By Jennifer Mrozowski
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Cincinnati school board members said Thursday they were shocked and outraged over statements by two fellow board members that they would campaign against the district's plans for a $65 million tax levy renewal.

Four board members said they were surprised that Melanie Bates and Rick Williams announced their anti-levy campaign to the press before sharing it with them.

A fifth member said the board would do better working as a team.

"The last time I looked, it was a board of education of seven people," Sally Warner said. "We should be working together for the children of the school district, not working in opposition."

Others questioned the political motives of Bates and Williams, who announced five demands the district must meet to secure their support.

"The tragedy is these five points are not primarily for the benefit of our students," said board Vice President Harriet Russell, "but rather a political power play by people who don't want to recognize we live in a democracy."

Bates and Williams demanded the district institute a new teacher pay system based on the academic performance of students; hold fewer board and committee meetings so administrators could focus on improving student achievement; agree to the superintendent's recommendations for a group of firms to oversee the district's $1 billion construction plan and a consultant's recommendations for minority inclusion in contracts; reduce the number of new schools because of declining enrollment; and allow the superintendent help evaluate the treasurer, who now reports to the board.

Several board members criticized the demands, which they say supersede the democratic process of school boards.

For example, a majority of the board voted against Superintendent Alton Frailey's plan to hire several firms to oversee the construction project, board member Catherine Ingram said.

The projected cost for the contract was $16.4 million over the 10-year plan, and several board members questioned the price.

Frailey did not return phone calls seeking comment.

President Florence Newell said she couldn't think of one board meeting that was superfluous, especially with the many important issues being considered, such as changes to the construction project.

Board member and former Ohio Gov. John Gilligan said Bates and Williams might have found agreement with some of their points if they'd discussed them with the rest of the board.

"Let's get it up on the table and talk about it," Gilligan said, "and then the public can make up their minds who's acting constructively and who, if anyone, is just out to raise hell."

Before Bates and Williams' announcement, Gilligan sent a memo to Frailey June 8, asking him to consider similar points.

His memo said the district must develop a plan for closing school buildings and a plan supported by teachers linking their compensation to classroom performance.

"Unfortunately Ms. Bates and Mr. Williams never put their cards on the table," Ingram said. "They've always gone through the back door. If we had sat down and had a conversation, I don't think it would be this controversial and adversarial."

Bates said she and Williams are just trying to bring the concerns of the public to the forefront.

"I believe, and I'm sure Rick would concur, that the way to create change in this district that will result in reform is to have the pressure come from outside the school board," she said. "We do not believe the school board can do it from within."

The two board members say they expect several community groups to support them at Monday's school board meeting.

E-mail jmrozowski@enquirer.com