Five candidates running for three seats on Buckeye Board of Education

Kim Cecelich, 63 Education: She has a radiology degree and is Metro Health board certified in X-ray and CT. She also has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Tiffin University, a master's degree from Tiffin University in health care administration and a master's degree from Tiffin in leadership. She is also EMT board certified from the Medina County Career Center. Family: She has lived in York Township with husband, Mitch, for 35 years. Her son Griffin is a 2018 Buckeye graduate and a 2022 Ashland University graduate. Her mother, Jennifer, who is "91 years young," moved to Buckeye as well. Job history: She has been a CT technologist at Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital for 21 years, a CT tech for the CCF Mobile Stroke Unit for two years and a CT technologist at Metro Health for nine years. She was also on the Buckeye Board of Education from 2014 to 2017. Website: "The Buck Stops Here" on Facebook. Pauleva "C.c." Huttinger, 54 Education: She attended parochial school for elementary and high school and went to two years of college for business management, accounting and fitness/nutrition. All other business education came from her personal experience of starting, operating and selling companies in the construction field and hospitality industry. Family: She is the fifth of seven children. She is now married to Wayne, a fourth-generation farmer in Liverpool Township, and has two children and two grandchildren. Job history: She owned a variety of businesses, like structural steel fabricating and erecting, a tavern, commercial property and a family restaurant. She also worked as an office manager for a homeowners association with 533 homes. Currently she is a school bus driver, wife, mother and grandmother. Website: huttingerforbuckeyeschoolboard.com and on Facebook at "Huttinger for Buckeye School Board." Seth Kujat, 43, incumbent Education: He is a Buckeye High School graduate and received a bachelor of arts in communications studies and conflict management from Kent State University. Family: He said both sides of his family are multigenerational Buckeye graduates with a "rich history of supporting Buckeye Local Schools." His wife, Carrie, is a Buckeye High School graduate. His son, Wyatt, and daughter, Piper, are Buckeye students. Job history: He is a current board of education member for Buckeye Schools. He is the owner of Residential Building, Remodeling & Home Improvements. He also has experience as the vice president of community impact and corporate engagement for United Way of Summit & Medina Counties, the director of strategic services at The Impact Group, executive director at United Way of Medina County and executive fellow at Cleveland Leadership Center. Other experience includes being the varsity assistant coach for Buckeye High School football, youth director at York United Methodist Church and did Leap of Faith building, roofing and renovations with Habitat for Humanity and The Fuller Center for Housing. Website: N/A Denise Piovarchy, 67, incumbent Education: She is a Buckeye High School graduate from 1976. Family: She has been married to Chris Piovarchy for 45 years, and her husband is a 1975 Buckeye High School graduate. She has three sons — Adam, Christopher and Tyler, who are all Buckeye High School graduates — and two daughters-in-law, Tara Piovarchy and Bethany Piovarchy. She also has nine grandchildren who are in kindergarten through 10th grade at Buckeye Schools. Job history: She retired from Buckeye Local Schools in 2014. She served as administrative assistant to the superintendent from 2002 to 2014. Prior to 2014, she also served as a secretary at Buckeye Athletic Department, a secretary at Buckeye High School and as the building secretary at Liverpool Elementary School. Website: N/A Tim Seeley, 47, write-in candidate Education: He has a bachelor's degree in business management from Eastern Michigan University. Family: He married his high school sweetheart, Kristin, and they both graduated from Buckeye High School. He said they have three wonderful children. Noah is in his second year at Bowling Green State University and is a 2024 Buckeye graduate. Zach is a senior at Buckeye and the Medina County Career Center and Kora is a freshman at Buckeye. Job history: He spent 18 years at UPS in business development. He has spent the last six years at Fresh2U Transportation as the director of business development and customer experience. Website: N/A YORK TWP. — Five candidates are running for three seats on the Buckeye Board of Education during the November election. What makes you the best candidate for the position? Cecelich: If elected, I would immediately pursue reducing our school district's property tax rates, which we have the ability to do. Cloverleaf is currently taking this action to help out their community. Buckeye receives (about) 61 percent of our property taxes. (In my opinion) the spike in property evaluations has made our district cash rich and is lacking fiscal restraint. New revenue and spending levels are unsustainable. Our community taxpayers are taxed out. I was part of the effort that pushed no on the last three bond issues. Imagine where we would be today had any one of those tax increases passed. Huttinger: I've been attending school board meetings while speaking with taxpayers/residents at fairs and events for over four years, learning about their concerns. I also worked at Buckeye as a cook and bus driver giving me firsthand experience with the daily operations and employee relations. I have strong principles and personally practice honesty, clear/direct communication and compromise. The years I've invested in learning about our school's operations and finances, plus my business work experience, gives me a great head start to dive right in. Kujat: Spent majority of career working with local school leaders and students: Served two years as Buckeye Board of Education president. Expanded mental health services in Medina County school districts. Focused years of leadership on kindergarten readiness and third grade reading comprehension in Medina County and Akron Public Schools. Implemented family resource centers in (Akron Public Schools). Expanded Imagination Library, free books, to children. Helped with creation and early implementation of college and career academies in (Akron Public Schools). Developed strategic plans and community engagement efforts for school districts, boards of developmental disabilities and local library districts. Piovarchy: As a board member, longtime community member, parent, volunteer and former school district employee, I've been engaged in our schools for decades. I know where we've been and where we need to go. I've worked alongside educators, supported students and listened closely to families. My deep roots in the community, combined with a clear vision and commitment to respectful collaboration, uniquely position me to continue serving the district. I care deeply about our students, staff and our community. I'm dedicated to ensuring every child has the support, resources and opportunities they need to succeed, both now and in the future. Seeley: I'm not sure my thoughts matter on what makes me the best candidate to be on the Buckeye Board of Education. That will be up to the voters. However, my hope is for the community to understand that I will bring unwavering focus, genuine passion and a commitment to honesty. I will be open-minded so that I can be receptive to opposing viewpoints. I will be diligent and level-headed while making thoughtful decisions impacting our school district. Above all, I thrive in collaborative environments, valuing others' perspectives and working toward a common goal (of) helping Buckeye be the best version of itself. What is the biggest challenge facing the district, and how would you address it? Cecelich: Busing is the biggest problem. As I had posted on (The Buck Stops Here), the district has a responsibility to ensure the students get to school every day. It is an unfair burden on parents to cancel routes or have the kids sit on a bus for an excessive amount of time. I would increase the drivers' pay immediately to entice and retain drivers. With the new school, the community needs a watchdog to ensure the money is being spent accordingly and the community will have input and a voice. My education, experience and community commitment make myself an excellent vote for (board of education). Huttinger: Including the entire public in our public schools when it comes to finances, facilities, curriculum and policies. The public consists of residents and taxpayers that do not currently have children enrolled in Buckeye Schools, as well as those that do. I would start by having us adhere to the Ohio sunshine l aws when holding meetings. These are state guidelines for our school to follow when discussing all Buckeye business, which goes beyond the monthly board meetings. Kujat: Designing and building of the new high school and remodeled middle school: Give the superintendent and treasurer (the) supports needed to accomplish facilities plan. Work together as a team of board members to overcome challenges. Engage school stakeholders to: Revise and evolve current junior high and high school curriculum focused on career skill development and/or college preparation. Design buildings that foster learning spaces for students, staff and community members. Partner with workforce leaders to assist with curriculum and classroom design. Retain, recruit and reward staff, teachers and administrators focused on culture and student successes. Review finances to ensure proper budgeting. Piovarchy: Over the past three years, there has been division in our community about how to move forward with addressing our facilities issues. In August, I voted to move forward with a self-funded facilities plan that takes the financial burden off our community members. I have spent extensive time listening to the community and understanding the needs of our students and staff, and I am committed to staying the course to ensure that we meet these needs through this self-funded facilities plan. It is essential that our students have a learning environment that prepares them for success. Seeley: The biggest challenge facing our school district is balancing respect for its traditions with the need to evolve and prepare our children for a rapidly changing future. Holding on to the past can limit progress, especially in education. I would address this by promoting modern, forward-thinking educational strategies while honoring our community's values. This means investing in technology, critical thinking and life skills, ensuring students are not only academically prepared but adaptable and future-ready. By engaging educators, families and the community, we can create a school system that respects our roots while building a stronger future for the next generation. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.