AUSTINTOWN Board of Education

There are 10 candidates, including two incumbents and two former board members, running for three seats on the Austintown Board of Education. Candidates, Janet Hartman and Domenic Delmonte did not submit candidate surveys to The Vindicator. An * denotes incumbent.

KATHY MOCK*

Age: 60

Home: 3466 Tall Oaks Lane

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education from Mount Union College. Master’s degree in education from Youngstown State University.

Employment: School board member. United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley and Youngstown State University, Beeghly College of Education.

Family: Husband, Tom. One son.

Priority: Ensure safety and security of students. Make sure students are provided with tools needed to learn. Provide the community with the policy changes handed down by the state. Be accountable, responsible and accessible.

DAVID SCHNURRENBERGER*

Age: 65

Home: 5901 New Road

Education: Graduate of Austintown Fitch High School. Attended Youngstown State University.

Employment: School board president. Retired from Delphi Packard.

Family: Wife, Karen Sue. Three children and three grandchildren.

Priority: Monitor curriculum. Prepare students to become career ready. Continue a strong teacher mentor program. Maintain and improve district communication. Utilize technology to keep facts and information correct.

LOUIS CHINE

Age: 61

Home: 556 Notre Dame Ave.

Education: Graduate of Austintown Fitch High School. Four-year apprenticeship program with the Plumbers and Pipefitters.

Employment: Morrone Mechanical. Former school board member.

Family: Wife, Shelley. Two sons and two granddaughters.

Priority: Focus on education of the students. Remove any negativity within the community about the district.

DENNIS HILEMAN

Age: 22

Home: 4841 Westchester Drive Apt. 118

Education: Graduate of Austintown Fitch High School. Student at Youngstown State University.

Employment: Full-time student.

Family: No information provided.

Priority: Focus on safety and security of students. Improve communication.

KENNETH JAKUBEC

Age: 66

Home: 5060 Argonne Drive

Education: Marine Corps Institute in mathematics and courses in mechanical and electrical physics.

Employment: Special events coordinator and manager for Austintown Quaker Steak and Lube. Former school board member.

Family: Wife, Lena. Two children.

Priority: Ensure safety of transportation. Listen to concerns. Bridge the communication gap between the board members and parents. Be accessible and approachable. Ensure children are provided the best education and are provided with the necessary learning materials. Re-evaluate open enrollment. Organize focus groups to listen to the community.

ROBERT KORNACK

Age: 26

Home: 5240 North Beacon

Education: Graduate of Austintown Fitch High School. Electrical engineering student at Kent State University.

Employment: Gulu Electric.

Family: No information provided.

Priority: Increase community involvement. Transportation safety. School performance. Executive direction of the district.

FRED MARCUM

Age: 35

Home: 4495 Viall Road

Education: Graduate of Austintown Fitch High School. Received an Ohio Professional Firefighters certificate. An Ohio certified paramedic. Multiple certifications in both fire and EMS, HazMat technician, arson investigation. Currently enrolled in fire officer school.

Employment: Austintown Fire Department firefighter, president of KO Lawn Care and substitute bus driver for Austintown Local Schools.

Family: Wife, Michelle. Three children.

Priority: Safety of the students, teachers and staff. Address transportation issues. Re-evaluate open enrollment. Make school district transparent. Clear communication between all departments. Make sure the district uses taxpayer money properly.

JIM SOBIEN

Age: 44

Home: 5205 Oakcrest Avenue

Education: Graduate of Brashear High School. Attended Conley Skill and Trade at Allegheny County Community College.

Employment: Self-employed salesman and promoter for Visalus Body by Vi.

Family: Five children.

Priority: Review board policies end expenditures and make changes. Mend relationships between the administration, teacher and the board of education. Allow open communication and interaction. Respond to concerns in a timely fashion. Focus on existing building maintenance. Redirect the board’s focus back to the safety of the students. Place stringent limits on open enrollment or remove it.