Fallsnewspress.com - Familiar, fresh faces for Woodridge School Board

Jan Flasco

Tammy Heffernan

Melissa Wilkinson

by Ellin Walsh

Reporter

Peninsula -- The current president of the Woodridge Local School Board lost her re-election bid Nov. 3, while a pair of her peers were returned to office. Jan Flasco, who has never held an elected office before, received the third highest number of votes, securing the third open seat on the five-member Board.

"I guess God's got something else for me to do," said Board President Marilyn Hansen, who is serving her eighth term and 32nd year on the School Board. "I am disappointed though."

According to final, but unofficial results from the Summit County Board of Elections, the vote tallies in the Woodridge Local School Board race were as follows: Tammy Heffernan, 1,880 (or 22.07 percent of the vote); Melissa Wilkinson, 1,852 (21.74 percent); Flasco, 1,763 (20.7 percent); Hansen, 1,729 (20.3 percent); and Frank Nikic, 1,294 (15.19 percent).

"I think the district has lost a great BOE member," Heffernan said, adding, "Marilyn Hansen is a wealth of knowledge and has been a true blessing to this district. She will be missed. I don't think people realize how much time it takes to be a good BOE member and the fact that Marilyn has done this for 32 years is a testament to her love of this district."

Hansen is a leader with a Summit County manufacturer. She is an active Board member of several nonprofit organizations, volunteers with the American Red Cross and National Ski Patrol and is involved with her church.

"I'm very humbled by my win," Flasco said. Referring to Hansen, Flasco said, "I know I have some big shoes to fill, but I'm ready, willing and able."

Flasco has lived in the district for 13 years. Both her children have attended Woodridge schools since kindergarten. She is employed as an insurance agent and customer service representative. She said her priorities in the next four years will include communication with the community and maintaining the level of education students are accustomed to, despite the distressed economy.

Heffernan has served on the Woodridge School Board for nine years. A resident of the community for 50 years, she serves as the accounts payable manager for Famous Manufacturing. Of her own re-election, Heffernan said, "I think the community trusts me to make good decisions for our children and our district. In this economy, the BOE may have to even make some tougher decisions and experience is important."

Heffernan promises to maintain her focus on fiscal responsibility and addressing facility issues during her next term.

Wilkinson has been a member of the School Board for four years. She currently serves as its vice president.

"I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to continue to serve the kids and the Woodridge community another four years," Wilkinson said, "... and will work diligently to maintain their confidence in the direction of the district." Wilkinson's priorities include long-range facility planning, fiscal responsibility and maintaining the district's 'Excellent' rating while striving for an even higher designation.

Wilkinson is employed as the director of Akron Operations for 1-888-Ohiocomp.

E-mail: ewalsh@recordpub.com