Fallsnewspress.com - Voters say Petty in, Patterson out on Falls School Board

Dale Petty

Curtis Grimes

Barb Gunter

by Ellin Walsh

Reporter

Cuyahoga Falls -- Dale L. Petty was the top vote getter in his first foray into politics Nov. 3, winning a seat on the Cuyahoga Falls City School District Board of Education. While Board incumbents Barb Gunter and Curtis Grimes retained their seats, Board colleague Kellie Patterson was ousted.

Petty has already held the post on a temporary basis. In 2005, Petty was appointed to fill the unexpired term of School Board member Laurie Liebelt when she resigned.

Three of the five seats on the Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education were contested in the General Election. All have four-year terms commencing Jan. 1, 2010.

According to final, but unofficial results from the Summit County Board of Elections, the vote tallies in the Cuyahoga Falls School Board race were as follows: Petty, 5,119 (or 25.81 percent of the vote); Gunter, 5,106 (25.75 percent); Grimes, 5,050 (25.47 percent) and Patterson, 4,555 (22.97 percent).

"I would guess that my prior Board experience and I would hope that my professional experience made an impression with the voters," Petty said.

A certified public accountant with 36 years experience, Petty has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Drake University in Iowa and a master's degree in taxation from the University of Akron. He has served on the city's Income Tax Review Board, the Charter Review Commission, the Fourth Ward Charette and the board of directors of the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet.

"When I was out gathering signatures, I did get some sense the community wondered if the Board was as effective as they could be," Petty said. "The concern was whether the Board could focus all of their concentration on the business of the school district. I felt the message those people were trying to impress upon me at the time was that they want a Board that can work together."

Dissension among the current Board has frequently been front-page news. Petty said his initial focus will be to bring himself up to speed on issues before the Board.

"I will contribute whatever I can for the good of the order," Petty reported.

Gunter was elected to the School Board in 2005 and has served as its president since 2008. She possesses a bachelor's degree from Columbus State University, with a major in biology and chemistry and a minor in education. Gunter also has nine years experience working for public schools in Missouri. She resides in Silver Lake.

"I am honored and grateful to have the opportunity to serve the citizens and children of our community for a second term," Gunter said, adding, "Through leadership, team work and keeping focused on our goals, the Board has been able to achieve its goals. Balancing our successes with the economic challenges of today has been and will continue to be a top priority of the Board."

Grimes has been a member of the School Board for four years. He holds a bachelor's degree from Malone College and associate degrees from The Ohio State University and the University of Akron. He has been employed by Dominion for more than 20 years. Grimes served as Board president for two years. He is actively involved with the Falls Athletic Booster Club, the Instrumental Music Patrons and the Falls Alumni Foundation. He resides in Silver Lake.

"The experience over the last four years has been very important," Grimes said, "not only from a leadership position, but also to just learn the inner workings of how a Board for a school district operates."

Grimes said he will focus on building upon the "Excellent" rating the district earned from the state during his next term.

Patterson was elected to the School Board four years ago. A lifelong Fallsite and a licensed cosmetologist, Patterson was self-employed for 14 years, but closed her business to raise her two children. She describes herself as an active PTA, school and community volunteer. Since being elected to the School Board, Patterson has served as district legislative liaison and a member of the bylaw and policy committee.

"Although I lost the race," Patterson said, " I am pleased to know that I won the second most precincts behind Dale Petty overall ... It was a close race in the Cuyahoga Falls precincts, but the overwhelming sentiment against me in Silver Lake won the day."

Patterson said her loss has prompted a mix of feelings.

"I am, of course, disappointed," Patterson said, "but, at the same time, there is a sense of relief. I can now focus on my family and personal projects that I set aside when [I was] elected four years ago ... I will miss the challenges of being a Board member. I think I left my mark in small ways that will have lasting impact."

E-mail: ewalsh@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3908