Frost drops out of Austintown school board race

AUSTINTOWN — Austintown Fire Chief Andy Frost is longer running for the township board of education saying he couldn’t devote the time to be an effective member if he were elected.

“It’s probably too time-consuming for me with my job,” said Frost, chief since 1985. “I’d like to do it, but my job is too demanding. I’d be burning the candle at both ends.”

Frost said he knew that serving as a school board member would be demanding, but didn’t realize how great the demand would be until he started campaigning.

Frost of Clearwater Cove said he plans to retire as fire chief soon and would consider seeking a school board position after that.

With Frost out, there are five candidates running in the Nov. 6 election for two seats on the Austintown school board.

The other candidates are Barbara A. Beachler, David Mellot, Louis Chine Jr., Mike Ferguson and David W. Ritchie. Ritchie is the only incumbent in the race. School board President Michael Creatore isn’t seeking re-election.