MADISON TOWNSHIP — There will be at least one new face on the Madison Local Schools board of education next year.
Three seats are up for grabs in the November election, with two incumbents and two challengers on the ballot.
School board members Mary Kotterman and Amy Walker are running to retain their seats. Tim Wigton, elected to the board in 2018, is not.
Kotterman and Walker are joined on the ballot by Christel Koppert Smith and Adam Porter.
The three people voters choose will be elected to four-year terms beginning on Jan. 1, 2026.
Last school year, Madison Local Schools had an enrollment of 2,576, a teaching staff of approximately 213 people and a budget of $40.5 million.
School board members are paid $125 per meeting, the maximum allowed under state law. State law caps the total compensation a school board member can receive at $5,000 per year.
Richland Source contacted each of the candidates and asked them to respond to the same set of questions. A summary of their answers is provided below.
Christel Koppert Smith
Christel Koppert Smith, 48, is a high school math teacher at Lucas Local Schools. She is a Madison High School graduate and holds a master’s degree in education from Ashland University.
This is her first time seeking public office.
Koppert Smith said the teachers she had at Madison inspired her to pursue a career in education. Her daughter is currently a senior at Madison Comprehensive High School.
“Madison is currently in a bad financial situation. I want to do my best to help them make decisions on how to make progress,” said Koppert Smith, a Hulit Road resident.
Koppert Smith said she believes there is “a lot of misinformation and misunderstandings” about the district and she hopes to help educate the public on the current state of the schools.
“Because I like being an informed tax payer, I have attended most of the school board meetings for the last couple of years, including the special meetings they had with the consultant they hired,” Koppert Smith said.
Koppert Smith said she understands the state of the district and wants to advocate for it.
“Since I have not been on the board before, I offer a fresh perspective. I have a passion to learn and educate others,” she said.
“Since I work in education myself, I feel that I can relate to not only community members, parents, and students, but also the teachers.”
Mary Kotterman
Mary Kotterman, 46, is a senior product compliance and filings analyst for a global insurance company.
She has an associate’s degree in General Insurance (AINS) designation from The Institutes, which focuses on insurance principles, ethics, and risk management.
Kotterman is seeking a second term on the school board, having been first elected in 2021. The Lakewood Drive resident said she wants to continue serving Madison students and the community.
“I have a deep commitment to making thoughtful, informed decisions that are in the best interest of our schools, without a personal agenda,” she said.
“Guided by my faith and values, I view this service as a way to give back to our community and help ensure that our schools remain strong and supportive for every student.”
Kotterman listed responsible financial management and school safety as some of her top priorities for a second term.
“I will work closely with the Superintendent and Treasurer to make difficult but necessary budget decisions, ensuring that every dollar is spent wisely and that programs benefiting students are prioritized,” she said.
Kotterman said one goal she supports is to have a School Resource Officer in each building, though that will depend on available resources.
She said supporting career and technical education is another important item on her to-do list.
“Career and technical programs provide essential skills for students’ futures and support our community,” she said. “I believe not all students are meant for college and these programs give students valuable opportunities to prepare for the workforce right after graduation.”
“Many of the programs offered lead to careers that are currently in high demand or will be in the near future,” she continued. “I will continue advocating for these programs and finding ways to maintain and grow opportunities for students despite budget constraints.”
Kotterman cited her experience as a board member, professional background and community perspective as factors that set her apart.
“I have served nearly four years on the Board, gaining firsthand knowledge of how our district operates, understanding the challenges we face, and learning how to make informed, thoughtful decisions for our students and community,” she said.
“My career in the insurance industry, combined with prior experience as a retail store manager, has given me strong skills in evaluation, analysis, and people management. These skills are directly applicable to responsibilities on the board, such as reviewing and evaluating the Superintendent and Treasurer and making responsible financial decisions.”
Kotterman said she has two children who are Madison graduates, a third who is a senior this year and a fourth enrolled at St. Mary’s who will attend Madison in the future. She is also actively involved in the St. Mary’s Pastoral Council.
“I strive to be fully informed when making board decisions. I research each issue carefully, review files when appropriate and base my votes on facts rather than pressure from anyone,” she added.
“I am a practicing Catholic, and my faith guides my commitment to service. I deeply value family, respect parental rights, and honor conservative principles while being mindful of taxpayer resources. Serving on the Board allows me to give back and my goal is always to help our students and community thrive.”
Adam Porter
Adam Porter, 47, is a cyber warfare operator with the Air National Guard’s 179th Cyberspace Wing. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management.
He has spent five years on the board for the non-profit Paddle for Heroes, four years as a volunteer with Mid-Ohio Youth Mentoring and 10 years as a volunteer with Ashland Special Needs Ministry.
“I believe I have the skills, experience (both in the military and life) and temperament to help make a difference as a school board member, not only for the students, but also the staff of the schools and the community at large as well,” he said.
“When we are able to build a better school system, especially together, it will strengthen our community and bring us all closer together.”
Porter previously ran in 2019 to fill a vacant seat on the school board and ran again in 2021.
He said one priority if elected would be improving academic performance.
“I would suggest a data-driven, by the numbers curriculum review to identify gaps in student learning outcomes, focusing on early literacy programs and STEM education to start,” he said.
“I’d propose implementing targeted interventions, like tutoring programs for struggling students (tutored by teachers and/or fellow students), and expanding access to advanced coursework for high-achievers. I’d also suggest some kind of regular progress monitoring to ensure we are moving in the right direction.”
Another priority Porter mentioned was enhancing support for teachers to boost retention and prevent burnout.
“I’d advocate for some kind of teacher working group to gather input directly from the teachers on their needs, such as appropriate professional development opportunities or classroom resources,” he said.
“Hearing directly from our teachers on what is most important, making things happen so they recognize they are heard and working together will go a long way towards the school system we all want. By fostering a supportive environment, we can retain talented educators and ensure they’re equipped to inspire our students.”
Porter also emphasized the importance of ensuring fiscal responsibility in the district.
“I would prioritize a transparent budget review process or reviewing our current status if we have had one done recently,” he said.
“I would also explore grants for the areas we can potentially secure funds, especially in the more critical areas such as classroom tech or infrastructure needs. I’d also engage the community through public forums to discuss budget priorities, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively.”
When asked what sets him apart as a school board candidate, Porter cited his 27 years of military experience.
“I have worked within logistics, both physically and in dealing with funding/budgets. I have had specific training on how to deal with conflict resolution and mediation, not to mention dealing with many different types of people from different backgrounds and helping to facilitate them working together on projects and daily work life,” the Bowen Road resident said.
He also said would bring an “outsider’s” perspective to the board.
“I have no preconceived notions about Madison, good or bad. I married into the Madison family, (my wife) being a Madison grad and now a teacher at Mifflin Elementary and our kids now are Madison students,” he said.
“I believe I can potentially offer a fresh perspective, with outside-the-box thinking to hopefully help continue to grow Madison into the school we all believe it can be.”
“When looking at different situations, I prefer to look at all sides involved,” he added. “Many times people will want someone to side with them and just go along because they said so. But I would rather hear all sides and come to a conclusion based on the facts surrounding the situation.”
Amy Walker
Amy Walker, 47, is the dean of students at Mansfield Senior High School. She has a master’s degree in educational administration.
She is seeking a fourth term on the school board, having served 12 years. She said she’s seeking re-election so she can “continue acting as a liaison between families and the school to ensure that the community’s values guide the development and implementation of district programs.”
Walker said she was born and raised in the Madison school district.
“I chose to build a home and raise my children in the same area because I know firsthand the strong sense of community, dedication of the teachers and the lasting impact this district has on its students,” she said.
“All three of my children will have graduated from the Madison Local School district in May and they have been educated and equipped to handle their next endeavor. I could not be more proud to be a Ram.”
If re-elected, Walker said one of her top priorities would be staff recruitment and retention.
“Low pay, high stress and lack of support is driving individuals into different fields across the state. As a result, districts are beginning to face shortages of qualified teachers, especially in special education and math,” said Walker, a Washington North Road.
“As our veteran staff retire over the next several years, I want to make sure a positive culture is sustained and that Madison continues to be a place where people want to work.”
Another issue Walker said needs to be addressed is how public schools are funded at the federal, state, and local levels.
“The cost to run a school continues to grow while the revenue from this particular source does not,” she said.
“Due to the lack of support at the state level, districts are left on their own to come up with a plan to sustain revenue. This is an issue we have worked on tirelessly and still have a long way to go.”
Lastly, Walker cited improved student achievement as an area of focus.
“If we are successful resolving the first two issues mentioned above, increasing achievement should naturally follow,” she said.
She said her years of experience on the board distinguish her as a candidate.
“I bring experience, deep knowledge of district operations and a strong understanding of what it takes to create meaningful change,” she said.
“Over the years, I’ve built relationships with educators, families, and community partners, allowing me to navigate challenges effectively.”