South Euclid-Lyndhurst Board of Education Candidates 2009

BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATES

RESPONSES TO

SOUTH EUCLID.LYNDHURST TEACHERS ASSOCIATIONQUESTTONNATRE

NTSPONSES RECEIVED AS OF

ocToBER 13, 2009

SELTA is not endorsing any specific candidates for the Board of Education. However SELTA ismaking the fottowing responses available to you. Ptease consider it with any otherinformation you have when making your decision concerning your selection of the schoolboard candidates when you vote on November 3'd.

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RESPONSE TO SELTA QUESTTONNATRE

HEATHER ALLEN888 STUART DRIVESOUTH EUCLID, OH

Ptease give a brief biography of yoursetf including occupation, education and family.

"My name is Heather Atten. I am married and have two chitdren. I work at BeachwoodHigh School in special education. I specify in Autism. I was born in raised in SouthEuctid. My husband was raised in Lyndhurst where my mother in taw was also aproduct of South Euctid Lyndhurst schoots."

Why are you running for the Board?

"l feel that there needs to be a fresh view on the board. I believe there needs to bemore community involvement and understanding att the way around. lt takes theviltage to make a community successful. lf I want to see change I need to step up,make a difference. I believe in being just and fare. Everybody counts."

What is your impression of SELTA and what knowtedge do you have about SELTA?

"l am aware that SELTA is the union that represents our staff. SELTA is thenegotiators for contracts. "

Recentty there has been a significant levet of controversy concerning a satary increaseawarded to the Superintendent by the Board of Education. How do you feet about thesalary increase and the controversy that has devetoped?

"l feel that what has been done has been done and we have to move forward.,'

The starting Bachetor's Degree salary for a teacher in our district is S37,307. Starting1atary in Mayfietd is 539,306, solon is 542,357, Beachwood is 43,69g, orange ii543,014, ctevetand Heights is 539,500, Euctid is537,475 and shaker is541,449. Whatare your impressions regarding teacher satary in our district? What factors do youbelieve shoutd drive teacher salary?

"l betieve in H.Q.T. I believe in raisng the bar."

What are your impressions of student conduct in our district?

"My daughters give me the most insight into student conduct and at least at the highschool it feets tike we are improving. I atso hear from security guards and some SELTAmembers to keep up on this issue. We can atways do better and I took forward tohearing more from your members."

"l try to look on individual bases I don't like to btanket students.,'

HEATHER ALLEN

7. What power and authority do you believe teachers currently have with regard to:

Student Disciptine (i.e., disruptive student in the ctassroom)

"l believe they have a lot of authority. "

Curricular Decisions

"l believe in joint effort to make sure corriculam is effective to a high standard withroom to look at the individual students needs weather it be academically or behaviorlyor both."

8. lf etected to the Board, what information sources would be important to you in orderto make decisions? With whom and how would you communicate?

"l betieve in listening to all who are invotved in the accademic process." That meansthe community on a whote. By phone and emait. Al[ levels of communication areimportant that is the key to making any relationship work. Yes that means teachers,admistration, parent, students, staff and state."

9. lf a levy becomes a financial necessity in two or three years, what factors would youtake into account in determining whether to personatty and pubticty support the levyor would you oppose a levy request within that timeframe?

"l woutd need time to investigate and tisten."

10. Does our district currently communicate adequatety with the community and does itadequately secure input from the community?

"l don't feel it does. That is part of why I decided to run for the board to see what weas a board who represent the community can do to work together. "

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MARK BYRNE4785 EDENWOOD DRIVE

souTH EUCLID, OH

Please give a brief biography of yoursetf inctuding occupation, education and famity.

"B.S. Systems Analysis, Miami University, 1981MSM fnfo Systems, CWRU Weatherhead, 1997Currentty Systems Analyst @ Chart lndustries, Garfietd Hts.Famity - Wife, Amy, kids - Ryan (Brush), Atex (Memorial)"


"l believe in getting involved in the community and feel that we need a few goodpeople here and now. I represent middte-class families that want to provide ourstudents with a high quatity education opportunity."


"Not much knowledge/impression except the obvious (assoc of teachers)."

Recently there has been a significant tevel of controversy concerning a salary increaseawarded to the Superintendent by the Board of Education. How do you feel about thesalary increase and thd controversy that has developed?

"l think that was a major btunder by the board and poor judgement on the part of thesuperintendent and board. They have put future levies at risk and put themselves andtheir priorities ahead of the kids and community. (setfish)"

The starting Bachelor's Degree salary for a teacher in our district is 537,307. Startingsatary in Mayfietd is 539,306, Soton is 542,357, Beachwood is_43,688, Orange is543,014, Cleveland Heights is 539,500, Euctid is 537,475 and Shaker is 541,449. Whatare your impressions regarding teacher salary in our district? What factors do youbelieve should drive teacher satary?

"White the numbers here would indicate that our satary structure is lower thansurrounding districts, cannot make a judgement without seeing the big picture. Jobperformance, financial health, experience att drive satary. "


"My impression is that student conduct is good overatt. I think the district does a goodjob with discipline and safety/security. In some cases, I belive that students can bedisruptive in class, especiatly with subs. "

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MARK BYRNE


Student Discipline (i.e., disruptive student in the classroom)

"Not famitiar with specific poticy."


"Teachers must foltow district curriculum but not familiar with degree of flexibitity orinput in forming curriculum."

8. lf elected to the Board, what information sources woutd be important to you in orderto make decisions? With whom and how would you communicate?

"Superintendent, other admin, teachers, parents"

9. lf a tevy becomes a financial necessity in two or three years, what factors woutd youtake into account in determining whether to personatly and pubticty support the tevyor would you oppose a levy request within that timeframe?

"Too many factors would have to be considered. Cannot answer this question. Woutdhope we would not have to request a tevy in that time frame. "

10. Does our district .rrr*,,, communicate adequatety with the community and does itadequatety secure input from the community?

"No on both"

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RESPONSE TO SELTA QUESTIONNAIRE

ARIZINNIA HOOD3846 COVINGTON ROAD

SOUTH EUCLID, OH

Ptease give a brief biography of yoursetf including occupation, education and famity.

"Registered Nurse, President of Retiabte One Home Health Care, Master of Science inNursing, and divorced with children. "


"My desire is to work to change the way in which the schoot system is operating that iscausing concern and anger on the part of the community. Also, to create a schootsystem that can use the financial resources that are avaitable, to help improve theeducational experience of the students."


"SELTA is dedicated to promoting educationaI success, provide teachers withopportunities for high quatity professional development and raise awareness thateducators are highty quatified professional have the skitts to ensure the educationalexperience of their students."

Recentty there has be€n a significant [eve[ of controversy concerning a satary increaseawarded to the Superintendent by the Board of Education. How do you feel about thesalary increase and the controversy that has developed?

"l 'm totally against the pay raise. lfeet the concern of the community should bebrought back into discussion so that everyone in the community feels that the schoolboard is actuatly working for the community and not for themsetves and theadministrators. "

The starting Bachelor's Degree satary for a teacher in our district is 537,307. Startingsatary in Mayfietd is 539,306, Soton is 542,357, Beachwood is 43,688, Orange is543,014, Cleveland Heights is $39,500, Euctid is 537,475 and Shaker is 541,449. Whatare your impressions regarding teacher salary in our district? What factors do youbelieve shoutd drive teacher salary?

"Being a former School Nurse and a Vocational teacher, teachers work very hard toensure students success. Our district property taxes are very simitar to thesurrounding suburbs. Therefore if the budget permits, I woutd work toward anincrease in teachers salaries. I believe 540,000 in comparison to other surrounding is afair beginning."


"A large portion of the students appear to be out-of-controt. Personatly perhdps adiscipline committee shoutd be implemented when all etse fail. But, prior perhaps anadvisory team for students could possibty control some of the issues."

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ARIZINNIA HOOD

7. What power and authority do you betieve teachers currently have with regard to:

Student Discipline (i.e., disruptive student in the ctassroom)

"Other then sitting disruptive students ctoser to the teacher or providing them withactivates that coutd possibty keep them focus; a teacher has very little power otherthen writing a referral. Students go to the office, sent back to ctass, and probtemsbegan all over again. "


"Curricutar decisions are timited to teachers. But, teachers shoutd have a major partin the curricutar decision making since that are the main educators for the students."

lf elected to the Board, what information sources would be important to you in orderto make decisions? With whom and how would you communicate?

"lnformation sources would consist of Demographic information, Statistics on testingand achievements' that the district has made. Businesses in the community forstudent mentoring, and tapping into innovative programs that other districts withinthe nation are using Whom and how I woutd communicate? Meeting with teacherunions, members of the student council, and administrators."

lf a tevy becomes a financiat necessity in two or three years, what factors woutd youtake into account in determining whether to personally and pubticty support the tevyor woutd you oppose a levy request within that timeframe?

"Revenue avaitable to schools are fixed and inftexible, the cost of education continueto rise. Many of the rising cost are out of the control of the school board but, I woutdoppose a levy request so soon. I believe at least 5 years woutd be an appropriate timeto discuss a levy. "

Does our district currently communicate adequatety with the community and does itadequatety secure input from the community?

"Abitity to articulate a vision (inadequate). lmplement a vision (somewhat),demonstrate abitity to plan programs to motivate famities to achieve a schoot visionand promote invotvement in the vision (inadequate)."

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CASSANDRA M. JONES4665 LIBERTY

SOUTH EUCLID, OH

Please give a brief biography of yoursetf inctuding occupation, education and family.

"l am married to James Jones and have 3 boys that are SE-L students. Shiloh-8th gradeat Memorial, Bryan-4th grade at Greenview and James-1't grade at Rowtand. Currenttya Deputy Baitiff for The Cteveland Heights Municipal Court. I graduated from TheCleveland School of Science after compteting their Cottege Preparatory Program in1994. I possess an Associates Degree in Paralegat Studies that was earned from ParlsCottege in Aurora, Colorado. My current status is that of a Senior at Cleveland StateUniversity seeking my Bachelor's Degree in Politicat Science. Upon graduation I haveptans on entering Law School at Cleveland-Marshatl College of Law."


"My run for the Board began because I am a very involved parent in the educationcycle of my chitdren and their peers. As a parent I betieve that the foundation ofeducation is one of the most important things one can choose to nurture if they wantto be successful in tife! During our tenure in this district I have seen and continue tosee great achievements in the tife of my chitdren and great progress in the area oftheir education. Thesg achievements can continue to surpass expectations only if weas parents first creat6d a strong foundation in the lives of our chitdren and thensupport the educational component. Not the reverse! | have a strong interest inseeing others experience what we have experienced within our famity and with SE-Lschools. I believe that my desires can be futfitted through my tenure as a BoardMember. I have served on a variety of PTAs and spent many hours within the buitdingswhich I do enjoy, but that work is focused more on day-to-day and week-to-weekoperations where as a Board Member my task woutd more focused on other aspectsthat contribute more directly to maintaining the mission of the district as a whoteopposed to a particular building."


"My impression of SELTA prior to the candidacy was that it is the "force and voice"established sotety for the benefit of teachers as professionals and students as the fruitof teachers labor so to speak. This organization unites the teachers together in hopesof assisting them in providing the best environment for teachers and students all thewhite assisting to improve the schoots. My knowledge of SELTA is that it's a stronginstitution and tobbying force with the objective of making sure the voices of teachersare heard in regards to better facitities, sataries, classroom sizes, and overatlperformance as they educate the students as professionals."

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CASSANDRA JONES

Recentty there has been a significant [eve[ of controversy concerning a satary increaseawarded to the Superintendent by the Board of Education. How do you feel about thesatary increase and the controversy that has developed?

"The controversy that has devetoped in tight of the Superintendents salary increasewas created and didn't have to occur. I feel (as a resident first and a candidatesecond) that atmost anything an entity wants to pass....can be passed if and only if you"appropriately" communicate information, minimize the level of emotion in thesituation and tastty be clear and recognizabte as to what it is the entity wants orprefers to occur after their actions take ptace! | in my current capacity am not privyto any of the "ctosed meeting" information and details of the processes that occurredfrom 2005-2009. So it would not be fitting of me to issue an answer of "yes or no"regarding what would I have voted. I do feel that the manner in which theinformation was presented to the community over such a long time span could havebeen communicated more efficiently. The manner in which the information was"revisited" during the 4 year time span and the manner in which the decision wasfinalized could have been handted differentty. I have spent weeks digesting the sataryincrease issue and I have reatized once again that officials who are seryants to thepubtic whether voted in or hired and appointed must be cognizant of the words theyutitize when communicating to the people. I am a firm betiever that caution has to becontinualty exercised when retaying and suppressing pertinent information to thecommunity, which isn't futty exercised in many entities not only The Board ofEducation. Lastty, we as a community have to want to know and sometimes have tosearch a bit harder and become more comfortable in asking questions prior to,opposed to waiting for information to be disseminated to us."

The starting Bachetor's Degree salary for a teacher in our district is 537,307. Startingsatary in Mayfietd is 539,306, Solon is 542,357, Beachwood is 43,688, Orange is543,014, Cteveland Heights is $39,500, Euclid is537,475 and Shaker is541,449. Whatare your impressions regarding teacher satary in our district? What factors do youbelieve shoutd drive teacher salary?

"My impression regarding teacher satary in SE-L district-ln exchange for the massiveamount of time, dedication, and tasks that teachers perform I feel that they are notappropriatety compensated. Low satary in my opinion is not necessarily only a teacherproblem but it is our probtem as a society. As a Political Science major I did a reporton school funding, the construction of it and the process in which the funding isdistributed across the table. I must admit I am stitl astonished as I was 5 years ago atthe "top heaviness" of pubtic school funding and how teaching salaries were not in the"top heavy" section of the pay scale. Teachers, from my experience in raising mychildren and my college studies are unfairly compensated because of the fundingaltocation models that we are using in the pubtic sector. Some factors that I feelshould drive teacher satary are credentiats, experience, dedication to the profession(in relation to longevity in the fietd) and results of the classroom, schoot and districtachievements. Teachers who come into the profession straight from cotlege with tittteor no experience, I understand the low end of the satary scates but I am not inagreement with how the gap in wages expands with the numbers of years in servicedue to salary caps."

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CASSANDM JONES

6 . What are your impressions of student conduct in our district?

"Student conduct has to monitor with a fine toothed comb because many studentscome into the schoots with a variety of issues. Student conduct in our district incomparison to neighboring districts is at a [ow. Do we have issues? Yes, we do but Ithink we do a great job at anticipating what potentialty could occur. Our teachersfrom my interaction these years are great at identifying potential issues and "puttingout fires before they begin to flame". Student conduct is such a complex issuebecause it is inter-retated with the life a student beyond the scope of their ctassroom.Disciptine for inappropriate conduct must invotve careful examination and reasonablerecommendations which again send me back to question #5. Teachers are paid towsalaries but are mandated to teach, mentor, referee, and input vatues into studentswho often times appear in the ctassroom empty and vatueless, hopeless and with aweak foundation from home. Student conduct witl atways be an intense topic ofdiscussion because the sotution witl not be resolved on the school [eve[ without thecooperation of parents who have to provide a stabte foundation in the home first."

What power and authority do you betieve teachers currently have with regard to:

Student Disciptine (i.e., disruptive student in the classroom)

"With regards to Student Disciptine I believe that teachers have a high level ofauthority and power only because they have the authority to pass or fait a student ifthe student is removed from class fro disciptine issues. Granted that is one form ofpower but the average teacher that has a passion about the work that they have beencatled to do will possess a personal sense of hurt when faiting a student. Faiting astudent has a devastating outcome on the students' future and I don't believe theaverage teacher came into the profession of education to fait students! Therefore, onthe same note the power is restricted because they want to see success in thestudents and are witting to go through the disciptine scenarios to beat the odds andsave a chitd by pushing them to achieve."

Curricutar Decisions

"As a teacher Curricular Decisions are presented in a structured format that must beadhered to but the manner in which a teacher presents the learning materiats to theirclass is where much of their creativity comes into play. They have the capabilities toexplore different mechanisms to teach the students and I think that is where much ofthe joy in the profession is constructed."

lf elected to the Board, what information sources woutd be important to you in orderto make decisions? With whom and how woutd you communicate?

"lf etected to the board information sources that would be important to me fordecision making purposes woutd be the voices and concerns of the teachers who are onthe front tine daity and have first hand knowtedge of the situations. The teachers arein there on the battte fietd and see what is effective and not effective. Equalty, Iwould have to consider the resutts of student achievement in the individual schoolsand the district overalt, the graduation rates and dissecting the standards, scores, andprocedures. The valuabte input from the community is vital but we must realize andunderstand that so many emotions are involved with community input because you are

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CASSANDM JONES

then accepting personat opinions and experiences. When someone has been personallyaffected by something it is difficutt for them to see beyond the scope of what mannerthey have been offended or hurt. So community input is an important factor but oftentime it is dituted with personal opinion and emotions."

lf a tevy becomes a financiat necessity in two or three years, what factors would youtake into account in determining whether to personatty and pubticty support the tevyor woutd you oppose a levy request within that timeframe?

"Currentty in tight of recent events in the district as a new Board Member I would haveto oppose a levy initiatty and explore EVERY other option prior to considering a tevy. Amajor breach of trust and communication breakdown has occurred and I feet it wouldbest suit the Board, the community, the district and the overatl atmosphere to begin arestoration process in attempts to reunite all the components to make this relationshiprun smoothty for the next 3-4 years. lt's going to be a rough process but a processthat wilt be successfut with a cottaboration of att the entities invotved."

Does our district currentty communicate adequatety with the community and does itadequatety secure input from the community?

"Our district does communicate with the community and the resources are in ptace toreceive input from the community but they like many components in life which needto be reviewed regularly, adjusted and explored to see if they are effective for thecurrent time and situation. Many resources are available and often time thecommunity doesn't know where to locate them, don't have the desire to want toexercise the time to locate them or simpty don't care to be Board Members and do thework to know the pertinent information. This exptains why we have an Electionprocess for people such as myself who have the desire to see things happen and wantto invest the time and inform the peopte, work with the district and assist theteachers in futfitting their dreams of teaching and seeing districts tike SouthEuctid/Lyndhurst thrive in the midst of eras where most schoot districts are crumbtingdue to corruption, lack of famity foundations and tow salaries for high class teacherssuch as ours."

"Thank you greatly for your time and consideration in my for The SE-L Board ofEducation. "

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RESPONSE TO SELTA QUESTTONNAIRE

BILL KENT1072 PINEWOOD CIRCLE

LYNDHURST, OH

Please give a brief biography of yoursetf inctuding occupation, education and family.

"1977 graduate Brush High Schoot1984 graduate Miami University - B.S. Systems AnatysisFamily: Wife, Becky (Brush 1977), Daughters 5 - Brush 2003, Brush 2009, one

current senior and two current freshmen BrushEmployer: Snow Brothers Apptiance - Lyndhurst"


"l know that a strong school system is the buitding btock that keeps a communitystrong. lwant to continue my efforts to make our district the best that it can be."


"As a current board member I am very famitiar with SELTA. "

Recentty there has bedn a significant levet of controversy concerning a satary increaseawarded to the Superintendent by the Board of Education. How do you feel about thesalary increase and the controversy that has developed?

"l hope that my position on this issue is wett known as I voted against this salaryincrease. "

The starting Bachetor's Degree salary for a teacher in our district is 537,307. Startingsalary in Mayfietd is 539,306, Solon is 542,357, Beachwood is 43,688, Orange is543,014, Cteveland Heights is $39,500, Euctid is537,475 and Shaker is541,449. Whatare your impressions regarding teacher salary in our district? What factors do youbetieve should drive teacher satary?

"l betieve our satary/benefit structure as a whole is competitive with neighboringdistricts. I woutd tike to see performance play a larger rote in teacher salary. "


"My daughters give me the most insight into student conduct and at least at the highschool it feels like we are improving. I also hear from security guards and some SELTAmembers to keep up on this issue. We can atways do better and I look forward tohearing more from your members."

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BILL KENT

7. What power and authority do you betieve teachers currentty have with regard to:


"My feeling is that teachers do not have enough input/control of these issues."


"My feeling is that teachers do not have enough input/control of these issues."

8. lf etected to the Board, what information sources would be important to you in orderto make decisions? With whom and how woutd you communicate?

"l try to hear from as many different sources as possible. Students, parents, residentswithout children in our system, tocat potiticians, teachers, custodians, etc. I think aboard member that onty gets information thru the superintendent is missing vital inputto their decision making process."

9. lf a levy becomes a financiat necessity in two or three years, what factors would youtake into account in determining whether to personatty and pubticty support the [evyor would you oppose a.tevy request within that timeframe?

"Unfortunatety the levy cycle is a burden school boards must bear until the statemakes a change in funding. As long as the board has done atl due diligence inextending current levy funds I would support a [evy. "

10. Does our district currently communicate adequatety with the community and does itadequatety secure input from the community?

t tNo"

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RESPONSE TO 5ELTA QUESTIONNAIRE

LISA LONGINO4249 VERONA ROADSOUTH EUCLID. OH

Please give a brief biography of yourself inctuding occupation, education and famity.

"l was born in Chicago, lltinois. Relocated to Houston, Texas, after father's death.Educated in the Houston Independent School District, where I earned my high schooldiptoma from Robert Shaw Sterting Senior High Schoot.

ln 1978, I was the recipient of the University of Texas Medical School PharmacologyFellowship Award.

I hotd a Bachetor of Science Degree and Master of Science Degree in Education fromTexas Southern University. Attending Texas Southern University as a Doctoral Studentin Urban Education and Curriculum and Instruction.

Grant Peer Reviewer for the United States Department of Education Office oflnnovation and lmprovement and Safe and Drug Free Schools.

SpeciaI Education Advocate/EducationaI Consultant providing presentations on"lncreasing Academic Achievement in Urban Learners."

Cuyahoga Community Coltege Metro Campus Adjunct Heatth and Kinesiotogy Professor/

Former Houston Independent School District Health and Kinesiology Department Chair,Athtetic Director, PhysicaI Education/Health Teacher, Success For Att ReadingTeacher, Safe and Drug Free School Coordinator.

Two Time Recipient of the City of Houston/Texas Chitdren's Hospital Heatth andKinesiotogy Department of the Year Award.

South Euctid resident for nine years.

Married to Detbert Longino, seven chitdren, two in the South Euctid-Lyndhurst SchoolDistrict, Jacob (Brush) and Delbert ll (Rowland)."


"A passion for restoring academic rigor to pubtic education, a demonstrated ability tosecure federal funding to increase academic achievement, a tegacy of effectiveness, acommitment to community and a willingness to tackte the tough challenges head onwith a wise head and an open heart are the reasons why I chose to run for the SouthEuctid-Lyndhurst School Board. As a parent, teacher, and a special educationadvocate, I have a proven abitity to engage and include every diverse voice needed tomake equitabte decisions for all children and famities. As an Educational Consuttantand a Grant Peer Reviewer for the United States Department of Education Office ofInnovation and lmprovement and Safe and Drug Free Schools, I am very wett informedand knowledgeable on Educational Poticies and Funding that affect our schools. I havethe abitity to communicate and seek the funds. My tife and principtes are buitt aroundone question, "How will I make a difference?"

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LISA LONGINO

3 . What is your impression of SELTA and what knowledge do you have about SELTA?

"Education is the fundamental foundation of our society. This simpte principte, Ibetieve drives the ongoing efforts of the South Euctid-Lyndhurst Teacher Association asit represents teachers in the workplace during these tremendously challenging times.With the current economy teachers are being asked to do more for a larger, morediverse student population, while facing greater obstactes in and out of the ctassroom,with far fewer resources. The South Euctid-Lyndhurst Teacher Association creates anenvironment where teachers have every opportunity to do their best for atl students.The South Euctid-Lyndhurst Teacher Association is a unified voice for effectiveeducators. "

Recentty there has been a significant level of controversy concerning a salary increaseawarded to the Superintendent by the Board of Education. How do you feel about thesalary increase and the controversy that has devetoped?

"ln today's economy and the possibte reduction of 5,784,148.31 in state aid (OhioSupreme Court stot machine ruting) that would affect K-12 funding, the 27% increasein the superintendent's salary in this economic decline was nonsensicat. The salary,benefits, and perks of the superintendent shoutd have been discussed with thecommunity instead of behind closed doors. The present board members budgetprojections for five years are only projections and the members should have knownthe potential impact of revenue reductions due to chattenges to Governor Stricktand'splan to poputate Ohio racetracks with video slot machines and ODE waiver frommeeting maintenance of effort (MOE). As a school board member, I woutd keepabreast of atl policies and report financial data reliabty to att stakeholders. "

The starting Bachetor's Degree salary for a teacher in our district is 537,307. Startingsalary in Mayfield is 539,306, Solon is 542,357, Beachwood is 43,688, Orange is543,014, Cleveland Heights is 539,500, Euclid is 537,475 and Shaker is$41,449. Whatare your impressions regarding teacher salary in our district? What factors do youbetieve should drive teacher salary?

"South Euctid-Lyndhurst School District teacher salaries are low in comparison toEuctid who local property tax revenue per pupit is 55,968.12, and Soton who localproperty tax revenue per pupit is 59,830.35. Our most precious classroom resourcesare teachers. With the passage of the 5.4-mitt levy in November 2008 our school boardcould have increase teacher wages in order to compete with other districts toretain/maintain effective teachers in the ctassroom. Our teachers and support staffbase salaries were increased by onty 2.75 percents after the wage freeze teachersreceived last year. Effective teachers provide the education our families want andneed. Effective teachers keep our community and our school desirabte. Effectiveteachers increase student enrollment, which increases school funding. As a boardmember, I will ensure our education dollars be directed to instruction. Academiccredit, responsibilities, job performance, merit or student outcomes, longevity anddistrict enrollment are factors that I believe should drive teacher's salaries."

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LISA LONGINO

6. What are your impressions of student conduct in our district?

"Every school in the South Euctid-Lyndhurst Schoot District has a disciptine policy toaddress inappropriate behaviors such as making verbat threats, harassment, assaults,intimidation, extortion, disruptive behavior, etc. School policies of inappropriatebehavior and corresponding disciptinary consequences are outline in theparent/student handbooks. South Euctid-Lyndhurst School District has implementedseveral prevention and intervention programs, and other school improvementstrategies to prevent and manage behaviors and improve the overall school climate.However, South Euctid-Lyndhurst Schools must have fair, firm, and consistentdiscipline enforcement in every ctassroom to reduce the tiketihood of crime andviolence. Disciptine and school ctimate strategies, combined with balanced andreasonable security measures targeting "hot spots" on school campuses can create asafer and more secure ctimate for all children in the district. Thus, every studentattending a South Euctid-Lyndhurst schoots witt reach the stage in which they have thecognitive abitity to understand the world in which they live and understand their ownactions in a morat and legal context."

What power and authority do you believe teachers currently have with regard to:


"lt is a tautology to say that teachers are situated in the web of disciptinary power, asmembers of a disciptinary society; however, it is significant to note that the powerthat teachers in the South Euctid-Lyndhurst School District consciously exercise issovereign. lt is visible and identifiable but with limited parameters."

Curricutar Decisions

"Ctearty teachers in the South Euctid-Lyndhurst Schoot District participate in amuttipticity of curriculum decision-making at the school and district [eve[. Ourteachers are involved as imptementers/receivers, adapters, developers andresearchers. Using situational analysis and need assessments, our teachers have beenabte to determine our students' needs to develop and implement an appropriatecurricutum. "

lf elected to the Board, what information sources would be important to you in orderto make decisions? With whom and how would you communicate?

"Funding and Staff Professional Development information sources would be importantto me. I woutd communicate via emait, text message, in person, membership andmai[. Some of my information sources are:

Ohio Department of Education Charlotte Jones-Ward, Consuttant for state fundingThe United States Department of Education for federal fundingThe Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Cheryt Newton Division Director for

fundingNational Science Teachers Association (NSTA)America's Promise Alliance, Marguerite Kondrack, CEOAmerican Educational Research Association Panel on Research and Teacher EducationNational Alliance of Btack School Educators Wittiam J. Etlerbee, Jr., Ed.D.

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Texas Southern University, Cherry Ross Gooden, Ed.D., Dr. Jawanza Junjufu,EducationaI Consultant

The Peters Group, Stephen G. Peters, CEO/PresidentBuckeye Institute of Pubtic Poticy Sotutions"

lf a levy becomes a financial necessity in two or three years, what factors would youtake into account in determining whether to personally and pubticty support the levyor would you oppose a levy request within that timeframe?

"The financing of elementary and secondary education in Ohio is through acombination of state-coltected taxes and tocatty cotlected property taxes. Theeconomy and the voice of the stakehotders would be factors that I would have to takeinto account before I support, or oppose a levy. An increase in taxes woutd be a fiscalcrisis for the residents of South Euctid-Lyndhurst if the economy has not change for thebetter in two to three years. As a school board member, I woutd be an advocate foran atternative funding system. I would strongty suggest and encourage aggressivetobbying efforts to make amendments that woutd revise the assessment of residentiatproperty taxes. I would explore non traditional areas of supplemental financing suchas grants and corporate sponsorships. There is a wealth of potentiat funding. Skittedin both the No Chitd Left Behind Act and federat grants are what is needed on theschool board. I am the onty candidate with both of those skitls."

Does our district currently communicate adequatety with the community and does itadequatety secure input from the community?

"Our district desperately needs to update it communication systems to ensuretransparent two-way communication. lt is important that staff, parents and studentshave their voices heard, and feel comfortabte approaching board members to discussissues. As our community continues to grow, we need to be sure we are making good,careful choices about everything from hiring staff to buitding new schoots. The SouthEuctid-Lyndhurst School Board needs to reach out to the community with aggressivecommunication tools to facititate input and feedback on all stakeholders ideas andissues LONG before a voting board meeting. As a school board member, I woutd tike tocreate parent liaisons that woutd regutarly meet with the school board to serve as a"go between" for this type of communication. As the board faces these kinds ofchallenges, the parent boards coutd serye as a fitter for a[[ parent concerns as we[[ asa communication provider to the community at large."

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RESPONSE TO SELTA QUESTTONNAIRE

LISA MARKO5180 SPENCER

LYNDHURST, OH

Please give a brief biography of yourself inctuding occupation, education and family.

"My name is Lisa Marko and I am a resident of the City of Lyndhurst, where I havelived for the past 15 yrs. I am married to Joseph Marko, with 4 Chitdren, Joseph-21(Senior Univ. Cinn), Robert 19 (Sophomore CWRU), Karalyn 15, (1Oth gr. Brush )& Cody13 (8'n gr. Memorial). lam a licensed Rea[ Estate Titte Agent, and I have worked inthe Finance and Rea[ Estate industry for over 20 yrs. I graduated from MttoughbySouth High Schoot and attended Laketand Community Cottege. "


"l have been very active in the schoots, in a votunteer capacity, for many years; as aparent, PTA member, PTA Board member and as a concerned citizen striving toimprove our district by working on or heading levy efforts. In working with staff,teachers, administrators and parents I believe I have a good idea of the chattengesfacing our district in th.e various buitdings both inside and out of the ctassrooms.

As a parent of two successfut Brush graduates and two chitdren stitl attending our SELSchools, I want to make sure our chitdren continue to receive the quatity educationthey deserve, now and in the future.

As a resident of our community, I want our schools to be more than just effective. Weneed to make sure our administrators are implementing the programs necessary tokeep our schools competitive. We need sound schools to keep residents in ourcommunity and to attract new families to the area.

As a business woman, I want to make sure our board has a sound fiscal ptan as wetl asresponsible spending. We have many challenges facing our district from decliningproperty vatues to Governor Stricktand's Plan for Schools; from student to teacherratios and state mandates, to tough economic times. Our school board needs toditigentty address the concerns of our community and embrace their comments andconcerns. "

What is your impression of SELTA and what knowledge do you have about SELTA?

"l am aware of SELTA and the rote of the teachers union in the SE-L School System. Iam atso aware that SELTA ptayed a pivotal rote in the passage of the recent schoollevy."

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4. Recently there has been a significant level of controversy concerning a salary increaseawarded to the Superintendent by the Board of Education. How do you feel about thesalary increase and the controversy that has developed?

"l was not please with the board's decision to give Dr. Zelei the recent satary increaseand was very disappointed in the manner in which they went about awarding theincrease. Certainly any "good idea" merits discussion and debate and witt stand up toboth board and public scrutiny. 5o if the board fett Dr. Zelei's raise was truly a goodidea why was it brought forward in a way that would appear questionabte. We havemade such great strides as a district with our pubtic perception, but this increase andthe manner in which it was passed witt take many years to recover from. I feet thecontract should have been negotiated in January prior to the other contractnegotiations and it shoutd have been a decision all members of the school boardagreed upon."

The starting Bachetor's Degree salary for a teacher in our district is 537,307. Startingsalary in Mayfietd is 539,306, Soton is 542,357, Beachwood is 43,688, Orange is543,014, Cleveland Heights is 539,500, Euctid is537,475 and Shaker is541,449. Whatare your impressions regarding teacher satary in our district? What factors do youbetieve shoutd drive teacher salary?

"l am very surprised to see how low the starting satary is for our district compared tothe other districts; however some of the districts presented here do have much highertax base. Teacher's sataries are a priority for our district, in order to keep goodteachers in SEL we must be competitive, or they witt look etsewhere. I have two Brushgraduates and two students in the school system, and I appreciate the great teachersthat have hetped my children developed into good students. I know that the pubticlooks to the state report card as an indicator of the schoot system, but I feel there areother things that need to be factored in when we look at our teachers andcompensation. "


"l am an active parent in our schools, involved in the PTA and Athtetic Boosters. Iknow we have a large number of great students in the district; however we do havesome behavior that tends to bring the district down. We need to showcase the good inour district. There are so many positive things going on in our schoots and we need tobe recognized for what those students are doing, and not for the actions of those thatdo not know how to act appropriatety. I betieve in Respect, Responsibitity andResutts. "

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Student Discipline (i.e., disruptive student in the classroom)

"The teacher has the authority to remove a disruptive student from the ctassroom andthe administration then deals with the discipline of the student."


"The Curricutum Director develops curriculum content, instructional strategies, andperformance assessments to meet the needs of all students. The Curricutum directoruses state and nationat standards to devetop programs and looks to the teachers andadministrators to produce the most current and developmentatty appropriate contentand materials for students. "

lf etected to the Board, what information sources would be important to you in orderto make decisions? With whom and how woutd you communicate?

"As an elected representative of the pubtic I feet it is very important to representthem to the best of my abitity. This woutd inctude communicating with them invarious ways and encouraging their participation in the schools and in the educationour youth. I also feet'the teachers and staff at our schoots are a vatuable source ofinformation. The board needs to work ditigentty with them towards one common goat.One of the hot topics right now is the State Report Card, I feet the teachers and staffare the ctosest to the students and can provide insight into what we need to do as adistrict to make the necessary changes to continue to improve. I know we have greateducational programs at our schools and we need to try to figure out why somestudents aren't making the grade, and develop programs to improve their resutts."

lf a tevy becomes a financiat necessity in two or three years, what factors woutd youtake into account in determining whether to personally and pubticty support the levyor would you oppose a tevy request within that timeframe?

"l feet I understand how pubtic schoots are funded and know that levies are a way oftife. I wil[ atways support schoo[ levies because education is the buitding block for ourfuture. The funding for pubtic schoots needs to be aggressively addressed on a Statelevel and we need to hotd the states accountabte for the way our schoots are funded.Untit this is changed we will continue to have go to the pubtic for levies. As a boardwe need to have a sound fiscal plan and show the pubtic we are being responsibte withthe funds they approve."

Does our district currently communicate adequatety with the community and does itadequately secure input from the community?

"l think the number one problem with our school board and the administration is thelack of communication with the community. I betieve some of the members of ourboard of education forget they are elected by the pubtic and are to serye the pubtic.That inctudes embracing the pubtic and diligently addressing their concerns."

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South Euclid-Lyndhurst Board of Education Candidates 2009

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Transcript of South Euclid-Lyndhurst Board of Education Candidates 2009