Oakwood School Board candidates say top priorities include finances, transparency and accountability

Candidates’ top issues

** Debbie DiLorenzo says her top priorities are supporting students, empowering educators and encouraging open communications with the community. She said she wanted all students in the community to feel valued and respected. Empowering educators will be accomplished by recognizing educators and making sure they have the resources they need, she said.

** Drew Moore said his top three priorities are academic excellence, accountability and transparency. He says he will work with the superintendent on the district’s report card, set clear expectations, be available to the public, and have detailed minutes available for the community to read.

** Vivian Johnson said her top three priorities are fiscal transparency, amplify academic rigor and increasing diverse talent. She said fiscal transparency in general is something she “will investigate in earnest.” She says students with special needs need to be prioritized. She also is increasing diverse talent as a Black woman by running for school board and encouraging teachers of color she knows to apply for positions in Oakwood.

** Nathan Reiter said his top three priorities are communication, fiscal health and inclusion. He says he will work closely with other board members, support policies and procedures that embrace transparent communications and serve as an ambassador between the schools and community. He cited his experience managing funds for school districts and government-sponsored program to help look at the district’s funds. He said he will communicate budget needs and opportunities with the community. He also says he supports social emotional learning, equity, diversity and inclusion activities, supports for mental health and core values of empathy, kindness and compassion.

Candidate facts, quotes

** DiLorenzo is self-employed. She is the Oakwood Parent-Teacher Organization President, on the Wright Memorial Library Board of Trustees, a Habitat for Humanity family advocate and Gala co-chair.

“I am the best choice because I have experience,” she said. “I am already on the Oakwood Board of Education having been appointed in 2022 from a pool of very qualified applicants.”

** Moore is the sales director at Solvita, a medical device company. He said he is completing the process to be involved in Oakwood Rotary. He was a former college athlete and said he believes extracurriculars are important.

“I can bring a unique perspective to the School Board as a business professional and a young parent in this community,” Moore said. “I have professional experience managing an annual budget of $30 million, communicating ethically and openly with clients, and being accountable for my performance — I believe these would be great assets to the board.”

** Johnson works at United Theological Seminary, a United Methodist seminary in Trotwood. She is a Black woman and says her presence on the board would make the board, which is mostly white, more diverse.

“I know first-hand how to work with people who have differing views,” Johnson said. “In order to make the best decision for the vitality of our students and the institution as a whole, all perspectives need to be taken into account.”

** Reiter is a program director with Molina Healthcare, overseeing quality improvement and health equity integration efforts for individuals who have Medicaid, Marketplace, or Medicare. He serves on the board of We Care Arts as well as serving as a board member with Columbus-based organization Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS), which serves new arrivals from all countries in establishing roots and gaining self-sufficiency in Central Ohio. Additionally, he has been involved with local community organizations, including Citizens for a Better Oakwood and Welcome Dayton’s Health & Human Services Subcommittee.

“I hope I earn your vote because I am all in for all students, because I have both determination and expertise in learning, and because I will seek your input, experiences, and perspectives as a board member,” he said.