Four candidates are vying for three spots on the Amherst school board

Teresa L. Gilles Age: 59 Education: Bryant and Stratton College Family: Married to Paul for 38 years;three sons David, 37; Derek, 36, and Daniel, 33 Job history: Main Street Amherst executive director for 22 years Holly C. Koepp Age: 44 Education: Bachelor's degree in education from Baldwin Wallace University; master's degrees in special education and sports education, Ashland University Family: Daughter Jovi C. Koepp, 8; son Jude F. Koepp, 11 Job history: 22 years of teaching in public schools, including 14 years as a teacher in Lorain Schools (general education and special education); eight years as a special education teacher at Lorain County Joint Vocational School; summer school instructor at Lorain County Juvenile Detention Center Amanda Messer Age: 46 Education: Ph.D., chemical and biomolecular engineering, University of Nebraska Lincoln; master of science, chemical engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute; bachelor of science, mechanical engineering, Kettering University Family: Husband, Matt Messer; three sons in ninth, eighth, and fifth grades Job history: Clinical research project manager, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, since 2022; lead research technologist, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 2020-22 Website: https://facebook.com/StudentsFirst2025 Valerie K. Neidert Age: 61 Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting Family: Married to Duane A. Neidert 39 years; parents to Duane and Brittany Job history: Office manager at Lowe Trial Lawyers Co., LPA for 15 years Website: facebook.com/Neidertforschoolboard Four candidates are running for three open slots on the Amherst Exempted Village School District board. Two candidates — Teresa Gilles and Amanda Messer — are incumbents. One challenger, Valerie K. Neidert, is a former member and longtime volunteer seeking a return to the board. Another challenger, Holly C. Koepp, is a political newcomer and longtime teacher. If elected, the winners will serve four-year terms. The district serves about 3,600 students. What makes you the best candidate for the position? GILLES: I'm running for reelection because of my passion for our community and school district. With 15 years of board experience, I understand what has worked and what can be improved to meet the district's current needs. My 22 years as executive director of Main Street Amherst have built lasting relationships with local businesses and community leaders who care deeply about our schools. These connections allow me to bring valuable insights back to the board. If reelected, I will continue strengthening communication, promoting financial stability, and enhancing programs that benefit our students and families. KOEPP: With 22 years of experience as a public-school teacher — with the majority of it being in special education — and as a single mother of two school-age children, I bring a unique dual perspective to the school board. I understand the system both as an educator and a parent, making me a natural connector between families, teachers, and administrators. I'm committed to fostering inclusive, transparent, and student-focused policies, and I'll work tirelessly to ensure every child has an opportunity to access a quality education. MESSER: The Amherst school district community deserves board leadership that is student-centered, community-inclusive, and results-driven. In my first term, I focused on balancing my new responsibilities of school governance and policy making with parent volunteering and teacher support. I also helped create a culture where parents and community are more engaged and participate in district business and programs. My passion to serve my district community remains strong, and I would be incredibly honored to serve a second term on the Amherst school board to continue providing all students with the best learning environment and experience possible. NEIDERT: Since our children started school, I have been actively involved in volunteering in the schools: 16 years as PTO member, president, vice president and treasurer and worked in every levy campaign since 2002; member of the Amherst school board from 2006 through 2013; and again from 2018 through 2021. My guiding principle has been to improve education for the students while being fiscally responsible to taxpayers. Treasurer of Comet Athletic Boosters; Deep background in financial management, including a bachelor's degree in accounting and lots of experience. My current position is office manager for Lowe Trial Lawyers Co., LPA. What is the biggest challenge facing the school district and how would you address it? GILLES: Right now with decreased state and federal funding and a levy on the ballot, my main priority is keeping this district away from further deficit spending and ensuring that we can maintain the quality teachers, programs and supports that we know our families need. It ultimately depends on the results of our upcoming levy. But being able to fund the components of a quality education is my main objective now, because inflation, decreased funding and other factors have made that less than certain. KOEPP: The school district's biggest challenge is the misallocation of funds, which undermines educational quality. Resources often fail to reach where they are needed most. This issue can be resolved through greater accountability and transparency — clear reporting, public oversight, and participatory budgeting would ensure that spending aligns with student needs and community priorities. MESSER: FUNDING. Amherst EVSD runs its programs and operations in a fiscally responsible and lean manner, while finding alternative funding sources to support new programs and services. This is evidenced by the school district not putting a new operating levy on the ballot since 2012. Unfortunately, HB 920 and recent Ohio legislation capped the state share of school funding to unconstitutional levels with more cost shifting to local taxpayers. I will continue to advocate for constitutionally appropriate levels of school funding and encourage my district community likewise; and increase my district community's awareness of legislative actions that affect local school funding. NEIDERT: The biggest challenge the district is facing is the financial status. We are currently deficit spending. We need to increase our level of local funding as the state continues to reduce our share of state funding. We are currently working on an earned income tax levy campaign. Our previous levies have been based on property taxes, so this earned income tax levy requires lots of education in order to help our community understand the levy and the need, so they can make their choice to vote yes on Nov. 4. — Rini Jeffers