This week's recap just captures election-related news and highlights a couple noteable articles. Comprehensive weekly news recaps will return soon, but right now our priority is candidate and election information.
We're working on a comprehensive Voter's Guide, which will be available mid-March. Endorsements from several organizations will be shared next week.
Candidate news
Mark Reynolds is running for Decatur School Board to focus on math, reading, and science, especially for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. He made this decision after serving as a substitute teacher for a couple months at Hope Academy, Franklin Grove, and Montessori, thinking he could make a "better impact on the board." He says "we need to stop socially advancing children that aren't ready to advance," expressing concern that "we have a generation of children out there right now that we have lost" because they cannot read well enough.
School Security is not "a high priority on my list," says Mark Reynolds. He says school discipline "is a big challenge." He says it will take time to resolve problems in the schools and that he should be evaluated based on test scores after four years.
He says "we need to get the teachers, the administration, and the board together" to come up with a plan that "we all can get behind, and all feel good about, and then work on it."
Bill Clevenger is currently serving on the Decatur School Board, after being appointed to fill a vacancy on September 12th, 2022. He is now running for the April 2023 School Board race, hoping to continue serving. His platform, written by himself, is available, and a summary is coming soon.
School Expulsions
Three students were expelled on Tuesday, which School Board Member & Candidate Bill Clevenger voted "yes" for.
All School Board members agreed the students needed to be removed from the Schools, but three current members voted "no" because they'd rather see the students go to an alternate education program like Miligan Academy, than be completely removed from school for over a year.
Valerie Wells writes:
"It's a tough vote, but we cannot continue on the same path we've been on because if we keep doing the same thing, we get the same result," said board member Bill Clevenger. "Dr. Clark, I commend you for taking strong, decisive action."
Write-in Candidates
Marcy Rood is a write-in candidate for Richland Trustees. There are three open positions, and two candidates are named on the ballot. Marcy is the third candidate, so there is still no competition for any of the seats. Macy also ran for County Board in 2022, but lost.
Quoting Herald & Review (though reformatting into a list) there are additional write-in candidates:
- Craig Jones (six-year term) and Danny Lowe (unexpired, two-year term) for Harristown Fire Protection District trustee
- Gregory Briggs for Friends Creek Park District commissioner
- Kent Howell for Whitmore Park District commissioner
- Mike Conlin and Aaren Rutan for an unexpired two-year term on the Central A&M school board
- L. Craig Corzine for a full term on the Central A&M school board
- and John Vander Burgh for Okaw Valley school board.
Candidate Withdrawals
These withdrawals were covered last Friday, but we share them again because Herald & Review recently covered the withdrawals.
Jalynn Walker withdrew from the Decatur School Board race to focus on her three kids, work, and other community activities. She will still be on the ballot, though votes for her will not be counted.
Jalynn endorsed Will Wetzel and Jacob Jenkins who remain in the race for Decatur School Board.
Datrice Weathers withdrew from the Decatur School Board race on February 16th. She will still be on the ballot, too, since she withdrew after ballot certification. Datrice endorsed Will Wetzel for Decatur School Board.
Gina Taylor withdrew from the Maroa-Forsyth School Board race.
John Leech Jr. withdrew from the Ward 2 Alderman race in the City of Maroa.
Noteable stories
- Candidate Withdrawals & Write-in candidates
- Decatur schools follow through on violence crackdown promise - three students were expelled Tuesday & four more hearings were scheduled for Thursday. The article discusses alternate education options & the views of three candidates who advocated for alternate ed instead of a year or more of expulsion.
- Decatur man accused in rare voter fraud case - accused of voting twice in the 2022 primaries. Judge James Coryell presiding.
- Area districts try creative strategies to address teacher shortage
- Judge change in Decatur couple child rape and CSAM case - CSAM stands for "Child Sexual Abuse Material"
- Decatur Public Schools announces new diversity, equity, and inclusion superintendent
- Early voting underway in Macon County
- Amanda Honn is the new Catholic Charities director for Decatur area
- Community group meetings in Decatur
- LSA to become Unity Christian School this summer
- What you missed this week in notable Decatur and Macon County crimes and court cases
- Caterpillar and UAW reach a tentative contract agreement, averting strike