Two challenging incumbent for two seats on Black River school board

Daniel Sexton Age: 56 Education: Black River High School graduate Family: Wife of 33 years, Leslie; two children, Danielle Napier and Joshua Sexton; two grandchildren Job history: Sixteen years as vice president of operations for a security company; currently IT for the Lorain Correctional Institution Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Adam Woolfrom Age: 40 Education: Associate degree Family: Wife, Amanda; children Alex and Andrew Job history: Senior systems engineer SULLIVAN -- Incumbent Daniel Sexton is facing off against Jeremy Holly and Adam Woolfrom in the November election. Voters will choose two of the three candidates to represent their interests on the school board. Holly did not respond to requests for information. What makes you the best candidate for the position? Sexton: Operations is a big part of what makes me the best candidate. I interview a lot of people and feel like I'm able to read people. Also my history and experience -- when I finish my term here, I'll have 12 years on the board. Woolfrom: Being a Black River graduate myself and living in the community for a majority of my life, I believe I have an understanding of what the community wants and needs. Having a child that has recently graduated from Black River and a child in Black River's preschool, I have a vested interest in the curriculum being taught to our children. Finally, I embrace change and would be open to hearing new ideas from anyone. What is the biggest challenge facing the school district and how would you address it? Sexton: The biggest issue is funding and losing our kids to home schooling. We're trying to entice kids to come back. We've made campus a nicer place to look at. We've waived all school fees and pay-to-play. We're trying to make the schools better for all staff and students. We have good teachers, and we want to keep them here and make them happy as well. That is our goal. The state is making cuts every year and cutting funds for schools. It's a never-ending battle. Obviously, state funding is an issue. Our goal is to not have a new levy. Woolfrom: The biggest issue that the district has faced recently is around finances. I would work with the administration to continue to evaluate the changes that have been put into place to ensure they are still viable. If changes are made to any tax code at the state level, we would have to act quickly to see if and how it would impact the financial forecast. — Christina Jolliffe