League of Women Voters of Ohio
Hamilton, Butler County, OH November 4, 2003 Election
	Suzanne Loesch Lekson Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Northwest Local School District

The questions were prepared by the LWV Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. How would you implement your top priority?

WE NEED TO STUDY OUR SUCCESSFUL NEIGHBOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND MAKE THE RIGHT CHANGES TO GET OUR STATE REPORT CARD RESULTS UP SUBSTANTIALLY AND QUICKLY. WE NEED TO REDISTRIBUTE DISTRICT FUNDS, WITHOUT INCREASING THEM, SO THAT A GREATER PERCENTAGE GOES INTO THE CLASSROOM, ESPECIALLY TO PROVIDE FOR SMALLER CLASS SIZES. WE NEED TO GET BACK TO A SOLID EDUCATIONAL BASIS, FROM WHICH IMPROVED STATE REPORT CARD RESULTS WILL NATURALLY FOLLOW . AND, VERY IMPORTANTLY, WE NEED TO EMPOWER OUR TEACHERS TO USE THEIR INDIVIDUAL TALENTS TO HELP STUDENTS LEARN AND ACHIEVE. FINALLY, WE NEED TO FOSTER FAMILY AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE EDUCATION OF ALL CHILDREN.

2. How can the School Board work with local government and the community on use of school facilities for after school programs and recreations?

THE MORE OPEN AND AVAILABLE OUR SCHOOL BUILDINGS ARE TO THE TAXPAYING PUBLIC, THE BETTER. THIS FACILITATES PARENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESSFUL SCHOOLS. PROVIDED THAT A NOMINAL FEE TO COVER EXTRA SECURITY AND JANITORIAL SERVICES IS IN PLACE, I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC'S USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES.