Wickliffe School Board candidates talk issues, goals

The makeup of the School Board is among the many changes that are ahead for Wickliffe Schools.

Amid the facility study and district reconfiguration plans, voters will take to the polls on Nov. 7 to elect three school board members. Five candidates will appear on the ballot: Katie Ball and Sara Omlor are challenging incumbents Donald J. Marn, Jackie Sheridan and Daniel J. Thomeier.

There are more than 8,000 registered voters in Wickliffe

Ball

Ball, 32, who is a teacher for Beachwood Public Schools, said having a degree in educational research has allowed her to have a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of educational programs

Her priorities include helping to make a smooth transition as the district moves from three buildings to two; making Wickliffe an even better place to teach and learn — one where students leave prepared to continue their education successfully or enter the workforce as skilled, confident, independent individuals; and ensuring that students have access to the best education and facilities possible to compete with other area school districts to help draw in new families to Wickliffe.

“I am confident I would be a valued member of the school board for a variety of reasons,” Ball said. “I just began my 11th year as a career-technical teacher. I have three young children, two of whom are currently attending school in the district. One receives special education services, so I bring personal experience and knowledge in that area as well. I am invested in the long-term success of the district as my children are just beginning, my long-term vision may bring a new perspective and my goal is to make Wickliffe a more attractive district to bring more families into Wickliffe.”

Marn

Marn,74, has served 24 years on Wickliffe School Board.

“A school board member is one person on a team and no one individual changes anything by themselves,” he said. “Change is accomplished by study and discussion, along with compromise. In Wickliffe, our current board, a strong one, is addressing three important areas: educational excellence; fiscal responsibility and facilities. Wickliffe is at a major crossroads here, we have already made the decision to consolidate and reconfigure our district for educational and facility efficiency (2018-2019 school year) and are engaged in major effort within the community to evaluate our facilities and make decisions regarding renovation or new construction.”

Marn said his knowledge, expertise and experience makes him an ideal candidate.

“I believe my record speaks for itself — 24 years experience and real passion to provide what is best for our students,” he said. “Through out my 24 years as a board member, I have consistently/continually kept myself up to date by participating in training sessions workshops and informational meetings provided by the National and

Ohio School Board Associations and the state of Ohio. I have been recognized by OSBA as a Master Board Member (2003) and have received the OSBA Award of Achievement seven times.”

Omlor

Omlor, 33, is a teacher for Lakeshore Intergenerational School.

“I would like to improve the communication between the board and the community members,” she said. ”I feel that there are many ways communication and involvement can be improved — using social media, emails, etc. — to involve community members who aren’t able to come to board meetings. I would like all community members to feel appreciated, respected, and welcomed. Too often, community members feel as though they have no voice and their concerns are not heard.”

Omlor said she also

would like to be involved in the reconfiguration of the schools.

“As a teacher, I have a very good idea of what happens within a school once the doors are closed in the mornings. As a parent, I understand worries and frustrations that other parents may feel. As a community member, I want to make sure that the reconfiguration and future of the school system runs as smoothly as possible to help preserve the education in the city.”

She said education is her passion.

“I am always searching for ways to improve so that each and every child has the same chance as their peers,” she said. “I want to work together with the community, the board, the teachers, the administration and the support staff to make sure our children are prepared for the future. Electing me to the board of education will ensure that the voices of the community are heard, their questions answered, their concerns considered and they are treated with respect. I want the community to know that at the heart of it all, I care deeply about their children’s education and well being.”

Sheridan

Sheridan, 51, is the director of adult services for the Vocational Guidance Center and Broadening Abilities director for Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities/Deepwood Center.

The three areas she would focus on is maintaining fiscal sustainability of the Wickliffe School district, continuing to improve and address the dated facilities for future learning opportunities in an environment that is academically sound, and continuing to move the district forward by building and supporting the technology infrastructure for the benefit of the students and teachers.

“Wickliffe School District voters should re-elect me based on my current exemplary membership to the board and vast experience,” she said.

“My educational background in management of public administration and as a Leadership Lake County graduate and alumni, plus my employment qualifications and leadership skills as a longtime county employee and licensed social worker, affords me the knowledge and oversight of the operations and policy of the Wickliffe School District, both financially and administratively. As a 30-year resident of the city of Wickliffe, I am committed to civic duty and an awareness of the city’s needs. I have a passion for student learning and being involved in community activities. I can express reasoning and opinions tactfully, especially when considering complex decision making and acting with honesty and integrity. I have high ethical standards and would like to continue as a board member with the Wickliffe School District to continue to build a school of excellence.”

Thomeier

Thomeier, 57, has served on the Wickliffe School Board for nearly 12 years.

If reelected, he plans to continue to examine solutions to both short- and long-term district facility-related issues; continue to expand educational opportunities for students — both in and beyond the classroom; and continue to maintain fiscal responsibility in a climate of ever-changing reductions in school funding.

To achieve those goals, he said he would work collaboratively with fellow board members, school administration/staff, and community members to evaluate alternatives and find reasonable solutions to the many different challenges school districts are facing today.

“Communication is a key part in achieving these and other goals,” he said.

He feels he should be reelected because of his experience both as a board member and in his business career; honesty; serious and thoughtful approach; and desire to contribute to the success of young people and the greater good of the Wickliffe community.

Wickliffe School Board members serve four-year terms and earn $125 per meeting.