The Observation Deck

michael gill wrote:Thank you, Steve.

Anybody got questions for the school board candidates?

To be fair to Christina this post should be reserved for questions. I'll be discussing issues over here:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10381

Bill Call wrote:To be fair to Christina this post should be reserved for questions. I'll be discussing issues over here:

"What? Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is!" - Bluto


.

Reminder ...

Christina McCallum wrote:[P]lease email questions to ptacouncil@gmail.com or mail them to Lakewood Council of PTAs, 1470 Warren Road, Lakewood, OH 44107 by Friday, September 16, 2011. Questions will be reviewed to eliminate duplication and to group questions by theme. Thank you for your contributions.

http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/2011/09/07/meet-the-candidates-night-whats-your-question

Dear Candidates:

What sources do you rely upon when making your decisions? Please detail the individuals and their qualifications, the academic journals or other sources, etc that you reference when coming to your conclusions about what is best for our school district.

Here are a few:

Why are you running for school board?

Should the district consider merging/outsourcing the following tasks/departments with other districts:

Treasurer
Finance functions such as payroll
Routine administrative tasks
Housekeeping

Should the district consider asking the County to assume responsibility for some school functions like school nurse or school psychologistor other tasks not directly related to education?

Should the district operate its own charter schools?

Should the school day for elementary schools be expanded by 90 minutes?

Should the district have:

An 8 hour work day?

One hour lunch policy?

Staggered start times of 8 to 5, 9 to 6 and 10 to 7 to add greater flexibility for students and families?

Should school board employees pay 50% of health care premium costs?

Do support gifted programs and if so why?

Should the board reconsider its decision to close Grant, if so why and if not why not?

Should the board consider a new school on a new central site and close Lincoln and Grant?

Have you ever voted against a school levy, if so why, if not why not?

Do you have any children in Lakewood Schools?

Do you know any teachers?

Would you accept an LTA endorsement if such an endorsement is offered? Who does the LTA represent?

Would you support residency incentives for teachers?

Does student testing help or hinder student achievement?

How would you rate the current board?

What are its strengths?

What are its weaknesses?

How would you build on those strengths?

How would you correct the weakness?

What is the purpose of a school board?

How closely should a board manage the district?

Why do we need a school board?

How would your presence on the board strengthen the board?

How would your presence on the board weaken the board?

How should the board respond to the States recent cut in State funding for schools?

Do you support SB5, if so why, if not why not?

Does SB5 contain anything that you would support?

Does SB5 contain anything that you would oppose?

How can the district fund education for the next five years without a tax increase?

What affect does a tax increase have on property values?

Because of time contstraints please provide detailed answers in 30 seconds or less.

Bill Call wrote:Because of time contstraints please provide detailed answers in 30 seconds or less.

There are so many questions to be answered, and just not enough time - or interest - to answer all the important questions facing our schools. But, at least the PTA Council is trying to hold all the candidates "transparent and accountable."

Thanks everyone for the questions you posted here and emailed to the Council. We will be working this week on compiling and organizing them. For the answers, you will have to attend, Wednesday, September 28, in the Garfield Middle School Cafetorium, from
7 until 9 p.m. Garfield's address is 13114 Detroit. Thank you again!

... reminder ...

Christina McCallum wrote:Thanks everyone for the questions you posted here and emailed to the Council. We will be working this week on compiling and organizing them. For the answers, you will have to attend, Wednesday, September 28, in the Garfield Middle School Cafetorium, from 7 until 9 p.m. Garfield's address is 13114 Detroit. Thank you again!