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Large field for Waterloo school board: Eight people seek two seats; communication, grades among candidate priorities

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Colin McEwen
October 28, 2009

 

By Colin McEwen

Record-Courier staff writer

Eight people are running for two seats in the hotly contested race for Waterloo Board of Education.

They are Tara Bolanz, Jason Dean Braddock; Cynthia Franks; Steve Jones; Matthew L. Montgomery; Brian Pusateri; Brian Trautman; and Dianne M. Whittlesey.

Candidates with varying levels of experience are pitted against each other. Some want to shake things up. Others don’t. Most said they hope to improve communication between the board and the residents.

Political signs dot the landscape in Randolph and Atwater, with a high concentration on S.R. 44 and Waterloo Road.

The candidates all have different qualifications; live in different areas; and have different goals should they be elected.

Tara Bolanz

Bolanz, who is seeking her second term in office, said there is not much that needs changed.

She said in her four years serving the district, the current board has worked well together.

“I would like to continue to be positive,” she said. “I am very happy with our school system. I want to continue to be a part of it.... I think we should enjoy what we have.”

Jason Dean Braddock

Braddock, who is a teacher in the Streetsboro School District, said he wants to make a greater impact on students by creating honors classes.

“I feel that I can influence students by allowing teachers to do their job more effectively without rigors of policy,” he said. “I hope to get the community’s opinion expressed better.”

Cynthia Franks

Franks, a Waterloo graduate, said she is running in hopes of improving communication with the residents should she be elected.

“I’ve grown up here, my parents went to school here, we’ve been here a long time and I am not happy with the way things have been going,” she said. “If I am elected, I would like to work together with the community to further the education students are getting currently — without spending any more money.”

Steve Jones

Jones, who coaches youth football in Waterloo, said his campaign will focus on change.

“The board should be the liaison between the administration and the community,” he said, adding that among the changes he would make are updating the district’s Web site and raising the minimum GPA. “Here’s a coach saying we need to raise the minimum GPA. I want what the community wants.”

Matthew Montgomery

Montgomery, a science teacher in Canfield, said he is running because he is “highly involved” in education. He said he would like to add “an element of communication.”

“I am fascinated with education. I ran for Waterloo School Board when I was 18,” he said. “I thought I would take the opportunity to get involved again. I have more to offer now than I did when I was young. I have the education to back it, but I am battling the age.”

Brian Pusateri

Pusateri, who is seeking his sixth term on the board, said he hopes to establish an automated emergency call system, set up a system for parents to monitor their child’s grades and progress from home and offer dual credits toward college for graduating students.

“There’s work to be done, I think we’ve come a long way. I have a strong devotion to the Waterloo community. I just don’t think I can do enough.”

“We’ve got a tremendous education, and a great program.”

Brian Trautman

Trautman, a Randolph native and 1983 Waterloo graduate, said he wants to bridge a perceived gap between the school board and the community.

“I’ve been going to school board meetings for five years straight,” he said. “Of all the people running, I’m the only one who can say that. I keep seeing an obvious disconnect between the community and the school. I think it’s time we create a positive community interaction.

Dianne Whittlesey

Whittlesey, the owner of a Roots-town hair salon, said if elected, she would also improve relations with the community.

“The reason why I’m running is because I believe the Waterloo school board is in need of a major change,” she said, citing the need for improving communication. “I think that’s a large problem.” She also said she would increase the grade point average requirement and establish honors classes. “I think the school board needs to be run more like a business.”

 




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