The Ada Rotary Club hosted a 2021 Board of Education candidate forum in the Dicke Forum on the campus of Ohio Northern University. About 75 people attended in person and about 62 watched or listened online via Facebook. The video recording can be viewed at https://fb.watch/8E64W4lL6i/.

All active candidates for the two available seats on the board attended: 

1. Chase Archer introduced himself as small  business owner and constitutional conservative.
2. Adam Baumgartner introduced himself as a public school educator and parent who supports kids and school employees.
3. Denise D’Arca introduced herself as a teacher who raised her children in Ada and as the grandmother of an Ada kindergartener.
4. Incumbent board member Ron Fleming introduced himself as the father of three grown children and 3 grandchildren who have graduated from Ada schools.
5. Margaret “Peg” Gordon introduced herself (CORRECTION) saying the school board should be non-partisan. She has worked for the Ada schools coordinating theater productions and as a frequent substitute teacher.
6. Ted Griffith introduced himself as the parent of 3 children in the district who is active in agricultural organizations and coaches athletics.

Mike Willeke and Neil Dunbaugh have withdrawn their candidacies. Their names appear on the ballot, but votes for them will not count. The two highest vote getters will be elected as board members with terms beginning January 2022.

The event moderator was Rotary member John Neville. Jamie Hall served as time keeper.

The Rotary club invited the public to submit questions. The following questions were randomly delivered to candidates, who had 2 minutes to respond. The panel members could respond to each question as well and also had 2 minutes to respond.

1. How do you view the roles of a school board member versus the school administration?
2. What would you do if a parent calls to complain about a principal or teacher? What is your role as a board member?
3. How have you been active in or volunteered in the Ada Schools?
4. In light of public health recommendations, how can the board provide a safe and supportive health environment for the students and staff?
5. What would you do to help our school community come together?
6. What qualities, qualifications and experience will you look for in a new superintendent?
7. In what areas do you believe our school district is strong?
8. In what areas do you think our school district needs to improve?
9. How strong are our district’s finances?
10. Ohio has paused the state testing for now. How can we determine how are students are doing academically?
11. If you could make one change in the Ada School District, what would that change be?

At the time of the forum, Adam Baumgartner, Denise D’Arca, Peg Gordon and Ted Griffith provided print materials for forum attendees. Watch the Icon for additional articles and biographical information.