Federal Hocking candidates focus on curriculum

by Erica Bush and Stephanie Corbin
Staff writers

Four candidates for the Federal Hocking Local Board of Education have previous experience on the board. The four men are vying for three seats.

Enhancing curriculum is the main focus of the Federal Hocking Board, said Tom McGuire, who has served four years on the school board and is running for re-election.

"We are enhancing curriculum to meet students' needs," he said.

Two other current board members running for re-election also said curriculum is the most important issue for the board. But the candidates differ on how to improve it.

John L. Young, who presently is serving his third term on the board, said he hopes to improve the students' test scores within the district, while improving the district report card and raising the level of proficiency, he said.

Also running for re-election is Roger Ketchum. He has previous experience on the school board and hopes to raise issues that will benefit the students of Federal Hocking.

Candidate Jeff Koehler said he wants to expand the district's curriculum by keeping students up-to-date with changing information. Koehler decided to run after taking a four-year break. He served from 1990 to 1997.

All four said they want to continue making progressive changes within the school district.

The goal for the candidates is to use their positions on the board to improve the schools throughout the next four years, all four said. By expanding the curriculum, the candidates running for election hope to allow students to learn meaningful skills they can use not only to further their education, but also in the work force.

"You don't run for school board for selfish reasons," McGuire said.