Sizemore seeks re-election

School board candidates speak Today — Ebony Sizemore Oct. 16 — Martha Murray Oct. 17 — Thomas Patterson Oct. 18 — Shelisa Johnson Oct. 19 — Mark Harper Oct. 20 — Monicia Pearson-Hall Oct. 23 — Whitney Pohorence SANDUSKY — An incumbent Sandusky Schools board member said she would continue to promote district progress if residents vote for her on Nov. 7. Ebony Sizemore has been a member of the school board for four years. Sizemore is a 1997 alumna from Sandusky High School and has two children. They're a big reason she pursued a leadership role in the community. "I saw an opportunity to move our community forward," Sizemore said. "I enjoy serving my community and having a voice." Sizemore has served as the Hancock PTO vice president and the booster club as vice president during her time with the school district. She was one of the first members of the parent congress, a district committee of parents, guardians and caretakers who give feedback and plan events. After graduating from Sandusky, Sizemore went to school for nursing. She now works at Firelands Regional Medical Center. Sizemore said that, if voters choose her, she would seek to achieve her top three priorities: reaching district academic goals, improving community relations and being fiscally responsible with district money. She believes collaboration between parents and staff is important to a healthy school environment. "We need to be united. We have to make sure the student remains our focus," Sizemore said. "Being able to talk and communicate, being able to be on the same page, it's going to be best and beneficial for the students." Fiscal responsibility is also a big part of Sizemore's plan for re-election to the board. She wants to ensure every dollar is used appropriately in a way that allows her to reach her goals. "Just like how bills in our own homes have increased since the pandemic, it's done the same with the school just on a larger scale," Sizemore said. "So, making sure we're open and transparent with the community but also being able to be that bridge and have that conversation as well. It's one of those things where it's us working together but also with the community so they know what we're doing." School board roundup In two separate races, seven people are competing for four seats on Sandusky Schools' board of education. In one race, incumbents Shelisa Johnson, Thomas Patterson and Ebony Sizemore are seeking to retain their seats against challengers Mark Harper and Whitney Pohorence. In the other race, incumbent board president Martha Murray is competing against challenger Monicia Pearson-Hall. Another school board member, Jennifer Chapman, is not up for election this term. Her term does not expire until the end of 2025.