Curiously, the announcement was made without attribution - no name, no explanation, just a quiet nod of support from behind the curtain. One has to wonder: if these are truly the best candidates to represent our schools, why wouldn’t their supporters stand behind them publicly?
- Ed Reinle - a sitting board member seeking another term,
- Dana Kalczuk - a relative unknown whose child’s residency in the district has been a recent topic of scrutiny, and
- Ellis Marples - a new name in the BOE conversation, though not unfamiliar to many in town.
Reinle, despite being an incumbent, is most often noted for his 61% meeting attendance record - not exactly a glowing endorsement when it comes to showing up for the job. Kalczuk, meanwhile, enters the race under a cloud of controversy regarding her family’s eligibility to reside in the district, an issue that reportedly reached the level of internal board review earlier this year. As for Marples, little is known yet about his platform or priorities.
With the filing deadline still ahead, this initial list has prompted a wave of community reaction - mostly along the lines of: Is this really it?
There’s still time for others to step forward. And many are hoping they do.
After all, our students and schools deserve more than just familiar names or politically convenient choices. They deserve commitment, transparency, and leadership that shows up - literally and figuratively.
We’ll find out soon whether better options are on the way. Stay tuned.