by Jennifer Reece
Reporter
Hudson -- All three candidates seeking four-year terms on the School Board say they have a passion for education and are committed to helping Hudson schools.
But voters will have to decide Nov. 6 which two candidates they want to lead them into the year 2012.
Incumbent Gary Mushock, who has served the district since being appointed to his Board position in August 2006, faces political newcomers Tim Webster and Joy York.
Mushock, 43, took the place of former Board member Doug Whipple, who resigned his Board position after just seven months on the job.
Mushock said he applied for Whipple's position last year because he was bothered by the "turmoil" surrounding the Board when the future of so many children was at stake.
"You have to do everything you can to give them [kids] the best opportunities you have," Mushock said. "You only have one chance to raise a child and you have to do it right."
He stresses he is against those with "personal agendas" and prefers to focus on doing what is best to make Hudson students succeed. "There is a significant amount of work that needs to be done to continue to stabilize our school district and build upon the excellence we have," he said.
Mushock, a project management consultant, is married to Kim and has two children attending Hudson schools.
On the issue of whether to have traditional or reform mathematics in the school district -- an issue that has become controversial as of late -- Mushock acknowledges something needs to be done. However, he said he wants to hear more from the community before making a decision.
"I do know various view points need to be brought together and work toward a common goal," he explained.
"I have a very strong passion for education and for Hudson," Mushock said. "I can bring experience with managing budgets, analysis, strategic planning and objective decision-making to the Board and I think combining all of those is what we need."
Webster, meanwhile, said he believes education is the most important part of the community and he wants to contribute to the growth and development of the school system.
Webster, 50, is a director of loss prevention for the retailer Things Remembered. He is married to Terri and has two daughters in the Hudson school system.
It is, in part, his experience as a father, he said, that resulted in his decision not to support reform mathematics at the high school level. He said he saw the difficulty his own child experienced in math while going from eighth to ninth grade.
"The high school should stay as it is," Webster said. "I think it is a very strong program. I think eighth grade should have an algebra core course. I think grades kindergarten though eight need to strengthen their traditional based math."
While he is adamant about his stance on the math program, Webster said he is unsure when voters should see another property tax levy on the ballot.
"The Board should communicate very clearly to the community where it is financially," Webster said.
While the Board has indicated that voters could potentially see a tax levy on the ballot as early as 2008, Webster said a lot needs to be considered.
"Anyone who steps into the position has to recognize there are different sides," he explained.
If elected, Webster said he promises to listen to the input from the community.
"I am a consensus builder," he said. "I believe everyone has to work together despite differences in opinions or views. I will personally keep the community involved. Once I make a commitment, I live up to that commitment."
For York, being elected to the School Board would be an opportunity for her to restore confidence in the way Hudson schools are governed.
"Over the last few years, there have been several controversial issues that I feel have really taken the focus away from our most important priority, which is to have excellent schools," York said.
The married mother of one teenage son in the Hudson City School District, York has spent a lot of her time in Hudson schools.
She is serving her third term as Parent Teacher Organization president and has volunteered on a variety of boards and committees, including the school's strategic planning committee and superintendent selection committee.
"I really developed a passion for the community and for volunteering in the community," York said.
York said she would like to improve communication between the Board and the community. She also would like to form a legislative committee to help the state support school funding in Ohio.
Although she has heard quite a bit about the math controversy, she believes more research is needed before she can take a position.
"I think it is critical to have community input before recommendations are made," she said.
York said her well-rounded background, which includes being a store manager for Target Corp., makes her a good fit to help the schools succeed.
"I have been committed to the schools," York said. "I have proved that with my work and volunteer groups and through the PTA. It is part of my nature to be passionate about the community."
E-mail: jreece@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3145