SIDNEY — Four candidates are seeking three seats on the Sidney City Schools Board of Education during the Nov. 7 election.

Running for the seats are incumbent Nicole New, 44, of Sidney; and newcomers Laurie Kimmel, 43, of Sidney; Lenora Randolph, 50, of Sidney; and Stephanie Wilson, 48, of Sidney. Incumbents Bob Smith and Michele Lott did not seek re-election.

Kimmel is a teacher. She is married and has two children and two bonus daughters.

New is employed with Shreves Construction Company. She and her husband, Chad, are the parents of three children, Hailey, Conley and Jeffrey.

Randolph is involved in human resources. She and her husband, Brett, have been married for 23 years and have lived in Sidney for ore than 25 years. They have one daughter, Riley, who is a sophomore at Sidney High School.

Wilson is the director of souring, GE Aerospace/TDI. She and her husband, Chuck, are the parents of two children, Delaney, 21, who is the interim executive director at the Historic Sidney theatre, and Kade, 16, who is a junior at Sidney High School.

Prior experience

Kimmel: “As an educator for 19 years, and also sitting on the English Language Arts Content Advisory Committee Passage Review team for the Ohio Department of Education, I have a knowledge of standards, state testing, and the internal workings of teachers and students. This gives me prior experience for a seat on the Sidney Schools Board of Education.”

New: “After filling a vacant seat, I’ve been serving on the board for the last two years.”

Randolph: “I obtained my Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Northern University and my Master’s degree from Bluffton College. I have over 25 years of Human Resource experience, spending 18-plus of those years in leadership roles in both professional, manufacturing and healthcare settings. Community service includes former advisory board member for Wilma Valentine Creative Learning Center, former board member, executive board member and past board president for Shelby County United Way (SCUW). I am a current committee member with the YMCA Child Development Committee, a community volunteer for the SCUW and a member of POWER, SCUW women’s initiative.”

Wilson: “çExperience and Expertise: My profession as a Sourcing Director; and overall background in Organizational Development and Supply Chain; equips me with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions that benefit our schools.”

Why are you running for office?

New: “Since joining the board, I’ve found myself surrounded by incredible, community-minded board members who all have the same objective in mind. We are a group of individuals working toward a common goal of continuing to make Sidney City Schools great for our students, staff, and taxpayers. After serving the district for the last two years, I feel as if we’re just getting started, and am excited for the opportunity to continue to serve and be a part of the many great things to come.”

Randolph: “I am passionate about servant leadership and possess both professional career and community leadership experience that I feel would be an asset to serving our community on the Sidney City School board. My husband and I have resided in Sidney for over 25 years and our daughter is a sophomore at Sidney High School. I have a vested interest in Sidney City Schools. I would like to be part of preserving the core values that have shaped our community and work toward improving the quality of our school system with the focus on student achievement.”

Wilson: “I am running for a position on the school board because I am deeply committed to ensuring the success and well-being of our community’s students. Education is the cornerstone of a thriving society, and serving on the school board allows me to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our children and the overall quality of education in our district. I have been an active member of our community for several years, volunteering in various educational and extracurricular capacities. Running for the school board is a natural extension of my commitment to our community’s growth and success.”

Kimmel: “I am running for office because I have a desire to incorporate my education background into the conversations and decisions being made at the board level. I have very young children in the district with two completely different sets of needs. I hope to be part of a team that wants the very best for the students of Sidney City Schools. I also have a strong desire to see our school system matching the amazing revitalization happening in our city. I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of this.”

What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?

Randolph: “If elected, I desire to promote a balanced approach to education that respects diverse perspectives and values. The number one focus is the students and their success. I would be a collaborative member of the board and work cohesively to continue moving Sidney City Schools forward. Supporting our teachers and staff as they work towards student success is key. I am committed to upholding the values that have benefited our community, preparing our students for a promising future.”

Wilson: “If elected to the school board, I have several key goals and aspirations that I hope to accomplish during my tenure. These goals are centered on improving our educational system, fostering a nurturing learning environment, and enhancing the overall quality of education for our students. This includes implementing innovative teaching methods, and ensuring that our students have access to the best educational resources; including technology and 21st-century skills. Responsible financial stewardship is also critical, which includes appropriate resource allocation to ensure our schools receive the funding needed to provide a well-rounded education.”

Kimmel: “I come from parents that have made an effort to model for me how to give back to our community. My mother was on a local Board of Education for 12 years and my stepfather was the former fire chief of Sidney. My father was the missions director of my church for many years as well. I desire to accomplish being a part of a Board of Education that believes in the success of our schools and finds ways to continue to grow our district. There are so many great things happening already, and I want to be a part of bringing even more to the table.

New: “Since joining the board, I’ve found myself surrounded by incredible, community-minded board members who all have the same objective in mind. We are a group of individuals working toward a common goal of continuing to make Sidney City Schools great for our students, staff, and taxpayers. After serving the district for the last two years, I feel as if we’re just getting started, and am excited for the opportunity to continue to serve and be a part of the many great things to come.”

What do you feel needs to be done to make your board of education more successful?

Wilson: “To make our board of education more successful, a comprehensive approach involving various stakeholders, cooperation, and strategic initiatives is needed. Transparency and accountability are imperative. Implementing and maintaining transparent practices in decision-making and resource allocation; driving financial responsibility through resource allocation with the long-term health of the district in mind. Promoting effective governance through streamlining bureaucratic processes to improve efficiency of decision-making. Driving Educational Excellencethrough support of initiatives that enhance the quality of education including teacher training and innovative learning methods. These actions collectively will help to make the board of education more successful through effective governance, promoting responsive leadership, and ensuring the well-being of our students and staff.”

Kimmel: “The Board of Education’s success comes from members having a common goal. I believe that my goal of seeing the students of SCS receiving the very best there is to offer would certainly match the goals of the other board members. I look forward to working as a team in continuing the positive direction the school is heading.”

New: “The board needs to continue to be transparent, allowing the taxpayers to understand why and how decisions are being made.”

Randolph: “The focus should be on moving forward, meeting modern educational standards and requirements but also guarding our essential subjects. I feel enhancement to our success requires us to prioritize and return to fundamental values and principles. Encouraging greater parental involvement and community participation, transparency and accountability in financial matters are all critical to success. I believe finding a balanced approach that respects diverse viewpoints and values with prioritizing academic excellence is key. Supporting and promoting a respectful environment where differing viewpoints are both valued and acknowledged. I believe these key principles help build a stronger school board.”

If elected, how will you open the lines of communication between yourself and the people you represent?

Kimmel: “I believe transparency is very important. If elected, I will make myself available with my social media platform as well as continuing my communication with the community as I have in the past.

New: “We currently have a board who tries to operate with complete transparency. We encourage our parents, staff and taxpayers to attend monthly meetings or to contact us with questions or concerns.”

Randolph: “If elected, I am committed to promoting transparent and open lines of communication with those I represent. I believe seeking a balance that respects individual rights and freedoms while ensuring an inclusive and comprehensive education for all is paramount. Every student deserves a safe learning environment and deserves the same opportunity to learn, grow and achieve academic success. And every parent or guardian deserves access to those who provide that environment. I would work to bridge any gaps that may exist between the school board and our community, ensuring voices are heard and values are respected.”

Wilson: “I feel the current administration and board do a great job responding to questions and concerns in the community. Opportunities to express concerns from community members at the monthly Board Meetings should continue; along with the periodic updates from Mr. Humble on current “district happenings.” Some additional measures to support effective communication and transparency would be a continued online presence on various social media platforms; and multiple feedback channels such as online surveys, suggestion boxes; etc.; providing additional avenues to community members to voice their concerns.”

What challenges do you feel your school district faces today?

New: “We as a district are working hard to face the ongoing challenges of getting our students caught up after the pandemic. Losing time in the classroom was difficult on all students, and to break the snowball effect, our staff is working diligently to get these students back on track. Another major concern is schools nationwide continue to be plagued with staffing issues. Current teachers are leaving the workforce and those entering are choosing other career paths. The district is already looking at ways to combat this but, unfortunately, I believe this will continue to be an issue for all districts.”

Randolph: “The political division that surrounds education proves to be an ongoing theme that is not unique to Sidney City Schools. With various groups advocating for different approaches to curriculum, teachers training, budgets and administrative decisions; we are faced with the task of navigating the difficult landscape that face school systems and school boards with changing societal norms. The new norms are born from diverse values and evolving educational standards. Finding a balance and path forward to provide the best possible education for students and maintain community cohesion”

Wilson: “School districts face a range of challenges today and will continue to grapple with evolving issues in the future. These challenges are shaped by societal changes, educational advancements, and local dynamics. Achieving equitable access to quality education remains a significant challenge. Disparities in resources, opportunities, and outcomes persist. As technology advances, schools must keep pace. Funding challenges are often an issue, which can impact salaries and program offerings. Attracting and retaining high-quality educators. Adapting to changing state and federal policies; to name a few. To address these challenges, schools require strong leadership, community support, and a commitment to continuous improvement.”

Kimmel: “Funding will always be an issue at the local level until Ohio develops a better formula for school funding. Another challenge are state mandates that try to fit all school systems into a one size fits all model. The needs our school system faces is different from our county schools and our diverse population has our own set of needs that doesn’t fit into a cookie cutter answer.”

Additional comments:

Randolph: “Servant Leadership is important to me and I am passionate about our schools, community and Shelby County. I understand that those who serve on Sidney City School board are filing a vital role. This is a role that shapes the future and maintains the quality of education within our local area. A role that allows contribution to the betterment of the community and the education of our youth. It would be a privilege to serve on this board and I ask for your support. Please vote Lenora Randolph for Sidney City School Board. “

Wilson: “In summary, my decision to run for the school board is driven by my passion for education, my commitment to the community, and my desire to create a brighter future for our students. I believe that my unique blend of experience, skills, and dedication makes me a strong candidate for this important role.”

Kimmel: “I would appreciate your vote on Nov. 7!”

New: “Sidney City Schools has provided my three children with incredible education. Serving on school board is just one way I can give back to our amazing district. I believe strong schools correlate directly to strong community growth and development. Investing in our children and preparing them for their future is of the utmost importance.”