SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES

MEET THE CANDIDATES

ISAAC ADI

Isaac Adi immigrated from Nigeria 18 years ago. He holds a Masters in Science from the Colorado Institute of Technical University. He is a managing partner of KGN Petroleum and a member of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association. His three children attended and graduated from Lakota West.

“Our school board needs to set the direction that will prepare our students with a history that accurrately tells the story of the American Dream, and the truth about the unlimited opportunities available for our students’ future,” Adi said.

DARBI BODDY

Darbi Boddy has worked in retail management for 17 years. She is a mother of four, whom she pulled from Lakota this year.

“I will focus my desire to serve by working with the Superintendent and teachers to provide children an exceptional education,” Boddy said. “As part of one of the first groups to speak up against [critical race theory], I have demonstrated that I am bold, courageous, and someone that can protect our students and stand against the detrimental indoctrination that is negatively impacting the students’ academic achievment.”

KELLY CASPER

Kelly Casper is the current President of the Lakota Board of Education. She is finishing her first term. She has lived in the district for 23 years and has served as the Parent Teacher Association President for several district buildings.

“I’m proud of the things that we’ve accomplished in the last four years,” Casper said. “My focus will always be providing the best education that we can for all of our students. I ask for your support every second to continue to keep Lakota strong.”

KARINE CHAUSSE

Karine Chausse is a French-Canadian from outside Montreal, Canada. She became a U.S. citizen in 2014 and now lives in West Chester and has two children.

“I’m running for school board to remove political agendas and get back to educating our children,” Chausse said.

STANCES

Staff shortages: work with outside hiring agencies and offer incentives. Board Disagreements: the Board policy should come first and members should have clear communication. Critical Race Theory: schools shouldn’t label kids as oppressors or being oppressed. Levies: the district should spend within their budget, only have rainy day funds for emergencies. Open enrollment: Supports only if district is careful not to overcrowd classrooms.

STANCES

Staff shortages: bring in workers from outside the district and offer competitive wages and incentives. Board Disagreements: the Board should hold the Superintendent responsible and find common ground. Critical Race Theory: CRT does not belong in schools and Lakota should focus on academics. Levies: wants to look at reallocating expenses before going to a levy. Open enrollment: while it is a good financial decision, the district should not overcrowd classes.

STANCES

Staff shortages: bring in workers through word-of-mouth and incentivize parents to work in childrens’ schools. Board Disagreements: rely on the Board policy and work alongside not against administrators. Critical Race Theory: CRT does not equate to inclusion. Levies: district should have a sustainable business plan and look to finance for years ahead. Open enrollment: decision is a yearby-year basis that depends on the numbers.

STANCES

Staff shortages: offer incentives for workers. Board Disagreements: emphasize communication and understanding. Critical Race Theory: schools should teach the “Golden Rule” and CRT is divisive. Levies: not opposed to levies if finances improve life for students. Open enrollment: should be considered on a year-to-year basis. Not opposed if Lakota students are prioritized.

This November, eight candidates are running to fill three open seats for the Lakota Board of Education. The Lakota Board of Education is responsible for guiding the district budget, approving bills and establishing district policy. On Oct. 6, Spark hosted “Lakota School Board Candidate Night” with the eight to answer questions on their policies, and to inform the community on their stances proceeding Election Day. Continued on page 56

DOUGLAS HORTON

Douglas Horton has lived in the district for a decade and his two children attend school within Lakota. He currently leads Procter & Gamble’s Sport Marketing programs. Horton has served on the District Parent Council and school Parent Teacher Student Organization.

“I know what happens [in the district],” Horton said. “I want to expand student services. I want to make sure that I respect our children by embracing their diversity and protecting them.”

RUSS LOGES

Russ Loges has lived in the District for 18 years and has two children who attend school in Lakota. He graduated from Miami University with a BA in Zoology and as a Registered Nurse. Loges has volunteered as a youth sports coach and is on the Butler County East YMCA Parent Advisory Committee.

“I believe in traditional values, fiscal responsibility, equal opportunity, accountability and transparency,” Loges said. “I intend to move the district forward by putting politics behind us and focusing on providing every student with an excellent and safe education.”

MICHAEL PEARL

Michael Pearl is currently serving his first term on the Lakota Board of Education. He has lived in Lakota for 12 years and his two children graduated from East. He is the Director of the St. Monica’s Recreation Center and serves as the pastor of the New Day Baptist Church. Pearl has spent 9 years coaching at East and Liberty Junior.

“I want to make sure that all 17,000 of our kids no matter their race, religion, sexual preference or socioeconomic background to succeed,” Pearl said. “We want to do what we can as a district, as a board, as an administrators to make sure that every single kid that walks through our doors are more than a number.”

VANESSA WELLS

Vanessa Wells is an Air Force Veteran and mother of one. She removed her child from the district this previous year. This spring, Wells sued the Lakota Board of Education for an alleged violation of Ohio laws governing public meetings and records.

“It’s extremely important to me that I am held accountable and provide transparency to the community and parents in our district,” Wells says. “I am not afraid to speak up and have an amazing and creative ability to solve problems. I have a history of excellence and hold the public interest of our parents and caregivers close to my heart.”

STANCES

Staff shortages: have an alternate VLO option and staggered starts. Work with other districts to have extra staff. Board Disagreements: board should set vision for district alignment. Critical Race Theory: CRT is not as divisive as people think, Lakota needs to look at the institutions that produce different outcomes. Levies: Project future shortfalls and adjust accordingly before going to levy. Open enrollment: building more schools through master facility plan to support more students.

STANCES

Staff shortages: find creative solutions and partnerships with parents and other schools. Board Disagreements: emphasize active listening on the board. Critical Race Theory: CRT is divisive and should not be taught in schools. Levies: would only be in support of levies based on the numbers and if it would fund a sustainable future. Open enrollment: while there are financial benefits, Lakota needs to take care of their own students first.

STANCES

Staff shortages: this is a nationwide issue and Lakota should clearly communicate with parents. Board Disagreements: emphasize leading by example and working with administators. Critical Race Theory: everyone should feel accepted in curriculum. Levies: levies would fund the Master Facilities plan to build new schools. Open enrollment: would depend on the numbers, currently opposed.

STANCES

Staff shortages: Lakota needs to encourage current workers to stay and increase advertising of positions. Board Disagreements: maintain an open dialogue and find common goals. Critical Race Theory: Lakota should embrace diversity but not through CRT and furthur focus on students with disabilities. Levies: the district should be cautious about rainy day funds and focus on using money to fund technology. Open enrollment: district should focus on facilitating current students until there is enough space.

SPEAKING OF THE PAPER...

Excerpts from Spark’s most prominent stories give readers a taste of professional and community takes on the issues. • art by mary barone

Losing Time page 15

“We had a schedule like [the 2021-2022 schedule] years ago but discarded it because of the problems. Teachers were asked for their opinion on the schedule and, as usual, administrators ignored their opinions.”

- Annonymous East teacher

Press Pause page 45

“People don’t want to feel guilty about their negative actions that have taken an effect toward our environment. It’s a conversation that not a lot of people enjoy having because it makes you feel like you’re the problem.” - Brenda Fofie LEAF Club member

Boiler Up, Hammer Down page 58

“Coaches talk about a player’s ‘motor’, which motivates them or makes them go. Charlie [Kenrich] has a high motor. There is no quit in him.”

- Carl Longworth East tight end coach

Mask Protest @ lakotaeastsparkonline.com

“I have told my son, simply say ‘no thank you.’ We are standing up for our children that may not necessarily have a voice or the strength to use that voice for what they want. We are standing up to make sure we have the freedom of choice when it comes to our bodies.”

- Alisia Davis Woodland parent

College Bound page 47

“For some students, any type of disruption may be the reason they pause or stop pursuing their education. For many students, once they stop, it is a challenge to return to college.”

- Sean Broghammer KSU Enrollment Management VP

Masking Controversy page 6

“When one child comes in unmasked and brings in COVID based on their parent’s decision, it impacts another child and whether they get COVID. We are not operating in individual biomes, we are operating together.”

- Julie Shaffer Lakota School Board member

A young girl builds a bouquet for her mom at Donut Dude with her dad.

THE PERFECT

BouquetKC Flower Farm is a full service florist which has expanded with the addition of a flower truck to extend their services to the community.

story and photography marleigh winterbottom

Shortly after opening her KC Flower Farm store-front, Kimberly Ceccoli recalls a young girl, barely a year old, walking into the shop with flowers towering around her. Immediately after coming in, the girl instinctually walked over to a bucket of roses, leaned over, and was fascinated by the sweet smell of the flowers.

“[KC Flower Farm employee] Lori and I just looked at each other, near tears. It was just beautiful,” Ceccoli says. “Everyone can relate to flowers, even the kids.”

Before opening KC Flower Farm, Ceccoli made it a tradition to visit Amelia’s Flower Truck at the Belmont University Market while visiting her daughter in Nashville, Tenn. From there, her dream of owning her own flower truck sprouted. In Oct. 2018, her dreams started to become reality. Now, five years later, the truck has become a staple in the community.

“Some personal things happened in my family that caused me to quickly quit my job at a senior living community,” Ceccoli told Spark. “I didn’t have a plan, and I drove by [the building where KC Flower Farm is now located off of the intersection between Cincinnati Dayton Rd. and Seminary St.] one day, and I knew there was a flower shop a few houses down that had been open for 30 years. So, I knew this was a great location for a flower shop. All I was going to do was get a truck and sell flowers, but I decided to open a shop on a whim; it was kinda crazy.”

Ceccoli’s shop, Kimberly Ceccoli (KC) Flower Farm, is a full service florist offering custom products for weddings, corporate events, school dances, senior nights, and other events.

Through the years, Ceccoli has found joy in interacting with all of her customers, many of them continuing to come in as regulars.

“We have a lady that comes in every month with her two kids. She and her husband agreed to have fresh flowers in the house every month as their big splurge,” Ceccoli says. “We also have a guy that comes every week to buy flowers for his wife. It’s the sweet things like that [that make some of my favorite parts of owning the shop].”

One customer in particular she remembers was a woman who bought flowers for her pregnancy shoot. A few months later, the woman’s mom walked in to buy flowers after she gave birth to the baby.

“[The mom said] her daughter loved the flowers for the pregnancy shoot,” Ceccoli says. “Now, she was sitting in the back, talking to her daughter with the new baby. It is really the customers and making connections that is one of my favorite parts of my job.”

The KC Flower Farm truck was added in Sept. 2019 and has quickly become a staple in the community.

“The truck is very well received. It’s what [KC Flower Farm] is getting to be known for around the community,” Ceccoli says. “We’ve been going to Liberty Center as well as donut places; it’s fun. It’s just something very different for our area.”

Stationing the flower truck at various locations around the community, KC Flower Farm fills the back of the truck with fresh flowers, ready to make custom bouquets for customers. Each type of flower is labelled with a price tag to determine the final price of the bouquet. Customers can then either build a bouquet to their liking within a desired price range or buy a single flower.

continued on page 24