6 candidates compete for 3 seats on Loudonville-Perrysville's school board

LOUDONVILLE — The Loudonville-Perrysville School Board needs to fill three four-year terms from the six candidates who are running.

David Hunter and John Temple are seeking reelection against newcomers Wende Lance, Tyler McCaskey, Steve Goines and Michelle D’Amico.

Board members are paid $125 per meeting and the board has a regular meeting once monthly.

Michelle D’Amico

D’Amico is a Loudonville High School graduate who is the owner and manager of Secluded Cabins and Baker Acres Beef. She attended Bowling Green State University to pursue a degree in communications.

This is D’Amico’s first time pursuing elected office, but she serves in a number of organizations, including as president of the McMullen Parents Association, president of the Mohican Area Community Fund, secretary for the Loudonville Swim Team Board and a member of the Budd School Partners in Education.

“It is my hope to ensure our students are offered the best opportunities, experiences and education that our district can offer, and that we are able to attract and retain high quality educators to our schools,” she said.

If elected, the 41-year-old said her priorities are meeting students needs, maintaining open communication with educators and bringing more opportunities to the schools.

By opportunities, D’Amico means extracurriculars, events and scholarships.

“As a parent of three students in the schools, and as someone who cares deeply about the wonderful young Redbirds, the students will always be my top priority. Meeting their needs must always come first. To best meet the needs of the students, we must also meet the needs of the teachers and staff who serve those students,” she said.

“I hope to bring some of the ‘let’s get stuff done’ attitude I offer other organizations to the school board. I do believe that my experience as both a small business and land owner, parent of current students and daughter of a former teacher give me a good blend of perspectives,” she said.

Tyler McCaskey

McCaskey is a respiratory therapist at University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland and a graduate of Loudonville High School.

“I’m running because I want to bring a parent’s perspective and real school experience to the board. As a dad with kids in the school district and a regular volunteer in the schools, I understand what’s happening inside our schools and want to make sure your decisions truly benefit our students,” he said.

The 32-year-old has not sought elected office before, but he did serve as vice president of the McMullen Parents Association.

If elected, McCaskey said he will improve communication between the board and families and staff, support students and teachers’ needs and ensure student success is “center of every decision.”

“I bring a grounded, student-focused perspective that comes from real connection, not just from being in meetings,” he said.

John Temple

Temple is a pastor at Trinity Community Church in Loudonville and a Loudonville High School graduate.

He is seeking reelection to a second term as school board member, where he now serves as vice president.

“Our schools are a part of this community that I have called home. And the community has a responsibility to the upcoming generations to provide for them an environment and opportunities in which they can be prepared for success in whatever career path they embark on,” Temple said.

If reelected, Temple plans to

Prioritize academics by working with administrators and families to ensure school curriculum prepares students for success
“Supporting the introduction and continuation of programs that develop relationships and the importance of each individual,” he said
Address aging facilities to provide students a safe learning environment

“In my first term I learned a lot about all the other contributing and controlling factors of our school district and I have seen the work that has been done and the work that is still ahead,” Temple said.

Temple said his long-term involvement with the schools as a graduate and parent and grandparent to children in the schools makes him the right person for the position.

“As a grandparent who has raised grandchildren and knows the difficulties that come with non-traditional households, I bring first-hand knowledge of raising a second family, [something] many [people] in our community think that they are alone in,” he said.

David Hunter

Photo of Hunter from the Loudonville-Perrysville School District website.

Hunter is the board president and an attorney at his own practice, David M. Hunter Law Office.

He has served on the school board since 2008 and ran to be Ashland County’s Juvenile and Probate Judge in 2020.

“I am seeking re-election to the L-P Board to continue my service and dedication to the students of the L-P District — being the district that my children graduated from, that my wife, Criss, and I reside in and that I own a business in — with a goal of continuing to support academic excellence and a well-rounded academic experience for all students while continuing to promote fiscal responsibility within the district,” Hunter said.

If reelected, Hunter is committed to

Promoting academic excellence by providing a safe school environment that is free of bullying, academic programs and athletic programs
Continued fiscal responsibility by making necessary cuts in spending; “The district has not sought new operating money during my tenure on the board,” Hunter said
Addressing aging facilities through available money

“My years of experience in the education arena, having served on the L-P Board and the Heartland Tech Board; my experience as a business owner in a business that deals with youth and societal issues on a daily basis and my involvement in various organizations in the Loudonville area give me a broad perspective on how schools are operated, the challenges of the district and the needs facing the district going forward,” Hunter said.

Wende J. Lance

Lance, a Loudonville High School graduate, recently retired from a career in real estate and is now pursuing her clinical counseling licensure from Ashland Theological Seminary.

This is Lance’s first time pursuing public office. Lance said she is running for three main reasons:

“I’m frustrated with our state legislators and Ohio’s current approach toward school funding. I’d like to be in a position to better understand this issue’s impact on our community, and advocate on our behalf when possible,” she said.
“I had the privilege of writing a series of articles for the local newspaper on last fall’s school bond issue, and through that process learned a lot about school funding, the condition of our buildings and the community’s thoughts on this topic. We have not found the right building solution yet, but I’d love to be part of the process in making that happen,” Lance said.
“My late husband (John Lance, who was grade 7-12 principal at Loudonville before retiring due to illness) and I shared a mutual love for this community, especially our schools. We grew up here, we both taught here and I supported his passion for coaching and administration for nearly 30 years. I’d love to build on his legacy by serving in this way, and helping make our district even better for our grandchildren.”

Lance said she does not have a set list of issues she plans to address if elected, but she wants to serve as a liaison between the school and public to enhance communication.

The 58-year-old believes her experience as a former student in the district, former teacher in the district and parent and grandparent to students in the district help her understand the varying perspective on school issues.

“I share my husband’s passion for and commitment to serving this community, particularly through our schools. And as a realtor, I understand how important strong schools are to community pride, and to attracting residents and businesses to our community,” she said.