Saturday, October 16, 1999
School boards: a slice of pure democracy
Plentiful races draw intense, very local interest
BY CHRISTINE WOLFF
The Cincinnati Enquirer
From questions about Ohio's system of proficiency testing to complaints that a board fails to communicate — plus the ever-present queries about where the dollars go — voters fling a spectrum of issues at school board candidates.
And, as the people who pay the tax money that school boards control, voters can be tough to placate.
“I didn't hear any answers that satisfied me,” said Deb Gurke of Montgomery, after a forum for Sycamore school board candidates. “I'm eager to hear what candidates say about proficiency tests.... (The tests) seem to be becoming a goal instead of a tool — that's very worrisome to me.”
The Nov. 2 ballot is flush with school board races, following the odd-numbered year election cycle. They are a piece of American politics that comes close to pure democracy: There are no party affiliations; just about any adult can run; and low-key, low-cost campaigning often wins an election.
Still, while some voters would confess to having no clue what a school board does, the races can generate strong emotions. Taxpayers — those with and without children in the classrooms — worry about who sits on a board that shapes education and a district's property values.
Some races overflow with candidates: Princeton has nine candidates running for three seats; St. Bernard-Elmwood Place has eight for three seats. A few districts fill seats unopposed.
Ohio school board elections are held in odd-numbered years, per state law, and members serve four-year, staggered terms. On a five-member board, the usual pattern puts two members up for re-election this year with three members on the ballot in the next cycle. (Board members appointed to fill an unexpired term must run in the next general election after the appointment.)
There are no qualifications required of school board candidates, other than living in the district where running. School boards set district policy and hire — and fire — the superintendent and treasurer. The superintendent oversees the district's daily operation.
“The role of the school board member is to see that a district is well run — not to run the school district,” said Pam Boedeker of Anderson Township, a Forest Hills board member campaigning for a third term. “There's a fine line between what an administrator's responsibilities are and a board member's responsibilities are.”
It takes about a year for a board member to feel comfortable in the position, Ms. Boedeker said.
“Frequently, they are surprised in terms of the amount of time it takes (to do the job), and to find their niche and to understand what the role is,” she said.
School board races often draw people who are newcomers to public office and typically “are not high-spending, high-energy elections,” said John Brandt, executive director of the Ohio School Boards Association, which holds orientation sessions for candidates to acquaint them with the laws and ethics of school boards.
“Some candidates spend virtually nothing.... It's essentially a volunteer job,” Mr. Brandt said. “They do the yard signs, knocking on doors.”
Wherever parents gather, “that's where we like to be,” said Monay Mack, a first-time candidate for the Princeton school board.
“We've created fliers and are passing them out door to door. We go to football games, PTA meetings, candidates forums. We've been visiting schools,” Mr. Mack said.
But although the concerns of voters are varied, those voicing them often are a small group, candidates said.
“We visit every PTA meeting we can get to. But, sadly, if you take away friends and family of the candidates, there are maybe 20 people there,” said Paul Kattelman, of Sharonville, also running for the Prince ton board.
A campaign Web site created by Mr. Kattelman features information on his candidacy and two other Princeton candidates he's teaming with. It's attracting readers, he said, and offers another way to reach residents.
Election time, voters say, gives them more of an opportunity to question board members than trying to get answers during busy monthly meetings. Complaints are frequent — and aimed at many school boards — that discussion with residents is poor.
“We have a gap in communication. The school board decides something, and we find out too late to have input,” said Ginger Shaver, of Montgomery, who attends Sycamore board meetings and reports on them to PTAs. “We have a community of very intellectual constituents.... The day after the board meeting, people are all asking me what happened.... We know what's happening in your school ... but there's not enough meat and potatoes of the school district's business.”
Communication with residents “is an extraordinary tough and emotional position to be attached to. It's very hard to do,” acknowledges John Britton, a parent from Montgomery, in the Sycamore district. But community-minded residents demand it because, “schools are such a big part of the attraction of Montgomery. The schools are our crown jewel,” he said.
When voting for school board members, Mr. Britton is inclined “to vote for new people,” he said.
“I like people who are willing to get in and rock the boat a bit,” he said. “There's a limit to new ideas from the same people. That why they change CEOs of big companies after awhile.”
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