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CALDWELL -- The Caldwell Exempted Village School District has four candidates running for two open seats and an incumbent running unopposed to finish an unexpired term.
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Donna Fields Fogle
Donna Fields Fogle is an incumbent and has served on the board for eight years. She worked as a licensed professional counselor, specializing in therapeutic recreation.
Folge said she has seen many changes in the Caldwell district during her tenure, but is optimistic changes will continue in the right direction. She credits the hire of Superintendent Greg Gifford in August 2021 as the catalyst for positive changes.
"I've seen the transition. I've seen three superintendents in eight years. It's three different ways of doing things. Our safety programs. We now have two school resource officers in the district. We have drills constantly. We also have a safety officer, Jean Yontz, and curriculum director Kelli Wohlgamuth," she said.
Fogle said the district is focusing on reforming academics and hiring more teachers. The district is offering more internship opportunities to students.
"The school is the best it's ever been since I've been here," she said.
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Denitra Warner
Denitra Warner said she has not served on the board before, but has been a district employee for 30 years. She started as a substitute school bus driver and worked her way into the district office as transportation secretary, secretary of the superintendent and data manager.
"I work with EMIS, which is the Education Management Information System. It reports the district's numbers to the state education office," she said of her data management position.
Warner said she believes her experiences in the district would be beneficial to the school board.
"I know how funding goes, I know state reporting requirements, I've prepared board packets and been part of union negotiations," she said.
"I think the district is doing good things. I believe in the Superintendent (Greg Gifford) and I would like to be a part of it," she said.
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Justin Seebach
Justin Seebach has experience in the district as a student and employee. He graduated from Caldwell High School in 2006. Then he worked in the district for five years as a school counselor and currently is a counselor at Mid East Career and Technology Center in Zanesville. He has 10 years experience total as a school counselor.
He said his kids attend school in the district and wants to see them get the same education he received growing up.
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Randy Lowe
Randy Lowe is also a newcomer to the board but not to the district. He graduated from Caldwell High School in 1987. He works in the aviation industry and has spent over 20 years in management positions. He said he believes in equal education opportunities for all children, including his own.
"I want to ensure all Caldwell students have opportunities for education in a safe environment," he said. "Why not Caldwell students? We have alumni who are presidents of companies. How can I assist current students in getting an opportunity to excel? I also have a vested interest in that I have a third-grader at Caldwell Elementary. He is my 'why.'"
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Brandon Crock
Incumbent Brandon Crock is running to complete an unexpired term. He was appointed to the board after board president Chris Estadt resigned in August 2022. Crock graduated from Caldwell in 1997 and has spent over 20 years as a volunteer football and track coach.
Crock said being a local business owner for 20 years has forged connections with the community and used his network to secure new opportunities for the school. He also said Caldwell administrators and staff are invested in the students' success and it's the school board's job to help them ensure that success.