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MARTINS FERRY -- In the Martins Ferry City School District, incumbents Charles Probst and Nick Stankovich and challengers Allen H. Marangoni, Jeremy Shrodes and Bill Suto are contending for two seats on the board of education.
Efforts to reach Probst for comment were unsuccessful. The Times Leader made repeated attempts to contact him at various phone numbers, by sending a letter to the address listed on the Belmont County Board of Elections website and via social media.
Stankovich said he has been on the school board for 12 years. He also served as superintendent for 12 years and has worked within the district for a total of 42 years. He also coached football for 23 years.
Stankovich said his experience is his biggest asset.
"I also did a lot of good things as superintendent. Athletics were fine, and academics were fantastic," he said.
Stankovich said that, if elected, his top priority is to improve student test scores. He said for the past few years, the board has been working to improve academics, and he hopes to continue that.
"We've had good results," he said.
He believes academics are the most important aspect of the school system.
"That's what we do. Everything else is extracurricular. Academics are the core," he said.
Stankovich said that how students are taught and tested has changed drastically throughout his career. If elected, he hopes to help students develop the computer and technology skills needed to adapt.
He also clarified that the school's curriculum is mandated by the state, and he hopes that the school can do its best with the required curriculum.
"The district is in good shape. Academics are doing better. Athletics are doing better, and financially we're OK. ...We're doing good, and I'd like to continue to be a part of it," Stankovich said.
Marangoni said he has never held a public office before, but he has a lot of experience working in education. He worked as a professor for 39 years at the former Wheeling Jesuit University and directed the physical therapy and respiratory therapy programs there. Marangoni also has a doctorate of education and a master's of medical science. He is a Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Navy.
"As a former teacher, I appreciate the work teachers are required to do," he said. "My whole reason for running is because the outcomes for the Martins Ferry educational system are not where they should be, and I've had a lot of experience in improving outcomes because all of my students had to pass licensure exams."
Marangoni said, if elected, he would push for academics and help teachers create and reach goals for their students, noting that current operations are below state standards.
"For instance, we have a math score of 20 out of 100 -- 68% of the schools in Ohio are doing better than Martins Ferry High School," Marangoni said.
He said the high school needs to offer more programs that will prepare students for the future such as Advanced Placement course programs and college courses.
"I think my strengths are my experience after 39 years of meeting outcome-oriented goals," he said.
Shrodes said this is his first time running for public office, but he has spent his career working closely with public officials. He coached basketball for 20 years at Martins Ferry schools and was a Martins Ferry city employee for 20 years. Shrodes said he also has 10 years of experience as a union president, meaning he has a lot of experience negotiating contracts and helping "fix the city's health insurance."
Shrodes said that he hopes to bring some new ideas to the school board and "think outside of the box." His top priority would be to have core college courses offered to the high school students so more students will have college credit and feel prepared for college when receiving their diplomas.
Shrodes said he also wants to establish trade school programs in the schools to prepare students for graduation and help them jump start their careers. He said programs in trades such as plumbing and electrical work would be a big asset to the school district.
Shrodes said that, if elected, he would also advocate for more funding for the schools to provide more programs and resources for students and to "help out teachers."
"I want to try to make it a better place for the kids and teacher," Shrodes said.
"My big goal is to see things done the right way and for the schools to be successful. I hope to do that by thinking outside of the box," he said, noting he would also encourage fairness and transparency.
Suto said he has been on the school board for four years and has held many offices within the city of Martins Ferry. He was on city council for four years, served as safety director for three years and as treasurer for two years.
"I feel I am the best candidate because of my wide variety of experience with various jobs and offices I have held. I have volunteered for most of my adult life with different organizations in town such as Project Forward, Martins Ferry Fire Department and Emergency Squad, Martins Ferry Civics and Martins Ferry Wrestling," he said. "The kids are my top priority."
If elected, Suto said he would focus on recruiting the best teachers and staff for the students.
"The entire country is dealing with the lack of teachers and substitute teachers, so I would like to help with that situation. Education must come first," he said.
Suto also said safety is one of his main concerns.
"The district does a great job, but I feel there is always room for improvement," he said.
He hopes to increase safety measures so that parents can drop off their children without worry.
"I am honest, direct and driven. I am a family man and have been married for 39 years. ... I am very proud of my accomplishments and being a devoted husband, father, grandfather and public servant. I feel that Martins Ferry is a great place to live, and I would like to continue to help our city thrive. I will put my all into any situation that is presented to me," he said.