Education
Some college & police academy
Experience
26 yrs as police officer
Volunteer/Community Service
Geauga County Planning Commission, Blue Line Unlimited, Youth Sports Coach
The role of public education is to teach and prepare the children of our community for adulthood and employment. When a person graduates from high school, they should be prepared for either college, employment, or military service. The minimum they should have learned are the basics in reading, writing, math, and other life skills. Youth should learn how to think, how to solve problems, and life skills that they can use for further education, employment, and just living in general.
I am a common sense person. I have leadership experience and have dealt with children in many different ways. I was a Juvenile Officer before my department had an SRO, I am a father of 2 Kenston Grads, I coached youth sports for over 10 yrs., I have mentored a lot of children and young adults in my different roles and I continue to do so every day. I also feel that the taxpayers and employees of the district deserve someone that is open and transparent when it comes to how their tax dollars will be spent. I bring honesty and transparency to the table when decisions need to be made. I answer questions honestly. If you agree or not, you will know where I stand. If you hear something about me, just ask me personally if you want the truth.
Since Jennifer and I have been on the Board there have been many changes especially when it comes to the budget and spending. This past year the school did NOT deficit spend and was in the black. Besides one year when we recieved Covid Relief Funds, the district was deficit spending for the past 10 yrs. There has been more checks and balances put in place before the money is spent and we have a great treasurer to make sure of that.
We need to change where we rank as a school. For the past decade we have continued to slip in the rankings and that needs to stop. I won't rest until Kenston is back near or at the top where it belongs.
Public schools are losing enrollment at a fast pace. Especially since Covid. Parents want their children to be taught to think and solve issues. Public schools need to earn the trust back that they are properly preparing the children for the next step after high school. Personal opinions of school employees when it comes to politics has no place in our schools. If you gain the trust, you will gain the support and enrollment will go back up. Unfortunately, public schools rely on state funds and the funding laws are out of our hands. But the more support public schools get, the more the pressure will be on the politicians to fund the schools properly. Why is public school enrollment going down? That is a question that needs to be addressed.
Education
Houghton College, Syracuse University
Experience
From milking cows to Research into the physics of subatomic particles.
Volunteer/Community Service
Salvation Army, Sunday joy to Seniors at Oneida County Home, Salvation Army, ClevelandJewish Federation,RASG Hebrew Academy Greater Miami, Localevents promoting peace and harmony
According to the Ohio School Board Association, the role of public education is "to provide the best educational opportunities for the youth of Ohio and to manage and control the political subdivision of the school district."
Of course I agree, however, I also believe it is the roll of public education to potect our youth from discrimination and bullying because of racial, social and economic differences, and to give each student an opportunity to explore and discover new and exciting fields of study or to continue to pursue more and new educational resources to achieve their personal goals.
I am running for school board because I believe my voice can help make Kenston a great school district. When my daughter experienced harassment at Kenston I was forced to send her elsewhere for her education.
While at Kenston, my daughter made friends with good people regardless of their color or religion. She identified an underlying situation of hostility and hazing of minority students, as she would come to their rescue. When she became the target we enrolled her in private schools and later to an out of the district public school, Orange.
In addition, I want to protect Kenston from the loss of millions due to the Bainbridge TIF and private school vouchers. Kenston has lost the number one scholastic position in Geauga County.
According to the Ohio School Association, the role of a Board of Education is to advocate for the advancement of public education. it is therefore surprising that Kenston failed to participate in the lawsuit challenging private school funding. Every other school district in Geauga County has joined the effort to stop the defunding of public schools. It is even more surprising that Kenton failed to denounce the Bainbridge TIF that will cost our school district millions of dollars of lost revenue.
I will oppose any effort to extend the Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
1. Eliminate voucher programs for private schools that are unaudited and unregulated by the state of Ohio.
2. Lobby for property tax reform for seniors through the Homestead Tax Exemption.
3. Implement and fully fund the Cupp-Patterson Fair School Funding Plan.
Education
BS Pharmacy from Ohio Northern University, MS and PhD Pharmaceutical Administration from The Ohio State University
Experience
Kenston Board member since 2010. Profession: Pharmacist, Pharmacy Director for Lake Health (2010-23), Director of Pediatric Pharmacy at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital (2023-present)
Volunteer/Community Service
Volunteered in many roles in various organizations, including Kenston Schools, Boy and Girl Scouts, Valley Presbyterian Church, Ohio Society of Health System Pharmacists.
The role of public education is to provide each child in our District with an equal opportunity to reach their full academic potential. Kenston serves a diverse group of learners, and it is our responsibility to provide each student with what they need to fulfill their own individual potential. While it is not the primary role, public education also has the opportunity to nurture good citizens. One way that Kenston does this by emphasizing the importance of volunteering and giving back to our community. Public education serves the greater community by promoting good citizenship and assuring a skilled and educated workforce.
I am proud to have served on the Kenston School Board for almost 16 years. I know that each year, our District improved in many ways – adding opportunities for students, improving the quality of education, creating a better work environment for our faculty and staff, and much more – and I want to continue to be a part of the growth and development of our District. I believe that my leadership and influence in the District have been positive, and I want to continue to support the District as a member of the School Board.
Our School Board has done a good job listening to our Community. We are responsive to issues, and assure that any concerns are directed to the appropriate administrator within the District for resolution. We have a relatively new Superintendent and Treasurer, and our Board has done a good job introducing them to the culture and expectations of our District. One thing I would like to change is how the role of a School Board member is understood. School Boards provide governance and oversight, but are not directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the District. We assure that the District is managed well by our professional administrators. We listen, to understand the needs of the community. We advocate for public education.
In 1997, the DeRolph v. State decision declared Ohio's public school funding system to be unconstitutional. Despite this, school funding in many districts remains overly reliant on local property taxes. This has never been adequately remedied by the State. Most recently, HB 335 proposed to reduce property taxes, without adequate replacement of these funds to the local school districts. Clearly, public school funding reforms are needed. The Fair School Funding Plan for Ohio is a good start. This plan was incorporated in the State budget in 2021, but was not fully funded in the current budget. Public school districts and communities must continue to advocate for adequate funding that is not overly reliant on local property taxation.
Education
Kenston High School Graduate, Ursuline College Graduate
Experience
Community Leadership/Communication and Collaboration Skills/Advocacy Work/Social Work/Advisory Board
Volunteer/Community Service
Victim Coordinator/2nd VP- NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives/Kenston After Prom Committee/CFPCC Advisory Board
The role of public education is to provide foundational knowledge, skills, and values for all children, strengthening communities, supporting economic development, and promoting fairness so that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has an equal opportunity for success.
I am seeking the opportunity to serve on the Kenston School Board to help fulfill its mission of educating every student to become a prepared and engaged citizen who strives for academic and personal excellence. When we empower students, we strengthen the foundation of our community. As a parent, I bring firsthand insight into the daily challenges within our schools. This perspective allows me to contribute to more informed, balanced decision-making that reflects the realities of our classrooms and families. I also believe a diverse school board is essential one, that ensures all voices are heard and every family feels welcomed. Serving on the Board of Education is a meaningful way to give back and make a lasting difference.
The Board consistently celebrates student achievements in academics, athletics, and the arts.
Public school reforms that are advisable rely on transparency. This helps show when resources are being misused and reveals biases in the system that can hurt student success, among other problems
Education
Bachelor of Science
Public Education is an important part of the community, its where our kids learn about math and science they learn how be good teammates and community members
I want to serve because maintaining a strong school system is important to me and my family, and I care about the families and the future of this community
Candidate has not yet responded.
School Funding will always be an important topic. As a community, making sure our schools are funded appropriately is one of the best investments we can make. The goal should always be to maximize value of the education, while being transparent so the community sees where their money is going
Education
Ohio Northern University, Petit College of Law, Juris Doctorate; Bowling Green State University, Bachelor of Science; Warren John F. Kennedy High Scho
Experience
I am a current Kenston Board of Education board member, I served as Board Vice President in 2022 and Board President in 2023; Policy and cirriculum committee member and legislative liason. I have practiced law for 26 years in private sector and federal service
Volunteer/Community Service
I served on the Kenston Foundation as a board member, coached KHS mock trial for 8 years, co founded the Forwarded Together scholarship, Bainbridge Twnp. Zoning Commission
Public education is the foundation of our community. It is our greatest responsibility to provide the highest level of education to our community's children. The investment that we make in our public education will serve the greater community. Not just in home values, but it will create the next generation of people in the workforce, in our government and in industries. The role of public education to teach young people to think, solve problems, read, write, be able to complete a task and be creative. We are supporting our youth to be able to be independent of their parents.
Serving on the school board for the past four years has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my adult life. I am able to assist in creating an environment in which all students can achieve and take risks in a safe environment. I want to continue to do so. Kenston is an academically strong school district but we can always improve in ways we can support our students. I feel that I have brought multiple ideas to the administration that have been implemented. I have many more that I would like to explore to continue to improve upon the solid foundation that Kenston is known for.
The current school board has done a great job in supporting the current administration in reconciling our student to staff ration which caused the District to realize a cost savings and extend the operating budget beyond the projection that was presented the board several years ago. One thing that I would change is that the board we rotate the president every year so that every board member has to be president.
The state must find a way to support all school districts. If more state funding goes to public school funding, school districts will not be forced to put levies on the ballots as often as they do. School districts do not want to be at odds with the residents that live within the district and often that is what happens when a levy is on the ballot. The state needs to recognize that and find a way to provide additional funding.
