Local news feed
Local news e-mail
OP local mobileTalk of state education budget cuts worries Vollmer
Hot Topics
Lois Vollmer, a 59-year resident of Reily Twp., may be a familiar face to many, as she has past experience on the school board and within the district.
Vollmer, who was elected to the Talawanda Board of Education in 2007, is running for re-election this year, hoping to fill one of two available seats.
While there are a number of things to focus on in the next couple of years, she feels that the most significant issue that needs to be addressed is the district’s finances.
“One of our biggest challenges is to keep the schools operating the way they have been without making significant cuts,” she said.
Vollmer recently read about Gov. Ted Strickland’s plan to cut school funding by $2.3 billion if his proposal to put in slot machines does not pass. She said that if the cut is made the district is going to have a huge problem, and one that will become a huge concern for the school board.
With the talk of cuts pushed aside, though, she said the district, so far, has done a great job saving, and has done so without hurting the curriculum or cutting teachers.
“Right now we are solvent through 2010, but that is hoping that there are no major cuts,” Vollmer said.
Another major issue Vollmer is concerned with is making sure the building of the new high school stays on track, and that it is operating and available for students in the coming years.
Vollmer said that the key for the board to be successful in addressing these issues and others that may arise is to make sure they keep their teachers and administration in the district and to keep things, overall, familiar.
“Obviously the board does not run day-to-day business of the school district, but we have to do our best to keep everything status quo, the way it is so that nothing changes, nothing lags,” Vollmer said.
With four grandchildren in the district, and two years of experience on the board, Vollmer has a vested interest in the job.
“I enjoy it; it’s an extremely important job for the community,” she said. “I think I’m fair, open-minded. I have my own views, which are sometimes opposite of my other board members, but I think that’s a good thing to have, it keeps us working on things.”
Copyright © 2010 Oxford Press, Oxford, Ohio, USA.All rights reserved.
By using this site, you accept the terms of our Visitors Agreement and Privacy Policy. About our ads. You may wish to note our other business policies.
