16 • The Beacon October 21 , 2021
VOTE from Page 15
in my judgement , dependent on how the board goes about solving the problem . I know for certain after the elections it is the board ’ s intent to put together community-based committees to begin to discuss the alternatives . I also believe this is one of the ways the board can balance the need for quality education along with the help of the community to understand what is needed . I would not support just cutting teachers and / or administrators to save money . Again , I think the statement of “ kids first ” is the budget priority . How we meet that priority and move forward will depend on how we can restructure the River View District to save money and continue programs we currently have .
How do you feel about mask and / or vaccine mandates in schools ? Did not respond . How would you improve communication with parents and / or help make them feel like their voices are being heard ? Did not respond .
Matthew Cronin
Why are you running for this position ?
I am running because I grew tired of the way my children , especially foster children , were being treated . I am tired of feeling as if my voice as a parent is never heard or listened to . I am tired of watching a once great school district decline because of a lack of leadership from the current board .
What do you believe is one of the top issues facing your district and how would you start addressing it ?
One of the top issues River View is facing going forward is funding .
I personally do not feel a new levy is the answer , which is why I would not support one at this time . I feel we need to go back to the drawing board and be creative . We need to start looking at the donation and charitable side of things . I feel we should set up a donation system — a system that makes it easy for people to donate as much as they want whenever they want to the district . Make it known that money is not the only thing that can be donated . You could donate time as a volunteer . Let ’ s say you have a specific skill set . You could donate your time and that skill set to get things done the district needs done , like painting , cleaning , working concessions , et cetera .
I also believe we could do some charitable events , like what I like to call Black Bear Fest ,
a small festival held at either Warsaw Elementary or maybe at the high school / junior high where we maybe get a small entertainment company to come set up a small festival with bouncy houses and a couple rides for the older kids ; have some vendors , school boosters and games set up ; charge a small like $ 2- $ 3 entry fee ; and run it for a weekend . We have a contract set up where the entertainment company keeps , say for example , 50 % of the profits for coming and the district gets the other 50 % as a charitable donation . Again , it is just an idea , but ideas like these are where it starts .
How do you feel about mask and / or vaccine mandates in schools ?
I believe the children having to wear masks or get vaccines should always be the parents ’ choice . This is the United States of America , and people have fought and died to ensure we have that right , and none has the right to take that away , not even a school board for its district .
How would you improve communication with parents and / or help make them feel like their voices are being heard ?
First of all , I believe all school staff needs training in how to talk and engage with parents , to be able to engage in a way that does not come off condescending or arrogant . I also believe the board of education needs to set a policy stating there will be zero tolerance for any staff member belittling or being condescending to parents . I also think the staff should be wearing body cameras just like the police have to , to work with the public . This would help ensure such policies could be enforced .
There also needs to be a school policy that says the parents have the final say , and what they say goes , as every parent has the right to have their children educated the way they want them educated . Again , body cameras will help enforce this as every interaction will be recorded . This is an area personal to me because I have had this happen to me personally on many occasions .
Mindy Duncan
Why are you running for this position ?
I am 42 years old and a 1997 graduate of River View High School . I am married to Dan Duncan , and we have three sons — the oldest two we share with their mother Jennifer . Bryce is a 2019 graduate of River View High School
See VOTE Page 17
BUNDLE & SAVE INSTANTLY
WHEN YOU PURCHASE A QUALIFYING M18 FUEL DRIVING AND IMPACT WRENCH KIT
PLUS
A HAND TOOL OF AN ACCESSORY
REDLITHIUM ®
30 ” x36 ” Happy Pet Playpen 4 ’ x8 ’ Happy Pet Portable Weaning Unit
Feed Cart On Casters Delivery Available
In Stock
30 ” x60 ” Small Breed Weaning Whelping Unit
1201 Walnut St ., Coshocton www . coshoctonlumbercompany . com sales @ coshoctonlumberco . com HOURS : Mon . -Fri . 7:00am-5:00pm ; Sat . 8:00am-2:00pm
740-622-0198 | Fax : 740-622-2758 | Toll Free : 1-877-267-4562
BF-00526775
33906 State Route 643 Baltic , OH 43804
330-595-9900
• Stainless Steel
• Aluminum
• Plastic
• Poly
Call For A Free Catalog