ASHLAND — Ten school board candidates from around Ashland County gathered Tuesday to speak about themselves and issues facing districts ahead of the Nov. 2 election.
The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event at Brethren Care Village, a retirement community.
Around 50 people attended the event, which organizers emphasized was “not a debate,” to hear candidates introduce themselves. They each also had an opportunity to answer two prepared questions:
• What do you believe constitutes a high-quality public education and what ideas do you have for ensuring all children have an opportunity for a high-quality public education?
• Do you believe students spend too much time on standardized testing? If so, what steps could be taken to restore instructional time to the classroom?
First up was Josh Hlavaty, a candidate for the Hillsdale board of education.
There are four other candidates — who did not show for Tuesday’s event — running for three available seats there. They include W. Eugene Anderson, Nicholas D. Atterholt, Vella King and Kenneth R. Schuck.
Hlavaty, who was homeschooled, said he would focus on preventing critical race theory from ever entering Hillsdale schools. The theory is a way of thinking about America’s history through the lens of racism.
Developed in the 1970s and 1980s, it centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society.
He said his term would also focus on fiscal responsibility and common sense practices when it comes to COVID-19.
“I think we should all be in-person — I’ll just leave it at that,” he said, as a timer indicated he had run out of time.
Up next was David Hunter, one of five candidates running for a seat on the Loudonville-Perrysville school board. He is an incumbent. Bruce Davis, Jordan C. Lance and John W. Temple Jr. did not attend the event. Kerry MacQueen spoke after Hunter.
Hunter, a Loudonville attorney, said he wants to hire additional staff to fill shortages, continue to strive for fiscal excellence and maintain the district’s outdated buildings.
To the questions, Hunter said a high-quality education starts with students “in their seats.” He said in-person instruction is important and stressed the importance of having extracurricular programs.
He said standardized testing is a pain, but that “it is what it is.” He said local boards do not have much control over standardized tests because the program is regulated by state departments of education.
MacQueen said she would ensure the board continues to work together to push forward through the coronavirus pandemic.
She said high-quality education includes arts and athletics. MacQueen, who has a master’s in education, said testing is necessary.
“But we have to let teachers teach. We all learn differently,” she said.
All seven candidates running for seats on Ashland City School District’s board of education participated in the event.
Gina Deppert
The incumbent has more than 20 years of public finance experience in Ohio schools. She is also the mother of six children who have all “walked through the halls.”
“I’m passionate about this,” she said, stressing that high-quality education to her means keeping phenomenal teachers, empowering great leadership and having “beautiful facilities.”
She called teachers “unsung heroes” who work long days and who are are tired. She said if she’s retained she would continue to make sure teachers stay on the path they’re on in the district.
Kenneth Hammontree
Hammontree currently works as a substitute teacher in the area, including in Ashland schools. He said an important part of being a board member is knowing the staff and students.
“I feel if you’re on the school board, you need to be in the school,” he said, adding his experience as a substitute has afforded him the chance to learn the district’s nuanced needs.
Paul Lannon
Lannon said he moved to Ashland in 2007 after a career as a firefighter in Akron. He said a high-quality education begins with strong leadership.
“Setting high expectations of the students and of the administration,” he said. “When you have high expectations, it really gives you something to strive for.”
Pamela Mowry
Mowry said her involvement in a number of area boards and initiatives will give her the energy to do well on the school board. She has served on Leadership Ashland, United Way, The Bookcase Project and the Ashland County Republican Party, among others.
“I have a lot of energy,” she said.
She said a high-quality education means ensuring every kid has a great teacher, opportunities for extracurricular activities and the acquiring of soft skills — such as arriving to places on time.
She said the school board should act as a better vehicle to communicate to the state legislature about issues with standardized testing.
Megan Steffen
Steffen was appointed to the school board in June, following the resignation of James Wolfe.
She said being the owner of a boutique in Ashland, being involved in a number of local organization and being a mother of five will serve her well on the school board.
John Teevan
Teevan said he comes from a long line of educators and has a deep respect for education. He currently works as an assistant coach to the Ashland High School’s golf team and has worked in Christian ministry.
“I believe all children … were created in the image of God. I believe that and I think it’s time to live that,” he said.
When it comes to standardized testing, Teevan said maybe it isn’t students who spend too much on the tests. Maybe it’s the teachers, he said. His focus as a board member would be to ensure students feel engaged and hopeful about their future.
Michael Zickefoose
Zickefoose is a write-in candidate. He has a degree in education but currently does not teach. Over the last 10 years, he has worked at the Kroc Center and the Ashland Public Library Board.
He said he is an “informed, active servant” who is ready to make the best possible choices for the district.
Zickefoose said the district’s faculty deserves the board’s investment because teachers are the most important when it comes to ensuring a high-quality education in students.
The event also made room for officials to comment on ballot issues.
Rodney Cheyney, superintendent of Ashland County West-Holmes Career Center spoke about the school’s proposed 1.1 mills additional tax levy.
The levy would provide revenue to a $34 million project that includes renovating the career center’s building for high school students, adding space for more high school programs, renovating its adult education facility and an addition of a board of education space.
The levy, if passed, would mean the owner of a $100,000 home would owe an additional $3.21 a month, or $38.50 annually.
Ashland City Schools also faces a ballot issue. However, the district’s ask is a levy renewal — not a new tax. The 9.9 mills renewal would provide revenue for the district’s current expenses, Deppert said.
To see what the ballot will look like in Ashland County, click here.
To watch the event’s livestream video, visit the chamber’s Facebook page. The chamber will host a similar event Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. that will feature council and township trustee candidates.
Thursday’s event will take place at Ashland High School’s Little Theater.
