Four candidates — including two write-ins, are running for three seats on the Canfield Board of Education. An * denotes incumbents.

NADER ATWAY*

AGE: 50

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: Canfield Board of Education since January of 2020, current board president.

3 GOALS:

1. Maintain the high academic scoring of the Canfield Local School District to remain highly ranked in the state.

2. Continue to focus on building facilities upgrade.

3. Working to maintain the financial stability of the school district by working with the new treasurer.

KATIE L. ELFORD (write-in)

AGE: 44

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: None

3 GOALS:

1. As an educator for 23 years with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mount Union and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Youngstown State University, a parent, and a lifelong community member, I understand the viewpoints of many different groups and can be a link of unification among them. The goal is to work together and make each group feel seen and heard when making the best decisions for our district. Teachers and parents are on the front lines daily, and they deserve a seat at the table.

2. Building trust and strong relationships must be acquired through communication. Communication is critical to any organization. A top priority of mine would be to ensure that major issues such as policy, safety, finance, etc. are communicated in a timely and transparent manner, and also that more minor issues within the district are communicated clearly and directly.

3. Facility planning is also important to me. We must decide as a group how best to move forward with all of the current facilities. Input from both the community and district leaders is crucial to this goal. Together, we can develop the best plan for maintaining our facilities and reach a common goal to meet the needs of the district and community.

BOB SMALLWOOD (write-in)*

AGE: 55

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: appointed to the Canfield Board of Education (empty seat) on July 20,2023.

The candidate did not fill out an election questionnaire.

JILL DERAMO

AGE: 48

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: none

3 GOALS:

1. I plan to address the facility needs while being fiscally responsible and keeping costs reasonable to the taxpayer. As a board member, I will advocate to our state government and seek additional revenue streams. I believe the district needs to develop and adhere to a strategic, long-term plan that eliminates and / or prevents deficit spending. I believe regular and preventative maintenance is key to long-term sustainability of the existing facilities.

2. I plan to deliver transparent communication and foster relationships with all community members. This is important to gather community support for the schools and ensure the community has a voice on the board. If elected, I plan to organize time for community members to meet with me, outside of board meetings, to express concerns. This will allow more people to have a voice and know they are being heard. I will strive to prioritize community engagement and collaboration to create meaningful opportunities for parents, educators, and community members. The goal is to share their voices and work together to build strong partnerships that expand opportunities for our students.

3. I will prioritize providing educators with the resources, training and technology needed to provide high-quality educational and extracurricular programming, in a safe environment. Supporting our educators means investing in the tools and professional development needed by the staff. Teachers directly impact student success and prepare them to thrive in a rapidly changing world. I will work hard so teachers and staff know they are supported personally and professionally. I will ensure every decision supports the students and staff.