Recently The League of Women Voters taped a “Meet the Candidates” video with candidates for the Kettering Board of Education. The video, unfortunately, shows a very bland discussion that fails to help a viewer distinguish between the candidates. The LWV needs to develop a different type of format.

Of the five member Kettering School Board, two positions are up this year and both incumbent members — Lori Sims and Jim Trent — are seeking reelection. There are two challengers: Jim Ambrose and Frank Spolrich. At the taping, Lori Sims failed to appear.

In the taping,  Jim Ambrose emphasized the concept of “collaboration.” Frank Spolrich spoke of the need for clear guidance of the board, particularly concerning the budget. Jim Trent spoke of his pride in the district, his love for the children. And, they seemingly were all in agreement with each other’s views.

Ambrose and Spolrich are facing, in the Jim Trent candidacy, a community icon, someone who has a major building in Kettering named after him: Trent Arena.  Trent has an attractive attitude. He says, “I believe I am making a difference. I would like to serve again, I love doing what I am doing and want to continue.” It would seem unlikely that the community would not once again reelect Trent.

The two challengers best shot at election is to unseat Lori Sims. Her no-show at this taping will hurt her, but, who can tell how much the public will pay attention?

Two years ago, when I was running for the board, I attempted to make the case that public education needs “transformation” and that a district deemed “excellent,” like Kettering, should show leadership in showing a new path for public education. I also criticized the current board for deceptive advertisements concerning school levies. Those committed to the status quo, I guess, are those who pay the most attention and who are more likely to vote. I don’t know if my outspokenness was my undoing, but, regardless, I lost the election and the other challenger, who was much more circumspect, Jim Brown, won.

I would have thought that Ambrose and Spolrich would have tried a little harder to make the case for why voters should seek a change in board membership. But all three men at this taping seemed pretty much to be on the same page.

All four candidates have important ties to the school district. Jim Trent and Lori Sims are incumbents, with a long history of activity within the schools — Trent, particularly so. Frank Spolrich was a long time teacher and principal in the district. And Jim Ambrose’s wife, Micki Ambrose, is currently a full time teacher in the district as an “Intervention Specialist” at John F Kennedy Elementary School.

Last week, I telephoned Jim Ambrose and eventually met with him for coffee and a 90 minute discussion. I was positively impressed. At the end of the conversation I told Ambrose that I would support him and would place a campaign sign in my yard showing my support. Even though I am bothered by the potential conflict of interest posed by the fact that Ambrose’s wife is an employee of the district, I have decided to support Ambrose, as a positive alternative to the current board. I am convinced that Ambrose is an independent thinker motivated by improving public education. Ambrose is a proven problem solver, and, if elected, I believe he will work to improve the board’s transparency and to positively engage the Kettering public. I’ve not yet met with Frank Spolrich, but I may support him as well.

The public will have an opportunity to meet the Kettering School Board candidates on Tuesday, October 25 at a League of Women sponsored event at 7:00 PM at the Kettering Library.  (At 6:00 the League will interview the City Council candidates.)

Jim Ambrose is the only Kettering School Board candidate with a web-site. Jim Trent and Lori Sims have a page on the Kettering Schools web-site, and here is a you-tube I made of Frank Spolrich two years ago, during his Kettering City Council race.

Some previous articles:

• To Transform A Local School System By Exercising “Local Control” — What Options May A Local Board Consider?, February 7th, 2011
• Strengthening Local Control Of Public Education Is Key To Achieving The Transformation That Is Needed, October 8th, 2010
• To Bring Excellence To Public Education We Must First Engineer A Better System, August 16th, 2010
• The Kettering School Board’s Biggest Challenge Is To Gain Public Support For Transformation, September 10th, 2009
• The League Asks This Question: “What Are The Biggest Challenges Facing The Kettering School System?”, September 9th, 2009
• What Quality Guru W. Edward Deming Had To Say About Reforming and Improving Public Education, August 30th, 2009
• OEC Says “Absolutely No Increase In Taxes” Is Not A False Statement — Dismisses Kettering Complaint, July 17th, 2009
• Throwing Money At Public Education Is Not The Answer, System Change Is Needed, January 14th, 2009
• Thinking Through Purposes and Principles Needed To Guide the Re-Design of Public Education, July 17th, 2008

Jonathan Turley, writing in an op-ed in the LA Times, says that President Obama has advanced policies that have proved a “disaster for civil liberties.”

Writes Turley, “Obama reportedly promised Bush officials in private that no one would be investigated or prosecuted for torture. … Obama failed to close Guantanamo Bay as promised. He continued warrantless surveillance and military tribunals that denied defendants basic rights. He asserted the right to kill U.S. citizens he views as terrorists. His administration has fought to block dozens of public-interest lawsuits challenging privacy violations and presidential abuses.”

Turley decries the “utter absence of a push for an alternative Democratic candidate or organized opposition to Obama’s policies on civil liberties in Congress during his term.”

Turley says, “It looks more like a cult of personality. Obama’s policies have become secondary to his persona,” and warns,  “Obama may have flown by the fail-safe line, especially when it comes to waterboarding. For many civil libertarians, it will be virtually impossible to vote for someone who has flagrantly ignored the Convention Against Torture or its underlying Nuremberg Principles.”

The Dayton League of Women Voters has ended a 40 year relationship with The Dayton Daily News.

Jo Columbro, President of the Dayton League, in a press release says this year the League will not distribute the Voters’ Guide in the DDN, because, for the first time, the newspaper insisted that it would publish the Guide, “only if it could include paid political ads on issues and candidates.” The League refused to compromise its non-partisan principles by allowing such ads in its Voters’ Guide.

This year, rather than the DDN, the Voters’ Guide will be published in the October 18th edition of The Dayton City Paper, a free paper distributed every Tuesday. After that date, the Voters’ Guide will also be available on line at the the web-site for the Dayton League of Women Voters and the web-site for The Dayton City Paper. Readers can also “Subscribe to the Guide,” a new subscription program that guarantees subscribers a doorstep delivery of the Voters GuideTM for both this year and 2012 presidential election. Those interested in a subscription should contact the League office at 228-4041 or email league@lwvdayton.org.

On Wednesday, October 19, the League is inviting all citizens to an event at Stivers School of the Arts, at 6:30 PM, to distribute the Guide and to give voters a chance to meet all area candidates.

The League is working with DATV to produce “Meet the Candidates” video taped programs. So far, seven such programs are available to watch on the DATV web-site.