League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 8, 2005 Election
	William L. "Bill" Haase Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Cincinnati City School District

Questions & Answers

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

I am a parent of three children in the district and have a vested interest in their education. My profession in finance will give me insight into the business of running the district. Above all I am an optimist and believe that we can deliver quality education to our children.

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

To raise student achievement we should first look to the successful schools in our district and use them as models for the underperforming schools. There is a strong correlation between visual arts, music and athletics in the development of children and we should make sure these opportunities are provided.

We must provide our teachers and principals with instruction to keep them current in their fields and use a fair system to evaluate them so that the best teachers are rewarded for their effort.

We should evaluate facilities for safety, cleanliness and comfort and improve those that are lacking.

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

First visit the existing parent teacher organizations in the schools and gather their input on school issues. If parents believe their voice is being heard they will participate. Promote extra curricular activities with parent volunteers such as athletics in both intervarsity leagues as well as neighborhood associations like SAY soccer. Invite parents into the classrooms to be room parents or help on field trips and other activities. Provide child care for parent volunteers. Reward schools who can show creative ways to involve parents.

4. What is the most pressing issue facing the Cincinnati Public Schools? (100 word limit)

Improving academic achievement is the most pressing issue facing Cincinnati Public Schools. While there are failing schools, there are many bright spots. The magnet schools such as Fairview, Clark Montessori, Walnut Hills and the School for Creative and Performing Arts are among the best in the city. We need to model more schools after these to provide the best education for our children.

We need to provide all of our children with the opportunity to participate in the arts, music and athletics. Many studies suggest that these activities improve the ability of the children to learn.

5. Please describe what you consider the most important roles and responsibilities of a school board member. (100 word limit)

Setting policies that focus on improving student achievement is the most important role and responsibility of a school board member. The policies should give every child an equal chance for a good education which would include distributing recourses fairly. We should set high expectations for students and educators and establish a fair system of monitoring progress. We should reward the schools who do the best in achieving these expectations and make changes in schools that do not. Above all we should maintain an optimistic outlook and work hard to make our schools the best in the nation.

6. How would you, as a school board member, improve student achievement for all students? What would you do to close the achievement gap? (100 word limit)

I would follow this simple formula. First clearly define what the problem is. In one school it may be mathematics, in another reading, or any combination. Second, find out the causes of the problem. It could be in instruction; it could be any number of things. Third, list the possible solutions to the problem. It may require a change in curriculum, or simply focusing on the area that needs improvement. Finally, we should pick the best possible solution and implement it as soon as possible. There will always be challenges, but I think we can rise to meet these challenges.

7. What would you do to ensure the district remains on solid financial footing? (100 word limit)

Review the current school budget with the treasurer including both sources of revenue and expenditures. Find out if there are possible ways to trim the budget while keeping it in compliance with both federal and state mandates. Reduce spending without risking the quality of education for our students. Look for other ways to drive revenue including grant writing, partnering with businesses and finding funds at the federal and state level.