At the October 13 Ada school board candidate forum for the November 2 General Election, four of six candidates provided materials about their candidacy: Adam Baumgartner, Denise D'Arca, Margaret (Peg) Gordon and Ted Griffith.
Also running for board membership are Chase Archer and Ron Fleming. The ballot can be viewed at the Hardin County Board of Elections website.
The following is a transcript of candidate documents.
Adam Baumgartner
My name is Adam Baumgartner and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as a candidate for the Ada Exempted Village Schools Board of Education for the November 2, 2021 General Election.
I am interested in running for a board position because as a community member with 3 students in our school system I am confident in the fact that I can “Work For A Better District” by
- Increasing school transparency
- Supporting athletic programs
- Empowering teachers and staff
- Retaining students and family
With my experience, I am confident that I can help to improve our schools and community. My personal beliefs, professional experiences, and volunteer activities that will aid me in this step include:
- Conservative community-based values
- Member of Ada First Presbyterian
- Administrative team member, Lima Senior High School
- 11th year in public education
- 10 years college & high school coaching /administrating
- 4 years of professional corporate experience
- Volunteer youth coach / HS-JH coach (Ada Community)
- Volunteer 4H Adviser (Liberty Belles and Boys)
- Active member - Hardin County Pheasants Forever
In closing, I would like to ask you for your support in the November 2nd General Election for Ada School Board. If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of the above information, please contact me (419-966-7742).
Denise D’Arca
- 33 year resident of Ada
- Both sons educated in Ada & Simon Kenton Schools
- 40+ years teaching experience, pre-K-adult, music & music teacher education in both public & private schools
- Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction/Music Teacher Education
- Member Ohio Music Education Association
- Member French Horn Section, Lima Area Concert Band
- Member Ada Rotary Club
- Grandchild in Ad School, beginning Fall 2021
“I want to bring my passions for family and for education to the Ada School Board. I’m highly qualified for this position and want to give back to the community that’s been our home for 33 years and to the school that gave my sons so many opportunities. I am running to be a voice For Our Children. I have Skills, the Knowledge, and the Attitude of Service to be a strong and active member of the Ada Board of Education.
Margaret (Peg) Gordon
Who am I? My name is Peg Gordon and I grew up in Ada and graduated from Ada School.s, I am also a graduate of Ohio Northern University with a BA in Communication Arts/Theatre.
I moved away from the Ada Community for several years and worked consistently in the early childhood/human development fields. While working in those fields, I traveled and trained internationally and have had the pleasure of being interviewed on national news sources.
Upon returning to Ada, I became a continual substitute for the Ada Schools as well as being the Drama Club Advisor/high school play director. I am now in the process of opening a small business in downtown Ada.
Why am I running for school board?: I love being part of the Ada Community and am an advocate for our schools. I, like many people in the community, have grown increasingly frustrated with the management of the Ada Schools System. While I could continue to be frustrated, I would rather be part of a solution.
What do I want for the Ada Schools, School Board, and Community?
- Communication between the board and the community and the staff
- Accountability for the administration
- Introduction and/or reinstatement of extra curricular activities
- Support for teachers/staff
- Student centered school
Ted Griffith
- 43-year Ada resident
- Three children in the Ada School System (Tess, TJ, Téa)
- 1987 Ada High School Graduate – Class President and Salutatorian
- 1991 Ohio State University Graduate - B.S. Agriculture (87-91 Ohio State Marching Band)
- 10+ years Hardin County Farm Bureau Board of Trustees – President 2 years
- 3-year term Hardin Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors
- 3-year term Indian Lake Watershed Project Board of Supervisors
- 9-year term Ohio State Lima Board of Trustees
- Founded the Ada High School Foundation scholarship program in 2012
- Liberty National Bank Board of Directors 2011-present
- Partner – Powell Seeds/Buckeye Hybrids 2000-present
- Farmer – 1991-present
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