Four candidates outline priorities for Medina City School Board at Kiwanis forum

Four candidates for the Medina City School Board — Aidan Haggard, Jean Pritchard, Victoria Druley and Aaron Hare — addressed Kiwanis Club members about academic outcomes, district finances and staff recruitment in a candidates night forum.

Aidan Haggard, a recent Medina High School graduate, led with state report-card figures and curriculum goals. “On average, the Medina City School District taxpayer pays $400 a month roughly, in taxes to the school district alone,” Haggard said, and added that the district’s state report-card ratings — “3 out of 5 stars in both literacy and college workforce and military readiness” — meant the community should expect better returns on that investment. Haggard said his priorities include “financial responsibility through financial transparency” and strengthening civic education so “our students should understand the American story.”

Incumbent Jean Pritchard cited programs she said were started during her first four years on the board, including a second-grade water-safety program developed with the rec department and an investment program using commercial paper. She said the district earned “over $2,000,000 in interest, which translates into 1 less point on a levy if we had to go back for more.” Pritchard said her goals for another term include reducing spending and improving report-card measures such as literacy and mathematics.

Victoria Druley, a parent active in PTOs and district committees, said she would “keep students at the center of decisions” while pressing for financial stability and better communication between the board and families. Druley highlighted staffing shortages districtwide — paraprofessionals, bus drivers and support staff — and argued that state funding has not kept pace with the cost of educating a student, which places more burden on local property-tax levies.

Aaron Hare said his professional experience leading a multimillion-dollar department in the private sector and his service on the board’s finance committee inform a fiscal-focused approach. He emphasized seeking operational efficiencies, expanding public–private partnerships and leveraging grants. Hare cited external rankings in context: “According to US News and World Report, Medina High School ranked sixtieth in the state this year,” and said the district should continue that positive trend.

All four asked for voters’ support in the Nov. 4 election and invited further questions after the forum.

The forum was organized by Kiwanis Club volunteers; candidates reviewed platforms and took audience questions afterward.