FORT LORAMIE — One incumbent and three newcomers will vie for three seats on the Fort Loramie Local Schools Board of Education in the Nov. 3, 2015, election.
Tracy Drees, Vernon F. Siegel Jr. and Jennifer Wilt seek election. Diane L. Pleiman, the current board president, seeks re-election. They recently answered questions asked by the Sidney Daily News.
“I consider community service one of our civic duties,” Pleiman said of why she has chosen to run again. “I believe I am able to listen to and represent the members of our community and act in the best interest of our students, staff and administration.” Pleiman, who has also served as vice president of the board of education, thinks that funding, Common Core content standards, student assessment and school safety are challenges the new board will have to meet.
“The board is vigilant about the budgeting process and ensures good financial stewardship of the district’s funds. It is the responsibility of the board of education to set policy to enable our teachers and administrators to work together to ensure safety,” she said.
Wilt, too, thinks that school safety is a prime concern.
“I will have to understand any state laws or guidelines in place and then work with the rest of the school board and local law enforcement to figure out a plan that works best,” she said.
Siegel said that he had not heard of any major challenges when he had attended board meetings, “but I am eager to learn more.”
Drees worries about complacency.
“To remain strong, organizations must constantly challenge the status quo and strive for continuous improvement to better themselves,” she said. “As a board member, I would ask questions and strive to learn with the hopes that my business expreience could complement that of the other members to help make the district even better.”
Drees earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business and has been certified as a public accountant. During 24 years in the private sector, she has held various financial and management positions and has served as chief financial officer for the last eight years.
“I’m analytical and like to ask questions to understand processes, problems and alternatives. I’m a driven individual and have a strong desigre to serve on the board. I would commit to being a good steward for the district residents of their concerns,” she said. She has lived in the district for 20 years and has two children in school. She has never held elective office.
Siegel has four children enrolled in Fort Loramie schools.
“I find that I’m having more of an interest in the shcool board. It’s a way for me to know what is happening and/or going to happen within the school,” he said. This is the first time he has run for office.
“While I have not held an elective office in the past, I have held leadership positions in organizations and on teams which directly affect educational programs,” said Wilt. “I am running … because I want to make a positive difference for the students at Fort Loramie Schools.”
Wilt is a 1988 Fort Loramie graduate who attended the University of Dayton. She has been an active member of the Fort Loramie ACE academic boosters for 10 years and has two children in the school system. Another has already graduated. Her mother was a teacher and administrator in the district and sat on the county school board.
Pleiman is running for her second term.
“In addition to being an experienced member of the board of education, I have 20 years of experience in management/leadership in healthcare. I have a master’s in business administration from Wright State University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Findlay. The strengths I bring to this office include integrity, critical thinking, collaboration, effective communication skills and the ability to listen,” she said.
