Three seeking two school board seats in Centerville
Durnbaugh competing against incumbents Osterhage and Shroyer.
Three candidates are running for two open seats on the Centerville School Board in this November’s election.
We asked all of the candidates what their plans are for the district if elected. Here’s a look at the candidates and their answers:
Allison Durnbaugh
Experience: 18 years experience in the local financial services industry; Academic Volunteer Program coordinator (PVN, Driscoll & John Hole) 2014-present; Relay for Life of South Dayton Event Leadership Team; Girl Scout troop leader; Centerville United Methodist Church Board of Servant Leaders — involved in strategic planning, mission and visioning process (2015-2017); Centerville Coeds Dance Team board member (2009-2019); Black Oak Swim Club — swim team volunteer and activities coordinator
Education: Bowling Green State University, bachelor’s degree in business administration-finance
Clara Osterhage
Experience: Various levels of responsibility at a variety of Ohio hospitals, including hospital administration, 1985 to 2013; R.L.O. Inc. dba Great Clips, November 1995 to present, franchisee/owner of Great Clips hair salons located throughout Ohio; board member of Ohio State Board of Cosmetology, May
2010 to present; NFIB, 2014 to present; Ohio Chamber of Commerce, 2018 to present; Centerville City Schools Board of Education 2014- 2017.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work, Ohio State, 1983; master’s in social work, Ohio State, 1985; MBA, Ashland, 1995.
Jeff Shroyer
Experience: Incumbent member of Centerville Board of Education, first elected in 2008.
Education: 1970: Trot- wood-Madison; 1974: Miami University
Is the school levy that Centerville voters will decide on this November the right approach — in both millage and structure — why or why not?
Allison Durnbaugh: Yes, the millage on the ballot is absolutely the right approach given the current state fund- ing system. We can all agree that the system is broken, but, unfortunately, we as a community have to live within the system as it cur- rently exists and continue to provide an excellent education for the students in our district.
The superintendent and treasurer have made a strong case for why our schools need the additional funds. We need to be able to retain the high caliber of educators that our community demands, the schools must continue to offer a variety of courses and career/technical training pathways to graduation and our aging facilities continue to require constant maintenance and upkeep to keep them viable.
Fiscal responsibility should be one of the top priorities for a school board and, with a strategic plan in place, we can be held accountable by the community. With the passage of the levy, a stra- tegic planning process is the next logical step to maxi- mize return on investment.
Clara Osterhage: The levy that will be on the ballot in November is the right choice and is structured properly. As a combined 1-mill perma- nent improvement and 5.9mill operating levy. The permanent improvement levy will allow the district to continue to maintain the aging buildings rather than having to build new ones. Maintaining them is an obliga- tion that the district has to the taxpayers.
A growing enrollment, the lack of growth in funds coming from the federal and state government, the signif- icant continued state-mandates that are not funded, the increased need for school security and safety to keep the students and staff safe, and the need to remain com- petitive to keep and attract great educators are amongst the key reasons I support Issue 8 and believe that it is critical to avoid the reduc- tions that will take away from the district and its mission.
Jeff Shroyer: The Ohio General Assembly has walked away from their constitutional responsibility. That responsibility is to adequately fund the schools. Centerville City Schools gets only 13.7 cents back from the state of Ohio on every dollar earmarked for education.
We, therefore, must raise the other 86.3 cents locally. We are the lowest funded school district in Montgomery County, by far. Board of Education members, by Ohio law, have four requirements.
One of the four is to make sure the school district has enough money to operate. Centerville City Schools, due to a “lack of wealth factors,” is not eligible for tobacco-funded aid for new buildings. Half of our school buildings are over 50 years ago. These buildings need preventative maintenance. Therefore, due to the sit- uation our school district is in due to the General Assembly’s lack of government and leadership, the levy that Centerville voters will decide on is the absolute correct approach. We have no choice.
What other changes could be made that you think would improve students’ academic performance?
Allison Durnbaugh: Our teachers do an exceptional job in the classroom. With ongoing professional development, teachers can continue to implement researchbased best practices in their classrooms to meet the needs of their students at all levels.
Utilizing creativity, innovation and collaborative teamwork helps to foster students’ academic growth. I also believe community service and community involvement through curricular and extra-curricular opportunities help to support the social and emotional growth of our students.
Clara Osterhage: Ibelieve that at some point all-day kindergarten and more periods during the school day are going to need to be considered. While not something the district can change, I believe that the district needs to have more of a voice where State testing is concerned.
I love that our district has never “taught to the tests.” That integrity, however, doesn’t go far to improve district grades. I believe that can be addressed with the State Board of Education.
Jeff Shroyer: I believe Centerville City Schools is there, meeting the needs of academic performance. There are many factors that comprise academic performance. Some the District can control, some the District cannot control. The items within our control, we do a pretty good job of meeting academic performance. Ask our graduates.