2020 Election Guide

OEA member guide to the Association’s recommended candidates in the November 3 election

VOTE Public Education Early In-Person Voting Starting the day after the close of voter registration, you may cast your absentee ballot in person at your county board of elections or voting center as designated by the county.

To confirm the location of your precinct or polling place, check with your county board of elections or use the voter lookup tool available on the Secretary of State’s website, voteohio.gov.

Early Voting by Mail If you are a qualified voter and your registration is up to date, you are eligible to cast an absentee ballot.

Absentee voting begins the day after the close of voter registration.

You must request that an absentee ballot be mailed to you no later than noon on the Saturday before an election, though you should request an absentee ballot as early as possible to have time to receive, vote and return your ballot.

You may also download a request form at voteohio.gov.

Absentee ballot application forms are available from the Secretary of State’s office or your county board of elections. Once you receive your absentee ballot, vote your ballot and seal it in the identification envelope provided. Be sure to provide all of the information required on the ID envelope. You may then return the ballot either by mail (must be received by your board of elections prior to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day or postmarked no later than the day before the election) or in person to your county board office (must be received by the close of polls on Election Day).

Voting Tips for Election Day Polls are open on Election Day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

You must cast your ballot at your designated polling place. If you do not know the location of your precinct or polling place, please contact your county board of elections or use the voter lookup tool available on the Secretary of State’s website, voteohio.gov.

Remember to bring an acceptable form of identification to the polls on Election Day. Acceptable Forms of Identification include: • A current and valid driver’s license or state identification card • An original or copy of a current (within the last 12 months) utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document (other than a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections) that shows your name and current address. • Military identification

2 2020 OEA ELECTION GUIDE Your vote in 2020 matters for public education

On November 3, you will have the opportunity to help elect pro-public education candidates who put Ohio students first— candidates who support educators, vote for increased education funding, and listen to teachers and education support professionals before they make decisions. Although many of your students can’t vote, it’s absolutely vital that you vote for them this fall.

Students rely on you to bring your best to the classroom every day. They also rely on you to be voters who will help make great public schools a top priority.

Thousands of educators across Ohio are voting early by mail, early in person, or are headed to the polls on Election Day, and we know you’ll be among them.

Take time to read the information in this OEA 2020 Election Guide, information that represents the work of OEA members on local committees who have screened political candidates for the OEA Fund for Children and Public Education. Carefully compare the candidates, and consider voting for those who have—and will continue to—support Ohio students and public education.

Visit OhioBallot.com for more information on the 2020 election and how your involvement can make a difference.

Talk to your family, friends and neighbors about supporting the candidates who will help Ohio students by funding schools and listening to educators and parents.

Sincerely,

Scott DiMauro OEA President

2020 OEA ELECTION GUIDE 3 3 Joe Biden for President

Steady, informed, compassionate leadership has never from birth, including been more important—our schools and our nation high-quality, universal pre- deserve nothing less. That’s why OEA is proud to stand kindergarten for all three- and with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. four- year-olds demonstrate his lifetime commitment to improving the lives of working Joe Biden is the tireless advocate for public education people. and is the partner that students and educators need now in the White House. He understands that as a With more than 50 percent of all children attending public nation we have a moral responsibility to provide a great schools living in poverty, and the number of homeless neighborhood public school for every student in every ZIP children in public schools doubling since before the code. recession, Biden knows America has swung out of balance. It’s getting harder to get by, let alone get ahead, OEA President Scott DiMauro called Biden a champion for working families. Everyone who works should make for public schools, educators, students, and working ends meet, have a say about their futures, and be able to families. “Biden is committed to attracting and retaining negotiate better wages and benefits to support a family. the best educators by paying them as the professionals From his roots growing up in Scranton, he understands that they are as well as increasing funding for support that and will fight for America’s working families. He staff and paraprofessionals in our schools so our kids get believes a collective voice gives educators and public the care they need and education they deserve,” DiMauro employees the ability to not just maintain a fair workplace said. but also help them stand up and advocate for their “Biden will fire Betsy DeVos and replace her with an students. education secretary who comes from a public school Visit strongpublicschools.org and joebiden.com classroom and he believes educators must have a seat at to learn more. the table when crafting education policy.”

Biden has championed public education throughout this campaign and beyond. He and Dr. Jill Biden, an educator and NEA member, have consistently reached out to NEA members across the country building the broad support among NEA members. In the early stages of his campaign, the Biden campaign released comprehensive plans for K-12 and higher education, “pledging to build the best, most innovative schools in the country, especially in low-income communities where the need is the highest.” Biden’s plans to address racial injustice, expand community schools, fully fund IDEA, triple the funds for Title I schools, and invest in children starting

4 2020 OEA ELECTION GUIDE Where Joe Biden stands on the class sizes, and transportation so students can physically distance; upgraded technology and broadband for new biggest issues impacting public forms of instruction; support for social-emotional learning; education and our students and training for educators, parents, and students as Education Funding they adapt to new circumstances.” According to Biden, Joe Biden supports increased opportunities providing schools adequate financial relief is critical for for students and educators. According to Biden, the economy, and warns that the country “would be in “educators deserve a partner in the White House.” His ‘deeper trouble’ if the United States does not spend plan for education includes tripling funding for Title more.” Source: (Biden for President, accessed 8/5/20; Biden for President, I, eliminating funding disparities between schools, accessed 8/11/20; The New York Times, 7/17/20) ensuring families have access to support services and modernized school buildings, and increasing the federal Workers’ Rights government’s investment in educators. He believes Joe Biden supports workers. “To ensure public sector “educators shouldn’t have to fight so hard for resources workers, including public school educators, have a and respect.” greater voice in the decisions that impact their students Source: (Biden for President, accessed 8/5/20) and their working conditions,” Biden “would establish minimum collective bargaining rights for public-sector COVID-19 Response employees” and create a cabinet-level working group to Joe Biden has a plan for COVID. To combat the promote unions. pandemic, Biden has proposed a comprehensive Source: (Biden for President, accessed 8/5/20; Politico, 10/25/19) plan that would provide “free public testing and rapid deployment of supplies, as well as economic measures Racial and Social Justice such as emergency paid leave and the creation of a Joe Biden proposes systemic investments to state and local emergency fund.” Additionally, his plan ensure racial equity. Biden acknowledges that the would provide resources for food relief and remote country is “seeing a national reckoning on racial justice student learning. He sides with “science, not fiction and and the tragic human costs of systemic racism.” In his fear,” and predicted in January 2020 “the outbreak of a plan to “Build Back Better by Advancing Racial Equity,” new coronavirus… [that would] get worse before it gets he outlines more than a dozen proposals to expand better.” Black, Brown, and Native families’ access to affordable Source: (Biden for President, accessed 8/5/20; USA Today, 1/27/20) housing, higher education, fair compensation, and clean energy.” According to Biden, “this election is not just Opening Schools/Return to Learning about voting against Donald Trump….It’s about rising to Joe Biden understands that schools need this moment of crisis, understanding people’s struggles resources now more than ever. “Americans deserve and building a future worthy of their courage and their a president who will ensure that reopening is as effective ambition to overcome.” and safe as possible.” In his “Plan for an Effective Source: (Biden for President, accessed 8/5/20; The New York Times, Reopening that Jumpstarts the Economy,” Biden assures 7/28/20) that his administration “would mobilize the federal government, in cooperation with educators, childcare Class Size providers, unions, communities, and families.” To safely Joe Biden supports smaller class sizes. Biden reopen schools, he recommends that federal resources recognizes that “many educators across the country are are made available, especially for Title I schools, that experiencing stagnant wages, slashed benefits, growing “support personal protective equipment and enhanced class sizes, and fewer resources for their students,” and sanitation efforts; alterations to classrooms, schedules, he supports educators in their “fight for smaller class

2020 OEA ELECTION GUIDE 5 sizes.” As a U.S. Senator, he also introduced legislation Educator Compensation to reduce class size, and suggested that small classes Joe Biden supports raises for educators. Biden should be “one pillar of our education system.” has proposed “tripling federal funding for Title I” to help Source: (Biden for President, accessed 8/5/20; Twitter, 9/23/19; Vote Smart, 10/1/07) school districts “offer educators competitive salaries.” He believes that educators “are the most important Early Education profession.” Source: (Biden for President, accessed 8/5/20; The Washington Post, Joe Biden sees universal pre-K as an investment. 7/5/20) In outlining plans for his administration, Biden has committed to providing “high-quality, universal pre- School Privatization kindergarten for all three- and four-year olds.” He Joe Biden opposes vouchers. Biden has stated that believes that “this investment will ease the burden on our “when we divert public funds to private schools, we families, help close the achievement gap, promote the undermine the entire public education system. We’ve got labor participation of parents who want to work, and lift to prioritize investing in our public schools, so every kid in our critical early childhood education workforce out of America gets a fair shot. That’s why I oppose vouchers.” poverty.” Source: (Twitter, 1/22/20) Source: (Biden for President, accessed 8/5/20) School Safety (gun violence prevention) College Access and Affordability Joe Biden is committed to reducing gun violence. Joe Biden supports a national postsecondary According to Biden, “I’m so tired about people talking reinvestment. According to Biden, the country needs about your prayers. Damn it, we have to protect these “a bold plan for education and training beyond high kids. We have to do it now.” If elected, he would “hold school.” He proposes investing $750 billion to ensure gun manufacturers accountable…get weapons of war free community college and increased resources for off our streets…close the hate crime and Charleston Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), loopholes…[and] prohibit the use of federal funds to arm Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Hispanic- or train educators to discharge firearms.” serving Institutions (HSIs), and Asian American And Source: (Biden for President, accessed 8/5/20; Los Angeles Times, 11/14/19) Native American Pacific Islander-serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). Biden also supports free tuition at public 21st Century Schools colleges and universities for families earning less than Joe Biden says schools need a president who $125,000; doubling the maximum Pell grant award; understands them. If elected, Biden has pledged “to and forgiving debt from students scammed by for-profit appoint a teacher as education secretary.” To support colleges. students and ensure their success, he also proposes Source: (Biden for President, accessed 8/5/20) doubling the number of health professionals in schools, supporting more community schools, and providing Public School Options infrastructure resources “to build cutting-edge, energy- Joe Biden opposes federal funding of charter efficient, innovative schools with technology and labs to schools. As a supporter of public schools, Biden does prepare our students for the jobs of the future.” not agree with “any federal funding going to for-profit Source: (Biden for President, accessed 8/5/20; The Washington Post, charter schools.” In addition to banning for-profits, he 7/5/20) also supports increasing overall accountability of charter schools. Source: (Ed Week, 7/8/20; The Washington Post, 4/8/20)

6 2020 OEA ELECTION GUIDE 3 Kamala Harris for Vice-President

On August 11, Joe Biden announced Senator Kamala Representative Assembly Harris (D-CA) to be his Vice Presidential running mate. in 2019, Harris called the Biden promised to nominate a woman vice president federal government’s failure during the final Democratic presidential debate in March to fully fund special education 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic came into full “immoral,” and in June 2020, view across the country. Biden’s historic selection of Harris urged Education Secretary Harris—the first woman of color on a major party ticket— Betsy DeVos to rescind Title IX rule that “will weaken reinforces the forward-thinking leadership and strength protections for student survivors of sexual harassment of character on the ticket and adds a deeply capable and assault.” governing partner to help unite the nation and clean up the mess that Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos have Simply put, the Biden-Harris ticket is the ‘Dream Team’ created. for our public schools and our students—one that respects educators and will listen to those who know As a first term Senator in California, Harris earned a final the names of the kids in the classrooms when it comes grade of “A” from the NEA for her focus on attracting to what is best for our students. Biden’s naming Harris and maintaining educators in neighborhood schools, and as his running mate, further reinforces his commitment for understanding how this translated to the success of to building an administration that looks like America, one students in every zip code at a time when America is in that will reflect the great diversity of our country in the the midst of a nationwide teacher shortage. efforts to unite our country and build a better future for all Americans. Educators know Joe Biden is a tireless advocate for public education and is the partner who students and educators need in the White House. Now, with Kamala Harris as Biden’s running mate, we have another proven leader who will continue being a champion for our students and public schools. And, with Dr. Jill Biden, an educator and longtime NEA member, as First Lady, educators will have a friend and colleague in the White House. Biden’s selection of Harris further reinforces his commitment to building an administration that looks like America, one that will reflect the great diversity of our country and work to unite our country and build a better future for all Americans.

Additionally, Harris has continued to advocate for all students, including students of color, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, low income students, and others who face barriers to education. At the NEA

2020 OEA ELECTION GUIDE 7 Ohio Supreme Court Ohio Supreme Court Ohio Supreme Court Judge Jennifer Brunner Judge John O’Donnell OEA-endorsed Judge Jennifer Brunner has decades of legal Judge John P. O’Donnell currently serves on experience in private practice and on the bench the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. Supreme Court as both a state trial court judge and as a Tenth He was first elected in 2002, and then again in District Court of Appeals judge, where she wrote 2006, 2012, and 2018. The Cuyahoga County Candidates a dissenting opinion concerning the law (HB court is one of Ohio’s busiest. During his tenure, 70) that allows the state through an appointed Judge O’Donnell has presided over scores “CEO” to decide when and how to take over of jury trials in felony criminal cases and civil troubled school districts. She urged that the lawsuits. In 2008, Judge O’Donnell was selected law was unconstitutionally adopted and has by the chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court the potential for irreparable harm to students, to be one of only eight trial court judges in the the teachers who teach them, and Youngstown state to preside over a commercial docket City School District. Judge Brunner previously devoted strictly to business litigation. He has served as a Common Pleas Judge (2000-2005) been responsible for over 2,000 commercial and as Ohio Secretary of State (2007-2011). cases while still handling all other varieties of Prior to being elected to her current judicial civil lawsuits and a felony criminal docket. Judge position in 2014 and reelected in 2016, she was O’Donnell is the author of over one hundred a principal at Brunner Quinn. After founding her judicial opinions. Judge O’Donnell is a strong ally law firm in 1988, Judge Brunner had 17 years of for quality public education and is committed to private law practice experience as well as state upholding a fair redistricting process when new government experience in the and legislative and political boundaries are drawn. the Secretary of State’s office as a staff attorney.

Two of the seven seats The election of justices to the Ohio Supreme Court is critically important to OEA members. The Ohio Supreme Court has rendered important decisions on the Ohio Supreme regarding: Court are up for • Protection of the salary schedule, military and teaching service credits, election in 2020. and the right to payment under leaves guaranteed by law; • Independence of state retirement systems and health care provider OEA members have choice and benefits; recommended Judge • Protection of constitutional rights of students to a thorough and Jennifer Brunner efficient system of funding education; and and Judge John • Protection of constitutional rights to freedom of speech and association. O’Donnell. The Ohio Supreme Court will interpret and apply the Ohio and U.S. Constitution to these important rights and their impact on academic freedom. It will also interpret and uphold OEA member rights under Ohio’s Collective Bargaining Law.

8 2020 OEA ELECTION GUIDE Ohio Senate Districts Senate District 2, Bowling Green Senate District 8 Theresa Gavarone (R) (R) State Senator Theresa Gavarone was appointed Prior to his appointment to Ohio Senate District to Ohio Senate District 2 in 2019. Gavarone was 8 in 2019, state Senator served 2012–2022 (as adopted 2012) previously elected to the Ohio House and Bowling nearly eight years in the Ohio House. As an Green City Council. In the , electrical engineer, Blessing has focused on she has worked with OEA to support educators education policy to support educators in and students. While on House Education our public schools provide students with a 11 Committee, Gavarone sponsored and passed well-rounded education. While Chair of House 25 Lucas Lake OTES reform legislation that removed the 50% Education Committee, Blessing helped pass HB Fulton 24 23 21 Ashtabula Williams Ottawa 02 value-added component on teacher evaluations. 154, legislation that would repeal the failed state 02 Geauga 32 Defiance Henry Sandusky Erie Wood Lorain 18 Trumbull On Senate Education Committee, her “School takeover law and return local control to districts S 26 u 01 m Paulding Huron 13 m Portage Bus Safety Act” passed the Senate unanimously. under an Academic Distress Commission. As Seneca Medina it Putnam Hancock Gavarone wants to protect school district funding co-Chair of the General Assembly’s Report 22 28 Mahoning Van Wert As 27 29 33 Wyandot Crawford h Allen la Wayne by requiring the state to directly fund charters Card Study Committee, Blessing has made n Stark Columbiana Richland d Hardin Marion Auglaize and vouchers. As Vice-Chair of the Senate Higher fixing Ohio’s broken report card system a T u Carroll Mercer 26 s J ca e Morrow Holmes f Education Committee, she is an advocate for priority. Blessing plans to continue this work 12 rawa fe Logan rs 31 o Knox s n Shelby Delaware strong state colleges and universities. Gavarone as a member of the Ohio Senate Education Darke Union Coshocton Harrison 19 also promotes more funding for personal Committee. Ohio Senate District 8 includes the Champaign 30 Miami Licking 03 Guernsey Ma Franklin Belmont protective equipment (PPE) and sponsored a bill to western and norther parts of Hamilton county. 05 M Clark Muskingum ont dis 31 g 16 omer o Preble 10 n 15 repeal the sales tax on PPE. y 20 Noble Greene Fairfield Perry Monroe 06 Pickaway Fayette 20 Morgan 04 07 Hocking Washington Butler Clinton Warren 17 Ross Athens 30 Hamilton Vinton

Cle Highland rm Pike Meigs 08 on 09 t Jackson Brown 14 Gallia Scioto Adams 17

Lawrence

OEA-endorsed Ohio Senate District 16 Senate District 18 Senate Candidates Crystal Lett (D) Betsy Rader (D) Crystal Lett is seeking election to Senate District Betsy Rader is running for Ohio Senate District SD 2 Theresa Gavarone 16, which includes the western half of Franklin 18. This is an open Senate seat with no SD 4 Kathy Wyenandt (D) County. Lett is a graduate of Hilliard Davidson incumbent. Rader is a lawyer with a variety SD 6 Mark Fogel (D) High School and Ohio State University. With a of experiences as an advocate, including her SD 8 Louis Blessing (R) background as a mental health professional and time as Senior Counsel at the Clinic advocate for children and young adults, Lett working on Medicare and Medicaid, as well SD 10 No Position is prepared to support public education as a as service on boards of organizations like SD 12 No Endorsement member of the Ohio Senate. Lett believes access Cleveland Legal Aid, Geauga County United SD 14 Ryan Ottney (D) to quality public education is the most important Way, the Geauga Parks Foundation, and the SD 16 Crystal Lett (D) factor of economic security for individuals and Russell Zoning Commission. Rader has also SD 18 Betsy Rader (D) families. She wants to crack down on charter founded a local non-profit that helps abused SD 20 Christian Johnson (D) school fraud and prohibit for-profit private charter and neglected children. In the Senate, she plans SD 22 No Position school operators. On school funding, Lett to focus on education priorities that include SD 24 Tom Jackson (D) believes Ohio’s system remains unconstitutional universal early childhood education, restructuring SD 26 Craig Swartz (D) and underfunded. In particular, she wants to end Ohio’s unconstitutional school funding system, growth caps that deny many school districts the reducing student cost for higher education, and SD 28 Vernon Sykes (D) funding increases they should be receiving. Other expanding workforce training opportunities. SD 30 Michael Fletcher (D) priorities for Lett include reducing standardized SD 32 Sean O’Brien (D) testing and establishing universal Pre-K education. 9 61 46 44 09 60 45 10 08 99 46 15 Fulton 89 55 14 Lake Ashtabula Williams 47 Lucas 13 11 Ottawa 56 16 Geauga 64 Defiance Henry 03 Cuyahoga 12 Trumbull Sandusky Erie 06 Ohio House Wood 07 37 76 88 Lorain 81 Huron 38 63 Paulding Medina 34 35 Portage Districts Seneca 57 58 Putnam 69 Sum 82 Hancock mit 75 59 36 Mahoning 70 48 Van Wert Wyandot Crawford As 50 83 02 hla 01 38 Allen 04 n Stark 49 Columbiana 87 Richland d Wayne Hardin 05 Auglaize T Marion u s Carroll Mercer ca J 2012–2022 Morrow e Holmes rawa f 68 fe rs (as adopted 2012) 84 Logan 86 s o Shelby 67 Knox 98 n Union Darke 85 Delaware Coshocton Harrison 96 Champaign 22 71 18 21 19 Licking 95 Miami 80 97 Guernsey 17 25 Belmont 79 26 Muskingum 40 Clark 74 Franklin 72 Preble Montgomery 20 Madison 24 23 77 39 43 41 73 Fairfield Noble Monroe 42 Greene Pickaway Perry 95 96 Fayette Morgan Butler 78 53 62 Washington 54 92 Hocking 51 52 Clinton Warren Athens 33 28 Ross 29 91 Vinton Hamilton 65 Highland 94 27 Cle Meigs 30 rm Pike 32 on 66 Jackson 31 t Brown Adams 90 Scioto 93 Gallia

Lawrence OEA-endorsed Ohio House Candidates Meet some of the Ohio House candidates on pages 11-12

HD 1 Alison Theiss (D) HD 26 Erica Crawley (D) HD 51 No Position HD 76 Garrett Westhoven (D) HD 2 No Position HD 27 Sara Bitter (D) HD 52 No Position HD 77 Melissa Wilde (D) HD 3 (R) HD 28 (D) HD 53 Michelle Novak (D) HD 78 Charlotte Owens (D) HD 4 Bob Cupp (R) HD 29 (R) HD 54 Morgan Showen (D) HD 79 Cynthia Richards (D) HD 5 No Position HD 30 (R) HD 55 (R) HD 80 No Position HD 6 Phil Robinson (D) HD 31 (D) HD 56 Joe Miller (D) HD 81 No Position HD 7 (R) HD 32 (D) HD 57 Dara Adkinson (D) HD 82 No Position HD 8 (D) HD 33 No Position HD 58 Michele Lepore-Hagan (D) HD 83 John Cross (R) HD 9 (D) HD 34 Emilia Strong Sykes (D) HD 59 Chris Stanley (D) HD 84 (R) HD 10 (D) HD 35 (D) HD 60 (D) HD 85 No Position HD 11 (D) HD 36 Matt Shaughnessy (D) HD 61 Adam Dudziak (D) HD 86 (R) HD 12 (D) HD 37 (D) HD 62 Erin Rosiello (D) HD 87 No Position HD 13 Mike Skindell (D) HD 38 (R) HD 63 (D) HD 88 Chris Liebold (D) HD 14 (D) HD 39 Willis Blackshear Jr (D) HD 64 Michael O’Brien (D) HD 89 Alexis Miller (D) HD 15 (D) HD 40 No Position HD 65 Alan Darnowsky (D) HD 90 No Position HD 16 Monique Smith (D) HD 41 Cate Berger (D) HD 66 No Position HD 91 Scott Dailey (D) HD 17 (D) HD 42 No Position HD 67 Rachael Morocco (D) HD 92 Beth Workman (D) HD 18 (D) HD 43 No Position HD 68 (R) HD 93 No Position HD 19 (D) HD 44 Paula Hicks-Hudson (D) HD 69 Donna Beheydt (D) HD 94 (R) HD 20 Richard Brown (D) HD 45 (D) HD 70 Kevin Barnet (D) HD 95 Don Jones (R) HD 21 (D) HD 46 (D) HD 71 Mark Fraizer (R) HD 96 No Position HD 22 David Leland (D) HD 47 Nancy Larson (D) HD 72 No Position HD 97 Alaina Swope (D) HD 23 Nancy Day-Achauer (D) HD 48 (R) HD 73 Kim McCarthy (D) HD 98 (R) HD 24 (D) HD 49 Thomas West (D) HD 74 No Position HD 99 Richard Dana (D) HD 25 (D) HD 50 No Position HD 75 (D)

10 Ohio House Districts House District 6, Solon House District 7, Strongsville Phil Robinson (D) Tom Patton (R) Representative Phil Robinson is Democrat from State Representative Tom Patton is seeking OEA-endorsed Cuyahoga County seeking his second term in the re-election to Ohio House District 7, representing Ohio House. His background includes serving portions of Cuyahoga County. He previously Ohio House as Executive Director of City Year Cleveland; a served in both the Ohio House and Ohio Candidates nonprofit organization that provides academic and Senate before returning to the Ohio House in social-emotional supports to students. Robinson 2016. He has held several leadership roles serves as the Ranking Member of the House and currently serves on the House Finance Primary and Secondary Education Committee. Committee. Representative Patton has been a In this role, Robinson helps to work with his consistent supporter of public education and Democratic colleagues on the committee as well collective bargaining during his tenure in the Ohio as the Chair of the Committee to help advance Legislature. In 2011, he was one of a handful of key legislation. Robinson’s support was vital Republicans who stood with unionized workers towards the House for passage of House Bill 154 and voted against Senate Bill 5. During the to repeal the state takeover law and restore local 133rd General Assembly, Patton voted in favor of control of schools and House Bill 239 to reduce House Bill 154 that seeks to repeal Ohio’s failed standardized testing. state takeover law.

House District 16, Fairview House District 28, Forest Park Park Jessica Miranda (D) Monique Smith (D) State Representative Jessica Miranda is running Monique Smith is seeking election to Ohio House for her second term to House District 28. District 16, which includes the cities of Bay Miranda is a lifelong resident of Southwestern Village, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, Rocky Ohio and proud graduate of public education. River, and Westlake in Cuyahoga County. She She is a small business owner and served as served on the Lakewood City Council from 2010- the past president of the Winton Woods School 2014. Smith believes that the most important Board. During her service to the Winton Woods issues facing public education are Ohio’s School District, she advocated for additional unconstitutional funding system, a broken report resources for public schools to ensure students card system and the diversion of public funds to have the resources needed to succeed. Miranda vouchers and charter schools. Additionally, Smith continues this advocacy at the statehouse by supports the reduction of high-stakes testing, being a vocal supporter for Ohio’s public schools providing quality early childhood education to and educators. She is a co-sponsor of House Bill all children, improving access to mental health 239, the Testing Reduction Act and also voted to services, and reducing college debt. repeal Ohio’s failed state takeover law (House Bill 154). OEA supports both these measures. 2020 OEA ELECTION GUIDE 11 Ohio House Districts House District 55, North Ridgeville House District 59, Canfield Gayle Manning (R) Chris Stanley (D) OEA-endorsed Representative Gayle Manning is a Republican Chris Stanley is a Democrat from Mahoning from Lorain County seeking her second term in County seeking election to the Ohio House. He is an OEA member who serves as a seventh Ohio House the Ohio House after serving in the Ohio Senate. and eighth grade social studies teacher for Candidates She previously spent 37 years in the classroom Youngstown City Schools. Formerly, Stanley as an elementary school teacher. Calling on her worked for the Electronic Classroom of background as a teacher, Manning has been a Tomorrow (ECOT) when it abruptly shut down. strong advocate for students and public schools. This opened his eyes to the abuses of many for-profit charter schools in Ohio. As a candidate, She is a lead sponsor of House Bill 239, the education is his top priority. He will fight for a new Testing Reduction Act. The bill would scale school funding formula that reduces the reliance back the number of state-required tests and on local property taxes. Stanley also supports a would establish district work groups comprised ban on for-profit charter school operators. of teachers, parents and administrators aimed at reducing the time students spend on district mandated standardized tests.

House District 68, House District 95, Freeport Genoa Township Don Jones (R) Rick Carfagna (R) Representative Don Jones is a Republican from State Representative Rick Carfagna is seeking Harrison County and is serving his first term re-election to House District 68, representing the in the Ohio House. Before coming to the Ohio eastern half of Delaware County and all of Knox House, Jones was agricultural education and FFA County. He previously served two terms on the advisor at Harrison Central High School for 23 Genoa Township Board of Trustees. Carafagna is years and worked with students in grades 7-12. committed to working to establish a predictable Jones serves as Chair of the House Primary and and stable school funding formula for school Secondary Education Committee. He is a lead districts. Carfagna is a co-sponsor of HB 305, sponsor of House Bill 154 (repeal and replace better known as the Fair School Funding Proposal the state takeover law) and House Bill 322 to (FSFP), a bill that develops a rationale and revise the Ohio Teacher Residency Program to understandable method of school funding. He is be a two-year mentoring program and eliminate also committed to expanding broadband access the Resident Educator Summative Assessment to areas in Ohio without service. (RESA). Jones is also committed to working towards an overhaul of Ohio’s broken school/ district report card system. 12 2020 OEA ELECTION GUIDE Fulton Lucas Lake Ashtabula Williams Ottawa 11 02 Geauga State Board Defiance Cuyahoga Henry Sandusky Erie Wood Lorain 07 Trumbull of Education S u m Portage Paulding Seneca Huron m Medina i Putnam t Districts Hancock Mahoning As 05 Van Wert h Wyandot Crawford la Allen 01 n d Wayne Stark Columbiana Richland Hardin Auglaize Marion T Mercer u Carroll 2012–2022 Holmes s J Morrow ca e f (as adopted 2012) rawa fe Logan rs Knox o s n Shelby Union Darke Delaware Coshocton Harrison Champaign 06 09 Licking Miami Guernsey 08 Muskingum Clark Franklin M Belmont ont g 03 o mer Madison Fairfield Noble Monroe Preble y Greene Pickaway Perry OEA-endorsed Fayette Morgan

Butler 04 Hocking Washington Ohio State Board of Warren Clinton Ross Athens Education Candidates Hamilton Vinton Cle Highland 10 rm Meigs on Pike Jackson District 5 Christina Collins t Brown District 6 Antoinette Miranda Adams Scioto Gallia District 9 Michelle Newman District 10 Mary Binegar Lawrence District 11 Meryl Johnson

Casting your vote Decisions made by members of the State Board of Education are for State Board crucial to the daily work of every OEA member. The Board sets the policy of Education is direction for public schools in Ohio, establishing policies concerning charter schools, school curriculum, professional development, educational critically important licenses and much more. Because of the State Board’s influence, it is to you and to important to elect members who are true advocates for public education. public education. OEA members screened candidates for the State Board of Education and have endorsed the candidates on these pages as supporters of public schools, students and educators. The OEA’s endorsed candidates will work with the Association and with fellow State Board members to continue to improve public education in Ohio.

2020 OEA ELECTION GUIDE 13 State Board of Education State Board of Education District 5 State Board of Education District 6 Christina Collins Antoinette Miranda OEA-endorsed Dr. Christina Collins is an educator with 12 years Antoinette Miranda, PhD is currently Interim of experience as a teacher and administrator. Chair of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State Board of Her passion is advocating for public schools State University. She has been at Ohio State Education and supporting educators in their work. She for 32 years and is a Professor in the School believes current challenges in education present Psychology Program. During her tenure at Ohio Candidates an opportunity to set a new vision for Ohio that State, Miranda has collaborated with many school focuses on public education. Collins aims to bring districts in central Ohio, providing diversity training her experience to the State Board to advocate to educators and training schools in Multi-Tiered for innovation in Ohio’s system and help refocus Systems of Support. She has been a champion attention on what is good for kids, including safe of public education and has been supportive of environments and more sensible and appropriate practices that work to close the achievement gap. use of testing. As a member of the State Board, Since being elected a state school board member Collins would provide responsible representation in 2016, she has worked on the development from an educator’s perspective in educational of the strategic plan, served on numerous decisions. Collins lives in Medina with her four committees, chaired the Continuous Improvement children. Committee, and promoted practices that provide equitable services to Ohio’s children.

State Board of Education District 9 State Board of Education District 10 State Board of Education District 11 Michelle Newman Mary Binegar Meryl Johnson Michelle Newman is a mom; a small business Mary Binegar is a lifelong educator from Meryl Johnson was elected to the State Board of owner specializing in web design, social Springfield, Ohio. During her 35-year teaching Education in 2015 after 40 years of teaching in media, and marketing; and Executive Director career, Binegar advocated for students as a the Cleveland Public Schools. During her years leader within the Ohio Education Association, of teaching, Johnson helped new and struggling of Downtown Newark’s Canal Market District. the president of the Urbana Association of teachers improve their skills and developed and Newman believes educators are the front line of Classroom Teachers, and a representative to the conducted workshops on cultural competency and our education system and deserve to have the State Advisory Panel for Exceptional Children trauma-informed education to empower teachers support they need to safely support students and the Committee of Practitioners. She is to successfully teach all their students. During during the COVID-19 pandemic. She believes in running for office because she believes that our her years as a teacher, Johnson was an avid accountability for charter schools and for schools public education system is the foundation of our student advocate who helped students to develop accepting EdChoice vouchers. Born and raised in democracy. The current pandemic has brought to leadership skills through voter registration, letter rural Texas, Newman has called Licking County, the forefront many of the inequities in our current writing, public speaking, and lobbying in Columbus Ohio home since 2009. She is pursuing the seat system which must be addressed. If elected as for fair school funding. Since her retirement, a State Board of Education member, Binegar Johnson has taught student participants in the on the State Board of an Education because she would engage students, parents, and educators Upward Bound program each summer on the truly believes in servant leadership—we must be to recommend policies and procedures that best campus of Case Western Reserve University. the change we want to see in the world. meet the educational needs of all students in Ohio. charter school fraud and student poverty. Purdy is working to pass reform to OTES and making a former ECOEA district president. charter schools more accountable. Ohio Congressional Districts

2012–2022 (as adopted 2012) Lake Fulton Lucas 09 Ashtabula Williams Ottawa 11 Geauga 14 Cuyahoga Defiance Sandusky Henry Wood Erie Lorain S Trumbull u m Portage Paulding 05 m Seneca Huron it Medina 13 Putnam Hancock 07 Mahoning As 16 Van Wert h Wyandot la OEA-endorsed Crawford n Allen d Wayne Stark Columbiana Richland Congressional Mercer Hardin Auglaize Marion T Holmes u Carroll Candidates s J Morrow ca e r f 07 awa fe Logan rs 04 Knox 06 o Shelby s n CD 3 Joyce Beatty (D) Union Coshocton Darke Delaware Harrison CD 9 Marcy Kaptur (D) Champaign 12 CD 11 Marcia Fudge (D) 08 Miami Licking Guernsey CD 13 Tim Ryan (D) 03 Belmont Clark Franklin Muskingum CD 14 David Joyce (R) M ont g o Madison Preble mer 10 Fairfield Noble Monroe At press time, screenings for y Greene Perry Fayette Pickaway Morgan CD 1 and CD 12 had not yet been 06 completed. For more Warren 15 Butler Hocking Washington information, visit OhioBallot.com. 01 Clinton Ross Athens Hamilton Vinton Cle Highland rm Meigs on Pike 02 Jackson t 06 Brown Gallia Adams Scioto

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2020 OEA ELECTION GUIDE 15 3YOUR Vote Matters

Support children and public education with your vote. Before you vote on November 3, check Ohioballot.com to find out which candidates on your ballot measure up when it comes to supporting children and public education. Just type in your name and address and Ohioballot.com will let you know which candidates on your ballot Ohio’s educators have recommended as “Champions of Public Education.”

Paid for by the Ohio Education Association, 225 East Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215, Mark Hill, Secretary-Treasurer.