Thoughts on Kent Board of Education candidates, Portage issues | Along The Way
Kent's schools have so far escaped the negative influences that have damaged some of their neighboring Summit County schools, but do not take that for granted.
That was my most important takeaway from the last week’s Kent League of Women Voters “Face 2 Face,” the forum that gives candidates and those championing tax issues the opportunity to explain themselves. The forum was held in Pierson Hall at the United Methodist Church. The Kent Board of Education has two openings that will be filled by those seeking the vote in the November election.
Rebekah Wright Kulis, who has served on the Kent Board of Education for 16 years and is running for another four-year term, explained the good fortune of Kent schools and the Kent Board of Education by calling them a “no drama” operation.
Board members, she said, respect the professionalism of the school librarians to decide what books should be on their shelves. Board meetings, she said, are conducted in an atmosphere in which respect and civility are considered important. I decided that Kent schools are fortunate to have Rebekah Wright Kulis on the board of education.
Alicia Crowe, the other incumbent appointed last July to fill the vacancy created when longtime board member Pamela Ferguson moved out of the district, brings impressive credentials with her candidacy. She is Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education and Student Services in Kent State’s College of Education, Health, and Human Services and in her position at KSU, is committed to student success.
Good schools are a primary reason why people choose to buy a home in Kent. A diverse community, as opposed to a more homogenous and wealthy community like nearby Hudson, Kent Schools nevertheless provide wonderful opportunities for their students and a stable, professionally behaving board of education, is a key to their success.
Portage issues on Nov. 7 ballot
The other topics aired at “Face 2 Face” were issues 29, 30, and 31.
Issue 29 concerns a renewal and consolidation of a 2-mill and a 0.9-mill levy to support the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities. As Issue 29 means no new taxes, this should be a no-brainer. The money matches federal and state money that provides trained caregivers to help the disabled enjoy participating in society with the rest of us and exercise their potential. The people of Portage County have never rejected a levy to help those with disabilities. Hundreds of local individuals and families depend on our support and we must not falter.
Issue 30, the Portage County Mental Health and Recovery Board proposal, would replace its current 1-mill levy, due to expire, with a new 1-mill levy to reflect current real estate values. It will generate a slight increase in tax revenues for Coleman Health Services, Townhall II, a Substance Abuse Coalition, an addiction helpline, programs to battle alcohol addiction, opioid addiction, and suicide, as well as programs that work with young people in our schools. These challenges are huge, and the one mill is certainly deserved.
Issue 31 is the Portage Parks District’s 1-mill replacement and additional levy. Currently, Portage residents support a half-mill levy that is set to expire next year. The Portage Park District during the 10 years of its funding has brought in $7 million in grant money for a return on our investment of 60 percent. Under the leadership of Chris Craycroft, the park district has grown from beautiful Towners Woods to a park system of 2,750 acres with 17 miles of hike and bike trails that all can access for free. Eventually, nearly every township and municipality in Portage County will have a park close by that is part of the Portage County Park District. One of the most popular newer parks has been Trail Lake Park in Streetsboro with its 1.6-mile paved multipurpose trail, picnic areas, a fishing pier, a kayak launch, and restroom. If you want to preserve Portage County’s rural heritage, your Portage Park District is your friend because its conservation mission protects the land. The levy will cost the owner of a $200,000 home about $70 per year. That certainly seems like a worthwhile investment.
KSU musicians impress
On a completely different topic, Kent State’s near 300-member marching band put on quite a show at the recent Saturday football contest between the Flashes and the Miami RedHawks.
Kent State lost 23-3, but the marching band was stellar and boosted spirits. Kent State has incentivized band membership with a $500 per semester scholarship. That puts the KSU marching band on the same level as what the University of Akron provides for its marching band.
The next day, the Kent State Orchestra on campus in Cartwright Hall with its new conductor, Dr. Jacob Schnitzer, also was stellar and I hope that means KSU can have a great band and a great orchestra. Schnitzer is animated and athletic and gets a lot out of his musicians. Their performance of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony brought a standing ovation.
David E. Dix is a retired Record-Courier publisher.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Thoughts on Kent school board candidates after voter forum | David Dix
