Three candidates running for Brunswick City Schools Board of Education

Alison Hanudel, 42 Education: She has a master of education degree in exceptional student education. Family: She is married to Stephen Hanudel and has two daughters who are 5 and almost 7 years old. Job history: She has been an intervention specialist for Cloverleaf Local Schools since 2012. Previously, she was employed by Wooster City Schools as a long-term substitute and small group instructor. Website: bit.ly/46xeOMu. Laura Mullen, 54 Education: For her undergraduate studies, she attended Seattle University in Washington. She also did graduate work at the University of Evansville in Indiana. Family: She has been married to Martin, who is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, for 20 years. Her children attend the Medina County Career Center and Brunswick High School. Their oldest child is a freshman at the University of Akron. Job history: Her background is in counseling and higher education. She has been involved in staff recruitment, training and retention at different universities across the country. She was also a stay at home parent while her children were young, and she volunteered at the elementary and middle school level in the Parent Teacher Organization. Now, she works in administration and human resources. Website: "Friends of Mullen" can be found on Facebook at bit.ly/3FlcEDU. She also has campaign accounts under the same name on Instagram and Twitter. Nancy Zelei, 74 Education: She attended Holy Name High School. She received a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from Mount St. Joseph University and a master's degree in early childhood education from Kent State University. Family: Her daughter Jennifer is a teacher at Southwest City Schools, and her daughter Katie is a teacher at Parma City Schools. She also has three grandchildren. Jaylen is 13, Mikayla is 10 and Ayden is 6. Her children and grandchildren attended Brunswick City Schools. Job history: She was a teacher for Brunswick City Schools and was first elected as a member of the school board in 2007. Website: N/A BRUNSWICK — Alison Hanudel, Laura Mullen and incumbent Nancy Zelei are running for the two open positions on the Brunswick City Schools Board of Education in the Nov. 7 election. What makes you the best candidate for the position? Hanudel: I am currently a public educator with over 15 years experience. I believe in a strong public education system for all students. I have been a high school track and field coach, JO volleyball coach for ages 10 through seniors and a middle and high school basketball coach for area programs. I am also an OHSAA volleyball official. I hold a K-12 intervention license that includes both mild (to) moderate and moderate (to) intensive needs, as well as PK-12 physical education license. I also have endorsements in reading, adapted PE and computer and technology. Mullen: I am passionate about serving the needs of our students (and) community. I care about ensuring that all students have access in our district. I regularly attend school board meetings, and I am knowledgeable of the issues facing the district. I am a supporter of strong public education and understand that there are multiple pathways to graduation. There are currently lots of bills moving through the Ohio Statehouse, and we have a responsibility to follow those because they impact our children (and) district. I have appreciated the partnership I have had with teachers and staff in the district in educating my children. Zelei: I am a long time educator in the district. I understand what our "business" is. I have been serving on our Brunswick Board of Education for 16 years. I have become passionate in wanting our district to be successful for all of our students. I will continue to be an advocate for our students, teachers, parents and our community. I am committed to continuing to make decisions in the best interests of our students and our district. What is the biggest challenge facing Brunswick City Schools, and how would you address it? Hanudel: (A) reduction in state funding will be a major challenge as our state leadership emphasizes and funds private education at the expense of public education. It is imperative that the new high school be built as a great educational facility for all students over multiple generations and as a pillar the community can be proud of. Teachers and staff should receive the administrative support they need, so they can best educate their students. The district should encourage and support community and parental involvement. Mullen: We are in the early stages of planning and building a new high school. We need to ensure that students in all the buildings have access to the same resources. The district needs to: Continue to be transparent in its operation. Balance taxpayer wallets with the changing needs of current and future students. Continue forward with connecting the community to the schools. Consistently share successes with our community partners. Part of being on the board is being involved and curious, getting the full picture and asking the right questions. I would hope to do these things. Zelei: I believe that the biggest challenge facing the Brunswick City School District is the need to "close the gap" that has occurred because of COVID. Our students faced an unusual way to learn during their time at home. We need to close that gap for all of our students, no matter their background, race, socioeconomic level or ability to learn. Our students deserve a high-quality education. We need to make a concerted effort on what is the student's gap, and how are we going to fix it? Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.