2023_YSNElectionGuide_p01

4 H H H 2 023 VOT E R’ S GU I DE H H H Y E L L OW S P R I NG S N EWS students. I have also been impressed with the school district’s commitment to keep our classrooms and arts programs free from censorship. So I would answer that we need to remain focused on those areas, continuing to suppor t extracurricular activities and quality teaching to increase student engagement. I suppor t the proposed changes to restrict the use of personal phones in the classroom, and find that some of the best suggestions come from the students, par- ents and teachers themselves. A school board needs to be committed to listening to them — really listening. 3 . I champion facility upgrades that advance sustainability and energy ef fi- ciency. Earlier this year, I worked on a grant with then-board president TJ Turner, board member Amy Magnus and community members Cindy Sieck and Bob Brecha that would fund energy-ef ficiency upgrades, including new construction. We did not get that grant, but I would keep up the effort to find external funding where available. As a board member, I will also ask that budget repor ting includes a clear and separate breakdown of building repairs and capital improvement costs with a projec- tion of future costs mapped out. That way we can better track what has been done, what needs to be done and plan for large expenses coming in the future — as well as making sure repairs and capital improve- ments are completed on time. 4. My answers so far have focused on the oversight role of a school board member. Let me emphasize here how I also see the role of the school board as celebrating our schools, and celebrating what makes them so essential to the village and township: the teachers, the students, the parents and involved community members. There is a lot to celebrate. That sense of a school as a community, and as part of the community, are captured in the strategic plan. I support those values “prioritizing a culture of kindness, belonging and well- being for all members of our school com- munity.” And I support the plan’s ambition to “instill pride, and inspire current and future educational excellence.” KIM REICHELDERFER EXPER I ENCE : Master of Business Admin- istration, Western Governors Univer- sity; Bachelor of Science, mechani- cal engineer ing, Wright State Uni- versity; Associate of Appl ied Science, mechanical engineering technology, Columbus State Community College; 15 years of engineering experience in mechan- ical design and automation; licensed pro- fessional engineer; adjunct faculty at Sin- clair Community College. BIO: I am a parent to three children in the district (seventh grade, second grade and kindergarten). In 2017, my wife and I chose to purchase a home just outside of Enon based on our love of the village and schools and open-enrolled our oldest child at Mills Lawn with hopes to eventually move into the district. Yellow Springs schools were highly rated, placed value in the arts and we felt that our children would feel safe, welcomed and accepted as members of a two-mom household. In 2020, we built a home and moved to Miami Township. I currently lead a research and development group and am a part-time adjunct faculty member. I regu- larly interact with university engineering departments as a co-op program leader and senior design project mentor. My pas- sion lies in mentoring and helping students grow to achieve their full potential. Question responses: 1. Top three priorities: • Improving school facilities. If the levy passes in November, I’m excited to par- ticipate in the renovation and creation of school facilities that will provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for the stu- dents of the district that reflects the unique culture of the village. • Improving services for and supporting earlier identification of students who could benefit from gifted services and those who struggle with learning challenges. I have listened to many stories from parents of students in these categories and under- stand their struggles on a personal level. • Working to maintain our recent five- star rating. Our current school administra- tion and teaching staff have worked hard to move the district from a C-rating in 2018– 19 to a five-star rating in 2023. I will support our administration in the path forward to maintain that rating, voice my concerns and opinions as a parent and vote in the best interest of our students and teachers. 2. I appreciate that the district has put an emphasis on STEAM-based curriculum in recent years. However, I believe that as a district we are lacking in extracurricular activities. I would support and advocate for more academic extracurriculars that align with classroom learning and can provide valuable oppor tunities for students to explore their passions and further develop their skills in the STEAM areas. I also believe that providing a safe space that is free of distractions will bolster stu- dent engagement and success in the class- room. I have children in both buildings and am aware of the struggles that the current facilities provide to the learning environ- ment. My hope is that Issue 12 will pass in November and if elected, I would support the district in providing facilities where stu- dents are as safe as possible and can focus on learning in quiet, climate-controlled rooms that are free of uninvited wildlife. 3. As an engineer, I understand the impor- tance of routine maintenance and that, by maintaining the buildings as small issues arise, we will significantly reduce overall costs of fixing larger issues long-term. The school board can also help by making decisions that help the district retain its recent five-star rating and sup- port the new strategic plan. My hope is that new and improved facilities, paired with our highly rated schools that support and nurture all students, will help attract more families with children to the district and encourage others to open enroll, thus increasing tax revenue and state funding that the district has access to for maintain- ing the new and renovated facilities. 4. A diverse and inclusive community and the school’s commitment to the arts when other districts were cutting curriculum played a significant role in my family’s deci- sion to enroll in the district. I understand that every student has a unique story and path and it’s essential to provide them with educational and mental health services that empower and support their journey. I support education in harmony with the environment and appreciate that the new facility plan maintains the school greenspace for the benefit of the entire community and its location in the center of the village allows elementary students to benefit from its proximity to the Glen. I support adding academic extracurriculars that encourage critical and creative think- ing and problem-solving and help keep students, families, and staff engaged. I value open and honest communication and if elected, will listen to parents, faculty, administration, students and community concerns to understand and be a part of the solution. MIAMI TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE There is one seat open on the Mami Township Board of Trustees. Only one candidate is running; we asked them the following question. 1. As you continue a long tenure as a trustee, what challenges does Miami Township face in the next four years, and how do you plan to address them? CHRIS MUCHER EXPERI ENCE : 27 years of public service as an elected Miami Township Trustee. BIO: I am a native of nor thern Ohio and a graduate of Ohio Universi ty. Previously, I was a 30-plus-year self- employed retail business owner in Yellow Springs. I was elected in 1996 as a Miami Township Trustee. I am married to my wonderful wife, Cynthia, and we raised three great children in Yellow Springs. Question response: As you continue a long tenure as a trustee, what challenges does Miami Township face in the next four years, and how do you plan to address them? I always try to begin each new term in office by reviewing Township policies and procedures to confirm that we continue to be in compliance with state law. Unlike cities, Ohio counties and townships may only operate using the laws provided to them by the state Legislature. I feel it is very important to the integrity of township government to maintain this compliance. The current state of Miami Township is very good. One of my biggest challenges going forward is to maintain the level of excellence of service that we provide the public through all of our Township depart- ments. We have worked very hard over the years to establish this bar of excellence and will remain vigilant to continue in the future. miami township trustee MIAMI TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER There is one position open for the role of fiscal officer. We asked the two candidates for the position the following question. 1. A fiscal of ficer is responsible for managing the financial aspects of Township governance, including paying bills and receiving revenue. What aspects of your experience and/or personality do you believe make you the ideal candidate for this position? BENJAMIN CRANDALL No response submitted. JEANNA GUNDERKLINE EXPER I ENCE : For the past 10 years, I have b e e n p a r t - t ime bookkeeping for many local organi- zations, often simul- taneously, includ- ing: Yellow Springs News, Glen Helen, t h e YS S e n i o r Center, Little Ar t Theatre, Home, Inc., First Presbyterian Church of YS, and Community Children’s Center. B IO: Born and raised in Yellow Springs, I’m very proud to call this place home and have served here in various capacities throughout my life, including volunteer- ing for the Village’s Human Relations Commission and Ohio Reads Program at Mills Lawn, and serving as a precinct poll manager for Greene County. I live with my 10-year-old son, Zander, and we’re both avid pun enthusiasts. Question response: With a wealth of experience managing the financial reporting, assisting in exter- nal audits and operating payroll systems for so many local organizations, I feel uniquely suited for the fiscal officer role of the Township. I have proved trustwor thy and depend- able, and have shown a commitment to transparency and detail while carrying out my fiduciary responsibilities. Having already shadowed the current fiscal of ficer, attended public meetings and engaged in conversations with all our currently serving trustees, I feel I’ve developed a good sense of what the job entails and requires and think it would be a symbiotic fit. VIEW VIDEO FROM THE OCT. 18 & 19 CANDIDATE FORUMS on Yellow Springs Community Access TV5 YouTube Channel youtube.com/@ YellowSpringsCommunityAccess