Ravenna Document-Courier
Welcome to the 2023 Voter Information produced by the League of Girls Voters and printed by the Document-Courier.
This text focuses on contested faculty board races for native faculty districts in Portage County. College board races in Aurora, Kent, Ravenna and Streetsboro are lined in neighborhood voter guides.
This yr’s main election on Nov. 7 will see Ohioans voting for native places of work and points. Early voting is happening on the Portage County Board of Elections, 449 S. Meridian St. Ravenna, by means of Nov. 5.
Responses aren’t edited, vetted or corrected by the League of Girls Voters or Document-Courier to permit candidates to talk in their very own phrases.
Crestwood Native College Board
Elect three from six candidates.
Tim Herron
Fb: www.fb.com/herronforcrestwood
What are 2-3 priorities to your workplace to handle? Is there a specific subject that motivates you to serve on the board? First, compensation for lecturers must be addressed. With fewer lecturers getting into the work drive yearly it’s changing into harder to rent and hold new lecturers. Additionally, with Crestwood on the decrease finish of the pay scale within the county it makes it much more tough. We have to hold lecturers within the disrict as an alternative of coaching them for two or 3 years for them to go to different districts. Second, we have to be fiscally accountable. With our nation’s present inflation, we have to be certain that we use our funds properly to get probably the most out or our cash. Our district has accomplished rather well with discovering grants and spending, we simply want to stay vigilant.
What specific expertise or experiences qualify you to function a college board member? My profession within the Army and Federal Authorities have taken my children to totally different faculty districts within the nation and I’ve had the chance to see to means they work and apply that to my faculty board profession. I’ve additionally discovered rather a lot within the final 4 years of serving on the Crestwood College Board.
What measures would you assist to make details about board conferences and choices extra accessible to the general public? Crestwood College board conferences dates are posted on the faculties net web page. The hyperlink to look at the conferences on-line are additionally posted on the internet web page along with with the ability to attend conferences in particular person. The selections of the board are made in these conferences and the minutes of the conferences are additionally posted on the internet web page. That being stated, I’m open to and welcome any suggestions to make this data obtainable in different ways in which would assist with entry to this data.
Eric W. Hummel
What are 2-3 priorities to your workplace to handle? Is there a specific subject that motivates you to serve on the board? 1) Transparency: I will probably be a clear Board Member that converse with College students, Mother and father, Lecturers, Employees and different members of the board concerning all discussions associated to Crestwood Colleges.
2.) I will probably be an accountable Board Member
3.) I’ll join with the Group. I’ll try for full communication with Group members to know their wants and needs for Crestwood Colleges to attain high efficiency scores.
What specific expertise or experiences qualify you to function a college board member? Compassion for the neighborhood and our colleges. Over 50 years operating a profitable development enterprise in Portage County, Northeast Ohio. Served on Board of Administrators at The Middlefield Banking Firm for 9 years.
What measures would you assist to make details about board conferences and choices extra accessible to the general public? I’ll try to make the assembly data obtainable on-line in order that choices are made in an open discussion board with the neighborhood.
Bonnie Lovejoy
Schooling: Cuyahoga valley Profession Heart
Coaching & Expertise: Superior enterprise courses
What are 2-3 priorities to your workplace to handle? Is there a specific subject that motivates you to serve on the board? To develop a productive relationship with the neighborhood and fogeys to search out higher methods for communication and transparency. Working as a collaborative board by respecting all opinions on the board, with the main focus in the direction of rising the success of our pupil physique with various wants and proceed to create a protected and welcoming setting. Managing the wants and desires of the neighborhood, dad and mom, college students, workers whereas retaining balanced funds. I serve to assist and assist discover the stability between the Tax payers, Workers, and the youth which can be the way forward for this neighborhood.
What specific expertise or experiences qualify you to function a college board member? I’ve served nearly 12 years at Crestwood and Maplewood as a board member. Served as Board President in addition to being on the Coverage committee and Personnel committee. I’m a franchise enterprise proprietor. Managing enterprise funds, payroll, workers, and serving our ever rising clientele. I’m acquainted with contract language, enterprise legalities, and dealing by means of robust conditions. I acknowledge the wants ofthe college students as a father or mother and the district as a monetary establishment.
What measures would you assist to make details about board conferences and choices extra accessible to the general public? On-line entry for conferences and minutes. Reminder calls to folks of the district. Electronic mail hyperlink to board conferences to look at stay. We might make the most of highschool digital board and higher utilization of our on-line sources.
Karen Schulz
Schooling: Crestwood Excessive College, Bachelor of Science Organic Sciences Kent State College, Grasp Public Administration Kent State College
Coaching & Expertise: 27 years public service in Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater administration, remedy, and testing
What are 2-3 priorities to your workplace to handle? Is there a specific subject that motivates you to serve on the board? Three priorities for me are: worker retention, levies, and faculty funding. Turnover of workers is an issue for a number of causes: shedding our most skilled and valued workers means shedding the individuals who know our district and college students one of the best, have data of and expertise with our insurance policies and procedures, have the arrogance and poise that comes with time and lends a way of continuity, stability and unity. Additionally the hiring course of is prolonged and time consuming and retains directors from different areas. New workers, by means of no fault of theirs, typically take a while to rise up to hurry in a brand new setting. Though it’s a nationwide subject, it is one we should always proceed to work on. The frequency of want for levies, each working and everlasting enchancment, can create an environment that’s not solely complicated and worrying, however can generate doubt and reluctance. We must always work on creating alternate kinds of levies that may be much less frequent, however equally productive and useful. Not essentially a easy process, however might be very worthwhile. Funding for Ohio colleges has been problematic for some years. Colleges do get Federal funds, typically as grants, and State funds, from the State basis after calculations in regards to the neighborhood’s capability to pay; however native funding continues to be primarily based upon property values. A way that sends various funding to colleges. Ohio’s methodology of funding public colleges was declared unconstitutional in 1997 but it continues. Moreover, the State now spends appreciable cash on personal colleges the place solely barely extra that 10% of Ohio college students go. A lot effort must be made to right and enhance this methodology of funding. So far as any motivating subject requested about within the second a part of this query, having an agenda or any private subject is inappropriate when operating for or serving on a Board of Schooling. The one overriding goal ought to be to perform what’s greatest for the scholars and their schooling.
What specific expertise or experiences qualify you to function a college board member? Along with my 60 plus years of residing within the Crestwood District and attending and graduating from Crestwood, I feel that my 27 years of public service have supplied me with the sense of accomplishment achieved by working collectively for the great or the betterment of individuals. I recurrently labored with members of the neighborhood resolving issues and considerations and likewise helped to coach each kids and adults about neighborhood and environmental companies obtainable to them. My schooling features a Bachelor of Science in Organic Sciences and a Grasp of Public Administration. My MPA diploma consists of courses in Finance, Human Assets, Organizational Evaluation, Ethics, Economics, Personnel, and lots of others. Additionally, since I’m now retired I’ve the time to correctly do what’s required to be ready for, not solely common conferences, however some other points that come up.
What measures would you assist to make details about board conferences and choices extra accessible to the general public? I consider that details about Crestwood Board conferences and Board choices is available. Our conferences can be found to be seen each stay and as a recording a day after the assembly. The assembly schedule and agendas can be found on the District’s web site. We encourage attendance by the general public and per our coverage, have time on each agenda for feedback by the general public. Though we do not sometimes reply questions throughout our enterprise conferences, they’re usually answered inside a day or so. Questions may be emailed to any Board member or the Superintendent and Treasurer. All of us reply or agree to search out the reply to questions obtained through cellphone calls as nicely. Cellphone calls or appointments for visits to the Central Places of work are additionally obtainable and could also be extra handy for these with out laptop entry. Though there are some matters that we’re not permitted to debate, we make each effort to offer data and solutions when requested and accommodate particular circumstances.
Monica Stouffer
Schooling: Bachelors in Early Childhood Schooling, Masters in Academic Administration
Fb: www.fb.com/teams/266549966262261/
What are 2-3 priorities to your workplace to handle? Is there a specific subject that motivates you to serve on the board? Bettering the tradition of our colleges can be one among my first priorities. I’m a mom of 4 school-aged kids in our district, which is my fundamental motivation in operating for a place on the Board. When my oldest daughter expressed immense disappointment in the truth that nearly each trainer, she has ever had in our district is now not there, I knew it was time for me to determine what I might do to convey our district again collectively and create a tradition that cultivates collaboration, respect, and dedication to lifelong studying. To domesticate an setting wealthy for pupil success, one should perceive the impression this setting has on everybody from the superintendent to the scholar physique, excessive expectations should be set and enforced. It is very important me that we foster a tradition of belief and communication, by discussing the district’s technique for enchancment. It’s my high precedence to make sure that our colleges are a protected place the place everybody is inspired to share concepts and advocate for our youngsters. One other aim of mine is to regain the neighborhood’s belief and involvement. With a purpose to be heard, you’ve got to have the ability to take heed to the voice of the neighborhood. It could be a precedence to share the Board’s imaginative and prescient with the neighborhood by means of collaboration between the varsity and native companies. A fantastic school-community relationship creates a way of belonging amongst college students, lecturers, and fogeys. It’s time to return collectively to create a transparent, shared imaginative and prescient, to be able to reestablish belief between our neighborhood and the College Board. I would additionally wish to deal with bettering the standard of our youngsters’s schooling and experiences. The directors, lecturers, and caregivers working with faculty kids are crucial in creating high-quality schooling. Additional efforts ought to goal enhancements within the high quality and content material, alternatives for increased schooling, steady improvement of elective programs and extracurricular actions and entry to the trades.
What specific expertise or experiences qualify you to function a college board member? As an skilled educator, coach, and a father or mother, I perceive that schooling is the muse from which we construct sturdy communities. As a classroom trainer and father or mother, I’ve witnessed first hand how coverage choices have a long-lasting impression on college students. Receiving my Bachelors in Early Childhood Schooling and a Masters diploma in Academic Administration, I strongly really feel that my prior and present experiences present a stepping stone in serving to the Crestwood Group. I’ve participated in quite a few committees inside a public faculty system together with: PBIS Committee, Curriculum Committee, and Literacy Committee. I’ve additionally coached softball and soccer groups. I’m an lively member of each the Crestwood Main and Intermediate Mother or father Trainer Organizations, serving to to raised serve our lecturers and college students.
What measures would you assist to make details about board conferences and choices extra accessible to the general public? Communication is essential. I wish to hear from our neighborhood on points which can be necessary to them. It is very important me that we’d contain as many dad and mom, directors, and neighborhood members as doable. Usually, the Board conferences are laborious to attend as a result of formal construction, time, place, and so on. It’s obligatory to have the ability to hear from our neighborhood and kind discussions, addressing the limitations that could be impacting them. We must always search methods to carry two-way discussions by having month-to-month espresso talks the place we are able to contain lecturers, college students, dad and mom, or residents of our district. This may create alternatives to take part and have interaction in a extra intimate setting. It could be with nice honor and duty to function a Board member for Crestwood Native Colleges.
Dan E. Tillett
Schooling: Graduated Crestwood Excessive College 1967. Graduated Kent State 1971 BS w/ Spanish Main, Ed. Minor.
Coaching & Expertise: Building and normal contracting business 50 years. Constructed new espresso store downtown Mantua.
What are 2-3 priorities to your workplace to handle? Is there a specific subject that motivates you to serve on the board? Precedence #1 is establishing full transparency with the neighborhood, making choices in an open assembly through which choices are totally and publicly mentioned. Precedence #2 is bringing professionalism to the board and its conferences in order that members deal with every. Precedence #3 is Radical Accountability for the Board. Accountability to the neighborhood after which holding the Superintendent and Treasurer accountable.
What specific expertise or experiences qualify you to function a college board member? Enterprise Expertise: 50 years within the development business with roughly 40 of these years concerned in administration. Management expertise: 30 years in church management, skilled to be a servant chief. Group Involvement: A part of the workforce that put the espresso store in Mantua, rebuilding and redefining Major Road and making a draw to the village. Working with the Downtown Revitalization Committee to convey $400,000 in grants to radically enhance the block of buildings on Major Road.
What measures would you assist to make details about board conferences and choices extra accessible to the general public? Two issues exist concerning making details about board choices and conferences extra accessible: the general public typically have felt “closed-out” by this and previous boards, and board conferences are carried out in a means that does not reveal what’s going on – for example using consent agendas through which most proposals are “rubber-stamped” and never mentioned.
The options: We’ll first change the conferences in order that the board, and consequently the general public, are extra concerned within the choices, totally discussing and dealing by means of gadgets on the agenda. By creating an setting the place concepts can differ however respect is proven, one of the best choices will probably be made and unity may be achieved. We’ll create an openness within the conferences in order that the general public can see and perceive what happening, they usually may give enter at applicable occasions – enter that will probably be heard and totally thought of, not summarily dismissed.
Area Native College Board
Larry W. Stewart is the one candidate for 2 seats.
James A. Garfield Native College Board
Colleen Khairallah, David Vincent and Deral White are the one candidates for 3 seats.
Rootstown Native College Board
Craig Mullaly and Amanda Waesch are the one candidates for 2 seats.
Southeast Native College Board
Elect three from 5 candidates.
Erin Ahrens
Schooling: Masters in Counselor Schooling from Ohio State in 2005, Bachelors in Sociology from Ohio State in 2003
Coaching & Expertise: Coordinator of Group Engagement and Tutorial Advisor at Kent State Honors School June 2016- current, Tutorial Advisor College of Akron Honors School 2010-2016, College counseling (grades 6-12) and School Entry positions 2005-2010
Fb: www.fb.com/profile.php?id=61551694534576
What are the present challenges going through your faculty district and the way would you tackle them? I consider that Southeast faces most of the similar challenges of different faculty districts. Recovering from the setbacks from COVID has been difficult. Many Southeast college students are struggling in studying and math. I’d wish to see clear imaginative and prescient and targets for our faculty district, and make it possible for our board holds the district accountable for outcomes.
How would you be an efficient faculty board member? I consider I might be an efficient faculty board member as a result of I relate to the households that presently have kids within the faculty district. I’m residing the challenges of elevating a household in our present world. I put a variety of belief into our faculty district to coach my kids and put together them for the longer term. I wish to signify our households and assist to make one of the best choices to assist our children within the classroom. I’m an lively neighborhood member and keen about schooling. I wish to expose our college students to the numerous alternatives domestically to assist them uncover a future profession.
What’s the duty of a board member in addressing rising controversies? College board members must hold an open thoughts. You’re coming to the desk as a impartial social gathering to listen to the difficulty from all sides. It’s your duty to take heed to all sides of a problem and after listening to and/or seeing all of the proof then you definately collaborate with all the board to find out the following steps.
David G. Fesemyer
Schooling: Bachelor of Science from Kent State College/ Grasp of Arts from The College of Akron
Coaching & Expertise: 41 years as a trainer and administrator with the Southeast, Woodridge and Beachwood Metropolis Colleges
What are the present challenges going through your faculty district and the way would you tackle them? Making certain the security of youngsters and employees is an ongoing problem at school districts throughout Ohio. Southeast Colleges aren’t any totally different. Insurance policies, procedures, trainings and security drills should be in place and reviewed typically. Enhanced safety measures ought to be added as cash and know-how turns into obtainable. I really feel strongly dad and mom ought to ship their kids to high school realizing that we’ve got taken each obtainable measure to maintain them protected whereas they’re in our care. One other problem is declining enrollment. Once more, that is true in lots of districts all through our space. On the subject of declining enrollment, I favor to deal with the areas we are able to management. I’ve at all times believed, “In case you construct it, they’ll come.” In different phrases, when you supply wonderful programming in a protected, caring, setting with a fascinating curriculum; households will discover their option to Southeast. To attain this, the district management together with all the employees should decide to excellence in every part we do. I consider the Southeast employees to be excellent, so we’ve got many examples of excellence throughoutthe district already. Fallout from the pandemic has introduced a singular set of studying challenges for a lot of kids and these have to be addressed. Final, the uncertainty of college funding in Ohio is one other problem. Southeast has a historical past of being fiscally conservative and but capable of present high quality faculty applications for our youngsters. As prices proceed to rise, its going to turn into extra obligatory as ever to tighten our belts and search for methods to turn into extra environment friendly with the monies supplied by the taxpayers. The way in which the State of Ohio funds colleges with its over reliance on property taxes was deemed unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Courtroom in 1997. The Ohio Honest Funding Act has benefitted some districts, however districts like Southeast have seen little change of their funding. With the enlargement of vouchers in Ohio, it has turn into much more very important we entice and retain college students.
How would you be an efficient faculty board member? Efficient faculty board members are usually good listeners and communicators. They possess the center of a servant and wish to make a distinction of their neighborhood. They will face public criticism within the efficiency of their duties with out changing into defensive. My expertise as a college administrator has ready me nicely for the function of BOE member. I’ve expertise going through public scrutiny and criticism. I additionally discovered to be a superb listener and communicator. My sole intent for changing into a board member is to provide again to a neighborhood that has accomplished a lot for my household and I. I’m keen about colleges, kids, lecturers and fogeys. I wish to collaborate with others to offer one of the best alternatives for our youngsters and employees. The whole lot I’ve accomplished in my skilled life has ready me nicely for this function. I stay up for having an opportunity to serve our neighborhood.
What’s the duty of a board member in addressing rising controversies? As a member of a board of schooling, you might be one among 5 folks elected to signify the neighborhood at school issues. As controversies come up, it is the responsibility of a board member to listen to all sides of the problems with pre-judging. All last choices are board choices and never particular person choices. Steering on many controversies may be obtained from the district board coverage guide or pointers. I consider sustaining a powerful chain of command within the district is significant to the general success of the board. Final, as a board member, I really feel it is necessary to be truthful, trustworthy and easy. Coverage pointers present a strong place to start out within the choice making course of.
Mary Kaley
Schooling: Kent State College – Bachelor of Science Diploma Legal Justice
Coaching & Expertise: I’ve served 24 years as a board member at Southeast Native Colleges. I’ve additionally served nearly 20 years because the Southeast consultant on the Maplewood Profession Heart Board of Schooling. I’ve served quite a few occasions as Board President and likewise on varied committees at each colleges. I’m a retired Postmaster with 34 years of service. I’ve expertise in supervising workers, payroll, human sources, contracts and contract negotiations, coaching workers and serving the wants of the neighborhood that I labored in. I’ve accomplished quite a few workshops, seminars, and trainings for varsity board members. I obtained the Ohio College Boards Affiliation Award of Achievement Grasp Board Member 2013.
What are the present challenges going through your faculty district and the way would you tackle them? Covid-19 created a niche in achievement with our at-risk college students. Additionally behavioral points publish Covid grew to become extra prevalent. As a present board member I proceed to make sure that the district presents shut the hole tutoring. Additionally we are going to proceed to discover focused interventions. We have now added a conduct coach together with a social employee to assist college students and households join with sources which can be obtainable to assist college students achieve success within the class room. College funding additionally continues to be a problem. Given the present financial local weather and the doable elimination of the assure together with unfunded mandates, we’ve got to proceed to be prudent with our monetary selections.
How would you be an efficient faculty board member? As an efficient board member I’ve remained present on the problems in my district together with state points involving schooling. I analysis knowledge and attend coaching {and professional} improvement to assist me keep present with our districts wants. I’m lively locally and make myself obtainable to handle considerations that neighborhood members have. I’ve excessive expectations for our pupil achievement and work with the superintendent and directors to ensure our curriculum presents nice selections for all college students. I’ll proceed to work for the success of each pupil whereas sustaining accountability to the neighborhood and the taxpayers. Nice issues are occurring at Southeast. Open enrollment numbers in our district are up. Our district not too long ago obtained 4 stars out of 5 on the Ohio College Report Card. Our amenities proceed to obtain many updates and enhancements to call a couple of.
What’s the duty of a board member in addressing rising controversies? It will be important for a board member to take heed to the details about the controversy. The pertinent data must be gathered. There are at all times a number of sides to a problem. Withhold judgement and collect the info. Search those that are able to offering probably the most correct data. Contain those that are wanted to assist resolve the controversy. Lastly as a board member if I disagree with the decision I undoubtedly communicate up and provides my the reason why.
Kevin Werschey
Candidate has not responded.
John Witkosky
What are the present challenges going through your faculty district and the way would you tackle them? The key challenges proceed to be funding, pupil inhabitants, and a ample degree of workers. Fixed modifications in state funding plus the excessive price of residing/items make staying inside our allotted funding and finances tough. We talk with our state reps for funding and likewise the neighborhood reference levies. Growing pupil inhabitants, we try to supply alternatives to study with the programs that can assist the scholars throughout and after commencement. Covid 19 caused many retirements effecting our staffing ranges. We provide aggressive wages and advantages to get one of the best folks we are able to.
How would you be an efficient faculty board member? After 13 years on the varsity board, due to the voters, I’ve discovered that collaboration and compromise have been very useful. Being just one vote, you will need to hold targeted on what’s greatest for our college students and employees, and work collectively to fulfill the educational targets and considerations for varsity security.
What’s the duty of a board member in addressing rising controversies? Controversies may be folks, financial, and/or climate associated. As a board member, listening to or truly seeing the scenario at hand, after which coordinating dialogue with our superintendent plus different board of schooling members, to supply a plan or a solution to the general public, is an important duty.
Waterloo Native College Board (full time period)
Patti Wittensoldner is the lone candidate for 3 seats.
Waterloo Native College Board (unexpired time period)
Timothy Moon is the lone candidate.
Windham Exempted Village College Board
Megan Fisher and Ted St. John are the candidates for 2 seats.