ASHLAND — The competition level for a seat on the Ashland City Schools District Board of Education is high as seven candidates are vying for three available seats.
District voters will decide between incumbents Gina Deppert and Megan Steffen, along with challengers Kenneth Hammontree, Paul Lannon, Pamela Mowry, John Teevan and write-in Michael Zickefoose.
Each candidate received a questionnaire on Oct. 6 and was given until Oct. 18 to respond by email.
All but Lannon responded in time for publication.
Their responses, organized alphabetically, have been condensed below. Their full responses can also be read in the attached document.
Gina Deppert
Age: 52
Occupation: Ohio School District Treasurer/CFO (several districts, including Ashland, Sandusky)
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration, Ohio University, Master’s of Science in Health and Human Services, Ohio University
Political experience: Appointed to Ashland City School Board of Education January 2021
Deppert is running for election because she wants to continue her “professional chapter in a new direction.”
“I bring experience in many areas that offer a benefit as being a current school board member for my district,” she said, adding she has experience in negotiations, levy passages, construction of new buildings and athletic complexes and balancing a general fund budget.
She believes the school district’s greatest assets include “amazing educators, support staff and administrators.” The greatest challenges involve continuing the district’s effort to develop pathways of success for life beyond high school.
She said the district’s finances are stable, but highlighted the need for voters to renew a 9.9 mill operational levy in November. The levy would provide revenue for the district’s current expenses.
As a district treasurer, Deppert has experience solving issues by offering educational forums in the fall and spring. She also was involved in a “parent summit conference” that helped parents meet district staff and address concerns.
“I’m sharing this by explaining communication is key in working through challenges,” she said.
Deppert, a current school district mother, said she is visible in the community and always open to questions about the district.
“I have served over 10,000 students in my profession,” she said. “I eat, breathe, live, sleep public education and advocacy for our children and our staff. I welcome continued discussions with our community in how we work together to continue to promote learning and success for our Ashland Arrows.”
Kenneth Hammontree
Age: 74
Occupation: Retired teacher. Currently works part-time as a substitute teacher at Ashland, Shelby, Madison and Ontario school districts.
Education: Graduated from Malone University in 1970.
Political experience: None.
Hammontree said he is running for election because he would like to see an increase in pay for substitute teachers and paraprofessionals. He is also concerned with the district’s lack of bus drivers and bus aids.
“Both are vital for our teachers and our students,” he said. The school district currently pays substitute teachers a rate of $85 per day, Hammontree said.
Hammontree also said he is concerned with “radical racist programs,” such as critical race theory and The 1619 Project that have “filtered into other school districts across the country.
Critical race theory is a way of thinking about America’s history through the lens of racism. The 1619 Project, developed by writers at the New York Times and New York Times Magazine, aims to “reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of the United States’ national narrative,” according to the New York Times.
Both programs do not exist in Ashland City Schools’ curriculum, but he said the school board “is the first line of defense” and that he would aim to review students’ curriculum.
If elected, Hammontree vows to “always seek out the feelings and concerns of the parents and constituents on any legislation or money being spent.”
Pamela Mowry
Age: 62
Occupation: Volunteer on Board of Trustees, North Central State College, Ashland County Veterans Appreciation Day, Ashland County Mental Health & Recovery Board.
Education: Classes at Ohio Northern University, Avila University, Johnson County Community College, Carl Sandburg Community College, OSU-Mansfield.
Political experience: No elected office, has worked on various political campaigns.
Mowry, a 30-plus year resident of Ashland County, said she is running for election because she wants to serve children and their parents.
“I will advocate for them to each be regarded with respect and educated to the full extent that we can provide for their unique God-given abilities,” she said.
Mowry said she is energetic and “well prepared to serve on the school board.”
“I am transparent — I am comfortable in leadership positions, making tough decisions, I use and understand data,” she said.
She said the the Ashland community is the district’s greatest asset but that its greatest challenge is providing consistent and quality education during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
Another challenge is keeping employees working in the district.
“With retirements growing and a decreasing number of applicants for the spectrum of careers we offer, we need to be excellent employers,” she said.
Mowry said she is proud of her involvement with evolving “Ashland County Veterans Appreciation Day.” With her help, volunteer committee works almost year-round to keep the day where veterans are thanked going. She said last year’s event drew around 4,100 people.
Megan Steffen
Age: 37
Occupation: Small business owner, Whoopsie Daisy Bowtique in Ashland
Education: Some college
Political experience: None
Steffen, a mother of five children in the district, was appointed to the school board in June following the resignation of James Wolfe.
She said voting for her will bring a “trifecta” of good to the school board.
“I’m involved in our schools almost daily with my kids and their extracurricular activities, I’m active in our community serving on various boards and I’m a small business owner,” she said.
She said the school district’s greatest assets are the students and staff, but making room for more of them —as Ashland continues to grow — and making sure they are welcomed and cared for is the district’s greatest challenge to come, she said.
“We have to be sure we have the space for this growth. Right now, our class sizes are on the higher side of capacity,” Steffen said.
She pointed to a time she helped a student who was ready to quit football because of various reasons, including financial barriers.
“I made sure we went through the proper chain and I was able to provide what that student needed by connecting the family with resources available and I worked beside him to make sure he got help with learning plays and reassuring him that I believed in him,” she said.
As a newcomer to the board, she said she speaks to local professionals in related fields before voting on any big decisions the district faces.
“I also speak to parents, staff, administrators and even children,” she said. “To make any tough choice you need to see both sides and then make the decision you feel is best. I’m open to hearing opposition and factual information always.”
John Teevan
Age: 46
Occupation: Field Representative, LifeWise Academy
Education: B.A. in Elementary Education
Political experience: None
Teevan said he is running for election to ensure the district strives for excellence “with a future-focused vision while staying grounded in the here and now.”
He believes “public schools are the foundation of the American dream and the cornerstone of our democracy.”
“I am excited to use my experiences as an educator, parent and past administrator to benefit our students, families and our Ashland community,” Teevan said.
He said the greatest assets to the district is the staff, but the greatest challenge is maintaining “excellence in teaching, a safe and equitable learning environment, an innovative and accurate curriculum, adequate funding and accountability at all levels.”
He said effective education is threatened when any of those listed above are threatened.
“I will not let that happen under my tenure as an Ashland School board member,” he said.
He noted a time he served the community by helping adults with special needs find employment. His role involved finding supporting employment opportunities for those people in the marketplace.
“It was a win for everyone involved to witness people unifying together from different backgrounds for the common good,” he said.
Teevan said he will “make every effort” to carry the voices and needs of his fellow citizens by basing decisions on input from administration, families, teachers, students, the general public and his convictions.
“I believe that when our society educates its citizens, it preserves its democracy. And when our democracy is preserved, it nourishes a vibrant economy well into the future,” he said.
Michael Zickefoose
Age: 43
Occupation: Membership Services Manager, The Salvation Army Kroc Center
Education: B.S. in Middle Childhood Education, The Ohio State University
Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully for Ashland County Clerk of Courts in 2018.
Zickefoose, a write-in candidate with two children currently enrolled in the district, said he is running for a seat on the school board because he wants to “make the best possible choices for our schools and for our students.”
The district’s greatest assets are its teachers, Zickefoose said. Looking ahead, the district’s challenges include balancing a budget and focusing on students as the “whole child.”
“Including physical, social, emotional and intellectual aspects,” he said.
Zickefoose said his experience on various boards shows his ability to work with people from differing backgrounds. He serves on the Ashland Public Library’s board as its secretary, the board for Ashland Church Community Emergency Shelter Services as its vice chair and on the Explore Ashland board.
He said keeping the lines of communication with people in the district open is important.
“I want people to feel comfortable in being able to reach out to me, be it through email, meetings or a phone call,” he said.
