Amherst school board draws six candidates for three seats

AMHERST — A six-way race for three open Amherst Board of Education seats will see incumbents Teresa Gilles, Valerie Neidert and Ronald Yacobozzi taking challenges from Amanda Messer, Morgan Wachholz and Mike Witte. The contest is nonpartisan, so the three candidates who earn the most votes will get the job. Teresa Gilles Age: 55 Education: Bryant and Stratton College of Business graduate Family: I was born in Fairborn, Ohio, and moved to Amherst as a six-month-old. My parents, Jack and Shirley Dobias, still live in my childhood home in Amherst. I have been married to my husband, Paul, for 34 years and have three boys, David, Derek and Daniel. My father, three siblings, three children, aunt, nieces, cousins and I all graduated from Marion L. Steele High School with more relatives graduating each year. Job history: As the executive director of Main Street Amherst, I am responsible for the day-to-day operation and implementation of the Main Street Four Point Approach. Joining Main Street in 2002, I worked my way up from administrative assistant to executive director in two short years. With this training and experience, I have been appointed Amherst's administrator for Community Development Block Grants. I am an active member of the Lorain County Consortium, which is designed to increase awareness and promotion of the Lorain County corridor through the cooperative efforts of the Lorain County Main Streets. Website: www.mainstreetamherst.org Amanda Messer, 42 Education: PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 2010; master's in chemical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic and State University in 2005; bachelor's in mechanical engineering from Kettering University in 2002 Family: Husband Matthew Messer and sons Haneul, Hansol and Hanme Messer Job history: Lead research technologist, Cleveland Clinic; post-doctoral fellow, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; post-doctoral fellow, University of California Los Angeles Website: www.facebook.com/parentsforschoolboard Valerie Neidert, 57 Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting Family: Married to Duane Neidert for 35 years. Children Duane S. Neidert and Brittany Neidert Job history: Employed by Lowe Scott Fisher Co., LPA, as office manager Website: www.facebook.com/neidertforschoolboard Morgan Wachholz, 36 Education: I graduated from Amherst Steele High School in 2003, then attended the University of Toledo and graduated with a BA in communications and a studio art minor in 2008. Family: Jake Wachholz is my husband of 10 years. We have two daughters, 9 years and 3 years old. Job history: I have worked at The Kneaded Touch as a receptionist for the past six years. Before that I worked in the news room at WKYC. Website: www.facebook.com/parentsforschoolboard Mike Witte, 64 Education: Bachelor of science in environmental design from Kent State University, bachelor of architecture from Kent State University Family: Married to my wife, Amy for 40 years. Two adult daughters, both graduated from Marion L. Steele High School. Job history: Third-generation owner of a construction business serving Amherst and the surrounding areas for over 65 years. Ohio registered architect. Ronald Yacobozzi, 69 Education: College Family: Married, two sons and two grandchildren Job history: Banking, entrepreneur/self-employed, currently own and operate 1st Nationwide Title Agency, Ltd. What makes you the best candidate for this position? GILLES: Amherst is my home, and I'm invested in our community. I bring 11 years of experience as a board member and played a key, decision-making role in our technology upgrades, the expansion of various educational programs and the arrival of a new school and community learning centers. At Main Street Amherst, I collaborate with businesses, citizens, teachers and students on events and initiatives that bring our community together. As a lifelong resident, parent and leader in the local business community, my unique mix of experience will help our school board solve problems and guide the district to the next level. MESSER: I would bring a more current student and parent voice to the board and the business of the school district. As an active PTO member and Nord PTO president, I would bring my energy, leadership and experience of working closely with both teachers and parents to the board. In addition to being a vocal advocate for all families in the district, I would add another voice for AEVSD Lorain families. I have grant writing experience from my profession and PTO leadership that will be helpful in seeking out and securing additional state and federal educational funds for our district. NEIDERT: I have a long history of district involvement, including being an active member of the PTO for 16 years, including roles of president, vice president and treasurer; a volunteer and treasurer for every district levy campaign since 2002; and currently the treasurer of the Comet Athletic Boosters. As a member of the school board since 2006, I have leveraged my financial and human resource management experience to expand opportunities for our students and staff and enhance school facilities, all while building the financial health of our district and keeping our community's property taxes as some of the lowest in Lorain County. WACHHOLZ: As a graduate and now active parent of the Amherst school system, my personal experiences and current involvement in the district will bring a fresh voice and perspective to the Amherst Board of Education. I would be a public servant who listens to all stakeholders, does research and asks questions. I am proud to raise my young family in the Amherst community and have a vested interest in seeing our district thrive. WITTE: As an owner of a construction business and a registered architect, I can offer insight into facilities management and infrastructure. Business ownership has provided experience in fiscal responsibility, retention of employees and delivering a quality product with professional service. I am experienced in giving back, including serving on the board of the Amherst Historical Society, being a committee member for Citizens for Economic and 7 Districts Plan for Lorain County government, and I have donated design and construction services for saving of the center court for the former Powers Elementary gym, the new Patriots Park in downtown Amherst, the American Legion, Family Promise and St. Joseph Church. YACOBOZZI: After 17 years of banking experience, 31 years of being self-employed, serving on numerous boards and 43 years as a member of the Amherst Board of Education, I've developed extensive skills in planning, organizing, leading, controlling and fiscal responsibility. I've actively participated in shaping the Amherst Schools into a positive, high-performing district, while at the same time keeping our taxes among the lowest in Lorain County. My involvement in the Amherst community over the past four decades has served to keep me in touch and provided me with a greater appreciation of the heartbeat of Amherst. Experience matters. What is the biggest challenge facing the school district and how would you address it? GILLES: Our biggest challenge is maintaining our progress while continuing to build community relationships. The AEVSD has worked hard to be financially stable while enhancing our educational programs, keeping high-quality staff and upgrading facilities. As a board member and member of the Facilities Advisory Committee, I helped make the decisions to place us on this path. We must continue to work closely with staff, administrators and community members. AEVSD's strength plays a major role in ensuring that Amherst remains a great place to live, work, play and invest. These uncertain times require proven leadership and experience to protect what we built. MESSER: The biggest challenge in our school district is a mutual disconnect between the current school board with the faculty, staff, parents, and community. If elected, I would encourage more board member visibility, communication and interaction with teachers and staff at school events and meetings. I would also drive efforts for more collaboration between the board, parents, and other community members to help carry out the mission and business of the school district. It takes the entire community to educate a student, and it begins with positive, mutual working relationships between the district administration and the community it serves. NEIDERT: I want our students to have every advantage possible as they leave high school. We need to continually innovate and improve the curriculum, technology, facilities and staff to ensure our students are well prepared for their next phase of life and beyond. Examples of these improvements include the partnership we implemented with Lorain County Community College, which helps students earn college credit while still in high school; the renovated media centers, which enable new technology-based teaching methods; upgraded educational spaces and athletic facilities, which are also available for use by the community; and the addition of school resource officers for student safety. WACHHOLZ: While talking to parents in town, I have heard concerns regarding students on the highest and lowest ends of the spectrum. Concerns include a lack of handicap accessible bathrooms in school buildings and lack of online class options for students with special needs. I'm also concerned that gifted and enrichment programs have been phased out for some high-achieving students. Everyone has different gifts. We should be celebrating and encouraging that. I will work with the board members and administration to locate and implement the most inclusive programs for all students attending our schools. WITTE: I believe there is a lack of accessibility to the board and the content of the curriculum. I would like to improve parent and community involvement by making the board more accessible and increasing public participation, assess the curriculum and keep it relevant to providing valuable skills desired by employers and promote a passion for lifelong learning, promote the ability of teachers to be enthusiastic about their areas of concentration and allow a variety of paths for students to pursue their interests while obtaining the foundational knowledge required for success. YACOBOZZI: The biggest issue facing the Amherst school system is state funding, which is an issue the state of Ohio has not yet effectively dealt with. By constantly working with our treasurer, superintendent and board, we have made significant adjustments to our finances, facilities and our entire educational system, which has made Amherst fiscally solid through at least 2025. We must continue to protect our progress while remaining focused on student achievement, but we cannot predict the next moves from the state regarding funding or report cards. --Jason Hawk