Trending
COLUMBIANA -- Two incumbents are hoping to retain their seats on the Columbiana school board on Nov. 7.
Board members Tony Roncone and Angie Urmson Jeffries are seeking re-election while candidate Nicholas Clemmer is also seeking one of the two available seats on the board.
Jeffries, 47, of North Main Street, is currently serving her first term following her appointment to the board in 2021 and said she is seeking re-election because she believes she can offer knowledge and support to the faculty, students, and parents.
"I am confident in my ability to listen objectively to the needs of all and offer/seek out the supports necessary," she said.
She currently works for the College of Graduate Studies at Youngstown State University in Academic Affairs and her prior work history includes working for Upward Bound, a pre-college program for first generation college bound students.
Before returning to the area in 2003, she worked at John Carroll University in Residence Life and for the MD/PhD program at the Ohio State University.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Youngstown State University and a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Columbia University.
She said she believes she is qualified to continue serving on the board because of her more than 25-year career in education.
"I understand and appreciate what it takes to develop well rounded students who can excel academically, socially, emotionally and grow to their individual potential," she said.
She also said that one of her biggest accomplishments while serving on the board was gaining experience in contract negotiation and helping to maintain and strengthen an excellent school and city relationship.
"As a current board member I am invested in the success of every student. Through years of experience in education, I have proven to be a team member who can listen, work together with people of differing viewpoints and articulate ideas for the betterment of all students," she said.
Her current community activities include being an active Fairfield Ruritan, volunteering at the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley and actively participating in her church, Greenford Christian, where she serves as Sunday school volunteer, summer camp counselor for youth and small group host for adults.
In addition, she has served as adult leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Columbiana Middle School, served as youth soccer and basketball coach, and was involved in bringing the All-Pro Dads program to Joshua Dixon Elementary.
She and her husband, Bruce Jeffries, have two daughters who attend school in the district.
"As a parent that has been actively involved in academic and extracurricular activities I am aware of the positive impact our district has on our community. I possess knowledge to analyze the constant changes in education and the drive to do what is best for all of our students. My experience has enabled me to possess knowledge to navigate the constant changes in education and given me the drive to do what is best for all of our students," she said.
The paper did not receive a response to candidate questionnaires from Roncone and Clemmer.