Michele Hoyle for UA Council - Pencilstorm Interview

There are seven candidates running for four seats on Upper Arlington City Council.  Pencilstorm asked each of the candidates five specific questions centered around issues that impacted Upper Arlington residents and questions that were being raised by fellow voters.  Pencilstorm will be posting their complete and unedited answers individually throughout September and reposting all their answers together before the election. School Board candidates will appear in October. Answers will be posted in order they're received. Our second candidate, Michele Montavon Hoyle, is featured below.

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Michele Montavon Hoyle, Upper Arlington City Council Candidate

Michele Montavon Hoyle
www.Hoyle4UA.com

What makes you qualified to have oversight of the $72 million city budget?
My over thirty years’ experience preparing and reviewing  municipal budgets and working with all aspects of city finances make me uniquely qualified among all the candidates to provide the leadership needed to guide our city’s operating budget as well as our substantial and growing capital improvements program and bond portfolio.

What steps do we need to take so that the new community center is the best it can be for all Upper Arlington citizens?
The most important steps moving forward are those that continue the community’s involvement and engagement in the design of both the physical facility and the programs that will be offered.  The footprint will create some challenges that will be best met by ongoing communication between our residents and the professionals who will translate those conversations into the best possible facility to meet the needs of all members of the community.

Much work has been done over the past two decades to improve the financial well-being of our city. What are the next steps we need to take for our parks and pools as we continually improve?
We have invested and continue to invest in our city parks and pools, as our recreation facilities are highly prized by our residents and a high priority to me and all members of the current City Council.  The many demands placed on our relatively limited park space require careful management of the turf and proactive maintenance of the facilities at all of our parks and pools.  I personally would like us to provide more amenities like year-round restrooms to encourage use all year.  I’d also like to look at creative ways to staff our pools (like older adult lifeguards – who needs David Hasselhoff?) to extend the outdoor swimming season.

Central Ohio is the fastest growing area in the state and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission projects we’ll have 3 million residents by the year 2050. What are two things Upper Arlington needs to do to maintain its position as one of the best places to live in Central Ohio? 
Greater connectivity and walkability, and access to alternative forms of transportation. As Upper Arlington redevelops, we are seeing higher density developments that have exposed potential issues with traffic and parking in several areas of the city.  With these concerns comes heightened interest in transportation alternatives to personal vehicles, and in improved walkability and connectivity throughout UA and to other parts of our expanding metro area. To address connectivity and walkability,  this City Council has added funding to encourage neighborhood-initiated sidewalk projects and has incorporated connections to schools and parks in our capital improvements program.  A recent survey of seniors in our community also has indicated a need for transportation alternatives when driving is no longer an option.  Collectively these pressures will require work with our existing mass transit provider, COTA, to look at current routes to determine if other options provide better service, along with ways to extend the current network using  closed loop circulators and/or smaller or alternative vehicles.

Here’s a fun question. We’re all musicians here at Pencilstorm and are excited about the return to live music. What band or performer are you most excited about seeing live again?
I am an eclectic music lover, so I look forward to live music in general.  I love musical theater and will see “Dear Evan Hanson” , “Hadestown” and “Hamilton” (for the third time) as soon as local tours come to Columbus.  I also love the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and can’t wait to hear Byron Stripling play his trumpet and Bobby Floyd on the B3!

Pencilstorm would like to thank Michele Montavon Hoyle for taking the time to answer our questions.  Learn more about Michele at her website: www.Hoyle4UA.com.  Look for responses from future candidates in the coming days. Pencilstorm is an independent news source and does not endorse any individual candidate.

Local UA Politics coverage provided by Wal Ozello. You can email him at Pencilstormstory@gmail.com or try to catch him at Colin's Coffee. 

 Check out coverage of all the candidates we've received responses from by clicking here.

Jim Lynch for UA Council - Pencilstorm Interview

There are seven candidates running for four seats on Upper Arlington City Council.  Pencilstorm asked each of the candidates five specific questions centered around issues that impacted Upper Arlington residents and questions that were being raised by fellow voters.  Pencilstorm will be posting their complete and unedited answers individually throughout September and reposting all their answers together before the election. School Board candidates will appear in October. Answers will be posted in order they're received. Our first candidate, Jim Lynch, is featured below.

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Jim Lynch, Upper Arlington City Council Candidate

Jim Lynch
www.Lynch4UA.com

What makes you qualified to have oversight of the $72 million city budget?
As a current member of UA City Council and from my previous experience as a senior staff member of the Ohio Office of Budget and Management, I have a solid understanding of public sector fiscal policy. As a member of council, I have continually monitored the city’s budget and spending priorities to ensure that we keep our community on a strong financial footing. I am proud to report that Upper Arlington’s budget has never been stronger and the nation’s leading bond-rating agencies recently reconfirmed Upper Arlington’s AAA rating. On council, I championed an independent performance audit of city operations and helped create a citizens task force to help us develop a blueprint for staying fiscally strong. Ensuring fiscal stability requires continued diligence and if re-elected I’ll continue to vote against unnecessary city spending.

What steps do we need to take so that the new community center is the best it can be for all Upper Arlington citizens?
Overwhelming support for the ballot issue to construct a community center was driven by a transparent, citizen-led effort that required extensive communications with the public.  As a member of council, I will continue working to ensure that our city government is effectively engaging the community over the next several years as we design, construct and operate this facility. Just as important, with the construction and operation of our new community center we will need to keep a sharp eye on the city’s budget and spending priorities to maintain Upper Arlington’s solid financial footing.

Much work has been done over the past two decades to improve the financial well-being of our city. What are the next steps we need to take for our parks and pools as we continually improve?
The City of Upper Arlington recently completed a comprehensive review of our park system, and those findings are providing a blueprint for needed improvements over the next 10 years. We can’t be afraid to spend funds to preserve these assets, but that must be done in a fiscally responsible way. As a member of council, I have been proud to support this important work and help launch the necessary improvements to these vital recreational assets that are so strongly supported by our community.

Central Ohio is the fastest growing area in the state and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission projects we’ll have 3 million residents by the year 2050. What are two things Upper Arlington needs to do to maintain its position as one of the best places to live in Central Ohio? 
Job creators and potential new residents are attracted to communities that foster a culture of inclusiveness and value high-quality educational opportunities. Make no mistake, while Upper Arlington is a great community to work, live and raise a family, we still must compete with other communities for new residents and businesses.  That’s why we have worked hard and need to continue efforts to improve city infrastructure and services, polish up our parks and other community assets, and upgrade our school buildings.  Fortunately, our community took a major step forward in keeping us competitive by approving a new community center at Kingsdale.  This new facility will strengthen the fabric of our community by bringing people together.   

We also need to continue our efforts to become more welcoming and inclusive. As a member of council, I am proud to have helped champion the creation of a Community Relations Committee with diverse members to help ensure that we are doing all we can to make sure Upper Arlington is known as a welcoming place for all new residents.

Here’s a fun question. We’re all musicians here at Pencilstorm and are excited about the return to live music. What band or performer are you most excited about seeing live again?
I’ve long been a sucker for live music, so after 18 months of living through a pandemic, I won’t be picky, but I love that band Watershed. Anyone remember that? They’re awesome.

Pencilstorm would like to thank Jim Lynch for taking the time to answer our questions.  Learn more about Jim at his website: www.Lynch4UA.com.  Look for responses from future candidates in the coming days. Pencilstorm is an independent news source and does not endorse any individual candidate.

Local UA Politics coverage provided by Wal Ozello. You can email him at Pencilstormstory@gmail.com or try to catch him at Colin's Coffee. 

Pencilstorm Interviews: Nicholas Fortkamp for School Board

There are four candidates running for three seats on Upper Arlington City School Board. Pencilstorm asked each of the candidates five specific questions centered around issues that impacted Upper Arlington residents and questions that were being raised by fellow voters. Pencilstorm will be posting their complete and unedited answers individually leading up to the election and reposting all their answers together the last week of October. Answers will be posted in order they're received. Our final candidate, Nicolas Fortkamp, is featured below.

Nicolas Fortkamp
https://fortkampforua.com/

In 2018, the school conducted a safety audit and implemented the recommendations.  Safety continues to be a top priority in our district. What additional measures would you advocate to keep our students and staff safer?
Student and staff safety in our schools is an undisputed priority.  I will advocate ongoing conversations among students, staff, administration, and board members, to continually seek the most innovative, effective safety methods available, including appropriate building features, safety techniques, and policies.     

I will advocate for growing a stronger culture of safety within our schools.  To accomplish this, we must increase dialogue to deepen the trust among students, staff members, and families.  We need to talk about safety awareness and procedures openly, making it a part of student life without overwhelming the students and staff.  By encouraging a safe, trusting culture within our school system, students and educators will be free to focus on positive educational experiences.

What technology projects would you propose as a school board member to better prepare our students for the challenges of the near future?
One of the greatest challenges facing our world today is sustainability.  To better prepare our students, I would propose focusing on technology projects related to environmental and economic sustainability.  Business and industry, including academic institutions, are investing time and resources in the sustainability sector.  Our students need to be equipped with knowledge and experience in sustainable technologies to succeed in whatever paths they choose, as it will ultimately impact their lives, both personally and professionally.

Careers utilizing these technologies, including renewable energy sectors such as wind, hydro, geothermal and solar, and the environmental sciences, will require students with a strong foundation in these areas.  The challenges of the future will need to be analyzed and solved though new technology and perspectives; our students will create a better future by being better prepared.

Between higher property taxes and the cost of students participating in various school activities, the expense of having a student in the school system seems to be ever increasing and can be challenging for some in our community.  What are some ways to lower the cost of our children taking advantage of various activities Upper Arlington schools have to offer?
As a board of education member, I will initiate conversations among school associations, programs, and clubs to enlist their help in finding ways to lower costs for student participation.  By providing discreet financial assistance to students in need, utilizing payment schedules instead of an upfront lump sum, and tapping other organizations for financial assistance, we can help more students take advantage of more activities. 

Finally, from a city and community perspective, a community center could be a catalyst for increased and affordable student activities and programs.  This initiative is still in an exploratory phase, we must utilize spaces currently available in Upper Arlington, perhaps partnering with the city, local businesses and community organizations, to locate affordable, appropriate space for additional student activities. 

What’s the one thing our teachers need to help them be better educators?
I believe teachers would benefit most by having a consistent system relaying an extensive, individual profile for each student, year to year, passed on from one teacher to the next.  I would like to see teachers enter their classroom each year, with a comprehensive understanding and academic history of each child.  If this is done correctly, teachers will be provided the best information to reach and teach each student.  Our teachers are excellent and deserve all the support and financial resources we can afford. 

Everyone at Pencilstorm is a musician. To that end, what would you do to support the arts and music education at all Upper Arlington’s schools?
I believe the arts and music are essential at all stages of learning.  I am a fervent supporter of the arts and music education in our schools and I understand the power they have to enhance all aspects of a child’s education.  I will advocate for integrating music and the arts into nonrelated classes, as a tool to expand the educational experience.  I will support more live performances and hands-on experiences for students, as well as performance partnerships among different age groups, to give a broader, deeper understanding of the arts.  Finally, utilizing our community as a resource, and the high school program, UA IDEA Day, we can share with our students the music and arts from the globally diverse cultures represented in Upper Arlington.         

Pencilstorm would like to thank Nicolas Fortkamp for taking the time to answer our questions.  Learn more about Nicolas at his website: https://fortkampforua.com/. Pencilstorm is an independent news source and does not endorse any individual candidate.

Local UA Politics coverage provided by Wal Ozello. You can email him at Pencilstormstory@gmail.com or try to catch him at Colin's Coffee. 

Check out coverage of all the candidates we've received responses from by clicking here.

Pencilstorm Interviews: Jenny McKenna for School Board

There are four candidates running for three seats on Upper Arlington City School Board. Pencilstorm asked each of the candidates five specific questions centered around issues that impacted Upper Arlington residents and questions that were being raised by fellow voters. Pencilstorm will be posting their complete and unedited answers individually leading up to the election and reposting all their answers together the last week of October. Answers will be posted in order they're received. Our third candidate, Jenny McKenna, is featured below.

Jenny McKenna
http://www.jennyforua.com/

In 2018, the school conducted a safety audit and implemented the recommendations.  Safety continues to be a top priority in our district. What additional measures would you advocate for to keep our students and staff safer?
In speaking with many parents around the district, I know first hand that safety remains a top priority. As a member of the Upper Arlington School Board, I look forward to ensuring that the safety audit recommendations are implemented in a timely manner. The upgraded visitor log system that has been put in place at our schools this year is a huge step in the right direction, especially given the construction traffic that will be happening at most of our school sites the next several years. I recently had a discussion with Chris Potts, chief operating officer, where we discussed this vey topic. He agrees that as we look to the future, the expert consensus is the most important thing the district can do to keep our kids safe is to invest in their social and emotional well being. This includes ensuring that our faculty and staff are taking care of themselves so they are equipped to take care of our students. It also includes being mindful of the emotional toll of lockdown drills and heightened security have on our kids while also making sure our kids are prepared to be safe in case of emergency. These topics are not simple to solve and as a parent, who is interacting with teachers and other parents in elementary, middle and high school on a weekly basis, I look forward to working with our community to maintain our standards of excellence when it comes to the safety and well-being of our kids. 

What technology projects would you propose as a school board member to better prepare our students for the challenges of the near future?
With the district’s implementation of the “one-to-one” technology initiative, we’ve invested a great deal of resources into technology. I am thankful that we have excellent curriculum designers that are working hard everyday to find new ways to incorporate the use of these learning tools into our students’ everyday learning and lives. After speaking to many principles, I learned our teachers are finding innovative ways to use the iPads to teach our curriculum. I was recently speaking with friends of ours about this exact topic. Not only do the have two children in elementary school but the father, Mike Hofherr, also happens to be Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Ohio State. He was sharing with me that one of the biggest challenges with technology is ensuring that our teachers know how and when to use it appropriately. Teacher training is key to integrate that technology into their curriculum.  Experts estimate 80% of the jobs in 2030 don’t exist today - so we need to teach the kids these skills that will prepare them for a technology driven economy. I want to work with the district to make sure we invest in professional development for our staff so they are up to date on the best way to use technology to engage our students. Finally, as a parent of children in multiple schools around the district, I want to make sure whenever new things are rolled out our communication to parents occurs early and often.  As a member of the Upper Arlington School Board, I’d like to bridge that divide and serve as the voice for parents.

Between higher property taxes and the cost of students participating in various school activities, the expense of having a student in the school system seems to be ever increasing and can be challenging for some in our community.  What are some ways to lower the cost of our children taking advantage of various activities Upper Arlington schools have to offer?
Unfortunately, this is a problem that is not unique to Upper Arlington and growing up in a family of seven children, I can appreciate how these costs can quickly add up and parents feel like they are being stretched way too thin. I am a firm believer in “all means all.” ALL children should be afforded the opportunity to participate in sports and extracurriculars if they so desire.

 We are fortunate to live in a community with robust and active PTOs and a well supported education foundation. As President of the PTO, I saw first-hand how many community members are willing to donate their time and money to help make sure All means All. We organize fundraising events annually to help supplement important educational and extracurricular activities. My husband and I are also annual contributors to the Upper Arlington Education Foundation and we have worked closely with other parents over the years to educate our community on the value and benefits of giving charitably to our schools.  As a voice for parents, I look forward to continue to work with our PTO leadership and the education foundation to find creative solutions ensuring school activities remain affordable for all of our students.

What’s the one thing our teachers need to help them be better educators?
Our teachers are amazing educators, and that’s one of the many reasons our district is so great. Personally, I think one of the best things we can do is let our teachers teach. Our kids are tested too much. I’d love to see less time devoted to testing and testing prep and more time devoted to allowing our teachers to prepare our students for the future. I’ve spoken with dozens of other parents first-hand who feel the same way. I also believe that we need to maintain the district’s level of investment in professional development. Whether it’s learning how to better leverage technology in the classroom or supporting the social and emotional needs of our students, our teachers are one of our most valuable assets and need to be supported.  Teachers in the elementary, middle and high school classrooms are trying new and innovative ways of teaching the content while taking the emotional stress of constant testing out of the classroom. As a parent with kids who will be in elementary, middle and high school over the next four years, I look forward to collaborating with parents and teachers at all levels to continue to innovate our approach to education in a way that best benefits our kids. 

Everyone at Pencilstorm is a musician. To that end, what would you do to support arts and music education at all of Upper Arlington’s schools?
I am so thankful to live in a school district that strongly supports music & arts programming. We currently have amazing and diverse offerings for students all over the district. There are strings and band programs in every one of our elementary schools. We have after school enrichment programs that include everything from ceramics to ukulele to Taiko drums. Our middle schools and high school have robust performing arts programs. As a member of the Upper Arlington School Board, I look forward to strongly supporting these offerings and maintaining our current levels of investment.

Pencilstorm would like to thank Jenny McKenna for taking the time to answer our questions.  Learn more about Jenny at her website: http://www.jennyforua.com/. Look for responses from future candidates in the coming days. Pencilstorm is an independent news source and does not endorse any individual candidate.

Local UA Politics coverage provided by Wal Ozello. You can email him at Pencilstormstory@gmail.com or try to catch him at Colin's Coffee. 

Check out coverage of all the candidates we've received responses from by clicking here.

Pencilstorm Interviews: Lori Trent for School Board

There are four candidates running for three seats on Upper Arlington City School Board. Pencilstorm asked each of the candidates five specific questions centered around issues that impacted Upper Arlington residents and questions that were being raised by fellow voters. Pencilstorm will be posting their complete and unedited answers individually leading up to the election and reposting all their answers together the last week of October. Answers will be posted in order they're received. Our second candidate, Lori Trent, is featured below.

Lori O. Trent
https://www.trent4kids.com/

In 2018, the school conducted a safety audit and implemented the recommendations. Safety continues to be a top priority in our district. What additional measures would you advocate for to keep our students and staff safer?
Student well-being which is a part of the recently adopted strategic plan is a huge component. We need to work on building a community where every student (and staff member) feels like they belong. This happens by building bridges, not barriers, embracing differences not judging. Everyone has something to contribute in our community and we need to recognize everyone for their individual talents and gifts. Every student needs to feel valued, loved, and safe. We need to teach our students about school-life balance and create a system where this is possible. We need to have a community where students have trusted adults that they can interact with daily but especially with during times of high stress and emotional challenge. We need to better identify those students who need assistance and act accordingly. Everyone (including students, staff, administrators and parents) is responsible to ensure that we have safe schools by paying attention to and extending a helping hand to those who need it. Here are a couple of recent articles on school safety that are worth noting.

USA Today: The lax disciplinary policies that caused Parkland massacre may have spread to your school
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2019/09/09/parkland-school-shooting-discipline-andrew-pollack-column/2221300001/ 

Forbes: Why Schools Should End Active Shooter Drills Immediately
https://www.forbes.com/sites/evangerstmann/2019/09/07/why-schools-should-end-active-shooter-drills-immediately/  

What technology projects would you propose as a school board member to better prepare our students for the challenges of the near future?
We live in a digital world that is ever changing and constantly evolving. Technology is a tool that should be used to augment our learning and not replace it. With the rapid pace of our world, I hesitate to identify specific projects as they are only valid for 3-5 years and who knows what new innovations are around the corner.

However, I do think that each of our students should understand programming and coding and be able to work with and understand big data. This is a critical skill that must be developed in our students regardless of what industry they enter. That means being digitally literate with multiple applications by being able to find, evaluate and compose clear writing and communications through various digital platforms.

Equally important is developing these skills for teachers and administrators through professional development. Creating an opportunity for teachers and students to learn together and support one another in this process is desirable as it builds community. Creating a culture that adults and students work side-by-side helps them both acquire life skills and support a growth mindset and can instill a love for life-long learning.

How schools keep up with the technological age
https://academytoday.co.uk/Article/how-schools-keep-up-with-the-technological-age

Between higher property taxes and the cost of students participating in various school activities, the expense of having a student in the school system seems to be ever increasing and can be challenging for some in our community.  What are some ways to lower the cost of our children taking advantage of various activities Upper Arlington schools have to offer?
With the wealth of opportunities and programs that our district offers to students, from academics, extra curriculars and sports, there are costs are associated with each of those offerings. As with all businesses, one of the easiest ways to lower costs is to decrease spending and thereby decrease offerings. Knowing our community, I suspect this approach would receive mixed support and not be desirable or welcomed. 

Rather, I would propose focusing on building business/industry partnerships and seeking out grants and local, state and national funding sources. If we truly believe that it is our collective responsibility to nurture and develop our students, let’s create a funding mechanism that is mutually beneficial to all students and our community.  

Collectively pulling together as a community, we could also pool resources to help those in our community gain access to the means to make sure their students can participate in those activities. Recently initiated, there is currently a Student Life Review committee lead by Dr. Dan Ross comprised of community members and parents that is looking at school sponsored clubs, student clubs, boosters, etc. and their funding mechanisms.   

3 REASONS WHY BUSINESSES SHOULD PARTNER WITH SCHOOLS
https://edlanta.org/2017/11/3-reasons-businesses-partner-schools/

What’s the one thing our teachers need to help them be better educators?
With all of the demands placed on teachers such as testing, curriculum, individualized learning plans, state standards, etc. I think teachers need some time and space to think about learning and their students. Why did they decide to join the teaching profession? Has it changed from how they were taught? Is the world a different place than it was even a few years ago, let alone a decade or two? The most important question is how do I best provide my students with what they need to be successful in the future. It is estimated that 65% of kindergarteners today will have a job/career that does not exist today. So how can we best prepare those students? We need to instill a growth mind-set teaching problem solving skills, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking – all with a community focus. In Upper Arlington, we are very privileged to have such a wealth of teaching experience and we need to pair that experience with the needs of our current and future student population. I believe our teachers are ready and willing to help create an eco-system that encourages these human skills and better create work-life balance for our students by teachers modeling that behavior.

6 Simple Ways to Become a Better Teacher
https://www.gettingsmart.com/2017/04/6-simple-ways-to-become-a-better-teacher-for-your-students/

Everyone at Pencilstorm is a musician. To that end, what would you do to support arts and music education at all of Upper Arlington’s schools?
Being an art teacher, this is an easy one for me. The arts are everywhere and should be integrated into everything we do – whether visual or performing. They give us life, laughter, appreciation, balance, peace and connectivity. The arts teach us many of the desired future-ready skills mentioned above like problem solving, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking as well as individuality. The arts teach us diversity, equity and inclusion. I believe the arts are the threads that create our tapestry of life. Everyone is an artist in one way or another. Unfortunately, many of our school experiences lead us to feel inadequate as our definition of art is far too narrow. 

I would encourage us to celebrate the arts as part of our regular school experience. Give students ways to express themselves in all of their classes. Let’s bring art and music into the classrooms and allow students to celebrate their own special gifts not just within a specific group such as band, choir, or art club, but fully integrated their talents as an integral part of school.  

Arts Integration in School: 10 Reasons Why It’s Important
https://www.senecaacademy.org/10-reasons-why-integrating-art-is-important-in-school/

Pencilstorm would like to thank Lori Trent for taking the time to answer our questions.  Learn more about Lori at her website: https://www.trent4kids.com/. Look for responses from future candidates in the coming days. Pencilstorm is an independent news source and does not endorse any individual candidate.

Local UA Politics coverage provided by Wal Ozello. You can email him at Pencilstormstory@gmail.com or try to catch him at Colin's Coffee. 

Check out coverage of all the candidates we've received responses from by clicking here.