Candidates for Middletown Board of Education
An * denotes an incumbent
Name: Marcia Andrew*
Age: 51
Residence: Middletown
Occupation: Lawyer
Previous political experience: Eight years on the Middletown Board of Education. Board president since January 2010.
Website: www.taftlaw.com
Name: Christina (Christi) E. Delloma*
Age: 36
City: Middletown
Occupation: Assistant site manager for Head Start Preble County
Previous political experience: Appointed to the board on April 8 to complete the first half of Chris Fiora unexpired term. Fiora resigned due to relocation.
Website: Has a Facebook page
Name: Dr. Mark D. McClure
Age: 62
Residence: Middletown
Occupation: Chiropractic physician
Previous political experience: Vice President of the Middletown Board of Education from 2004 to 2007.
Website: drmarkmcclure.com
Name: DeAnna Shores*
Age: 36
Residence: Middletown
Occupation: Project Coordinator for the Coalition for a Healthy Middletown and Adjunct Instructor (English Composition) at Miami University Middletown.
Previous political experience: Appointed to the board on Jan. 23, 2012 to complete the first half of Alan Whitt’s unexpired term. Whitt resigned his seat before taking his oath of office.
Website: None
Name: The Rev. Gregory Tyus*
Age: 57
Residence: Middletown
Occupation: Senior pastor at United Missionary Baptist Church
Previous political experience: Served over 10 years on the Middletown Board of Education
Website: None
While there are usually two seats up for election this election cycle on the Middletown Board of Education, this year there are four with five candidates running.
Two seats were vacated for various reasons leaving those board members, Christi Delloma and DeAnna Shores, only being appointed to complete the first two years of the unexpired terms. To retain their seats, they need to be elected Nov. 5 to complete the remaining two years on those terms.
Another twist is that the name of one of the appointed board members, Shores, will not have her name on the ballot as she is running as a write-in candidate.
Incumbent board members Marcia Andrew and the Rev. Gregory Tyus, whose terms end this year, will seek re-election to new four-year terms. In addition, former board member Dr. Mark McClure is seeking to return to the school board.
Andrew said she is seeking a new term on the board because the work is not finished although the district is making good progress in improving the academic performance and stabilizing its finances during her eight years on the board.
“Our current board works well together and with the superintendent and I believe it is important for the schools and for the city as a community to keep our positive momentum moving forward,” she said. “During my time on the board, I have become knowledgeable about the many complex issues affecting public schools, and have also learned the proper role of a school board member and how to work collaboratively and professionally with my fellow board members and the administrative leaders to achieve the goals of the district.”
Andrew said she has two children attending Middletown High School, which makes her intimately aware of the importance of improving the district immediately, but in a way that the results will be sustainable and economically viable for years to come.
She said the top three issues facing the district are to improve academic performance of all students, including by building the capacity of teachers to challenge and support students in the classroom; to improve the climate of the school buildings by developing a culture of high expectations for both students and adults; and to prudently manage the district’s limited budget to avoid the need for a new operating levy until absolutely necessary.
Andrew said these goals set the focus for all of the district’s programs and that the superintendent and treasurer have been encouraged to periodically assess programs and practices to ensure effectiveness and to make changes as needed. She said the district has found ways to reduce programs with the least impact on student programs. Over the past four years, the board has cut more than $6 million from the annual budget and is continuing to inform the community of positive developments as well as the challenges being faced.
Delloma was appointed on April 8, 2013, to replace Chris Fiora, who resigned due to relocation.
In past years, she has worked on bond and levy campaigns for the district as well as working to register people to vote in past elections.
“I am seeking election on the school board to fill a two year term because I believe I can offer both a parent’s perspective as well as an early education background to both the constituents and administration,” Delloma said. “I have a good rapport with the community because I have taught preschool in Middletown for 15 years. I know and understand the needs of our families within the district. I want to raise awareness of the importance of early education with parents as well.”
She said the top three issues that faces the district are the state report card and raising the scores of students and adding the district has already seen an increase in the value added indicator; the decreasing amount of funds received by the district and to remain fiscally responsible and within a budget while researching creative ways to fund programs; improving the culture of the district to help students, teachers and families feel invested in the educational system. Delloma said there has been positive strides toward this goal and believes the district needs to continue to build relationships so everyone is working as a team.
“I believe when these relationships are formed it will help engage families more which is a key factor in the student’s success” she said.
McClure, a former board member, said he was running again because of his experience as well as helping to complete the construction program he started in 2004-2007. He also said that he’s approachable and is an excellent communicator who intends to have an open policy to discuss concerns of parents and teachers.
He identified the top three issues facing the district as proper management of funds and staffing; the passage of the junior high and high school improvement proposal; and discipline problems.
“Each issue needs to be reviewed and discussed and community suggestions and participation needs to be considered to help address the issues,” McClure said.
Shores was appointed on Jan. 23, 2012, to replace newly elected Alan Whitt, who resigned before taking his oath of office. She is running as a write-in candidate because problems with her petitions forced her to withdraw them from the Butler County Board of Elections.
“As a parent of current and future Middies, the wife of a teacher in the district, and an employee and citizen of Middletown, I have a vested interest in the success of Middletown City Schools,” she said. “Both my professional and personal experiences have given me the necessary knowledge to help craft and implement policies which support the success of our administrators, educators, and students.”
Shores said if she is elected, she will continue identify the most effective and expedient means the district achieve its goals.
She identified the three top issues facing the district as parent engagement; inefficient middle and high school facilities; and student literacy.
Shores said she would be an advocate of inclusive opportunities that both educate and support parental involvement. She also said she is assisting in passing the bond levy and supporting the development of a 21st century environment at the middle and high schools. Shores also said she would continue to support and assist with the development and revision of curricular programs and policies that promote reading readiness and literacy success.
Tyus said he believes he possesses both the passion and desire to continue the work of bettering the Middletown City School District.
“I have a great love for the youth of our district, he said. “Over the course of 10 years experience as a Middletown City School District Board of Education member; I believe that I have demonstrated my willingness to do all that I can to further this cause.”
Tyus said the top three issues facing the district are the improvement of academic performance; improving the discipline and morale climate within the district; and improving fiscal responsibility.
About the Author
