Ballot brings mix of school board races

FINDLAY — Voters across Hancock County will see a variety of contested and uncontested candidates for area school board seats on the November 4, 2025 general election ballot. In Findlay schools, four candidates have filed for two open seats: Kaleb Brankamp, of 216 Fox Run Rd., Findlay; Katie Hite, of 304 2nd St., Findlay; write-in Jack Winans, of 607 Londonderry Dr., Findlay; and incumbent board president Matthew R. Cooper, of 15322 Lakeview Pkwy., Findlay. In Arcadia schools, four candidates are running for three seats: Rachelle Harmon, of 304 E. Brown Road; Andrew Roberts, of 22925 County Road 216; and incumbents Corey Boes, of 2325 County Road 257, Fostoria; and board president Ryan A. George, of 20201 Township Road 214, Arcadia. In Arlington, four are competing for three open seats: Ted Welsh, of 8201 Township Road 31, Jenera, and incumbents Kevin E. Hartman, of 15933 Township Road 74, Findlay; Cindy K. Hindall, of 250 West Liberty St., Arlington; and Mark A. Russell, of 13885 County Road 26, Findlay. In Cory-Rawson, three people have filed for three open seats: Sean H. Adams, of 20818 Township Road 60, Jenera; and incumbents Kari Kempf, of 1919 Township Road 27, Bluffton; and Brent Thomas, of 4303 Township Road 25, Rawson. In Liberty-Benton, only two candidates have filed for three open seats: incumbents Brian Christiansen, of 1837 Nevada Lane, Findlay; and board president Jim Mace, of 9701 Early Dr., Findlay, leaving at least one vacancy to be filled. According to Ohio law, if a seat remains vacant after the election, the Liberty-Benton Board of Education must file the vacancy and appoint someone to serve in the position within 30 days of it being declared vacant. In McComb, three incumbents are seeking reelection for three seats: Holly Renee Hankin, of 136 W. Main St., McComb; board president Glenn Miehls, of 107 Joshua Rd., McComb; and Robbie Quiroga, of 324 East Oliver St., McComb. In Riverdale, three candidates have filed to run for three seats: Jennifer Lewis Shuck, of 309 South Gormley St., Forest; and incumbents Michelle Courtad, of 503 S Mary St., Forest; and Ashley Walters, of 20153 Co. Highway 47, Wharton. In Van Buren, four candidates are vying for three school board seats: Jamie Cunningham, of 208 Township Road 14, Van Buren; David Gladysz, of 1275 Township Road 137, McComb; Erica Kelley, of 845 Township Road 137, McComb; and incumbent board president Laura Ebright, of 1428 Silver Pine Lane, Findlay. In Vanlue, four candidates are running three seats: Eli Hershberger, of 8550 Township Road 23, Carey; and incumbents Dawn M. Caudill, of 116 Crawford St., Vanlue; Sarah J. Garner, of 19346 Township Road 163, Mt. Blanchard; and board president Sean A. Martin, of 208 E. Main St. Box 133, Vanlue. Additionally, three incumbents are seeking reelection for three seats on the Hancock County Educational Service Center governing board: John D. Oman, of 5172 County Road 26, Rawson; Justin Shank, 2603 Township Road 47, Mt Cory; and John R. Livingston, of 21141 Township Road 185, Arlington.