Huber Heights school board vacancy scrambles race for mayor, council

A student works on a reading assignment in Jayne Risner’s classroom at Valley Forge Elementary School in this 2013 file photo. CHRIS STEWART / STAFF

A student works on a reading assignment in Jayne Risner’s classroom at Valley Forge Elementary School in this 2013 file photo. CHRIS STEWART / STAFF

A vacancy on the Huber Heights City Schools board is scrambling the race for mayor and city council.

Councilman Tyler Starline, who represents Ward 3 and is running for re-election, has applied for the school board appointment, as has mayoral candidate David Wilson, who said he would keep running for mayor even if appointed to the board. An appointment to the school board seat vacated by Krista Tipton would last until Dec. 31.

Meanwhile, Councilman Ed Lyons has ended his bid to become mayor, citing his belief Wilson and candidates Jeff Gore and Albert Griggs Jr. have “pretty good potential” to execute the position well.

MORE: Ed Lyons ends mayoral bid

Starline and Wilson applied by email for the school board position, said schools treasurer Gina Helmick, as did Kari Hupp, Robin Harris, Steve Easterling, Chuck Doran and Craig This. There may be additional candidates for the position, Helmick said, noting the district has not yet reviewed applications submitted by U.S. Mail.

The Dayton Daily News obtained the names of the applicants using Ohio’s public records law.

There are three years remaining on the school board term, but the appointment lasts only until the end of this year. A permanent replacement for the final two years of the term will be elected in November, Helmick said.

In a Facebook post, Starline said he decided to apply for the school board position after being encouraged to do so from several people.

“I am sure that many are wondering about my current status on City Council and my upcoming campaign for re-election,” he wrote. “I have communicated with the local Board of Elections and I believe I may apply and interview without any adverse impact on my council obligations.”

MORE: Starline seeks re-election to Huber Heights council

Wilson told the Dayton Daily News he’d like to “offer his assistance” to the school board and would still continue his campaign for mayor if appointed.

“If I did serve on the school board and then did eventually get the mayor’s position, I think it would give me an understanding of the school board and what is potentially in common between the two of us,” Wilson said.

The school board will meet Tuesday in executive session to review the applications and select candidates for interviews, which will be held Saturday, according to the district.

Tipton resigned earlier this month after her “family dynamics” changed, she said in her resignation email.

MORE: Tipton joins Huber Heights school board

“When I ran for school board, my situation was entirely different,” she wrote. “My family dynamics have changed since then … I fear I am being stretched too thin.”

Tipton’s said that while she loved being part of the school board, “at this time I have to make hard decisions, and prioritize what’s more important and at the end of the day, after God, my family will always take the top spot.”

When she ran for office unopposed in 2015 as a first-time candidate, Tipton said she wanted to have a greater impact in the district’s decision-making process.

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