Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 12-6-11
DECEMBER 6, 2011—library board interviews
- Library board vacancies
- Interviews and responses
- Selection of candidates
All board members were present.
Library board vacancies
There were 12 applicants for two slots on the library board. One slot was for a full seven-year term and the other was for an unexpired term of five years. Each candidate was interviewed separately for no more than 15 minutes and asked the same five questions.
Interviews and responses
Question 1: What do you propose to do to continue and expand support to students in our community?
Candidate answers ranged from “no set agenda” to establishing new partnerships with nonprofit organizations and the school district to “erase” the library walls. Also of concern was the need for preschool along with evening and weekend programming for working parents and other adult outreach.
Question 2: (A) Why is a library board important? (B) What is the role of the library board versus the role of the administrative staff?
Candidates noted that the board is necessary to oversee the entire system. It has a stewardship role that includes planning and a fiduciary responsibility to the public because the library is publically funded.
All said that the board is involved in governance and ensuring that administrative staff is able to carry out the policy and mission.
Question 3: (A) Which branches have you visited and which do you know best? (B) Aside from checking out books, what other involvement have you had with the library (or any other library system)?
Most had visited at least two library buildings in the CH-UH system: the main library and the branch closest to their homes.
Most had participated in at least two other activities, one of which was checking out DVDs. Several mentioned nonreading activities, such as the knitting circle, children’s birthday parties and musical events.
Question 4: (A) What would you uniquely bring to the board? (B) Can you fulfill the term that you are seeking?
Their experience ranged from public sector financing, consensus building, and nonprofit board experience to experience as a library architect. Other qualities were a passion for books, extensive community involvement, and past library board experience.
As to completing the term, all answered affirmatively, except one candidate, who noted that she had indicated on her application that her husband was ill and that she could not foresee what might happen.
Question 5: What are the major challenges facing the system over the next few years and what knowledge and experience do you have to address these challenges?
Almost all said finances and budgeting were the main challenge. New relevant services must be provided even in the face of state cutbacks. Almost no one said what they would do to address the budget problems, although several mentioned that as business people they were used to managing budget and financial issues.
Selection of candidates
The board selected Richard Ortmeyer and Abby Botnick. The criteria for selection included having done the “homework,” geographic representation (Ms. Botnick lives in University Heights and Mr. Ortmeyer lives in Cleveland Heights), and a sense of an ability to work with others and come to consensus. Library Director Levin also pointed out that Ortmeyer had been very modest in describing his volunteer work with the library.
LWV observer: Cassandra Talerico-Kaplin
These meeting summaries are abstracted from LWV observers’ written reports. The summaries have been edited and prepared by Anne McFarland, Charlene Morse and Maryann Barnes. To receive e-mail postings of full reports, send an e-mail to mbarnes9515@gmail.com or join through Google groups using “lwv-chuh observer reports” as a search phrase.
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