Crowded race for Miamisburg school board

Miamisburg High School

Miamisburg High School

Miamisburg voters have a crowded school board race in the Nov. 7 election, with five candidates competing for two seats. Nila Getter is the lone incumbent in the race, and she is joined by challengers Brent Masters, Jason Mowery, Scott Taylor and Katherine Winchek. The two winners will serve four-year terms.

All five candidates answered a series of questions for the Dayton Daily News in their own words via our Voter Guide. The details below come from those answers. The full text they provided is available at www.daytondailynews.com/voter-guide.

Candidates’ top issues

** Nila Getter said her top issues are financial responsibility, academic success, and promoting a safe and positive environment for students.

Getter said she would prioritize communication with legislators regarding school funding, along with exploring opportunities for grants and other funding resources. She said monitoring graduation rates and data on student performance and attendance is crucial, along with cultivating safe spaces at school to encourage kindness, and inclusivity.

2023 VOTER GUIDE: Nila Getter

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** Brent Masters said he upholds three guiding principles, including collaboration, respectful discourse, and solution-focused thinking.

Masters said varying perspectives can yield remarkable outcomes, while respectful communication is vital for informed decision making. He said his role is to represent and advocate for the Miamisburg community by fostering open dialogue and and creating a collaborative environment with community members and educational experts.

** Jason Mowery said he prioritizes inclusivity, transparency, and traditional values.

Mowery said open dialogue between the schools and parents is crucial, as is oversight of student social media use to combat potential “misuse.” He advocates for strengthened social media policies, and stressed the importance of financial responsibility.

2023 VOTER GUIDE: Jason Mowery, candidate for Miamisburg school board

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** Scott Taylor said his top issues are financial responsibility, accountability, and curriculum.

Taylor wants to “amend and extend” the administration review period, and he believes community feedback on district policies is crucial. Taylor also prioritizes parental transparency and input on school policies.

2023 VOTER GUIDE: Scott Taylor

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** Katherine Ann Wincheck said her top issues are equitable learning for all students, building psychologically safe learning environments, and addressing achievement gaps.

Wincheck wants to prioritize community input in schools, which she’d foster by hosting regular community meetings. She said gathering feedback would ensure the district reflects the needs and values of the community while closing achievement gaps.

ajc.com

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Candidate facts, quotes

** Getter, a registered nurse of over 40 years, has volunteered with Helping Hands Food Pantry and Miamisburg Church. She formerly served as board president of Kettering Health Credit Union and the Ohio Organization of Nurse Executives.

“Serving on the school board is a way to make a positive impact, advocating for initiatives that will benefit our school district and ultimately our community,” Getter said. “I will represent the best interests of our parents, students and teachers while setting policy that can have a lasting impact.

** Masters, currently an employee for Cincinnati Financial, volunteers for multiple school and athletic events and serves as a youth sports coach.

“Collaboration with fellow adults who represent the values of our community is important,” he said. “... I am dedicated to regularly asking the fundamental question, ‘Is this good for the kids?’”

** Mowery is currently president of Mowery Construction. He also serves as treasurer for the Oak Creek Condo Association.

“I bring to the table a common sense, relentless tenacity, and the courage to remain steadfast to the values I represent in the fact of adversity,” Mowery said.

** Taylor works as senior software engineer supporting the U.S. Air Force with Tyto Athene. He also has experience with numerous organizations, including as board member of Greater Dayton Real Estate Investors Association.

“By training and profession, I am a researcher. Since 2021, I have delved deeply into education issues,” he said. “I feel the heartbeat of the community’s concerns, many of which I have aired publicly ... I will continue to do so as a member of the Miamisburg school board.”

** Winchek is a learning and development consultant at Leidos and owner of the Miamisburg-based business, Learn by Design LLC.

“My mission is to champion equitable learning outcomes, ensuring that every student has the same opportunity to thrive in a fair, safe and inclusive educational environment,” she said.