BELLVILLE, Ohio — Voters in the Clear Fork school district will choose from four candidates competing for two open board of education seats.
However, none of the four candidates will be on the ballot form because they are write-in candidates. Officials say voters should know the procedures when casting a vote for these write-in candidates.
Richland County Board of Elections deputy director Bill Freytag said voters casting a vote in the race may ask a poll worker for a list of “certified write-in candidates.” To cast a vote for a write-in candidate, a voter selects the box labeled “write-in.”
A keyboard will appear on the display and the candidate’s name should be entered with as close to correct spelling as possible.
The four candidates are seeking seats vacated by Jim Jackson and Randall Freeman.
Ron Salkovick, of Fredericktown, believes he can bring a positive proactiver leadership to the board.
“I believe in community leadership,” Salkovick says. He celebrated 10 years with Knox Community Hospital, and notes that his family is active in Butler Elementary and the Clear Fork Middle School.
Salkovick says he has talked to residents in Bellville and Butler and believes the possible building of at least one new school building is the current hot topic. He believes the residents are in favor of retaining their own elementary school.
Dan Freund of Bellville, former Clear Fork and Mansfield Senior superintendent, believes local school boards need to “press for local control of education policy.” Freund says state and federal policies, especially testing mandates, are “intrusive” and have created “frustration among students, teachers and parents.”
He says educators are for higher standards and believes those standards are being reached but “people paying the bills need to have more say.”
Regarding qualifications, Freund has worked in education since 1970. He is currently the superintendent of the Lucas school district. He says he decided to run as a write-in candidate after noticing that no one was going to run for the two open seats.
Freund teamed with Nick Kuelling, also of Bellville, for the race. Campaign signs bearing both their names have sprung up around the school district. The owner of Clear Fork Valley Electric, Kuelling completed 10 years on the board in 2013.
“I felt the community needed someone who cares enough to run,” Kuelling said.
Describing himself as a practical minded person, he wants to ensure good stewardship of taxpayer money. He also wants to make sure issues are handled transparently. He cited the recent talks regarding new elementary schools and noted the voters should have a clear understanding of the project.
Carl Gonzalez says he represents the insight of an “older generation.” He also believes he would be able to explain the needs of the district to that generation. For Gonzalez that includes keeping a “family and community” atmosphere at the school that is more open to the public.
Gonzalez sees himself as an asset to the board based on his lengthy experience with both management and labor. He says he wants to help the school district provide “better preparation for all kids.”
Typically, write-in candidates are not successful but because no one filed in time to run on the ballot, the two with the most votes will be elected. If no one had run, the board would have had to interview applicants to fill the vacancies.
