ASHLAND — Candidates for Ashland City Schools board, city council, and representatives for local levies shared their visions and priorities during a forum on Tuesday hosted by the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce.
The event drew around 30 voters ahead of the Nov. 4 election to UH Samaritan’s auditorium along East Main Street.
Ashland Mayor Matt Miller: Renewal of levies
Miller opened the session with an overview of two renewal levies on the ballot — a 0.25% income tax to fund street resurfacing and a 0.25% income tax to fund police and fire services.
Miller said the levies have been essential to maintaining Ashland’s infrastructure and public safety staffing.
“Because of those levy funds, we’ve been able to resurface nearly 300 of our 315 streets in the last decade,” he said, noting that this year alone, the city resurfaced about 72 streets.
Each levy generates about $2.3 million annually. For the street levy, those dollars go exclusively to paving and maintenance. For the safety levy, the funds are split evenly between police and fire departments.
“Those aren’t big income generators, but we count on every dime,” Miller said. “That’s literally what we use to put pavement down every year and to staff our departments.”
Miller encouraged voters to renew both levies, calling them “critical to the progress we’ve made in the past 10 years.”
Ashland City Schools board
The school board has three open, full-term seats; and one unexpired term seat. Four candidates have decided to run for the full-term seats. Three of them are incumbents.
Rick Brindley is running uncontested for the unexpired term seat.
Gina Deppert
Incumbent school board member Gina Deppert highlighted her dual perspective as a mother of six Ashland graduates and a longtime school treasurer.
Deppert, who also serves as president of the Heartland Technical Education Center board, said her experience managing multimillion-dollar school budgets equips her to make responsible decisions.
“I serve with my heart and my profession,” Deppert said. “As an Ohio public treasurer for more than 23 years, I bring financial accountability and a passion for public education to this role.”
She credited past levy supporters for helping fund new school buildings and said she hopes to continue that legacy of investment and stewardship.
Noah Gangi
Noah Gangi, a first-time candidate and healthcare professional, emphasized his commitment as a parent of three children in the district — two of whom have special needs.
“I’ve been very involved from preschool through IEPs,” Gangi said. “I feel a lot of momentum and positivity in Ashland, and I want to continue that.”
He said he hopes to represent a younger generation of parents and bring empathy and practical leadership to the board.
“I tell my kids, when something feels right and you have the talent to do it, you take that step,” he said. “Now it’s my turn to model that.”
Pam Mowry
Incumbent Pam Mowry, the board’s current vice president, focused on her deep experience in governance and community leadership.
A former North Central State College trustee, Mowry said strong financial oversight and collaboration are key to maintaining the district’s health.
“About 4,000 people a day are involved in the business of Ashland City Schools,” she said. “That’s why the board’s partnership with administration is so important — not as a rubber stamp, but as a team.”
Mowry also credited her board’s hiring of Superintendent Steve Paramore as a pivotal decision.
“Financial security ensures the lights stay on and buses run safely,” she said. “We must protect that stability.”
John Teevan
John Teevan, the board’s current president, said his priorities are building relationships, showing up for teachers, and maintaining a positive culture.
A former teacher and administrator, Teevan said he’s served in nearly every role in education.
“My goal has been to show up to every school regularly — not to inspect, but to say, ‘What you do matters,’” Van said. “When we invest in people, our hearts follow.”
He also highlighted his advocacy at the Statehouse and the importance of balancing accountability with community trust.
“We want to be known for what we’re for — good schools, good choices, and a strong community,” he said.
Supt. Steve Paramore: Permanent improvement levy renewal
Superintendent Steve Paramore spoke about the district’s permanent improvement levy, which funds infrastructure and building upkeep without supporting salaries.
The levy, unchanged since 2010, allows the district to maintain facilities, upgrade HVAC systems, and renovate older schools.
He said the levy costs about $46 per year for someone who owns a $200,000 home.
“It’s what keeps our facilities safe, modern, and ready for students,” he said.
Paramore cited examples such as the renovated high school cafeteria, new HVAC systems at Taft and Edison, and accessibility improvements for special-needs students. He also said the permanent improvement levy led to the removal of all asbestos in district buildings.
“This community has consistently shown its support,” Paramore said. “We haven’t asked for new money in over a decade, and we’re using every dollar wisely.”
Rick Brindley
Brindley, who retired after 37 years in education, is seeking the board’s unexpired term.
Brindley, a former Ashland High School assistant principal and Heartland Technical Center principal, said he wants to continue serving students through the board.
“I’m not a politician — I’m an educator,” he said. “I’ve been a teacher, coach, administrator, and I know the operations of a district.”
He emphasized career technical education as a vital path for students.
“Not everyone is a college student,” he said. “Sixty-five percent of jobs in the U.S. are career-tech related, and we need to keep expanding those opportunities.”
Ashland City Council Ward 4 race
Two candidates are vying for the Ward 4 seat on Ashland City Council: Zachery Casler and incumbent Angela Woodward.
Casler said his campaign is rooted in preserving Ashland’s small-town character.
“We’re growing a little too fast,” he said. “We need to make sure housing and development keep that local feel.”
Woodward, meanwhile, highlighted her six years on council and her record of supporting economic growth, infrastructure and housing diversity.
“I love Ashland’s small-town feel while preparing for its future,” she said. “Progress sometimes means fixing things you can’t see — like a water line — but that’s what keeps our city running.”
She cited support for projects including the Wells Road extension, the Pump House District redevelopment and the upcoming Mifflin well expansion.
David Ross: Mental Health and Recovery Levy
David Ross, executive director of the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Ashland County, urged support for a replacement levy that funds counseling, addiction treatment, and crisis services.
“It’s been 15 years since our last funding update,” Ross said. “We’ve stretched every dollar, but needs have grown — more people in crisis, more families struggling.”
The levy represents 28% of the board’s budget and funds programs that serve thousands of residents each year.
“For about four cents a day, we can make sure that when someone in Ashland says, ‘I need help,’ someone is there to answer,” Ross said.
If approved by voters, the levy will replace a five-year tax with a 10-year, 1-mill levy that was originally passed in 2001.
The property tax levy is expected to generate $1.9 million annually, a figure that represents around 28% of the board’s revenue.
If passed, the owner of a home valued at $100,000 will owe around $35 a year. Currently that figure sits at around $21.31.
Eric Schneider: Park District renewal and increase
Eric Schneider, director of the Ashland County Park District, discussed a renewal and small increase to the park levy.
The proposal would generate about $1.3 million annually — roughly $500,000 more than the current levy — to maintain and expand park services.
“Visitation has grown 66% since 2020,” Schneider said. “This funding helps us maintain what we’ve built — trails, restrooms, playgrounds — and protect new investments like the Davy McClure Outdoor Education Center.”
He said the levy’s cost for a $100,000 homeowner would be about $10.50 more per year.
“Parks are more than land,” Schneider said. “They build community. This small investment keeps Ashland healthy, connected, and proud.”