David E. Ball
GREENON — Each of Greenon’s eight school board candidates sing the district’s praises, but they have different ideas for how the district can reach the crucial next level.
But all agree Greenon Local Schools must get there, and soon.
For the past two years, Greenon has been rated “Effective,” brinking on “Excellent,” the state’s second highest rating.
Voters will have a hand in deciding how Greenon will get there when they head to the polls Nov. 3.
There are some topics all of the candidates agree on — for example, that the district will have to seek an operating levy in the next couple years, and securing those funds must come before a much-needed discussion about the district’s facilities.
They also agree that funding will be a critical challenge in front of the district, as the state faces a deficit and cuts to education funding seem likely.
Candidates Becky Hale and Heidi Steinbrink, both parents of young children who are or will be Greenon students, stress the importance of communications for the district’s future success.
“You can’t run an effective school district unless you have good communication,” said Hale, who emphasizes her own experience in marketing and working as a business partner with other school districts in her candidacy.
Steinbrink, who is a science teacher at Oakwood High School, and Hale both propose starting a business advisory council to aid the district.
Steinbrink also suggested a Realtors board and reuniting with what she said are disenfranchised groups within the district.
“Right now there are pockets in the community and pockets in the school with different viewpoints,” she said.
Hale echoed that sentiment, saying there was a climate of fear in the district.
Candidate Keith Culp also stressed the importance of reaching out to all parts of the community, a point he said he can help with as a lifelong resident and involved parent.
“I talk to people and people talk to me, and I would like to represent them,” he said.
Culp also is married to a teacher, Lori Culp. With Steinbrink, Hale and Culp in the race and current board member J.J. Klare also married to a teacher, there is the potential for the board to be made up of four spouses of Greenon teachers. The Ohio School Boards Association said that would not affect the board’s ability to approve contracts or other business, because at least two of the four are not on their spouse’s health insurance, the only thing that would bar them from approving a contract. Some school board members who are married to teachers in the district choose to abstain, however, on contracts and other things that affect a spouse’s employment.
Hale and Steinbrink are married to teachers and former football coaches Tim Hale and Tad Steinbrink, who were fired early this summer in a controversial decision by the current board after two parents complained they were harassing players. Both say the situation has little to do with their current candidacy and they are able to separate personal matters from school business.
Alan Donaldson, manager of the Spring Run Trout Club, emphasizes the importance of parent involvement in the schools. He has promoted a program in Indiana called “Three for Me” that asks parents to volunteer for three hours a year in the schools their children attend.
“You, as a parent, are your child’s greatest advocate,” he said.
Three candidates are members of the current board — Anna Bucy, Nelson Henning and Cynthia Boone. Boone did not return calls for an interview and did not attend a community Meet the Candidates night.
Henning is the current board president and a licensed social worker who teaches college courses. He emphasizes the need for Greenon to reach the “Excellent” rating.
He is running for re-election after six years as a board member, two as an appointee and four in a full-elected term.
“I love the work,” he said. “I like working with people, promoting children.”
Bucy is a college instructor and a bullying consultant. First elected in 2005, she and Henning have participated in hiring the current superintendent and four principals and re-organizing the middle school.
“My vision for what Greenon can be hasn’t been realized yet,” she said.
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