7 Questions asked of Board Candidate - Kevin P. O'Brien

By Kevin P. O'Brien

Below are my answers to the 7 questions asked by the Forest Hills Council of PTAs. Feel free to respond by e-mail. Thank you. kobrien@fuse.net

Answered by Mr. Kevin P. O'Brien, Board Candidate

1. What do you consider to be the primary issue(s) facing the Forest Hills Board of Education, now and in the future, and why? What do you propose as solutions(s)?

Efficient use of the District?s limited funding is a top concern. My goal as a FHSD Board Member will be to direct a ?cost effective education? providing high quality results. The District?s ?Excellent? rating is a very desirable achievement. To be recognized as one of the top school districts in Ohio is also beneficial to the Anderson and Newtown communities.

As more and more students are attracted to Forest Hills schools for a high quality education, the Board will have to make decisions as to re-districting for some students. Several new housing developments will bring new students into the Wilson Elementary School area. Any decision to re-district should be made with the full knowledge and cooperation of the affected students and families.

I also anticipate an increase in the number of special needs and/or handicapped students. It is our responsibility to educate these students to the best of our ability. The School District needs to strongly convey to our Legislators and Governor the importance of providing a reasonable education for and identify the additional costs associated with educating these students.

2. How do you perceive the current financial situation of the Forest Hills School District?

The financial condition of the district appears to be adequate looking forward for 2 to 4 years. If costs can be contained, state funding resumed to previous levels, and a local economic business recover ensues, I believe current funding sources will be adequate for the near future. The Board has the responsibility to manage costs. Many economists expect the economic upturn to continue in 2004 and there appears to be some movement by local elected officials to bring additional business development to the District. These factors coupled with fiscal responsibility and the current surplus should provide for adequate funding.

My work at UC?s College of Nursing has taught me the importance of an endowment program. The District currently has the beginnings of a successful program. Long-term, I envision an organized effort to support designated programs (i.e.: music, arts, athletics, sciences, humanities, etc) with endowment funds. A successful endowment funding program coupled with active booster organizations will make the difference between very good programs and great programs.

3. What is your primary concern for the future of the Forest Hills School District?

Viable funding sources are the lifeblood of any school district. The Forest Hills School District relies primarily on the generosity of the State of Ohio and the property taxes of businesses and residences to operate. I am concerned about the balance of these three funding sources. Over the last two decades, homeowners have assumed a significant portion of the responsibility for the funding of our schools. In my profession, I have seen the financially strongest school districts are those that are balanced between residential property taxes and business property taxes.

4. How do you perceive the roles of the Board of Education and the Administration? What changes and/or improvements are needed in the performance of either group?

The Board of Education sets educational goals and establishes policy for the local school district. One of the most important responsibilities of the Board is to employ the superintendent and hold him or her responsible for effectively managing the schools in accordance with the Board?s policies, state laws and community values.

The Board, by majority vote, will make decisions on a wide range of issues, such as hiring and evaluating the superintendent and treasurer, setting district policy, goal setting and long range planning, establishing budgets and developing curriculum.

Effective school board members are also aware of their public relations role. School board members are the links between schools and the public. Open communication between board members is essential to a quality school district.

5. How would you prepare the district for responding to anticipated cuts in state funding? If you were faced with the decision to make cuts in programs and /or services, on which area(s) would you focus and why?

The scope of future state funding cuts is difficult to anticipate. The larger the funding cuts, the tougher the decisions. Funding cuts from one source don?t necessarily indicate reduced educational results. As a Board Member of the University of Cincinnati, College of Nursing, Advisory Board since 1994, I have experienced quite a number of state funding cuts. The college has worked their way around the state funding issues and maintained an excellent rating. In 2001, U.S. News & World Report ranked UC?s College of Nursing in the top 7% of 781 baccalaureate nursing programs in the county.

I believe a high quality education includes academics, athletics, art, & music programs. I will draw upon my experience to make the decisions required to balance the money available with what is best for the District and our students. I am firmly committed to providing the best possible educational environment for Forest Hills students, teachers and administrators.

6. What do you perceive the relationship to be between the school district and township/village government?

The District is dependent upon property taxes for funding. The local government entities may or may not decide to be a driving force developing homes, retail businesses, and other commercial property. School Board Members and Government Leaders must have open lines of communication. I believe a quality school system operates within a healthy environment of homeowners and successful businesses. A quality school system is essential to quality communities.

7. Please provide a brief autobiographical sketch of yourself, i.e., years of residence in the district, family information, occupation, school involvement, other community involvement, etc.

I have been a resident of the District for 35 years. I started attending Forest Hills Schools in the second grade and graduated from Anderson High School in 1974. I am married and have one adult child and two school age children. My wife has a medical practice located on Five Mile Road. Since 1987, I have been employed as a Common Stock, Municipal Bond, & General Securities Broker. For the past five years, I have been with Robert W. Baird & Co. in Blue Ash. I have been involved in many school activities over the years. For 9 years, I have been a leader in my son?s Boy Scout Troop. I was active in the recently successful school levy campaign. I am a member of the Anderson Hills Kiwanis, a provider of scholarships to Forest Hills students. Other community activities include: Chair of UC?s College of Nursing, Board of Advisors and a Trustee of Every Parent?s Library, a video learning series for new parents. I am also a Board Member of the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce. Please feel free to go my campaign website for more information, http://www.4FHSD.org.

Respectfully submitted September 30, 2003