Fallsnewspress.com - Woodridge School Board candidates offer views

by Steve Wiandt

Reporter

Peninsula-- The Woodridge Parent Teacher Organization and Woodridge Parent Service Organization hosted a Meet the Candidates Night on Oct. 27 for an audience of around 30 people.

Each candidate was given five minutes to introduce themselves and speak on the district's strengths and challenges. Moderator Brian Moore, of Copley, then asked questions submitted by members of the audience. Candidates were called to the podium in a different order each time to answer the questions.

Those candidates in attendance were incumbents Marilyn Hansen and Melissa Wilkinson, and challengers Jan Flasco and Frank Nikic. Incumbent Tammy Heffernan was absent.

The following is a sampling of the questions asked and portions of the candidates' answers: (Responses are listed in the order they were given by the candidates during the forum.)

In what ways does the school system assist students from families who are struggling financially besides the offerings of reduced breakfast and lunch?

Nikic: "Recently we had a gentleman pass away and we did a lot of collecting through the school, the boosters and through the different sports. A couple years ago, a family's house burned down and everybody in the community provided for them. We are a close family."

Wilkinson: "Regulations for free and reduced lunch have lightened up somewhat, and school fees and book fees have been waived ... More children have been assisted this year than probably ever before with their fees and their textbook costs ... The five people on the Board have experienced layoffs, pay cuts and furloughs."

Flasco: "When my son was in eighth grade, there were scholarships available so the kids could pay for [a trip to] Washington, D.C. And I think you had girls bring in their old prom dresses for other girls ... In the cafeteria, students don't have to say they have a free lunch or a reduced lunch, they just go up and give their name."

Hansen: "Free or reduced lunch is a federal program. And applications must be made every year to participate. Reduced fees at the school are our prerogative. They're not really our prerogative because if the parents don't pay, they don't pay, and the money comes out of the general fund."

What are priorities for school buildings -- repairing, replacing and making sure they are up to current standards?

Flasco: "That's something we need community input on. We need help from our community. Then we decide together as a School Board and a community what we need to do. To maintain the level of education that our kids are accustomed to, they cannot learn in a building that's falling apart around them."

Hansen: "Already we have in hand the Ohio School Facilities' evaluation and recommendations. We have options they have presented us with: removing both intermediate and primary school buildings and replacing them, replacing them where they are, replacing them in another place, or renovating them, or tearing down part [of a building] and putting up new ... We all have to think about it. In the meantime, we bought some property south of the high school and south of the middle school off of Quick Road ... we have land to build new buildings."

Wilkinson: "The Ohio Schools Facilities did come in with a fine-tooth comb ... The big challenge is going to be, do we rehabilitate these buildings? I'm not sure we can rehabilitate out in Peninsula because of the infrastructure in Peninsula. There are certain requirements put on us. We purchased this land. Do we want a campus center? What do you want our schools to look like? Maybe a K through 5 building? ... Will the community be able to support a bond issue right now? Do we put that on the back burner for the next five to seven years? That's what I envision."

Nikic: "[Residents] have a chance to come to the Board meetings once a month or go on the Web site. So there's a good chance to get updated day to day, at least so you know what they're talking about."

How will you reach citizens without children in Woodridge schools to support the schools in their community?

Nikic: "I have two neighbors whose kids go to IHM and St. Joe's, but the fact is they chose to live in this community ... We have to support Woodridge, but at the same time support the community, the businesses, the stores. In the long run, everyone wins."

Wilkinson: "Being informed is very important. Being involved in getting information out is very important ... to engage as many people as possible, educate them on what the decisions are, and try to get feedback."

Hansen: "We have a senior citizens group that meets once a month at one school each month. The idea is to get these people in each one of our schools a couple times a year. They have lunch and are entertained."

Flasco: "It's hard to get retirees to come to forums ... Let's find the widows and widowers in this community, take our football team ... and say, "We've got Woodridge football players here. Where do you want your leaves? Do you want them raked to the curb or do you want them bagged?

E-mail: swiandt@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3141