Hudsonhubtimes.com - Five run for two 2-year terms on School Board

by Jennifer Reece

Reporter

Hudson -- The five candidates vying for the two, two-year terms on the School Board all say they have the children's best interests at heart and will work hard for Hudson taxpayers if elected Nov. 6.

Three incumbents -- Ken Claypoole, Bruce Hubach and Wilbur Veith -- are facing political newcomers Steve DiMauro and Bernard "Bernie" Mabrey.

Claypoole was appointed by a judge to serve on the Board in October 2006 after former Board member Karen Capone-Sheer resigned. Veith was appointed in July 2006 to take over for Stephen Funk, who resigned. Hubach is finishing his second term in office after first being elected in 1999.

Claypoole, who also served on the Board from 1994 to 1997, is a former high school teacher. The self-employed businessman is married and has two adult children.

Although controversy has surrounded the district's traditional and reform math programs over the past couple of months, Claypoole said the issue is nothing new to him. He said he did not support implementing reform math in the lower grade levels when he was on the Board years ago and will not support putting reform math at the high school now.

"As a high school math teacher, I've followed this issue for a long time," he said. "I believe our current program is preparing our kids for college in an excellent manner."

He also is strongly opposed to any property tax levy being placed on the ballot next year, and said that's one of the reasons voters should elect him to the Board.

"They should vote for me because I will oppose a levy in 2008 and I will push to keep our curriculum standards at a high level, in particular, our math program," Claypoole said.

DiMauro said that if he is elected to the Board, he will work to keep the district's curriculum competitive.

DiMauro, 36, is married to Gina and has a 16-month-old daughter. He and his family moved to Hudson in 2002 because of the school system.

"I am originally from the area and we moved back for the schools," he said. "I felt there was a need for someone who would act in our children's best interest and for the community at large."

DiMauro, an industry solution executive with IBM, said he will not take a stance on the math issue until he hears more from staff, students and parents.

"I applaud all of the people who have shown interest in both sides," DiMauro said. "It is difficult to say that there is a right or wrong answer."

He said if elected, he'll work for the good of everyone's children.

"We need people who are open and honest and have a high degree of integrity and will serve in the best interest of our children," DiMauro said.

Having already served two terms on the Board, Hubach said he is ready for two more years.

"I'm passionate about kids and about the district, which I think is the No. 1 asset we have in our town," he said.

Hubach, 51, is a manufacturing representative, who is married with two daughters. He has been both president and vice-president of the Board.

He said his re-election would bring integrity and experience to the position, and help to ease the transition for a relatively new slate of Board members.

"The critical issues would be negotiations [with staff] and the potential for another levy and to continue the excellence for education," Hubach said.

He is undecided on the math controversy and which type of program is best.

"I'm looking for a complete investigation between our administration and parents, and to come up with a plan that is best for the students in our district," he said.

Mabrey, 49, said he wants to serve on the Board to give back to a community that has been great for his family.

"My kids have grown up and thrived here," Mabrey said.

The retired marketing executive is married and has two children -- a junior at Hudson High School and a 2006 HHS graduate.

Mabrey said he is passionate about making sure the school district's curriculum continues to progress. He said he wants to make sure the students can remain competitive with those around the world.

"Standing still is moving backwards," he said. "We've got to figure out way to make a great school system better."

He said he is committed to making Hudson one of the best school systems in the nation.

Although he said he has researched the district's math curriculum, he wants to hear more before forming an opinion.

"If parents are concerned about any curriculum, review is the right thing to do," he explained.

Veith, meanwhile, said he plans to finish the work he has started if he is elected Nov. 6.

"I think we've done an awful lot this year and accomplished a great deal," Veith said. "But in doing so, we haven't done as much as I would have liked. And the planning phase is an important part of what the Board is doing. I feel there is unfinished business."

Veith, a former college professor, is married with two grown sons. He believes the Board did a great job hiring a new superintendent and treasurer over the past year.

He said he does not know yet what the district should do about the math program.

"There is disconnect that I see," Veith said. "It will take some time for me to sort out."

If elected, Veith, 64, said he will work hard over the next two years.

"Voters have to decide if during this past year as Board president, things seemed positive," Veith said. "Are we getting in the news for positive reasons instead of negative? I think we are, and if they [voters] agree with me, then one would say they probably should keep that team in place."

E-mail: jreece@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3145