Ontario Board of Education candidates prepare for November election

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated after getting in contact with Kellin Sturts.

ONTARIO — Four names are on the Nov. 4 ballot to fill three seats on the Ontario Board of Education.

The Ontario school board pays members $125 for each meeting, and members serve four-year terms. The positions are non-partisan.

Heidi A. Zimmerman

Ontario school Board member Heidi A. Zimmerman is seeking re-election to one of the seats.

She has served on the Ontario school board since 2016.

“I am seeking re-election because I want to continue to give back to the community and support our school system in the best way I can,” Zimmerman said.

Born Nov. 8, 1970, Zimmerman, who earned a B.A. in Speech Communication with a minor in French from Miami University, works as a Licensed/Registered Service Assistant for a financial services company.

With 10 years of experience on the board, Zimmerman said she has developed a strong understanding of how a public school system operates, and values the role that communication and collaboration play in making it run effectively.

She said her diverse background in human resources, sales and business add useful perspective in the decision-making process.

Zimmerman said she grew up in a family of educators, which gave her an appreciation for different teaching styles and the importance of reaching all learners.

Catherine Sapp

Catherine Sapp, born Aug. 22, 1985, resides at 297 Camelot Lane and is a 2004 graduate of Ontario High School.

Sapp went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Ashland University in 2008 and a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Healthcare Management from Franklin University in 2023.

Serving as the Executive Director of Avita Home Health and Hospice, she also works as a registered nurse.

Although this is her first time running for elected office, Sapp said her connection to Ontario schools runs deep.

Her great-grandfather, W.C. Cotter, served on the Ontario school board in the 1920s, when it was still the Springfield Township School. There is a plaque outside the board office memorializing his name.

“While no school is perfect, Ontario believes in excellence,” she said. “My intention is to learn more about how the school district functions, how decisions are made, maximize the great aspects of the school district, and help look for opportunities for improvement.”

She said 10 years in leadership roles has taught her to listen first, gather information and make thoughtful decisions.

She added her role in reporting to a board, along with serving on the Richland Public Health Board and the OYS Board helps her understand how boards function and how they can provide strategic oversight while representing families and district employees.

Planning for the future of Ontario Schools and preparing the district for success for many years to come is what Sapp said she envisions while serving on the Ontario school board.

“My goal is to influence every member of the Ontario community I meet in a positive way. I want everyone to be aware of what our amazing district has to offer,” Sapp said.

“I want to be a supportive board member to all stakeholders and promise to approach every issue objectively.”

Todd Friend

Friend, born April 12, 1970, and residing at 665 Hannah Faith Circle, is seeking re-election to the Ontario school board for a third four-year term.

Friend graduated from Wittenberg University, where he previously served on the Alumni Board. He currently works as a Senior Neuroscience Specialist for Otsuka Pharmaceuticals.

Having served two full terms on the board, three of those years being the Board President, Friend said his passion for serving the teachers, children and staff of the Ontario community is what motivates him.

Friend said commitment to accessibility and collaboration is a driving factor for his role on the school board. He said he hopes to continue fostering a community-wide shared vision and building consensus to address complex issues in public education.

Friend said it can take up to 18 months for a member to get acclimated to the role, and having served well beyond that time, he brings a ‘wealth’ of experience.

A corporate background of more than 30 years gives Friend a strong business insight, communication skills and leadership experience — qualities he believes are critical for making informed financial and operational decisions for the school system.

“Our job as a Board and school system is to prepare all Ontario students for whatever comes next after graduation,” he said. “This is my passion and this is my purpose.”

He currently coaches the Ontario girls varsity tennis team, an unpaid role he has held for 11 years, and has coached multiple youth sports teams, Upward Bound basketball and served as a Cub Scout leader.

Additionally, he sits on the National Alliance of Mental Illness of Richland County Board of Directors, advocating for those struggling with mental illness.

Kellin Sturts

Sturts a lifelong Ontario resident, born Nov. 4, 1984, has announced his candidacy for the Ontario school board.

A lifelong member of the community, Sturts grew up and graduated from Ontario schools before starting his own business.

With one daughter who has already graduated from Ontario and another child currently in middle school, Sturts said he understands both the opportunities and challenges that local students and families face today.

“I believe in continuing to build a school system that supports every student and empowers every teacher,” he said.

Sturts and his wife are deeply rooted in the Ontario community and active in Ontario youth sports.

“We believe in showing up, supporting others and giving back to the town,” he said.

As the owner and operator of his own trucking company, Sturts said the experience has taught him “the value of hard work, accountability and smart decision-making,” qualities he hopes to bring to the school board.

He added his aunt, one of the founders of the Ontario Learning Disabilities Association, helped introduce specialized learning programs into public schools. Her legacy, he said, inspired him to advocate for all children.

Guided by family members who are attorneys, Sturts said he has learned to thoughtfully approach both sides of an issue and work toward fair solutions.

“I hope to serve alongside some of these great members and learn a thing or two from them as well,” he said.

Sturts can be reached at sturtstrucking74@aol.com or 419-961-5021.

For more information about the Nov. 4 election, visit the Richland County Board of Elections website.