Reaching goals for teaching and facilities key to River View BOE candidates
WARSAW − Four candidates are seeking four seats on the River View Local Schools Board of Education. Three are incumbents, but the challenger is no stranger to the position.
The Rev. D. Cordell Brown first won a seat on the board in 2004 and lost it in 2021. He's the founder of Echoing Hills Village and has been involved with the Christian Stewardship Association, Christian Council on Persons with Disabilities, Governor's Committee for the Employment of the Handicapped, American College of Health Care Administrators, Ohio Health Association, Ohio Private Residential Association, American Camping Association, Warsaw Lions Club and Jaycees.
Evan Fischer is a 2002 graduate of River View High School, has worked in financial services for 11 years, including the past eight years at People Bank of Coshocton in the trust and investments division. He's finishing his first term on the school board, where he serves as vice president. He's also a member of the finance committee, legislative committee, negotiations committee and insurance and wellness committee.
Gail Gallwitz is also in her first term on the school board. She's been an educator for more than 20 years in area schools, resource centers and contract agencies with the roles of teacher, intervention specialist, school psychologist, administrator and educational consultant. She and her husband also operate Orchard Hill Repair. She has volunteer to paint the school playground and furniture for the new intermediate school library and has served in the school’s fair food stand and the football concession stand while also working to secure a victory bell for the school’s athletic complex.
David Lapp is in his seventh term on the board and has lived in the school district most of his life. He's the third generation owner of a family farm and has been a farmer all his life. He's a member of the FFA Alumni Association, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and serves as a supervisor with the Coshocton County Soil and Water District along with being a member of the Board of Directors for Coshocton Grain Company.
The candidates shared why they are running for office and their goals if elected.
Why are you running for River View Board of Education?
Brown: I believe in my experience of 16 years on the River View School Board, plus the 19 years on the Coshocton Career Center Career Center board. I have a historical perspective and am totally committed to advancing River View and the Career Center. Currently, the Career Center has the largest number of students in its history. (Superintendent Matt) Colvin and I get along very well as I am currently serving as chairperson and would like to continue doing so.
Fischer: I’m running for another term for many of the same reasons I ran in 2019. My wife and I have two daughters currently in the district and I also have nephews and nieces in RV. I have a vested interest to make sure we are offering them and our community’s children the best educational experience we can while setting the district up for success well into the future. In 2019, I knew the district was facing difficult decisions and significant challenges ahead with aging buildings, financial losses due to economic impacts like the closure of AEP and declining enrollment. I wanted to be a part of the solution and help do my part to meet these challenges and guide RV toward a positive vision and path to success. As an alumnus of River View, I take great pride in where our district has been. We’ve made significant strides in improvement since 2020 and I want to continue that work and help fulfill our strategic goals over the next four years.
Gallwitz: I want great schools for my children and yours. River View has a strong tradition of excellence I would like to see continue. As a parent and community member I believe in a quality public education for every student. It is my mission to be a good steward of public resources provided to help our school district meet this obligation. Our children are our future and I believe our schools are the greatest asset of our community. They provide valuable opportunities for our children to develop academic and social skills that prepare them for their future. Our schools also serve as a source of community growth and pride because oftentimes the school is a place where new ideas can be cultivated and our graduates reflect back on their formative years as a time that prepared them for the rest of their lives. I believe my experience as a professional educator and track record as a board member after completing my first term can help our school administration and community embrace our assets while also facing challenges that lie ahead. During my time as a board member I have experienced an international pandemic, significant revenue loss, contract negotiations, the hiring of a new superintendent and treasurer, as well as many other important decisions. After recently going through a relatively smooth process to restructure our district’s facilities to more efficiently serve our district’s current student enrollees, I would like the opportunity to help our district move forward.
Lapp: I seek re-election for the same reason today that I have in each of my previous campaigns. I want to give back to my community by doing what I can to offer an opportunity for a quality education in a safe environment for our students. I am grateful for those former board members who gave of themselves to do the same for me.
What are some of your goals for the coming term?
Brown: I want to continue with the renovation of the high school and middle school to best fit the needs of the current student population. I believe my past experience on the RV board is valuable and needed. It is also my hope to continue serving on the board at the Career Center, where I am currently serving as chairman and mentor to Colvin.
Fischer: Aging buildings is one of the most significant challenges for rural school districts and River View is facing that as well. We’ve addressed some of these challenges with the reconfiguration of our district that has seen the retirement of Union, Conesville and Keene elementary buildings. However, River View Elementary (formerly Warsaw Elementary) is the oldest remaining building in our district. We will eventually have to provide a long term building plan solution as we know we won’t be able to effectively or economically educate kids in this building for another century like we have already.Another major goal is the full implementation of our strategic plan. We have a strategic plan for the next five years that will help us focus on our specific goals. A summarized version can be found on the district’s website. The full 14-page strategic plan contains specific goals, steps and measurable indicators in the areas of teaching and learning, buildings and grounds, relationship building, financial planning and student life. This plan will be our living and breathing blueprint through 2028.
Gallwitz: Sustainable facilities planning is a great need for our school district. Now that we are down to three school buildings in our district configuration, I would like to see a comprehensive facilities audit be completed and attached to the creation of a River View Local Schools Facilities Management Plan so any spending or decisions about repairs or construction are part of a coordinated effort. This is something that occurs in larger public organizations frequently and can be replicated here. In the past I feel a reactionary approach has been utilized which has left our buildings outdated and neglected. By having a forward thinking plan in place we can budget and plan for improvements and new construction systematically and with confidence that we can take care of our facilities. Following COVID and the reconfiguration of our school district into grade leveled buildings, we have a tremendous opportunity to improve instruction and outcomes for our students. After receiving the district’s state report card results, I am excited to see how our staff and administration can more efficiently and effectively use the full complement of our district resources to focus on improving student achievement and addressing the needs of underperforming students. The teaching and learning goals and action steps part of our district’s newly developed strategic plan will guide our district curriculum vetting and adoption process, develop and strengthen our system of student intervention supports and will promote personalized learning experiences for our students and provide valuable professional development opportunities for our staff.
Lapp: As a board member I stand firm that we offer the opportunity of exposure to many different facets of learning to develop well-rounded young adults that are ready to step into either the workforce, the military or to further their education in their chosen professions. River View educators are successfully offering many levels of the so called basics for our students. A renewed focus on how this relates to everyday life skills emphasizes the educational importance not only in the workplace, but in successfully living as a family and community member. I am very pleased that we have been able to bring back many areas of study in art as well as a solid variety of extra-curricular opportunities for our students. Many of the classes and clubs are exposing their members to the importance of community service in all areas of our district. Our students are learning to budget finances and time and gain experience in planning projects and events through teamwork and collaboration with members of their community. These focuses are implemented by not solely the River View Board of Education. Brainstorming and strategic planning by administrators, staff, community members and students help us to lay out a timeline to achieve our goals and implement our plans in a timely manner. My goal as a candidate for re-election is to continue to carry out our goals and identify changes to our existing plan when necessary to provide the education and learning environment that best serves our students.
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: River View school board candidates tout their experiences
