A Wooster City School Board Member s responsibilities include setting policy and vision, approving budgets, hiring and evaluating the superintendent and treasurer, and ensuring the district s financial health. Board members also serve as a legislative and governance body to guide the district s direction, representing the community to maximize student learning while wisely managing resources.Key Responsibilities:Policymaking and Governance: Boards of education function as the primary policy-setting body for the district, establishing and overseeing a policy manual to guide the school system s operations.Fiscal Management: Board members are responsible for the fiscal health of the district by approving budgets and ensuring wise management of school resources for students and families.Superintendent and Treasurer Oversight: The board hires, evaluates, and works closely with the superintendent and treasurer to set the district s policy, vision, and long-range goals.Community Engagement: Board members act as a positive liaison between the school district and the community, gathering input and ensuring the district remains responsive to community values and priorities.Advocacy and Vision: They provide educational opportunities by setting a vision and advocating for public education at local, state, and national levels.How They Fulfill Their Role:Legislative Body: Board members act as a legislative body, adopting policies that define the district s direction and overall operation.Executive Oversight: The board s primary executive, the superintendent, implements policies, which are then evaluated by the board.Public Input: The board seeks public, student, and staff contributions to the decision-making process to ensure decisions are open and informed.Governance Team: Board members work as a collective governance team with the superintendent, rather than focusing on the day-to-day operations of the district.
What is your current occupation and education?
Scientist/ Chemical Engineer, Ph.D. & Master's in Chemical Engineering from The Ohio State University, B.S. Chemical Engineering from Miami U of Ohio
Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/share/1GGi9eNy8j/?mibextid=wwXIfr
1. It is clear that the Cornerstone building and it's use is a major issue for the community with big opinions on both sides - on this issue I am keeping an open mind with a focus on creating a solution that best serves the students/teachers/taxpayers and provides students an optimal learning environment for success, if the voters/parents/taxpayers want neighborhood schools then investing in Cornerstone may be the most financially feasible solution at this time.
2. I think that higher taxes in an already high tax situation is a hard ask among the voting population at this time- I think we need to seriously examine solutions that allow us to capture alternative funding sources (OFCC secured for example) to complete some projects along with spending some of our saved money to secure the future of facilities whether that is new building or renovations/repairs.
3. Neighborhood schools or a new Wooster Schools campus in the long term - This outcome is likely to be driven by economics, new schools require funding I think to have the community move on funding a new building with a levy it will have to be presented in a particularly appealing way to both current/future families and address the legacy that it creates for the proud alumni network.
4.Grade Banding/Redistricting- Among the families with school-age children this is a major topic. I have not heard a lot of excitement from parents about the districts current plan to redistrict and utilize grade-banding.
Having attended public schools from K- PhD I am fundamentally a believer that American public education is a backbone of our success at every level, my own wonderful experience and love of learning and school calls me to serve to help drive a positive education experience for every student. I am an analytical, objective and data driven decision-maker in my work and personal life. My work experiences involve significant time spent on data interpretation, price negotiation, and terms/conditions/contracts review to deliver complex scientific solutions. I have excellent public speaking/presentation skills and routinely present at scientific conferences to crowds of 50-1000+. My communication/interpersonal skills will be an asset to the board.
I returned to Wooster to raise my family here and felt that I could bring a meaningful contribution to the board with my combination of academic experience and excellence (PhD in Chemical Engineering, over 500 citations of peer-reviewed scientific publications) and 10 years of post graduate scientific business experience. In the three years since I returned to Wooster I have watched the past two levies play out and feel that I can contribute to delivering a solution that everyone feels is a win for both our taxpayers and students/district.
I mostly do it the old-fashioned way by talking directly to people, I spend time canvassing neighborhoods, attending public events and discussing the matters at hand with all the stakeholders in our school system. I've already received many inquiries through the social media/email contact points I have offered to the public.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Campaign Phone
330-347-5766
What is your current occupation and education?
My current occupation is homemaker, a houseband. My education is some college [no degree] and training as a business consultant
Social Media
Facebook: Ted C. Hill's Soapbox Link: www.facebook.com/groups/23960537530207666
Voter Trust -
Spring levies feel sneaky.
I will only support going to voters in November with any school levy.
I will work with the board and urge a policy commitment to engaging voters only in November.
Property Tax Relief -
The property tax burden is too high.
I will work to offer the voters a reduction in some property taxes in exchange for a new earner income tax to fund our schools.
The voters will have the final say but the board must offer the option.
Neighborhood Schools -
We want community.
I will work to reverse the policy that would break elementary schools into K-2nd and then 3-4th at different buildings.
Schools Made Whole -
Some schools need repairs.
I will work to see our schools fixed rather than patched.
I have written long form community articles on social media about the district for the last few years.
During that time I have done deep research into a variety of district topics, shared stories of district successes, and tried to make the world of the schools understandable.
My focus has always been to present different sides to all stories while giving voice to people that might otherwise remain silent.
I am a full time parent with 2 daughters.
My youngest is in 4th grade this year, my oldest just graduated this spring.
My background knowledge comes from management training and study of computer science/psychology.
This equips me to understand strategic level board policy while keeping a human element intact and coming AI challenges.
I have been involved in the district as a parent for 14 years.
I have been watching board policy for 3 years.
I have been to many board meetings during that time, often participating with public comment.
I have seen the service and sacrifice that is required of a board member.
At this level, there are no right answers.
Everything of consequence is a balance to strike.
It is stressful and no matter what you choose, someone will reasonably disagree.
That is why, for two years, I resisted calls for me to run for school board.
In all honesty, the board culture must change.
We need public board discussion.
We need principled dissenting votes.
We need more grounded understanding.
We need to be bravely building trust.
That is my purpose.
As a community writer I have done a lot of research by going and talking to people.
I have found that an open door and the invitation to come speak your point of view is not enough.
I must go out and do ground work to get real understanding.
My entire platform has been built from going and talking to people in the community over the last 3 years.
That won't change.
As an independent community member I will proactively make it very clear that I do not speak with the endorsement of the board and that my views are not the views of the board.
I will actively go to people from all over our community for their points of view.
I will prioritize finding the voices that I have not heard.
I will work to bring understanding between each group.
Campaign Phone
3304390045
What is your current occupation and education?
University of Akron Alumni
Social Media
Facebook: Bonnie Nair for Wooster School Board
Our community is most concerned about the buildings and levies. I do not have all the answers, but I'm prepared to work as a team and think outside the box to find the most palpable solutions for our current situation.
As a community member,
volunteer, team player, and
group leader, I have committed
myself to the mission of
empowering those around me.
I'm proud of Wooster and all
that we do for our city and for
each other!
I am always available to listen, and I address concerns with thoughtfulness and passion for our city and it's future.
What is your current occupation and education?
PRC-Saltillo - Director, Supply Chain / Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting from Kent State & Master of Business from Malone
Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/votestarcher
Many of the concerns depend on the current topics and board activity. The facilities plan and property taxes are top of mind for many as we decide how to move forward with the physical buildings and neighborhood vs campus models. In addition, families are consistently focused on providing a quality education with a strong curriculum that offers options for all students and a safe environment in which to learn, both physically and mentally.
As the sole incumbent running, my experience on the board for the past four years makes me uniquely qualified. It takes time to learn the policies, financials, and open meeting laws. With the second term, I am a candidate who can be effective from day one.
I have earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Major in Accounting from Kent State University and a Master of Business Administration from Malone University. I have worked in various corporate roles over the past 30 years at Rubbermaid, The J.M. Smucker Company, and, most recently, PRC-Saltillo. In those roles, I have gained relationship management and decision-making skills. I have other board experience that has helped me understand the role of a board
In 2021, I decided to run for the Wooster City Schools Board of Education because I had developed a passion for serving our youth and the broader community. I had the skills to make an impact, and I have proven that to be true. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the board for the last four years. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I would appreciate the opportunity to continue serving.
When I ran four years ago, I committed to being in the community regularly by attending district events on a weekly basis. I have been able to accomplish that. I am deeply committed to being accessible to people who have concerns or want to understand current decisions, topics, and other relevant information. I believe being visible helps people feel more comfortable having those conversations. I have responded to all emails sent and met with anyone interested. I will continue to be accessible and will also proactively ask for input and feedback.
