League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 5, 2013 Election
	Melanie Bates Answers Questions Candidate for Member of Board of Education; Cincinnati 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.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What are your qualifications for office? (50 word limit)

I have been an elected board member for the last 12 years on the Cincinnati Board of Education, serving as chair of Finance, Policy, and Student Achievement Committees and Board Vice President. I served for 7 years on the Ohio Board of Education, including chairmanship of the State Budget Committee.

2. What can be done to improve Cincinnati Public Schools' results at current funding levels? (100 word limit)

• Ensure a high quality teacher in every classroom by providing ongoing professional development and accurate teacher evaluation. Excellent teachers energize and inspire students to do their best.
• Provide an individual academic plan for each student based on individual needs and goals.
• Support Community Learning Centers by encouraging partnerships. CLC's are making a difference in academic success for students and helping families be meaningfully involved.
• Engage families and the community in prioritizing services for their children. In tough economic times, those closest to the students know what programs and services are most important.

3. What will you do to build consensus in the community in support of Cincinnati Public Schools? (100 word limit)

We have to accelerate sharing the good news of what is happening every school day in classrooms throughout CPS. Our children are learning in world class facilities and being held to standards used in high-performing countries around the world. Our teachers are being evaluated on the success of their students. CPS is leading the country in the implementation of the Common Core Standards. Other cities are seeking our counsel to improve their districts. Prioritizing community and family engagement as well as sharing the success and ownership of our schools is the key to building support for CPS.

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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.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 1, 2013 11:43
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