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LWV League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund

Smart Voter
Hamilton County, OH November 8, 2005 Election
Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues
Board Member; Reading City School District


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

See below for questions on Qualification, Priorities, Parental involvement

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.


1. What are your Qualifications for Office? (50 word limit)

Answer from Victoria "Vicki" Gentry:

I have 15 years experience in the school setting (10 years at Reading Schools). I have worked on past levy campaigns, executive committees, planned and executed the door-to-door campaign. Started the After Prom drug and alcohol-free alternative for teens five years ago and continues to grow ($6,000+ budget).

Answer from Vicki Solomon:

As past President and Vice-President of the Reading Board of Education, I am highly qualified for this position. I also served for 4 years on the Great Oaks Vocational School Board. Most importantly, I am a concerned, dedicated parent who is committed to excellence in education.


2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)

Answer from Victoria "Vicki" Gentry:

Continue what is working in our schools and evaluate what is not working. Work with all students at all levels to get them the help that they need to make it and be successful in finishing school. Keep curriculum rigorous and continue pushing for advanced classes and opportunities. Make sure students are learning "real life" valuable lessons to make it in our global society. Teaching to books gives us our "state rating" each year, but there are important things like, rules, regulations, good citizenship and how to prepare for college and life outside the school to be successful.

Answer from Vicki Solomon:

I will work with an excellent administrative team to focus on curriculum and instruction. We must strengthen our intervention program to assure student success.

As a school board member, I will make sound, conservative decisions in dealing with our tax dollars. I will push for the state to make state funding constitutional and push to stop unfunded mandates.

I will be active, visible and dedicated. I will come to meetings prepared and knowledgeable about the issues to be discussed. I have an exemplary attendance record. I am committed to do all that I can to make Reading Schools the BEST!


3. What will you do as a Board of Education member to increase parental involvement in your school system? (100 word limit)

Answer from Vicki Solomon:

Parental involvement is critical to student success and school excellence. I will make this a priority and encourage our administrative team and staff to do the same. I have learned through my personal experience volunteering just how important being involved is to my own children's success.

Answer from Victoria "Vicki" Gentry:

Keep the parents informed and work with our citizens who don't have children in the school. Seniors and the business community must be kept engaged in a process to value the resources and experience that they bring to this equation of great schools. This community and its schools is an important part of their property value, prosperity and contined revitalization of the City of Reading. Sometimes putting out information isn't enough. People need to be asked for their opinions and input to keep pushing us forward!


Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits apply for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.


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Created: January 28, 2006 14:51 PST
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