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All
candidates were asked to limit their responses to a maximum of 50 words for
“Occupation, Education & Qualifications” and 150 words for
the response to the question.
All
candidates were asked the following question:
What
are the pertinent issues facing your office for the next term and how can
they be dealt with?
GEAUGA COUNTY EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER GOVERNING
BOARD (ELECT 2)
Kenneth C. Burnett
Response: No Response
Bonnie H. Cavanaugh
Response: No Response
Lois Jeffery
Address: 7407 Avon Ln., Chesterland, Ohio 44026
Age: 75
Phone: 440-729-1064
Occupation: Retired school teacher
Education: BS in Education
Qualifications:
Response:
There have been so many recent changes in the educational system in Ohio. The role the educational
service centers are playing is even greater than ever in educating our
youth. This board handles many of the former Metzenbaum clients by
mainstreaming into the public schools. This board oversees many of
the at risk children in a preschools, alternative classes and autistic
students. I have been part of the board for 14 years and attend many
workshops to learn more of the many changes. I feel I bring to this
board many years as a former teacher in a local district and I wish to
continue helping.
LAKE COUNTY EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER GOVERNING
BOARD (ELECT 2)
Jean Brush
Response: No Response
Brian Kolkowski
Address: 6340 Taylor Rd., Leroy,
Ohio 44077
Age: 52
Phone: 440-254-8818
Occupation: Attorney
Education: Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University;
J.D., University of Toledo
Qualifications: Part of management team for three
successful nationally recognized small businesses, former officer of
Fortune 500 company, sit on 3 corporate boards, former member of local
school district board of education, and 4 years of successful tenure on
this board.
Response:
Working with this board over the past 4 years we have successful controlled
expenses in the face of stagnant revenues. In addition we have built
up a rainy day fund of almost $2 million. Over the next 4 years we
will need to continue to control and in some cases reduce expenditures
while balancing that with the need for maintaining good educational
services for the students and districts that need our services. A key
area over the next 4 years will be trying to implement regional systems of
providing indirect services to students such as purchasing, busing,
custodial, food and other costly services to our local districts to allow
those districts savings through reduced overheads while maintaining the
same or similar quality of service to the students and their families.
BERKSHIRE LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION (ELECT
3)
Timothy Honkala
Response: No Response
Jim Koster
Address: 14588 Baird St., P O Box 802,
Burton, Ohio 44021
Age: NA
Phone: 440-834-3434
Occupation: School Administrator / Board Member
– Police Officer
Education: Berkshire HS – Hiram College (Under
Graduate) – KSU (Graduate)
Qualifications: 7 Elected-Terms: School Board Member
(Local & County), Burton Twp. Trustee & Village Council
Response:
Our biggest issue is the economy and its impact on school finances both
locally and statewide. We must provide qualified teachers to meet our
demanding curriculum; and provide updated technology, programming, and
facilities that serve our students, communities, and staff. We must
communicate our need and get everyone’s participation. We need
to keep local funding at home, reduce mandates, and look at ways of
collaboration of resources locally, county, and with regional state
services to assist our schools and communities. We need to open our
doors to each other. Together we can provide the most, best, and
promising futures. In addition to the above, we need to form a
financing district at the county level to help with special educational needs
of students. Locally, the demands and costs are high. We share
programming and transportation, but its ever changing unknown demands on
the general fund are overwhelming.
Roger Miller
Response: No Response
Mark Rhoades
Address: 12576 Burton Hts. Blvd., Burton, Ohio 44021
Age: 47
Phone: 440-796-1106
Occupation: Utility Maintenance. Ohio EPA Licensed
Water Plant Operator (small business owner)
Education: High School Diploma. Submarine Veteran.
Vocational Electronics and Electricity.
Qualifications: Involved parent and taxpayer.
Frequently participate and interact with the School Board. Background in
budgeting and business operations.
Response:
The Berkshire School's most pressing issue is to live
within its budget and place the STUDENTS first in all decisions.
Common Sense and fiscal responsibility must be used for every decision -
the budget must be gone over line by line and cuts made without taking from
student areas. The old system of over spending and then coming to the
taxpayers for more money must be curtailed - the board must concentrate on
finding additional money streams to benefit the student programs.
CARDINAL LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION (ELECT 3)
Wendy L. Anderson
Response: No Response
Thomas J. Petronio
Response: No Response
Alan J. Preston
Address: 16040 Nash Rd., Middlefield, Ohio 44062
Age: 64
Phone: 440-548-2163
Occupation: Retired, U.S. Department of Justice
Education: B.A. and M.A. (Public Administration), Cleveland State University
Qualifications: Current Board Member, Cardinal Local Schools. Extensive experience
supervising budget, personnel, computer systems and purchasing
staffs. Skilled carpenter with construction experience, Army
veteran and proud parent of 2 Cardinal graduates.
Response:
The main issue that faces our district is maintaining high academic
standards during difficult economic times. Managing a school district
is no different from managing a home; our income must pay for all expenses
and sometimes purchases must be delayed. In order to balance a school
budget, we must increase revenues and/or decrease expenses. I
believe that a balanced approach is needed to manage our school
district. This means seeking new sources of revenue such as through
greater participation with the local chamber of commerce and local
businesses, continuing to reduce salary and benefit costs through shared
sacrifice, keeping a sharp eye on purchases while maintaining safe and
clean schools for our children. I will accept no less than
excellent performances and hard work from our administrators, teachers and
students to ensure that academic standards are met and exceeded.
Andy Sefcik
Address: 14939 Glen Valley Dr., Middlefield, Ohio 44062
Age: 52
Phone: 440-632-1934
Occupation: Television Sports Journalist/Educational
Aide
Education: Cuyahoga Community College
Qualifications: 21 years Government employee, 2
years Educational Aide, 30 years Public Relations experience, Operates a
household debt-free other than our mortgage.
Response:
The pertinent issue facing the Cardinal School Board is funding. I
will bring new ideas to the table, seek ways to control spending, examine
the regulations placed upon us in Columbus, and attempt to gather alternate
funding resources to better our children’s education. I’m
looking to tap resources that will help defray the cost of operations to
the district. I would use the assets we have now to solicit
businesses and also attempt to gather funding by donations, endowments, and
offering to solicit the naming rights to the middle school. I would
also like to use our buildings for Adult Education in agreement with Youngstown State, or another accredited educational
institution, to bring in added revenues. In addition, I would like to
see hiring practices that would emphasize hiring qualified local candidates
for open positions, thus bolstering our local economy and helping
Middlefield thrive.
Katie Thomas
Address: 15680 Old State Rd., Middlefield, Ohio 44062
Age: 63
Phone: 440-632-1019
Occupation: Recently retired teacher at Cardinal
Local Schools
Education: Cardinal High School graduate, Bowling Green State University graduate in Education, Lake Erie College graduate classes.
Qualifications: Life long resident of Middlefield,
public school teacher for over twenty-five years, have a heart for the
Cardinal kids and our community.
Response:
Public education today is facing challenges unlike any in years past. With
state funding being slashed, the burden to support our public schools is
increasingly being forced back on local taxpayers. Meanwhile, amid
the excitement of the children coming back, teachers are already aware of
jobs that will be cut next year if the levy fails in November. Throughout
the school and community, frustration and helplessness abound. Most
certainly this impacts the hundreds of students and parents looking forward
to a great school year. We owe it to them to do something
different. I believe school board members, parents, staff and
teachers must work together to meet the challenges we face. What we're
doing now isn't really working, so let's do something different.
Let's not be like congress, where nothing seems to get done. I want
to make positive changes for our kids' sake. I'm ready for the
challenge.
CARDINAL LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION UNEXPIRED TERM
(ending 12/31/2013) (ELECT 1)
Wendy Ward
Response: No Response
CHAGRIN FALLS EXEMPTED VILLAGE BOARD OF
EDUCATION (ELECT 2)
Harry G. Cashy
Address: 117 Ashleigh Dr., Chagrin
Falls, Ohio 44022
Age: 50
Phone: 440 338 3512
Occupation: President, Dynamic Surface Applictions,
Ltd
Education: MAcc, Case Western Reserve University,
1986;B.A., Business Administration, Wittenberg University, 1983; Certified
Public Accountant, Ohio
Qualifications: My background and experience in
executive management, operations and accounting coupled with my advanced
education provides me the skills to effectively analyze any issue we will
face.
Response:
In the next term, Chagrin Falls Schools will face financial and operational
challenges. The district’s budget will be constrained. We will be
required to do more with less. We will need to look hard at all aspects of
our budget and make appropriate balanced financial decisions. The
search for a highly qualified administrator is paramount and I believe is
crucial to complete. This leadership position impacts every aspect of
our district. The search process must be managed effectively and we should
work towards developing a plan for continuity within the district’s
administrative office. Finally, our district absolutely must continue
to deliver high quality education. We must be ready to focus on the above
issues to insure that our community can continue to deliver the high
quality education that is expected. A diverse board, committed to working
together, will allow our community the highest potential for success in
addressing these issues.
Michael F. Hogan
Response: No Response
Todd Duncan Lyle
Address: 704 Bell Rd., Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022
Age: NA
Phone: 440-785-6652
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Education: Master of Science
Qualifications: 24 years of business and operations
experience with the public and private sectors in times of austerity and
limited prosperity. I am adept at running on minimal resources and
identifying areas of opportunity. My background covers making payroll,
contract negotiations, lobbying, risk management and resource allocation.
Response:
Issues of the day are a diminishing tax base; a limited budget, the need
for a new superintendent and a new Intermediate School. It is necessary to openly address
the continuing degradation of resources in the face of a leadership vacuum
while the needs of today's children grow in uncharted ways. Short-term
continuity and the sustainability of the District's superior academic
record requires selfless leadership and more exacting resource allocation
now. It is time to enlist the community and revisit strategic planning. We
must proactively address our infrastructure needs rather than continuing to
paper over a structural deficit. The application of logical thinking and
plan implementation should occur with transparency and involve a continuous
quality circle. The desired result would be a more informed workforce,
community that appreciates our precious resources.
CHARDON LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION (ELECT 3)
Karen Blankenship
Address: 14905 Sisson Rd., Chardon, Ohio 44024
Age: 49
Phone: 440-285-0916
Occupation: Fulltime wife, mother and community
volunteer
Education: Data Processing, AAB
Qualifications: Regularly attends scheduled and
special Chardon School Board meetings. Active volunteer in the
Chardon School System, the Chardon community and the Boy Scouts of America
for over eleven years. Mother of three students of the Chardon School District.
Response:
The three big issues for the next board of Chardon Schools will be the
possible succession of school administrators, development of an effective
budget to keep Chardon an “Excellent” rated school, and
development of community support for school funding which may include a
levy. All three of these issues will then affect other issues such as
changing and expanding the current curriculum along with reinstating
electives that were cut. The next school board also needs to address
the growing concerns of the community with regards for Special Education
and Advanced Placement courses while maintaining the quality of education
for our average students. In order to objectively deal with any of these
issues, we need a school board willing to research the issues and have an
informed civil discussion with each other. Communications will
definitely be a key to success for the next Chardon School Board.
David P. Fairbanks
Address: 9110 Oakstone Trl., Chardon, Ohio 44024
Age: 48
Phone: NA
Occupation: Federal Law Enforcement Officer
Education: B.A. Cleveland State University
Qualifications: Parent of children enrolled in
Chardon schools and community member who believes in the value of public
education. I will always make children my top priority. My experience in
public service and the legal system will prove beneficial as a board
member.
Response:
The most pertinent issue facing the next board of education is to determine
how we can continue and improve upon our history of providing an excellent
education for Chardon students with the reality of reduced funding at all
levels. School board members are charged with providing the best
educational opportunities for the students in their districts, but we must
balance the educational needs of students against the budgetary constraints
of the taxpayers. To meet this challenge, the Board must improve
communications with the community and solicit them for ideas and solutions.
This will help build confidence and collaboration. As team players with all
board members, teachers, the administration and support from the community,
we will rise to the challenge of insuring that we provide the best
opportunities for Chardon students to succeed in a world that is becoming
increasingly more reliant upon technology.
Lori Gawry
Address: 10005 Auburn Rd., Chardon, Ohio 44024
Age: 50
Phone: 440-285-2463
Occupation: Corporate Controller
Education: High School Graduate
Qualifications: I am the corporate controller for
the largest auto group in the state of Ohio. I am responsible for the daily
finances for 18 dealerships. I will bring integrity and a great
business mind to the school board.
Response:
As a parent there are a few issues that I would like to address as a member
of the school board. The biggest issue affecting the Chardon School District is money. With my business
background I will dig into the current state of affairs with the finances
and make sure that the money is being allocated appropriately and I will
find other ways to improve our current financial situation. Currently
it is a hardship on many families to pay $225.00 for their kids to play
sports. Because of our current financial situation our school system
was forced to eliminate programs such as FCS to save money which only hurts our
students. I am a parent of two children in the Chardon School District. I am an honest, hardworking, smart
business woman who is only doing this to improve the Chardon School District.
Debbie R. Seenarine-Wilson
Response: No Response
Dee Stark-Kurtz
Address: 206 North St., Chardon, Ohio 44024
Age: 42
Phone: NA
Occupation: Full-Time Instructor for Undergraduate
Education at Ursuline College
Education: BA – Mathematics; MA –
Teaching; M.Ed. – Educational Leadership; Licenses: Principle (5th
– 12th Grade) and Adolescent and Young Adult Mathematics
Qualifications: I worked in public education for
15.5 years with the last 10 as a National Board Certified Teacher.
Response:
Chardon Schools, for the most part, have been rated EXCELLENT since 2001,
when the State Report cards began. I feel that we should not get
comfortable with believing we are an excellent school district and not seek
new and innovative approaches to continue improving our schools. With
this in mind though, I believe the economy will be our most serious issue
facing the school board. With not only the loss of funds from the
Governor’s budget but also loss of funding from the federal
government; local school districts will be pressed to find creative solutions
to larger class sizes, reduced course choices, less individual attention
for student and cuts in staffing. With 15.5 years of experience in public
education, I feel I can help spark creative methods to ensure our students
continue to receive an EXCELLENT education now and into the future.
Michael Virant
Address: 11665 Hosford Rd., Chardon, Ohio 44024
Age: 42
Phone: 440-285-8597
Occupation: Former Regional Operations & Finance
Manager, currently stay-at-home dad.
Education: John Carroll – B.S.B.A., Case -
M.B.A.
Qualifications: Highly skilled professional with
extensive experience/expertise in financial analysis, strategic planning,
operations management, training, project management, process
improvement/implementation. Over 3 years obtained significant
information about the district by attending board meetings!
Response:
The school board will be selecting a treasurer and superintendent, while
also creating a new strategic plan for the district. It is imperative
that the board members demonstrate leadership and at the same time listen
to the members of the community to prepare the district for the present and
future. Transparency and effective communication will be crucial in
this process. Many items will need to be addressed, some of them are
as follows: Buildings/facilities, alternate sources of funding (other than
taxes), modifying the curriculum to meet the needs of a changing
environment (computer classes/foreign language), offering pre/post care for
students (to assist working parents), involving the entire community in
strengthening the school district, selling unused assets, expand arts/music
and create an internship program. Eliminate waste and closely control
expenses. In many ways the district needs to be run like a not-for
profit business.
Guy R. Wilson
Address: 13435 Chardon Windsor Rd.,
Chardon, Ohio 44024
Age: 49
Phone: 440-285-4236
Occupation: Associate Director R&D Services,
Sherwin-Williams
Education: BS and PhD in Chemistry both from the
University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
Qualifications: Lifelong commitment to the value of
education, twenty year resident of Chardon School District, develops and
manages multimillion dollar budgets, thirteen years management experience,
good communicator and listener.
Response:
The biggest issue facing the district is the decline in State education
funding. This is coupled with the need to maintain an excellent
quality education for our students. This can only be dealt with
through fiscal responsibility, cooperation and effective two way
communication, both within the board and with the Chardon community. I will
work to maintain those lines of communication and be flexible and open to
new ideas and approaches. I will look for areas when I can apply my
business and management experience for the benefit of the Chardon schools
community. My decisions will be based on putting the student’s
academic needs first within a framework of limited resources. We need
to find ways of reversing the reduction in our educational programs (such
as the recent elimination of the business classes at the high school) due
to budget cuts.
KENSTON LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION (ELECT 2)
Joan Hamilton
Address: 17950 Geauga Lake Rd., Chagrin
Falls, Ohio 44023
Age: NA
Phone: 440-570-6452
Occupation: Bookseller
Education: Ohio University 1965-1967
Qualifications: Board Member 2002-2011; Ohio School
Boards Association Board Leadership Conference 2002-2011 and Capital
Conference 2001-2010; Ohio School Boards Association Legislative Liaison
and Student Achievement Liaison for several years; Mission-Vision Committee
2002; Continuous Improvement Committee 2001; Founded Kenston Academic
Boosters 1998.
Response:
The most pertinent issues facing our district for the next term remain
continued cost reduction. We have been very successful in this while
maintaining educational excellence. Our record proves
this. Additionally, either or both of our long serving
Superintendent and Treasures may retire. My leadership experience as a
Board member will be essential in finding replacements.
James P. Jimison
Response: No Response
Anne Randall
Address:
8316 Lucerne Dr., Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023
Age:
72
Phone:
440 543 4962
Occupation:
Retired Kenston teacher
Education: BA University of Michigan; MA
Education Administration, Kent State
Qualifications: Involved in Kenston over 35 years, 5
years on Kenston BOE; 3 children Kenston K-12, 8 grandchildren in Kenston
(one graduated), involved in education always
Response:
Our
Federal and State financial problems, how public education is impacted,
will not be solved by me. Kenston has very little control over how schools
are funded. However, we continually
look for ways to consolidate, streamline,
cut-back and -in every way- be good stewards of the tax dollars
received. The greatest issue, as a
citizen and sitting board member, is preparing our students for a world
rapidly changing. It is imperative
we enable them to be productive, intelligent and INTERESTED members of
society. I work
tirelessly…reading, researching, dialoguing, attending lectures,
working on committees…in order to glean new ways to improve our
preparation for young people. Our
country must have enlightened citizens in order to maintain our leadership
role in the world. I believe my
small but mighty efforts have aided in this endeavor. I fervently hope so!
Christopher Smith
Address: 8266 Pebble Creek Ct., Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023
Age: 41
Phone: 440-821-5163
Occupation: Sales Representative
Education: B.A. Indiana University
Qualifications: 20+ years successful sales,
marketing and management experience. Kenston Citizens Advisory Committee,
Kenston District Wellness Committee, Past PTO committee chair, Past PTO
Co-Chair ELC, Heart of Valley Christian Preschool Past Board Member, KCE
sports coach volunteer.
Response:
During these tough economic times, we are all being asked to do more with
less and our schools and community are no exception. As a Board
member, I will tirelessly work to not only maintain Kenston’s high
academic standards, but also make sure decisions represent the entire
community. I am a fiscally conservative individual with a strong
desire to see Kenston continue on this current path of excellence. As
a Bainbridge resident for 11 years and father of 3 current Kenston
students, I believe communication between the schools and community is
vital. I will continually strive to further improve communication
between the schools and the entire Kenston community. As a Board
member, I look forward to providing a fresh perspective and working for the
whole community.
KIRTLAND LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION (ELECT 2)
Timothy Cosgrove
Response: No Response
Tom Meyer
Response: No Response
LEDGEMONT LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION (ELECT 3)
Marsha M. Carpenter
Response: No Response
James F. Cozens
Response: No Response
Cathleen Hadley-Samia
Response: No Response
MADISON LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION (ELECT
2)
Jacqueline Azbill
Response: No Response
Rex Reigert
Response: No Response
Cindy Valvoda
Response: No Response
MENTOR EXEMPTED VILLAGE BOARD OF
EDUCATION (ELECT 2)
Mary L. Bryner
Response: No Response
Thomas V. Tuttle
Response: No Response
NEWBURY LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION (ELECT 2)
Larry Ayer
Response: No Response
Kenneth C. Blair, Jr.
Response: No Response
Martin Sanders
Response: No Response
RIVERSIDE LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION (ELECT 2)
Candace L. Edmonds
Address: 12 Wilmington Dr., Painesville, Ohio
44077
Age: 53
Phone: NA
Occupation: Owner of T.L.C. Home & Office
Cleaning, Inc., Certified LEAN Coach, Continuing Education teacher at Lakeland CC.
Education: High School, some college, (Lakeland CC.)
Qualifications: Homeowner in Painesville Township for 11 years. Strengths: Good
communication and arbitration skills, ethics, integrity, common sense,
problem solver, and congenial.
Response:
The school seems to be in financial crisis, reaching a 'tipping point.'
Hard decisions need to be made. If you looked at a 'pie chart' of the
budget, some say there's not enongh "PIE" to go around! I want to
see how that happened, if so, why funds have been allocated as they have,
and determine true priorities moving forward. I'm hearing homeowners not
wanting their hard earned money just going to teacher and administrator
raises while they struggle making ends meet. Parents clearly want busing
and gifted programs back. Levy passes, I will make SURE the funds are
distributed wisely and that our kids get a fairer slice of the pie. Who
wants another levy in a couple years? It doesn't pass? I will still be a
good steward of the funds, and work to bring back busing through
privatization or other creative measures. It's time for new ideas.
Thomas Flenner
Response: No Response
Thomas G. Hach
Address: 11575 Fay Rd., Concord, Ohio 44077
Age: 47
Phone: NA
Occupation: Information Technology Project Officer
Education: Riverside High School, Diploma (1982); Miami University, BS Chemistry (1986); Case Western Reserve University, MBA (1995)
Qualifications: Throughout my professional and Navy
careers, I developed extensive leadership skills coordinating efforts of
multiple organizations to achieve common goals. Additionally, I am on
the Painesville Salvation Army Advisory Board.
Response:
As with many school districts in our area, the biggest challenge facing the
Riverside Local School District is the prospect of ongoing revenue
constraints. With Washington and Columbus cutting education spending and a
string of levy defeats that is likely to continue this November, the
Riverside School Board must spend its locally generated property tax money
more effectively. Success for the district depends on the next Board
working creatively with all school constituencies including voters,
parents, students, administrators, teachers and union leaders to find
unique solutions that change the cost structure of the district and reduce
spending while improving the level of education for our students.
Although challenging, the School Board's priorities must be providing an
excellent education for all students in the District and providing value to
the taxpayers.
Pam Johnson
Response: No Response
Doris A. Moss
Address: 10857 Johnnycake Ridge Rd., Concord, Ohio 44077
Age: 60
Phone: 440-725-3528
Occupation: Customer Service Supervisor,
Citizens Bank, Mentor, Oh 44060
Education: 3+ years Lake Erie College Concentration in Education and
Finance
Qualifications: Former Board of Education Member for
16 years
Response:
Funding continues to be an issue in education. We must find more creative
ways to find funding instead of always relying on the taxpayer i.e. grants,
partnering with businesses, and pressuring the state for a greater return
of our local dollars. I'd also like to do a line by line analysis of the
budget to see if there are any areas where we can save additional dollars.
John Watson, III
Response: No Response
Kevin Weirich
Response: No Response
WEST GEAUGA LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION (ELECT
3)
Jackie Dottore
Address: 14693 Russell Ln., Novelty,
Ohio 44072
Age: 31
Phone: 440-338-6900
Occupation: Homemaker, volunteer
Education: Partial college
Qualifications: Currently, I am Westwood’s PTO
Vice President, Girl Scout leader and organizer, Cub Scout leader, and
chairperson for many local events. Previously, I was PTO President (2
years) and chair for Benedictine High’s “Blue and White
Gala” (8 years), where I helped raise over $1 million.
Response:
West Geauga Schools are currently facing many issues. I believe that
maintaining a safe school environment and a high level of student
performance are the most important. I would like to help the district
find better use of operating funds and areas of reduction that have little
to no affect on the direct education of the students. In that process, help
to establish plans that make sense and not million dollar deficits.
We also need to maintain our high level of student performance. We have
great teachers and administration within our district. If we are unable to
provide the tools needed to maintain this level, academic performance will
decline. Our school ranking will go down, property values will decrease and
our district will become less desirable. We need to be more proactive with
creative grant writing and secure local and state level funding.
Michael B. Kilroy
Address: 9465 Marsh Hawk Run, Chesterland, Ohio 44026
Age: NA
Phone: 440-729-9711
Occupation: President of a manufacturing company
Education: Yale, MBA University of Virginia
Qualifications: Incumbent School Board Member making
changes for the good.
Response:
The issues facing the School district are the same as over the past four
years. We need to continue to improve our district's state ranking which
fell to 61st from the 20's. We are now back up to #48. We need to continue
to eliminate waste and run a tight ship. I helped discover a $400,000 a
year forecasting error. I helped cut the Superintendents salary, and I
helped initiate Performance based pay in the district. I also helped
improve the children's technology with SmartBoards and new computers and to
fix a broken lunch program losing $200,000 a year. How can this
continue to be accomplished ... By electing people who ask tough questions
and demand answers.
Anthony Kosley
Response: No Response
Ben Kotowski
Address: 15240 Dale Rd., Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022
Age: 55
Phone: 440-759-0563
Occupation: Art Director/Graphic Designer, Kotowski
Design
Education: B.S., Kent State University
Qualifications: Member Russell Zoning Commission.
Trustee, Hemlock Hills Homeowners Association, former trustee of Cleveland
Restoration Society. Westwood School Kindergarten Skills volunteer tutor
for seven years, Ohio Reads volunteer, two children currently in West
Geauga Schools. Demonstrated commitment to our community.
Response:
Flat revenues in the face of increasing medical and utility costs make
dealing with issues a challenge, and are a challenge in their own right.
Attracting and retaining the best teachers is critical to student success.
Creating fair performance metrics linked to incentives to evaluate
administrators, and ultimately all staff, is a first step. Greater
transparency and outreach will allow the community to better determine what
level of support it feels is appropriate. Online resources may reduce book
and materials costs, while energy efficiency and group purchasing need to
continue and be expanded. Because of tight budgets we must be innovative in
expanding programs that will take students to a higher achievement level but
are not represented on standardized tests. An example might be hiring, as
attrition allows, elementary school teachers who can also teach a foreign
language, or to bring before and after school care back to the schools.
Robert A. Somrak, Jr.
Address: 11844 East Hill Dr., Chesterland, Ohio 44026
Age: 58
Phone: 216-464-6500 ext 229
Occupation: Vice President of Operations at Somrak
Kitchens, Inc. 262901 Richmond Road, Bedford Heights, OH 44146. Business
owner.
Education: Graduate of Cleveland State University with a BBA in Management and Labor
Relations. Graduate of St. Joseph High School, Cleveland Ohio.
Qualifications: Resident of Chesterland since 1987.
Served the Community as a Board member,
Response:
Reconnecting the schools with the community. The board of
education is challenged to restore the support from within the community,
the sense of unity of purpose and common good for our children. I
understand the components of a successful business. I understand that if we
do not consistently produce a quality product, we have ultimately let down
our children and the community. The Board’s job is to inform the
community of their choices and then let them choose the appropriate level
of support. The Board can best achieve this by becoming accessible,
financially transparent, communicate often, openly and give the community
all the information they need, all the information they want and they
require to make an informed decision about the support for the schools. It
is the community that ultimately decides, not the Board. Schools may not be
a business, but they can benefit from a business perspective.
Dawn M. Toth
Address: 11950 Summers Rd., Chesterland, Ohio 44026
Age: 43
Phone: 440-729-4575
Occupation: Policy Services Processing Lead for
Fortune 500 Insurance Company
Education: High School, some college, Nannies of Cleveland
Qualifications: Central Committeeman Chester
Precinct D, 43 year resident, home owner, Background in Childcare needs and
education, Parent, West G graduate. Common Sense!
Response:
One of the largest issues facing the school board is mounting costs. By
2015 only 4% of all revenues taken in by the schools will go towards
educating our children, 96% will go towards salaries and compensation. That
is a travesty! We continue to give more and more money to the schools and
yet there is no “gain” for our children. Graduation rates and
test scores remain stagnant. Washington’s answer is we need more
regulations, but so far all of our children have been “left
behind.” Parents, teachers and communities need to be in charge. Not
some faceless bureaucrat who does not have our children’s interest at
heart. We need to get back to the basics of teaching our children not
having them “perform” to a test. Staff and operating budgets
need to be streamlined to eliminate redundancy and reduce costs.
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