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Besides the 18-year-old high school senior, most candidates — three women and five men — cite private industry supervisor or other similar managerial experience and volunteer experience with Fairfield Schools or community organizations as reasons they merit consideration.
The candidates, in alphabetical order, are:
- Stephanie Barrett, who is a Fairfield Twp. resident and long-time volunteer for the school system, is an administrative assistant with the Butler County Bar Association. She lists both the current Fairfield Schools Superintendent — Billy Smith — and his predecessor — Paul Otten — as references.
- Nick Morgan of Fairfield Twp. is a senior at Fairfield High School and touted in his application that as a student he understands "how the school works" and emphasized the importance of keeping "our excellent teachers in our district."
- Carrie O'Neal lives in Fairfield and is owner and art director of O'Neal Designs and has helped lead a past Fairfield Schools levy campaign and she also lists former superintendent Otten as a reference.
- James Schultheiss of Fairfield is president and CEO of Chaco Credit Union and lists Fairfield Mayor Steve Miller among his references.
- Heather Stephens is a Fairfield Twp. resident and school parent who also works as an online supervisor for Kohl's.
- James Warren is a Fairfield city resident and former teacher at three Hamilton and Clermont county school districts and is currently a returns clerk for Quality Gold.
- Steve Wegman of Fairfield is the lead application engineer for TriHealth Corporation with Cub Scout leadership, church and Fairfield Citizens Fire Academy experience.
- Mark Wilhelm of Fairfield is a supervisor of Zenith Logistics and a graduate of Fairfield Schools.
Under Ohio law the remaining four members of the Fairfield school board will appoint a member to fill out Kearns’ remaining term, which ends Dec. 31, 2019.
The board is scheduled to hold interviews and vote during its Jan. 12 meeting at 5 p.m. in the Catherine D. Milligan Community Room at Fairfield High School, 8800 Holden Blvd.
Kearns died Dec. 20. The father of three was a veteran school board member and also was assistant director of Butler County Job and Family Services.
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