Bortz on Schools

Every City Council election candidates preach about better schools in the City of Cincinnati. In the past when I have raised concerns about the public school system to City Council members, I have always been told by City Council members that is an issue for the board of education. It seems once candidates are elected to City Council the priority of our public schools is passed off to the board of education. If you are elected, what is your specific plan to have City Council to be more directly involved in the public school system issues? And will you regularly attend the board of education meetings?
--Garry Smith, Madisonville, Sunday, October 14, 2007 - 5:17:00 AM

While City Council has no direct authority over the schools, it is incumbent upon us as leaders to focus attention on the issue and push the conversation. The future of our city is inextricably linked to our schools. Without strong schools, we will not be able to attract families to live here. I think we should have a standing joint committee between CPS Board Members and the City Council that meets every two weeks. There have been two meetings over the last two years but that is woefully inadequate.

I hope to learn more about the potential "redesign" that has been discussed. The fact that CPS has been open to working with the Strive coalition and Knowledge Works foundation to examine the entire system is a good sign. And while many of the schools are suffering from dwindling enrollment, some schools are beating the odds. Parental involvement, alumni involvement, and neighborhood involvement are all key to providing that deep well of support that is needed to help our schools thrive.

I believe CPS would benefit from something like the Kalamazoo Promise, a financial guarantee that a child graduating from a public school would have the opportunity to attend college. The analysis and data collection that has been done by the Strive coalition indicates increased college retention, graduation, and higher employment rates. Additionally, while the housing market was slowing down everywhere else in America, home sales increased dramatically in Kalamazoo. Preliminary demographic and economic impact findings from the University of Cincinnati Economics Center for Education and Research indicates that CPS school enrollment would increase by 6000 students, Cincinnati population would increase by 15,040 and our tax base would increase $251 million.

Given the separate governing systems, one of the best things I can do as a City Councilmember is focus on public safety, economic development and neighborhood revitalization. If we can improve the quality of life - provide good housing, job opportunities, and attractive amenities - we will help make Cincinnati a "city of choice".