Some old, some new for school board

by Brynn Burton and Natalie Morales
Staff writers

Voters can look forward to seeing some familiar faces and some new ones on the ballot this year for Athens City School board.

Catherine Cordingley and Jeffery Dill both have served six years on the board, while Wayne Horsley and Bruce Nottke are running for the first time.

Cordingley has served on the school board for six years and would like to see her various projects finish.

"We have just finished our fiscal plan, where we remodeled the high school and junior high," she said. "We also have our educational and financial plans in the works."

Cordingley said she feels her experience and role as mother qualifies her for the position.

"I have three children that have been through the system," she said. "I have served on the PTA for about ten years and I have a masters in education."

Dill is running again after serving two terms on the school board, and like Cordingley, has various projects continuing.

"I have always had an interest in the schools," Dill said "I have served two terms and have seen the school system blossom into what it is today and would like to be a part of it."

He said he plans to continue with what he has been doing with the board if reelected.

"I feel the school board's position is to keep the road blocks out of the way so teachers can teach and students can learn," Dill.

Nottke decided to run for the first time to give back to the community and the school system that his children have been a part of.

"I have always thought about running, but I didn’t want to miss out on the important events in my children's lives," Nottke said. "I don’t have a huge agenda for the position. I just want to keep the schools the best they can be."

Wayne Horsley is a freshman to the election scene, but said his extensive background in education makes him a qualified candidate for the position.

"I am familiar with the district, the teachers and the administration," Horsley said. "My background is in education and I plan on fulfilling the role and hiring quality people to keep up the excellence of Athens schools."

According to the Athens County Board of Elections, Cordingley and Dill are the only ones who will appear on the ballot. Horsley and Nottke are write-ins, and one of the two simply will fill the third seat.