Elections are right around the corner and changes are in store for the Clear Fork Board of Education. New members will take the existing seats. With the task of hiring a new superintendent already on the current board’s agenda, many may question if the replacement of almost every seat on the school board will affect accomplishing that goal.
Gary Mathes, president of the Clear Fork Board of Education, shared his thoughts on his decision not to run.
”I am stepping down following 16 years of service to pursue different avenues of retirement. There’s a lot that I will miss. There’s a lot I won’t miss. One thing I will definitely miss is graduation day and the firm handshake and strong eye contact that I shared with 99 plus percent of Clear Fork grads. I take this as a sign that Clear Fork High School is sending graduates and citizens of strong character into society. I have great confidence that the strong and dedicated staff of administrators and teachers will work along with a new board of education with fresh ideas to continue to make Clear Fork a better place to learn.”
According to Mathes the present board hired the Ohio School Board Association to conduct a search for candidates to fill the superintendent vacancy. The position is currently being held in an interim capacity by Dave Ritter who stepped in temporarily when Matthew Dill resigned.
Mathes also added that it is in his belief the goal of the board of education should be to provide the best and safest learning environment for students within available funding.
There are four of five board positions on the ballot. These positions are currently held by Julie Doup, Jason Snyder and Gary Mathes, president. The three four year term positions will end Dec. 31. The fourth position, currently held by Nick Kuelling who was appointed to take over for Troy Reed who had to resign due to family illness, will be a two year term.
Six candidates are running for the four positions, all are residents of Clear Fork Valley and they are as follows: Jim DeSanto, Carlie Hursh, James Klenk, Jason A. Snyder, Randall Freeman and Janet Roberts. As a way to better inform the community of their skills, qualifications,vision and goals if elected a few of the candidates shared their background and thoughts on the decision to run.
James Klenk of Bellville feels his background with over 30 years in education would be an asset to the district. Klenk added that he had spent 25 years as a school administrator and holds a bachelors degree from Bowling Green State University and a Masters from Ashland University.
In regards to strengths that he would bring to the board Klenk said, ”I am very familiar with all aspects of a school district. I am very knowledgeable in areas of curriculum, school finance and school board policy. I have spent my entire life in the field of education and am very knowledgeable of the new state mandates that are currently taking place in our school district.”
Klenk also added that the task of hiring a new superintendent would be of top priority.
“The next superintendent should be a person of high integrity. He needs to have visionary skills to guide and lead in the development of the district in the fields of curriculum to meet the changing needs or our students,” said Klenk. He further added, ”The people of the Clear Fork Valley really care about each other and also what is happening in their School District.”
Jim DeSanto of Bellville says that he was encouraged by friends and various community residents as well as past board members to consider service on the board of education. As the City Engineer for Mansfield, DeSanto feels his experience in directing a team of professionals and participating in the collective bargaining process, and the experience of being on the executive team that manged the city’s budget gives him the qualities and skillset to be a valuable asset to the board.
DeSanto also served as an officer on the Richland County Regional Planning Commission and currently serves as the chairman of Bellville’s Village Planning Commission.
Acknowledging that finding a new superintendent would be the new board members main priorities DeSanto said, “I believe it it critical to find a candidate that will be a collaborative leader that motivates our administrators and staff; someone with a managerial background, good communication skills and a strong educational planning background who is prepared to address constant changes in state and federal rules,” said DeSanto.
Though his background is not in education, DeSanto believes that being a parent with three children that have grown up in the Clear Fork School District, the children and the community is best served by professional educators that are well-trained, highly motivated and equipped with the right resources to get the job done.
DeSanto summarized his bid for BOE by saying, ”I take pride in being professional in my dealings with all those that I come in contact with, be they students, parents, residents, staff, administrators, elected officials or anyone else. If elected, my intent while on the board would be to make sure the community is informed about how their tax dollars are invested.” He then added,”I consider public service to be an honorable duty and would welcome the opportunity to serve the valley if selected by the voter.”
Janet Roberts of Bellville says she believes her age, experiences and raising a family gives her a unique set of skills and perspectives to bring to the council table. Having been a resident of Bellville, living working and being involved in the community for fifty years Roberts said, ”I am well qualified and not intimidated at all.”
The mother of two adopted special needs children, Roberts believes that experience has enabled her to grow and accumulate the skills and insight needed to be an asset to the board. For the past 13 years Roberts has taken charge of the interviewing, hiring and in some cases firing of the caretakers of her children in her home. Running her home much like a business, Roberts believes she has developed a good understanding of contracts, negotiating skills, common sense and communication skills, qualities she would bring with her into the position of board member.
“I want the residents of Clear Fork to know that I have compassion and empathy for every child. Every child is important, from the child in a wheelchair to the high functioning academically advanced to the sports stars. She also added that her philosophy on education is simple and all inclusive stating that she would like to see the Talented & Gifted program expanded.
“We have to compete with the rest of world. Without education we won’t have America. We need to reach out to every student, increase academic levels and help teachers to meet the needs of every student,”said Roberts.
Mathes believes the ultimate goal of the board members, past,present and future is to hire qualified professionals. And to allow them to hire dedicated administrators, teachers and staff. “The greatest mistake a board of education can make is to attempt to micromanage administrators and teachers,” said Mathes.
“I have great confidence that the strong and dedicated staff of administrators and teachers will work along with a new board of education with fresh ideas to continue to make Clear Fork a better place to learn,” stated board president Gary Mathes.
