Monday, June 21, 1999

Group wants wider school board search

---

BY DANA DiFILIPPO
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        One month after the Cincinnati Board of Education drew flak for hastily — and some say unfairly — appointing a replacement for a retiring member, a new community group is creating its own process to recruit school board candidates.

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications that board candidates should have, according to Cincinnatians for Public Education, include: • If they're parents, their children should attend or have attended the city's public schools. • They should have a record of activism in the community and schools. They also should support reform — and not privatization — of public schools. • They should support statewide school funding reform and funding equity among neighborhood and magnet schools locally. • They should recruit and retain minority teachers and administrators.

        Cincinnatians for Public Education, a new coalition of civic and political groups, said it wants to attract more school board candidates from broader backgrounds.

        Special interest groups — particularly those backed by big businesses — too often fill open seats, coalition members say.

        The board has no formal recruiting process for new members.

        “Our question is: "How do we find a way to ratchet up the attention people pay to the school board and its elections?”' said David Moore of Golf Manor, a coalition member and Parents for Public Schools member.

        “If you want the best candidate, you need a good, strong, wide field of candidates. But most of the people who vote in the city don't have school-age kids, and many who do feel they can't make a difference at that level. We need to engage the community.”

        When longtime member Virginia Griffin unexpectedly resigned April 26, board members gave candidates two weeks to voice interest in completing her term.

        Critics said the board failed to adequately recruit candidates and rejected at least three people whom board members say didn't follow procedures.

        The board on May 13 appointed Rick Williams of North Avondale, a longtime CPS volunteer, to replace Mrs. Griffin.

        Cincinnatians for Public Education's next meeting is 6 p.m. June 29 at the Community Chest building, 2400 Reading Road, Mount Auburn.

       

---

Summer: Wet 'n' wild or dry 'n' mild
In the shadow of a mine
Mining firm awaits zoning verdict
Ross therapist aiding Albanians
Cintas' Farmer on Forbes list
The world's billionaires
Aiming a lens at autism
Newport makes way for World Peace Bell
Rescuer braves fire
Budget cuts ax truancy court funds
Forest Park seeks retail
Group wants wider school board search
Mason plans party for 4th
Miss Ky. 'went for broke' to win crown
Road to judgeship took a few turns
Village hall has look of town square
City support lands Westwood new, rare single-family homes
HMOs lose third of appeals
Missing girl's 10th birthday being marked
GET TO IT
TRISTATE DIGEST