain saved the lives of countless teachers, bus drivers, school staff, parents, and students. As a Board member I will be a partner with all the district collective bargaining units to meet the needs of our students and employees in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible, informed by research-based best practices in health, safety, and 250
1. As a BOE member, you will share information and listen to residents' concerns. How will you make sure you hear the concerns of less vocal and less visible parents as you make decisions that affect them and their children? How will you communicate with those who are unable to
attend BOE or PTA meetings?
Effective communication to a diverse population of families is an essential key to the success of our schools. We must start by creating and implementing a district wide communications plan. This plan should be informed by the thoughts and feedback of students, parents, and residents without children in the district. There should be an effective communication audit for each school and the district-at-large. I have found in my work engaging with marginalized communities that any organization must first go to where less vocal and less visible families live, work, and play. This requires a community organizing approach to leadership that, I know from experience as a doctoral student in education administration, is not taught in school leadership programs.
I will advocate for the continued video recording of Board meetings and will also advocate for folks to be able to submit written public comments to the Board as well as including the option to phone into Board meetings. I think virtual or hybrid (in-person and remote) PTSA meetings may help increase attendance.
2. Homeowners in the CHUH school district pay high property taxes and a large part of those taxes go to support the public schools. What role should the CHUH BOE play in advocating for adequate state and national funding for our schools and for other legislative changes?
Tiger Nation must continue to advocate for immediate full implementation of a fair funding plan with a diverse coalition built on trust, understanding, and empathy of our racial, religious, and socioeconomic diversity. Let's be fiscally responsible with school district spending, transparent with our accounting, and implement my budget and accountability plan.
Let’s advocate for:
● the State to meet its constitutionally required duty to fairly fund our public schools with an adequate and equitable funding formula.
● the State to make permanent the end of deductive funding that has been detrimental to public schools.
● the Ohio Legislature to conduct an open and transparent legislative process for every stage of the revision and implementation of school funding legislation.
● an adjustment of the Per Pupil Local Capacity (PPLI) to include an increase to potentially 100% of the state share of funding for Ohio’s most impoverished school districts.
● 100% of the state share of funding to be provided for all public school students who qualify as economically disadvantaged.
● The state should eliminate all caps and reductions on the state share of funding or equitably apply all caps and reductions to, both, voucher recipients and public school per-student allocations. If voucher caps/reductions are applied, the remaining dollars should go back into the state share of the student’s home district.
● The legislature to create a model for regressive voucher qualifications based on household income. This would ensure that wealthy Ohioans aren’t using public money to send their children to non-public 250
3. In some quarters perceptions of our schools understate our assets and overstate our problems including the State of Ohio Report Cards for public school districts. As a member of the school board, what role would you play in correcting these kinds of misperceptions?
We need to continue to remind folks that the state report card is only one measure of the school or district’s testing achievement. As educators, we implement evidence and research-based practices to promote learning and to improve teaching. It’s important that we communicate several different measures of student success to our community. As a building principal and as a teacher during COVID, I witness every single day the impact of this pandemic on our student’s socioemotional, maturity and intellectual development.
As a Board member, I will support:
● the implementation of the education equity policy with fidelity to ensure we remove barriers to quality education for our students.
● embracing the Universal Design for Learning framework and instructional practices wherein students can demonstrate understanding in multiple ways.
● continuing to identify, broaden access to, and uplift community support services for students and families
● a district-wide commitment to providing more access to mental health services and continuing to monitor progress on Social-Emotional Learning Action Steps; Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care Scale; and Attendance Intervention Plans
● working towards 100% authentic compliance with the implementation of IEPs and 504s and other services for exceptional learners
● exploring additional Community-School models and partnerships, along with supporting post-secondary planning, and more opportunities to learn-by-doing
4. There are increasing numbers of refugee families living in the CHUH school district. How could the BOE ensure families receive the support they need to navigate the education of their children?
From my conversations with refugee neighbors in the Noble community, I understand that that there is a disconnect in communication of the services that we provide as a school district. We need to continue to find new and dynamic ways to improve upon the way we connect with refugee families. One actionable example may be for the Board of Education to collaborate with the City Council and partner with refugee community service providers that may have better connections with refugee families.
5. Name three concrete policy changes that you would seek to implement as a school board member.
1. Equity, anti-racism, and intersectionality in our schools I am a doctoral scholar with a research focus in education equity. I intend on using my
research skills and knowledge base to lead the revision of our education equity policy to include gender neutral language, a commitment to anti-racism and to understanding the intersections of identity and privilege.
2. Transparency & accountability to our residents I have outlined several actionable steps to improve transparency and accountability in
our reporting of information to community members. I will propose on day one of my office or soon thereafter for the CHUH School District to join the Ohio Checkbook. I will also move to add a Budget and Audit Committee to focus on monitoring our fiscal accounting and controls. Other propositions I will advocate for include implementing a responsive and transparent public records request system.
3. Equitable Union Negotiations
COVID-19 has demonstrated how important union representation and the ability to collectively bargain is to the safety of employees. I witnessed first-hand, unions enforcing employees’ rights according to their contracts as schools were grappling with reopening during the worst surges of the pandemic. Unions and their ability to collectively bargain saved the lives of countless teachers, bus drivers, school staff, parents, and students. As a Board member I will be a partner with all the district collective bargaining units to meet the needs of our students and employees in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible, informed by research-based best practices in health, safety, and 250
Charles C. Drake
Dan Heintz www.DanHeintz.com Facebook: Dan Heintz CH-UH Board of Education Member
Received Oct. 11, 2021
1. As a BOE member, you will share information and listen to residents' concerns. How will you make sure you hear the concerns of less vocal and less visible parents as you make decisions that affect them and their children? How will you communicate with those who are unable to attend BOE or PTA meetings?
I’d like to preface my response by pointing out that, while the question is directed toward parents, its important for us to be connected with non-parents and parents whose children are not our students. All of us pay taxes to support our schools, and all of us are part of the community that benefits from our schools..
This is a really important issue. Not all of us are able to attend meetings, comfortable speaking in public or have time to send emails. Jodi, Malia and I have made a priority of being visible. We attend events as varied as Kindergarten information nights, High School football games, Open Houses, Musicals, Ice Cream Socials...you name it! By being physically present at so many events, we try to interact with a wider spectrum of our neighbors than we might otherwise.
In addition to being physically present at events, we all have school district email addresses. People are always welcome to share their thoughts, ideas, questions and concerns via email. I can be reached at [email protected]
2. Homeowners in the CHUH school district pay high property taxes and a large part of those taxes go to support the public schools. What role should the CHUH BOE play in advocating for adequate state and national funding for our schools and for other legislative changes?
Our Board of Education should work as hard to advocate for funding as our taxpayers work to earn the money they spend on our schools. Having lived in this district all of my life (and being a K-12 product of our schools) I am confident that the CHUH schools have never had a Board of Education as committed to this kind of advocacy as we currently have. Jodi, Malia and I have all testified in Columbus on issues related to funding, vouchers, testing, school report cards etc.
Our advocacy shouldn’t be limited to state funding. For example, high stakes testing determines which schools are voucher eligible via the state report card. The same state report card also has a large impact on home values in the neighborhoods near our schools. Here’s the problem: Ohio’s high stakes tests are notorious for under-reporting the performance of minority students as well as poor students.
Advocacy on behalf of our students, teachers, schools and taxpayers is at the forefront of my efforts as a member of our Board of Education. I have led our fight against vouchers and I am a member of the steering committee of the Vouchers Hurt Ohio lawsuit. If re-elected, this will remain a primary effort of mine. As State Representative Theresa Fedor (D Toledo) pointed out, when there is an Education related bill being considered, they all know that Tiger Nation will be there to be heard.
3. In some quarters perceptions of our schools understate our assets and overstate our problems including the State of Ohio Report Cards for public school districts. As a member of the school board, what role would you play in correcting these kinds of misperceptions?
Jodi, Malia and I don’t have promises to talk about on this issue, we have a record to talk about. We have testified before Ohio’s legislature about the fact that the State Report Cards are based on tests that under-report the performance of minority students and economically disadvantaged students. We have hosted community meetings on the subject, attended rallies on it and shared the story countless times across social media. These efforts have had an impact! The legislature recently announced that there will be a new report card. Next, we need to ensure that we have a seat at the table when that new report card is designed.
There is another piece to this question: the perception of our schools within this community. It needs work. When people talk about last spring’s graduation, too many mention the scuffle in the stands, and not enough talk about the Class of 2021 earning $14 million in scholarship offers. Too many cling to tired outdated half truths about academics, and refuse to acknowledge that we’re one of nine Ohio high schools recognized by the College Boards as a School of Distinction. Too many families buy into false narratives and miss out on a Pre-K program that's consistently recognized by the state with their highest “5 STAR” rating. This is a problem. We’re not running from it, we’re running toward it. We’ve hired a specialist in public school communications to take a look at what we are doing and help us become better.
4. There are increasing numbers of refugee families living in the CHUH school district. How could the BOE ensure families receive the support they need to navigate the education of their children?
These families deserve our admiration, welcome and support. We need to be for them who we hope would be there for our children if they ever find themselves in a similar situation. We must endeavor to find the people, materials and everything else that the students need to become successful participatory citizens. We should also leverage our wrap around services to help connect these families with the other things they need to build fulfilling lives here. These people have gone to incredible lengths to get here. Let's be great for them.
5. Name three concrete policy changes that you would seek to implement as a school board member.
1. As a BOE member, you will share information and listen to residents' concerns. How will you make sure you hear the concerns of less vocal and less visible parents as you make decisions that affect them and their children? How will you communicate with those who are unable to attend BOE or PTA meetings?
I’d like to preface my response by pointing out that, while the question is directed toward parents, its important for us to be connected with non-parents and parents whose children are not our students. All of us pay taxes to support our schools, and all of us are part of the community that benefits from our schools..
This is a really important issue. Not all of us are able to attend meetings, comfortable speaking in public or have time to send emails. Jodi, Malia and I have made a priority of being visible. We attend events as varied as Kindergarten information nights, High School football games, Open Houses, Musicals, Ice Cream Socials...you name it! By being physically present at so many events, we try to interact with a wider spectrum of our neighbors than we might otherwise.
In addition to being physically present at events, we all have school district email addresses. People are always welcome to share their thoughts, ideas, questions and concerns via email. I can be reached at [email protected]
2. Homeowners in the CHUH school district pay high property taxes and a large part of those taxes go to support the public schools. What role should the CHUH BOE play in advocating for adequate state and national funding for our schools and for other legislative changes?
Our Board of Education should work as hard to advocate for funding as our taxpayers work to earn the money they spend on our schools. Having lived in this district all of my life (and being a K-12 product of our schools) I am confident that the CHUH schools have never had a Board of Education as committed to this kind of advocacy as we currently have. Jodi, Malia and I have all testified in Columbus on issues related to funding, vouchers, testing, school report cards etc.
Our advocacy shouldn’t be limited to state funding. For example, high stakes testing determines which schools are voucher eligible via the state report card. The same state report card also has a large impact on home values in the neighborhoods near our schools. Here’s the problem: Ohio’s high stakes tests are notorious for under-reporting the performance of minority students as well as poor students.
Advocacy on behalf of our students, teachers, schools and taxpayers is at the forefront of my efforts as a member of our Board of Education. I have led our fight against vouchers and I am a member of the steering committee of the Vouchers Hurt Ohio lawsuit. If re-elected, this will remain a primary effort of mine. As State Representative Theresa Fedor (D Toledo) pointed out, when there is an Education related bill being considered, they all know that Tiger Nation will be there to be heard.
3. In some quarters perceptions of our schools understate our assets and overstate our problems including the State of Ohio Report Cards for public school districts. As a member of the school board, what role would you play in correcting these kinds of misperceptions?
Jodi, Malia and I don’t have promises to talk about on this issue, we have a record to talk about. We have testified before Ohio’s legislature about the fact that the State Report Cards are based on tests that under-report the performance of minority students and economically disadvantaged students. We have hosted community meetings on the subject, attended rallies on it and shared the story countless times across social media. These efforts have had an impact! The legislature recently announced that there will be a new report card. Next, we need to ensure that we have a seat at the table when that new report card is designed.
There is another piece to this question: the perception of our schools within this community. It needs work. When people talk about last spring’s graduation, too many mention the scuffle in the stands, and not enough talk about the Class of 2021 earning $14 million in scholarship offers. Too many cling to tired outdated half truths about academics, and refuse to acknowledge that we’re one of nine Ohio high schools recognized by the College Boards as a School of Distinction. Too many families buy into false narratives and miss out on a Pre-K program that's consistently recognized by the state with their highest “5 STAR” rating. This is a problem. We’re not running from it, we’re running toward it. We’ve hired a specialist in public school communications to take a look at what we are doing and help us become better.
4. There are increasing numbers of refugee families living in the CHUH school district. How could the BOE ensure families receive the support they need to navigate the education of their children?
These families deserve our admiration, welcome and support. We need to be for them who we hope would be there for our children if they ever find themselves in a similar situation. We must endeavor to find the people, materials and everything else that the students need to become successful participatory citizens. We should also leverage our wrap around services to help connect these families with the other things they need to build fulfilling lives here. These people have gone to incredible lengths to get here. Let's be great for them.
5. Name three concrete policy changes that you would seek to implement as a school board member.
- Expanded afterschool and summer opportunities for our students to catch up, and get ahead academically, but also to do arts, sports and career exploration.
- Expand our Pre-K program. Pre-K is some of the best work we do in CHUH, so it is a great place to grow. The Biden administration has committed to universal free Pre-K. We should be shovel ready when that commitment is realised.
- We must get on a 5 year levy cycle. Our community deserves this. If the legislature delivers on their promised priorities, this should be within reach.
- (Bonus Policy!) We need to make a policy level commitment to sustainability. This should include solar panels as a power source and an educational opportunity. This should also include a district wide strategy around recycling.
Malia Lewis [email protected]
Received Oct. 12, 2021
1. As a BOE member, you will share information and listen to residents' concerns. How will you make sure you hear the concerns of less vocal and less visible parents as you make decisions that affect them and their children? How will you communicate with those who are unable to attend BOE or PTA meetings?
If re-elected, I will continue to do what I have done during my first term. I have lived in Cleveland Heights since the end of 2004 and am a visible presence in the community. My wife and I attend sporting events, performances, concerts, reading events, science fairs, outdoor festivals, etc. Thanks to my children’s involvement in sports, music, dance, and Science Olympiad, I have gotten to know many families and students in the district. They feel free to talk to me or ask questions when they run into me at the grocery store, the gas station, or a school function. Because I am an out lesbian on the School Board, students feel safe confiding in me that they are questioning their sexuality or sexual identity. Teachers and social workers call and write me with their concerns. And I call teachers I know when I need a gut check or a different perspective on an issue. I check my District phone daily, but give out my personal number liberally, because that is also my business phone number and the quickest way to get a hold of me. When I cannot answer a community member’s question, I usually know whom to ask and put folks in direct contact with each other. When that is not appropriate for some reason, I elevate an issue to the Superintendent so she can address it herself.
As far as disseminating information, I will continue to use my personal FaceBook page to spread the word about District 250
2. Homeowners in the CHUH school district pay high property taxes and a large part of those taxes go to support the public schools. What role should the CHUH BOE play in advocating for adequate state and national funding for our schools and for other legislative changes?
The current CH-UH School Board is a strong advocate for state school funding reform. We supported the Cupp-Patterson report and its recommendations for a new funding formula. We have given testimony in favour of the Fair School Funding Plan. We are the lead District in the soon-to-be-filed law suit against the State for its unconstitutional model of school funding. Not an education-related bill goes by without someone from the District going to Columbus to advocate on behalf of our student.
3. In some quarters perceptions of our schools understate our assets and overstate our problems including the State of Ohio Report Cards for public school districts. As a member of the school board, what role would you play in correcting these kinds of misperceptions?
I have been actively countering such misperceptions since before I was elected to the School Board, because I know from experience that CH-UH provides our students with a well-rounded, high-quality education. Both of my children benefitted tremendously from our teachers’ dedication and professionalism, from our arts and music programs, from our language programs (especially American Sign Language, which is hard to come by in Ohio), and our extra-curricular sports. They benefitted from our District’s diversity (along many axes) and learned to be adaptable, resilient, and comfortable in any company.
As a member of the School Board, I have pushed back against the inaccuracy of the State Report Card, because the state tests which form the basis of the Report Card are inherently biased against students of colour and poor students. A teacher brought to the Board’s attention a particular story problem on the 5th grade math test which starts: “you are on a black diamond…”, without any explanation or context. Assuming that every 11 year-old has been taken on a ski vacation is a perfect example of cultural and economic bias, and is completely unnecessary for a math problem about ratios and slopes. This brought home to us exactly how unfair the state tests can be to our students. So we have advocated even harder against the State Report Card. We have heard Education Committee members of both parties say that the State Report Card is inherently flawed and is not an accurate measure of the quality of a public 250
4. There are increasing numbers of refugee families living in the CHUH school district. How could the BOE ensure families receive the support they need to navigate the education of their children?
The District has been successfully welcoming Buthanese refuges for nearly two decades. The children of the earliest arrivals are adults now and begun creating a strong community on the West side. We have welcomed families originally from Iraq, Congo, and Sudan. We also have a fairly stable population of Spanish-speaking students. The District has been quick to provide translators for children who arrive with no English. We have partnered with the CH-UH Libraries and with Tri-C to help adults navigate their new home and language so they can better help their children be successful in school.
However, in order to welcome the new wave of immigrants from Afghanistan, the City must provide safe and affordable housing—something which is not in the School District’s purview. Especially after last spring and summer’s housing boom, our community’s rents are too expensive for families coming here with only State Department allotments for 6 months. Frankly, unless there is already an established group of ex-patriots from the same country, there is little reason for new-comers to settle in CH-UH.
5. Name three concrete policy changes that you would seek to implement as a school board member.
1. Expand our pre-school program so more children can be prepared for success in Kindergarten.
2. Provide summer camp/ school every year, at first to redress Covid disruption and then because it would prevent “summer slide” and allow our students to be more successful academically.
3. Address/ remove dress code which is inherently sexist and is unevenly enforced. 250
1. As a BOE member, you will share information and listen to residents' concerns. How will you make sure you hear the concerns of less vocal and less visible parents as you make decisions that affect them and their children? How will you communicate with those who are unable to attend BOE or PTA meetings?
If re-elected, I will continue to do what I have done during my first term. I have lived in Cleveland Heights since the end of 2004 and am a visible presence in the community. My wife and I attend sporting events, performances, concerts, reading events, science fairs, outdoor festivals, etc. Thanks to my children’s involvement in sports, music, dance, and Science Olympiad, I have gotten to know many families and students in the district. They feel free to talk to me or ask questions when they run into me at the grocery store, the gas station, or a school function. Because I am an out lesbian on the School Board, students feel safe confiding in me that they are questioning their sexuality or sexual identity. Teachers and social workers call and write me with their concerns. And I call teachers I know when I need a gut check or a different perspective on an issue. I check my District phone daily, but give out my personal number liberally, because that is also my business phone number and the quickest way to get a hold of me. When I cannot answer a community member’s question, I usually know whom to ask and put folks in direct contact with each other. When that is not appropriate for some reason, I elevate an issue to the Superintendent so she can address it herself.
As far as disseminating information, I will continue to use my personal FaceBook page to spread the word about District 250
2. Homeowners in the CHUH school district pay high property taxes and a large part of those taxes go to support the public schools. What role should the CHUH BOE play in advocating for adequate state and national funding for our schools and for other legislative changes?
The current CH-UH School Board is a strong advocate for state school funding reform. We supported the Cupp-Patterson report and its recommendations for a new funding formula. We have given testimony in favour of the Fair School Funding Plan. We are the lead District in the soon-to-be-filed law suit against the State for its unconstitutional model of school funding. Not an education-related bill goes by without someone from the District going to Columbus to advocate on behalf of our student.
3. In some quarters perceptions of our schools understate our assets and overstate our problems including the State of Ohio Report Cards for public school districts. As a member of the school board, what role would you play in correcting these kinds of misperceptions?
I have been actively countering such misperceptions since before I was elected to the School Board, because I know from experience that CH-UH provides our students with a well-rounded, high-quality education. Both of my children benefitted tremendously from our teachers’ dedication and professionalism, from our arts and music programs, from our language programs (especially American Sign Language, which is hard to come by in Ohio), and our extra-curricular sports. They benefitted from our District’s diversity (along many axes) and learned to be adaptable, resilient, and comfortable in any company.
As a member of the School Board, I have pushed back against the inaccuracy of the State Report Card, because the state tests which form the basis of the Report Card are inherently biased against students of colour and poor students. A teacher brought to the Board’s attention a particular story problem on the 5th grade math test which starts: “you are on a black diamond…”, without any explanation or context. Assuming that every 11 year-old has been taken on a ski vacation is a perfect example of cultural and economic bias, and is completely unnecessary for a math problem about ratios and slopes. This brought home to us exactly how unfair the state tests can be to our students. So we have advocated even harder against the State Report Card. We have heard Education Committee members of both parties say that the State Report Card is inherently flawed and is not an accurate measure of the quality of a public 250
4. There are increasing numbers of refugee families living in the CHUH school district. How could the BOE ensure families receive the support they need to navigate the education of their children?
The District has been successfully welcoming Buthanese refuges for nearly two decades. The children of the earliest arrivals are adults now and begun creating a strong community on the West side. We have welcomed families originally from Iraq, Congo, and Sudan. We also have a fairly stable population of Spanish-speaking students. The District has been quick to provide translators for children who arrive with no English. We have partnered with the CH-UH Libraries and with Tri-C to help adults navigate their new home and language so they can better help their children be successful in school.
However, in order to welcome the new wave of immigrants from Afghanistan, the City must provide safe and affordable housing—something which is not in the School District’s purview. Especially after last spring and summer’s housing boom, our community’s rents are too expensive for families coming here with only State Department allotments for 6 months. Frankly, unless there is already an established group of ex-patriots from the same country, there is little reason for new-comers to settle in CH-UH.
5. Name three concrete policy changes that you would seek to implement as a school board member.
1. Expand our pre-school program so more children can be prepared for success in Kindergarten.
2. Provide summer camp/ school every year, at first to redress Covid disruption and then because it would prevent “summer slide” and allow our students to be more successful academically.
3. Address/ remove dress code which is inherently sexist and is unevenly enforced. 250
Maureen Lynn [email protected] www.newvoices4chuh.com
Received Oct. 12, 2021
1. As a BOE member, you will share information and listen to residents' concerns. How will you make sure you hear the concerns of less vocal and less visible parents as you make decisions that affect them and their children? How will you communicate with those who are unable to attend BOE or PTA meetings?
I think that for too long the less vocal and less visible parents have been neglected in the District. I have heard many concerns from families with children with Special Needs that they are not being listened to. These students are some of the most vulnerable in our community and they deserve the resources that they need to succeed. We cannot let these children and their families down. If elected, I would review the current financial structure and make sure that funds are properly allocated to serve those in need. We need to make sure that we have enough teachers, psychologists, intervention specialists, substitute teachers and tutors to provide for every child instead of a top-heavy administration. We will also establish better methods of communications with these families so that they are heard loud and clear.
Also the Noble Community Learning Center is an excellent resource for the families and students in this community. As a Board Member, I would engage the community and families to understand the most essential needs that they would be seeking. I would also look to expanding these Centers into other areas of the community.
2. Homeowners in the CHUH school district pay high property taxes and a large part of those taxes go to support the public schools. What role should the CHUH BOE play in advocating for adequate state and national funding for our schools and for other legislative changes?
CHUH is already the highest taxed District in all of Ohio. This actually hurts our funding from the State since the state funding formula takes into account ‘wealthy’ districts. With our generous property tax funding, we fall into this category. When elected to School Board, I will advocate for the State Performance Audit to find the over-spending, fund mismanagement and inefficiencies. Based on previous audits, they are bound to find potential savings without neglecting the educational experience. I think that the CHUH Board of Education is responsible for being good stewards of the funding already received. They should be looking inward on how funds are spent before blaming the State, which provides a fraction of the actual school funding.
3. In some quarters perceptions of our schools understate our assets and overstate our problems including the State of Ohio Report Cards for public school districts. As a member of the school board, what role would you play in correcting these kinds of misperceptions?
My understanding regarding the Ohio Report Card is that CHUH has many students with Special Needs who don’t perform as well on state testing. When elected to the CHUH Board of Education, I first want to understand and determine that these students are receiving the resources and opportunities that they deserve to succeed. We should also be offering services like tutoring to help students who may be falling behind. The ultimate goal is to make sure that every child receives an excellent educational experience so that they can thrive. We should also publish the students’ successes to qualm the misconceptions and promote the excellence in the schools.
4. There are increasing numbers of refugee families living in the CHUH school district. How could the BOE ensure families receive the support they need to navigate the education of their children?
It is imperative that these students have the opportunity to learn and thrive in a welcoming and safe environment. CHUH has received $17 million in COVID funding. Some of this funding should be used to support these refugees. The schools should also establish support groups with ‘sponsored’ families who can assist them in the transition. Their experience in the schools should be a smooth and comforting as possible.
5. Name three concrete policy changes that you would seek to implement as a school board member.
- The CHUH School District historically has been pushing new Levies without looking at other solutions. I believe that we need to establish a policy in which a State Performance Audit is conducted to find the potential cost-savings before putting another Levy on the Ballot.
- For 25 years the School Board has never able to provide a balanced 5-year forecast. There are always significant unsustainable deficits. With the generous taxpayer funding that they get, I would like a policy to insist on a budget without deficits and look to find the savings to have surpluses each year.
- Public trust in the Board and its representatives is paramount. We will institute a 'Conflict of Interest Policy' to insure that board appointments are made with integrity. As appropriate, no appointments will be made where any individual may benefit personally or financially from their involvement in committees such as lay finance, lay facilities etc.
1. As a BOE member, you will share information and listen to residents' concerns. How will you make sure you hear the concerns of less vocal and less visible parents as you make decisions that affect them and their children? How will you communicate with those who are unable to attend BOE or PTA meetings?
I think that for too long the less vocal and less visible parents have been neglected in the District. I have heard many concerns from families with children with Special Needs that they are not being listened to. These students are some of the most vulnerable in our community and they deserve the resources that they need to succeed. We cannot let these children and their families down. If elected, I would review the current financial structure and make sure that funds are properly allocated to serve those in need. We need to make sure that we have enough teachers, psychologists, intervention specialists, substitute teachers and tutors to provide for every child instead of a top-heavy administration. We will also establish better methods of communications with these families so that they are heard loud and clear.
Also the Noble Community Learning Center is an excellent resource for the families and students in this community. As a Board Member, I would engage the community and families to understand the most essential needs that they would be seeking. I would also look to expanding these Centers into other areas of the community.
2. Homeowners in the CHUH school district pay high property taxes and a large part of those taxes go to support the public schools. What role should the CHUH BOE play in advocating for adequate state and national funding for our schools and for other legislative changes?
CHUH is already the highest taxed District in all of Ohio. This actually hurts our funding from the State since the state funding formula takes into account ‘wealthy’ districts. With our generous property tax funding, we fall into this category. When elected to School Board, I will advocate for the State Performance Audit to find the over-spending, fund mismanagement and inefficiencies. Based on previous audits, they are bound to find potential savings without neglecting the educational experience. I think that the CHUH Board of Education is responsible for being good stewards of the funding already received. They should be looking inward on how funds are spent before blaming the State, which provides a fraction of the actual school funding.
3. In some quarters perceptions of our schools understate our assets and overstate our problems including the State of Ohio Report Cards for public school districts. As a member of the school board, what role would you play in correcting these kinds of misperceptions?
My understanding regarding the Ohio Report Card is that CHUH has many students with Special Needs who don’t perform as well on state testing. When elected to the CHUH Board of Education, I first want to understand and determine that these students are receiving the resources and opportunities that they deserve to succeed. We should also be offering services like tutoring to help students who may be falling behind. The ultimate goal is to make sure that every child receives an excellent educational experience so that they can thrive. We should also publish the students’ successes to qualm the misconceptions and promote the excellence in the schools.
4. There are increasing numbers of refugee families living in the CHUH school district. How could the BOE ensure families receive the support they need to navigate the education of their children?
It is imperative that these students have the opportunity to learn and thrive in a welcoming and safe environment. CHUH has received $17 million in COVID funding. Some of this funding should be used to support these refugees. The schools should also establish support groups with ‘sponsored’ families who can assist them in the transition. Their experience in the schools should be a smooth and comforting as possible.
5. Name three concrete policy changes that you would seek to implement as a school board member.
- The CHUH School District historically has been pushing new Levies without looking at other solutions. I believe that we need to establish a policy in which a State Performance Audit is conducted to find the potential cost-savings before putting another Levy on the Ballot.
- For 25 years the School Board has never able to provide a balanced 5-year forecast. There are always significant unsustainable deficits. With the generous taxpayer funding that they get, I would like a policy to insist on a budget without deficits and look to find the savings to have surpluses each year.
- Public trust in the Board and its representatives is paramount. We will institute a 'Conflict of Interest Policy' to insure that board appointments are made with integrity. As appropriate, no appointments will be made where any individual may benefit personally or financially from their involvement in committees such as lay finance, lay facilities etc.
Mordechai Rennert [email protected]
Received Oct. 12, 2021
1. As a BOE member, you will share information and listen to residents' concerns. How will you make sure you hear the concerns of less vocal and less visible parents as you make decisions that affect them and their children? How will you communicate with those who are unable to attend BOE or PTA meetings?
Thank you for that question! One of the main reasons that I am running for this seat is specifically because when I asked for help there was no one who could tell me how I can get help. I needed help with the special education process and busing problems. Here are some ways I would look to make the board meetings and members more accessible:
2. Homeowners in the CHUH school district pay high property taxes and a large part of those taxes go to support the public schools. What role should the CHUH BOE play in advocating for adequate state and national funding for our schools and for other legislative changes?
Great question! The role of a board member is to be that advocate for the benefit of the taxpayers in the district by preparing a balanced budget requesting the lowest resciurces from its taxpayers. The more we ask from our community, the less the state will be compelled to step in. In our district, I think the first step would be to request a performance audit to address some of the inefficiencies in the district finances. I also think there needs to be an immediate stop to all the wasteful spending on lawyers and unused properties. This board just spent over $300,000.00 on the unused Milikin Property to rebuild the driveway! They lost $835,000.00!! If we are elected, we will be mindful of our duty to be good stewards of taxpayer funds. And no more unnecessary levies!
3. In some quarters perceptions of our schools understate our assets and overstate our problems including the State of Ohio Report Cards for public school districts. As a member of the school board, what role would you play in correcting these kinds of misperceptions?
As a board member I will be a leading cheerleader to the great teachers, students and families that make up the Tiger Nation. I will also ensure that we communicate with our faculty and families regularity to highlight all the positives that are continuously ongoing in our schools. I think we should have our local reporters invited to board meetings to celebrate the achievements of our students on an ongoing basis with the greater Cleveland area. Additionally, if we were to lower the tax burden on our properties, allow our vacant properties to be sold for development of taxable entities, we can spread the burden over a larger population which will ultimately expand our enrollment. Regarding standardized testing; I’m not a big fan and would advocate that to the state in the hopes that they could improve their testing to accommodate the diversity across the states population.
4. There are increasing numbers of refugee families living in the CHUH school district. How could the BOE ensure families receive the support they need to navigate the education of their children?
I will reach out to the school faculty and enhance our direct communication so as to ensure that they have all the tools they need to accommodate every child’s need to succeed.
5. Name three concrete policy changes that you would seek to implement as a school board member.
1. As a BOE member, you will share information and listen to residents' concerns. How will you make sure you hear the concerns of less vocal and less visible parents as you make decisions that affect them and their children? How will you communicate with those who are unable to attend BOE or PTA meetings?
Thank you for that question! One of the main reasons that I am running for this seat is specifically because when I asked for help there was no one who could tell me how I can get help. I needed help with the special education process and busing problems. Here are some ways I would look to make the board meetings and members more accessible:
- Expand the website to allow for people to send in questions they have for the board.
- Change the board meetings to more parent friendly times.
- Hold board meetings in different venues around the district
- Allow zoom type of meeting participation including telephone phone access for people to ask questions.
2. Homeowners in the CHUH school district pay high property taxes and a large part of those taxes go to support the public schools. What role should the CHUH BOE play in advocating for adequate state and national funding for our schools and for other legislative changes?
Great question! The role of a board member is to be that advocate for the benefit of the taxpayers in the district by preparing a balanced budget requesting the lowest resciurces from its taxpayers. The more we ask from our community, the less the state will be compelled to step in. In our district, I think the first step would be to request a performance audit to address some of the inefficiencies in the district finances. I also think there needs to be an immediate stop to all the wasteful spending on lawyers and unused properties. This board just spent over $300,000.00 on the unused Milikin Property to rebuild the driveway! They lost $835,000.00!! If we are elected, we will be mindful of our duty to be good stewards of taxpayer funds. And no more unnecessary levies!
3. In some quarters perceptions of our schools understate our assets and overstate our problems including the State of Ohio Report Cards for public school districts. As a member of the school board, what role would you play in correcting these kinds of misperceptions?
As a board member I will be a leading cheerleader to the great teachers, students and families that make up the Tiger Nation. I will also ensure that we communicate with our faculty and families regularity to highlight all the positives that are continuously ongoing in our schools. I think we should have our local reporters invited to board meetings to celebrate the achievements of our students on an ongoing basis with the greater Cleveland area. Additionally, if we were to lower the tax burden on our properties, allow our vacant properties to be sold for development of taxable entities, we can spread the burden over a larger population which will ultimately expand our enrollment. Regarding standardized testing; I’m not a big fan and would advocate that to the state in the hopes that they could improve their testing to accommodate the diversity across the states population.
4. There are increasing numbers of refugee families living in the CHUH school district. How could the BOE ensure families receive the support they need to navigate the education of their children?
I will reach out to the school faculty and enhance our direct communication so as to ensure that they have all the tools they need to accommodate every child’s need to succeed.
5. Name three concrete policy changes that you would seek to implement as a school board member.
- Safety officers in the school buildings at all times there are students present.
- Requirement for every board member to sign off on expenditure over an agreed upon financial threshold.
- Properly fund and hold accountable, the special education department.
Jodi L. Sourini www.jodi4boe.com https://www.facebook.com/JodiSourini
Received Oct 11, 2021
1. As a BOE member, you will share information and listen to residents' concerns. How will you make sure you hear the concerns of less vocal and less visible parents as you make decisions that affect them and their children? How will you communicate with those who are unable to attend BOE or PTA meetings?
When I was elected four years ago, I set a personal goal to attend at least two functions at every one of our schools every single year. I’m proud that I’ve exceeded my goal every year that I’ve served on the Board of Education. The events I’ve attended include plays, concerts, ice cream socials, walk to school days, book fairs, coffee with the principals, open houses, curriculum nights, festivals/fairs, promotion ceremonies, etc. When I’m attending these events, I’m in each neighborhood at each school, and I’m available to listen to parents, residents and staff. Some of the best conversations I’ve had with parents and residents have taken place informally on our school playgrounds and in school parking lots when I’ve walked up and introduced myself.
This board is very visible in the community. We attend many functions and community events. We enjoy speaking with and hearing from parents and residents. Outside of events, I’m always willing to meet with parents and community members over coffee or by phone call or Zoom. I meet with every person who asks. When I hear about individuals who have concerns, I reach out to them and offer to meet with them so I can learn more. And, engaging with local groups (such as Noble Neighbors) and local organizations (such as our neighborhood libraries) offer broader opportunities to hear from less vocal and less visible parents and residents.
2. Homeowners in the CHUH school district pay high property taxes and a large part of those taxes go to support the public schools. What role should the CHUH BOE play in advocating for adequate state and national funding for our schools and for other legislative changes?
It’s vital our School Board continue advocating with lawmakers in Columbus to ensure the Fair School Funding Plan is fully enacted and funded in the next two biennial budgets. The majority of public school funding is backloaded in years 5 and 6. If implemented, this plan enables the district to continue our high quality programs and extracurriculars with less reliance on local property taxes. As we push for Fair School Funding, it’s equally important for the School Board to continue evaluating every expenditure to support those that contribute to student achievement.
On the Federal level, our School Board needs to advocate for funding for universal preschool. We know from our data that children who attend our high-quality preschool programs at Gearity, Noble and Oxford arrive to kindergarten prepared to succeed. Furthermore, our data proves investments in early childhood education positively impact educational outcomes year after year. Children who attend our high-quality preschool programs continue to perform better in reading as measured by the state when they reach 3rd grade.
3. In some quarters perceptions of our schools understate our assets and overstate our problems including the State of Ohio Report Cards for public school districts. As a member of the school board, what role would you play in correcting these kinds of misperceptions?
One of the things I’m most proud of as a Board Member are the “Measures that Matter” that are being introduced in our 5-year strategic Plan (known as the 2026 Strategic Plan). Click on the link to review a presentation from our September 8, 2021, Board Meeting. (If the link doesn’t work, copy and paste this text into your browser: https://www.chuh.org/Downloads/September%208%20Strategic%20Plan%20Board%20Update.pdf).
For the first time, we will have a very transparent dashboard of student achievement available on our district website. The Measures that Matter will communicate student successes year over year using consistent and reliable measures instead of using the old data and constantly changing criteria that the inherently flawed State Report card uses.
My role as a board member in my first term has been identifying the need for Measures that Matter. In my next term, I plan to increase residents and community members awareness of our Measures that Matter so they know how to access the dashboard. Also, I will engage the community in helping celebrate our District’s successes in student achievement, especially our successes in closing the achievement gap between white students and students of color, special education students and English Language Learners.
4. There are increasing numbers of refugee families living in the CHUH school district. How could the BOE ensure families receive the support they need to navigate the education of their children?
Communication is key. First, I advocate for funding special outreach to residents by producing materials in native languages to make sure we overcome any English as a second language barriers. We have done this in a variety of ways including translating materials and providing translators during kindergarten information meetings in neighborhoods that have large populations of refugee families.
In addition, the Board chooses to support family engagement programs. For example, we are piloting our first Community Learning Center at Noble Elementary School to partner with community agencies to provide wraparound services in academics, health and social services, youth and community development and foster community engagement. And the Board is supporting both Monticello Middle and Noble Elementary schools’ participation in a three-year model program for the National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) which involves applying a framework to connect schools, families and community partners to support student achievement. We’ve been using the NNPS framework with our preschool with great success so we are confident that applying it to higher grade levels will achieve similar positive results.
Also, this Board reinstated regular meetings with our host city governments and the Library Board to foster communication and partnering amongst our organizations so we can share resources and address the needs of our community together in a coordinated and holistic way.
5. Name three concrete policy changes that you would seek to implement as a school board member.
1) Change our kindergarten eligibility date. Currently, kindergarteners entering our district are required to be 5 years of age by September 30. I seek to change this cutoff date to August 1. This would ensure most children entering kindergarten in our district are 5 years of age. Speaking with teachers in our district, I’ve learned that children who start kindergarten when they are only 4 years old are more likely to struggle in school. We can continue to offer an Early Entrance application process for children who are 4 who demonstrate superior functioning in the areas of achievement or ability.
2) Raise the graduation requirements for our students. Currently our graduation requirements are aligned with the state’s minimum requirements. Many of our students exceed these state minimums. We know our students can perform at higher levels than the state minimum. We should demonstrate our quality of education by having more rigorous graduation requirements than the state minimum.
3) Update our vaccine requirements. The state of Ohio requires several vaccines for school attendance to protect against a variety of serious diseases such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, etc. Once vaccines that prevent Covid-19 receive full FDA approval for children aged 5-18, I believe we should update our vaccine policy to require this vaccine as well. A few Districts in the state are now requiring Covid vaccinations for staff. If these mandates are upheld in Ohio courts, our district should institute a Covid-19 vaccine mandate for staff.
1. As a BOE member, you will share information and listen to residents' concerns. How will you make sure you hear the concerns of less vocal and less visible parents as you make decisions that affect them and their children? How will you communicate with those who are unable to attend BOE or PTA meetings?
When I was elected four years ago, I set a personal goal to attend at least two functions at every one of our schools every single year. I’m proud that I’ve exceeded my goal every year that I’ve served on the Board of Education. The events I’ve attended include plays, concerts, ice cream socials, walk to school days, book fairs, coffee with the principals, open houses, curriculum nights, festivals/fairs, promotion ceremonies, etc. When I’m attending these events, I’m in each neighborhood at each school, and I’m available to listen to parents, residents and staff. Some of the best conversations I’ve had with parents and residents have taken place informally on our school playgrounds and in school parking lots when I’ve walked up and introduced myself.
This board is very visible in the community. We attend many functions and community events. We enjoy speaking with and hearing from parents and residents. Outside of events, I’m always willing to meet with parents and community members over coffee or by phone call or Zoom. I meet with every person who asks. When I hear about individuals who have concerns, I reach out to them and offer to meet with them so I can learn more. And, engaging with local groups (such as Noble Neighbors) and local organizations (such as our neighborhood libraries) offer broader opportunities to hear from less vocal and less visible parents and residents.
2. Homeowners in the CHUH school district pay high property taxes and a large part of those taxes go to support the public schools. What role should the CHUH BOE play in advocating for adequate state and national funding for our schools and for other legislative changes?
It’s vital our School Board continue advocating with lawmakers in Columbus to ensure the Fair School Funding Plan is fully enacted and funded in the next two biennial budgets. The majority of public school funding is backloaded in years 5 and 6. If implemented, this plan enables the district to continue our high quality programs and extracurriculars with less reliance on local property taxes. As we push for Fair School Funding, it’s equally important for the School Board to continue evaluating every expenditure to support those that contribute to student achievement.
On the Federal level, our School Board needs to advocate for funding for universal preschool. We know from our data that children who attend our high-quality preschool programs at Gearity, Noble and Oxford arrive to kindergarten prepared to succeed. Furthermore, our data proves investments in early childhood education positively impact educational outcomes year after year. Children who attend our high-quality preschool programs continue to perform better in reading as measured by the state when they reach 3rd grade.
3. In some quarters perceptions of our schools understate our assets and overstate our problems including the State of Ohio Report Cards for public school districts. As a member of the school board, what role would you play in correcting these kinds of misperceptions?
One of the things I’m most proud of as a Board Member are the “Measures that Matter” that are being introduced in our 5-year strategic Plan (known as the 2026 Strategic Plan). Click on the link to review a presentation from our September 8, 2021, Board Meeting. (If the link doesn’t work, copy and paste this text into your browser: https://www.chuh.org/Downloads/September%208%20Strategic%20Plan%20Board%20Update.pdf).
For the first time, we will have a very transparent dashboard of student achievement available on our district website. The Measures that Matter will communicate student successes year over year using consistent and reliable measures instead of using the old data and constantly changing criteria that the inherently flawed State Report card uses.
My role as a board member in my first term has been identifying the need for Measures that Matter. In my next term, I plan to increase residents and community members awareness of our Measures that Matter so they know how to access the dashboard. Also, I will engage the community in helping celebrate our District’s successes in student achievement, especially our successes in closing the achievement gap between white students and students of color, special education students and English Language Learners.
4. There are increasing numbers of refugee families living in the CHUH school district. How could the BOE ensure families receive the support they need to navigate the education of their children?
Communication is key. First, I advocate for funding special outreach to residents by producing materials in native languages to make sure we overcome any English as a second language barriers. We have done this in a variety of ways including translating materials and providing translators during kindergarten information meetings in neighborhoods that have large populations of refugee families.
In addition, the Board chooses to support family engagement programs. For example, we are piloting our first Community Learning Center at Noble Elementary School to partner with community agencies to provide wraparound services in academics, health and social services, youth and community development and foster community engagement. And the Board is supporting both Monticello Middle and Noble Elementary schools’ participation in a three-year model program for the National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) which involves applying a framework to connect schools, families and community partners to support student achievement. We’ve been using the NNPS framework with our preschool with great success so we are confident that applying it to higher grade levels will achieve similar positive results.
Also, this Board reinstated regular meetings with our host city governments and the Library Board to foster communication and partnering amongst our organizations so we can share resources and address the needs of our community together in a coordinated and holistic way.
5. Name three concrete policy changes that you would seek to implement as a school board member.
1) Change our kindergarten eligibility date. Currently, kindergarteners entering our district are required to be 5 years of age by September 30. I seek to change this cutoff date to August 1. This would ensure most children entering kindergarten in our district are 5 years of age. Speaking with teachers in our district, I’ve learned that children who start kindergarten when they are only 4 years old are more likely to struggle in school. We can continue to offer an Early Entrance application process for children who are 4 who demonstrate superior functioning in the areas of achievement or ability.
2) Raise the graduation requirements for our students. Currently our graduation requirements are aligned with the state’s minimum requirements. Many of our students exceed these state minimums. We know our students can perform at higher levels than the state minimum. We should demonstrate our quality of education by having more rigorous graduation requirements than the state minimum.
3) Update our vaccine requirements. The state of Ohio requires several vaccines for school attendance to protect against a variety of serious diseases such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, etc. Once vaccines that prevent Covid-19 receive full FDA approval for children aged 5-18, I believe we should update our vaccine policy to require this vaccine as well. A few Districts in the state are now requiring Covid vaccinations for staff. If these mandates are upheld in Ohio courts, our district should institute a Covid-19 vaccine mandate for staff.