By Gianna Jacobs, Staff Writer

Jason Whitacre, President

Q: What is your role on the board of education?

A: I serve as an at-large member of the Board of Education, which means I represent the entire district. At our most recent meeting, the board also elected me to serve as Board President for 2026.

Q: What is your number one motivation for being on the Board of Education?

A: My biggest motivation is working with others to make thoughtful decisions for the district. I really value hearing different opinions and perspectives, and I believe my legal background helps bring a different way of thinking to the table as we work together.

Q: What are your main goals and priorities now that you have been elected?

A: That’s a tough question because there’s a lot to focus on. Overall, I care a lot about having clear, fair and consistent processes in place. My goal is to help create systems that lead to long-term success—not just quick fixes—and that continue to benefit the district even after my term ends.

Q: How did your schooling/education affect you joining?

A: My education actually made me hesitant at first. As a political science major, I studied how lobbying can influence government decisions, which made me a bit cynical about politics. That experience stuck with me, but it also helps me stay grounded and avoid being overly influenced by outside pressure or special interest groups.

Q: What specific steps will you take in your first 100 days to address one of these key issues?

A: The board is already working on our next strategic plan, and my focus is helping us be more intentional and proactive rather than reactive. I hope you’ll notice better conversations at public meetings, a thoughtful approach to hiring our next treasurer and a stronger effort to move past personal politics and focus on what really matters.

Q: What do you believe is the single biggest challenge the community faces, and what makes you think that?

A: One of our biggest challenges is staying focused. There’s a constant stream of controversial topics coming from state, national and global politics, many of which the school board can’t actually control. While those issues matter, we need to stay centered on what we can do to support students and schools.

Q: How do you plan to collaborate effectively with other elected officials and city staff to achieve your goals?

A: Good communication is key. I make an effort to talk with people who don’t always think the same way I do and avoid staying in a political bubble. Disagreements are normal, but we usually have more in common than it seems—and staying connected makes it easier to get things done.

Q: How will you handle public criticism or disagreement with your decisions? 

A: Criticism comes with the job, and I’ve experienced plenty of it already. I try to listen respectfully without losing sight of my values. I’ve also chosen not to engage on social media during my term because I believe real conversations—face to face—are much more productive and meaningful.

Q: What specific skills and experience do you bring that will be beneficial to you as a board member?

A:I’m a licensed attorney with over 20 years of experience, much of it related to issues schools face. I’ve also served a full term on the board, including being president during COVID and vice president the year after. I tend to focus on fairness and consistency in how decisions are made, not just the outcome of one issue.

Q: What do you believe is the fundamental role of a board member in our community?

A: Board members are elected to represent the community by listening, asking questions and setting policy. We’re not meant to run the day-to-day operations—that’s handled by the district’s professionals. One of my most important roles is helping communicate between the community and the school district.

Q: What do you think is the biggest issue in the community right now?

A: We’ve become more divided than ever. Social media and constant online communication make it easier to misunderstand each other and harder to connect as people. I think we sometimes forget how much we actually have in common.

Q: What is your mission statement for the school year district wide?

A: The district already has a mission statement, and it’s important that board members support it rather than create their own. That said, I’m really interested in hearing what students think about it—whether it feels meaningful to you and whether you think the board actually follows it.

Q: What big changes are coming to Stow that are going to affect the students?

A: Many major changes affecting students come from outside the district, like the new Ohio cell phone law. From the board’s side, I hope you’ll see positive changes—better facilities, stronger community focus and more board members showing up to support and celebrate students at events.

Q: What is one thing you feel the students in Stow deserve or need the most?

A: Students need adults who stay focused on supporting them. It’s easy for adults to get distracted by political debates or trending issues, but our job is to stay centered on helping students learn, grow and succeed.

Q: What is the most important role a board member should offer the community in which they are representing.

A: Board members need to listen, respect different viewpoints and make informed decisions—even when those decisions aren’t popular. We can’t please everyone all the time, and that can’t be our goal. Being transparent, thoughtful and focused on the long-term good of the community is what really matters.

John Moyer, Vice President

Q: What is your role on the board of education?

A: I am currently the Vice President.

Q: What is your number one motivation for being on the Board of Education?

A: I enjoyed my time as a teacher at SMFHS.  Serving on the school board is another way for me to be involved in helping our schools. I’m also interested in leadership development, which is something I can contribute to our board. 

Q: What are your main goals and priorities now that you have been elected?

A: I hope to continue to uphold strong academics delivered in a welcoming environment.  I would like the SMF Schools to be the preferred choice for many students and families.  

Q: What specific steps will you take in your first 100 days to address one of these key issues?

A: Deeply listening while supporting consistent policies and procedures to support the goals above.  

Q: What do you believe is the single biggest challenge the community faces, and what makes you think that?

A: One current challenge is the way that schools are funded in Ohio.  We are seeing decreased state support in real dollars while also experiencing, like many households, increasing costs.  

Q: How do you plan to collaborate effectively with other elected officials and city staff to achieve your goals?

A: Deeply listening, sharing what I am fairly certain of and what I am unsure about while discussing the common goal(s) we have. 

Q: How will you handle public criticism or disagreement with your decisions? 

A: Sometimes the criticism has merit; a decision was wrongheaded.  Sometimes listening to the song beneath the words is where clarity comes. 

Q: What specific skills and experience do you bring that will be beneficial to you as a board member?

A: I have a long experience in education in our district.  I’m also a current leadership consultant, mostly in the field of education.   

Q: What do you believe is the fundamental role of a board member in our community?

A: To listen to the community members and think of how we can be the best school district while weighing differing views.  It’s about overall governance while the district leaders manage the day-to-day happenings. 

Q: What do you think is the biggest issue in the community right now?

A: In communities across the country, there is divisiveness on a number of issues.  This can prove to be challenging in making progress on important issues. 

Q: What big changes are coming to Stow that are going to affect the students?

A: The world continues to grow more volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. How can we best help our students to thrive in that world?   

Q: What is one thing you feel the students in Stow deserve or need the most?

A: Someone to listen to them.  You can learn a lot from talking with young people.  

Q: What is the most important role a board member should offer the community in which they are representing. 

A: Deeply listening, sharing what I am fairly certain and what I am unsure about while discussing common goal(s) we have.