Boardman schools pursue restoration of 'excellence'

Even relatively prosperous school districts with records of achievement and excellence are facing challenges these days.
So it is that the race for three seats on the Boardman Local School District's board of education finds six candidates -- all of whom are talking about what needs to be done to improve the district's results. Even the incumbents.
The candidates are:
Carmen Amadio, 47, a 1979 graduate of Youngstown State University with a degree in business administration and 1976 graduate of Boardman High School, has owned and operated Tesone's Boot & amp; Shoe Repair & amp; Pedorthic Center since 1988.
Niklaus Amstutz, 42, a 1981 graduate of Boardman High School who attended YSU and is the president and managing partner of Amstutz Investments Inc. of Boardman, a division of Knecht Capital Inc.
Jason B. Ehrenberg, 22, a 2002 graduate of Boardman High School who is attending YSU and is an appliance salesman at Sears.
Mark J. Fulks, 49, a 1974 graduate of Boardman High School and 1978 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, who is a pilot with U.S. Airways since 1985 and has been on the school board since 1998.
Kimberly S. Poma, 48, a graduate of Poland Seminary High School and YSU, the owner of Lazart Inc. of Boardman, who has been on the school board since 2002.
David P. Sisk, 22, a 2001 graduate of Boardman High School who is attending YSU and is involved in real estate investing and is a part-time maintenance worker at St. Elizabeth's emergency room.
All attended endorsement interviews with Vindicator editors.
Kenneth Beraduce, who was appointed to the board last year to replace Mark Huberman, is unopposed in his bid to be elected to the unexpired term. Since there is no race for that seat, no endorsement interview was held.
While there are only two incumbents running for full terms on the board, there are three seats. Veteran board member Fred Davis is not seeking re-election.
The school district is obviously embarrassed by the loss of its excellent rating on the state report card. The administration, with the support of the board, has identified the problem areas and is developing strategies to overcome the district's shortcomings.
The district's grades dropped in 6th and 7th grade math, minority student scores and special education.
Well-versed, candid
The incumbents, Fulks and Poma, discussed the need for improvement, some of the remedial action being taken and their expectations for improvement. They were well-versed and candid. They also discussed the need for the district to hold the line on increasing costs, to be proactive in addressing demographic changes in the district and a commitment to excellence, not only as a report card rating, but as a fact.
On that basis, we are endorsing their re-election.
Making a choice from the four other candidates for the one remaining seat was more difficult.
We found the two young candidates, Sisk and Ehrenberg, to be sincere and ambitious. But while they can argue that their school experience in Boardman is still fresh in their minds, they were lacking in the life experiences that a community would expect of people elected to the important position of school board member. We can applaud their youthful enthusiasm, but we cannot endorse their candidacies.
The choice between Amadio and Amstutz was more difficult. Both have been active in the community and have served the school district in volunteer capacities.
In the end, we were more impressed by Amadio's commitment to make the Boardman school district competitive not only with other local schools but with the pressure districts are feeling from charter schools.
The Vindicator's endorsements in the Boardman Board of Education races go to Fulks, Poma and Amadio.