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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
Qualifications,
Equity,
Student test results,
Building Consensus,
Budget
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What are your qualifications for office?
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Answer from Nita Thomas:
Desire to provide the best education using the resources at hand. Ability to facilitate and create/integrate new strategies while maintaining the success of current methods.
Answer from Bill Ferguson, Jr.:
I was appointed to the HCESC board in 2009 and have spent considerable time learning the issues facing our ESC. Before joining the board, I was a career journalist (including Page One editor of The Cincinnati Enquirer). I am well-versed in how government operates--and how it should operate.
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2. What would you do to advance the concept of "equity in education" in your district?
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Answer from Nita Thomas:
Partner with others to understand the needs of students and gear ESC progrms/funds to assist those students with the most limited opportunites
Answer from Bill Ferguson, Jr.:
All children should have an opportunity to make the most of their abilities, regardless of income, physical situations or support systems outside the classroom. The ESC provides many services to our school districts to ensure that children have those opportunities. Whether it's an occupational therapist or a nurse or a speech and language expert, we provide schools with the people they need to enhance the lives of thousands of students. I understand the necessity of providing quality services at reasonable cost. We have strategically cut expenses at the ESC and passed the savings to the schools we serve.
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3. How would you use your students' state test results to improve education in your district?
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Answer from Nita Thomas:
The Educational Service Center should provide support in ways to intepret scores and assist in creating positive responses. We should look at high scores as a source of information to share.
Answer from Bill Ferguson, Jr.:
The ESC has no authority over school districts, so we are not responsible for student testing. However, as part of the services we offer, we help districts interpret and analyze their students' test scores, and provide them with guidance on how to better prepare students. We help school districts develop classroom- and school-improvement plans, and I would continue to support our staff in helping schools make their students better learners.
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4. What will you do to build consensus in the community in support of public schools?
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Answer from Nita Thomas:
Build open, consistant communications with our communities. Ask for input and partner with community members for continued improvements,
Answer from Bill Ferguson, Jr.:
My wife and I have been strong supporters of our schools. We have volunteered at various events--from concession-stand work at football games to PTA involvement to classroom presentations to After Prom organizing. Both of our children attended public schools all 12 years and went on to college. One has a teaching degree; the other is a senior working on an engineering degree. Even now, we stay involved in our schools, and that's the best way to build community support: Show that you care. Children hold our future, and educating them is critical to the success of America going forward.
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5. What are your budget priorities?
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Answer from Bill Ferguson, Jr.:
The ESC is different from school districts. We have NO taxing authority. Our budget is dependent on fees for services to the schools we serve, both public and private. We must provide quality services, or we lose the business and the fees. My priority is for the ESC to remain cost-competitive, which allows us to give school districts--and their taxpayers--the best quality at the best price. As a board member, I want to make sure that we continue to offer value to both schools and our constituents.
Answer from Nita Thomas:
Quality education partnered with fiscal responsibility.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits may apply. See individual questions for specific word limits. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. Please edit your work before submitting. We are unable to provide spell-check at this time.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
