Berry goes for another term

BERLIN HEIGHTS — Funding is one of Stephen Berry's biggest concerns for not just Edison Schools but at the state level. Berry is a current Edison School board member who is throwing his hat into the ring for another term. He is one of seven candidates with eyes set on three open seats for the district's board of education. In preparation for the upcoming election, the Register has reached out to all Edison school board candidates so they can share information about themselves and their reasons for running. Here's what Berry said: Q: Who are you? What is your professional background/qualifications for this position? SB: My name is Stephen Berry. I graduated from Edison in 2001. Back then, our band had more members than our football team had players. I have two children, Vivian, 8, and Marshall, 7. I've been on the board for a year and a half. I own a small business, Berry's Tile Installation, in Berlin Heights. I was elected in 2023 to a two-year term on the board. Q: What is one issue or challenge within your school district and how do you plan to address it? SB: Funding: Whether it be building repair, new buildings or teacher aides, funding is always an issue, especially post-COVID. A lot of people don't realize that a public school is responsible for educating everyone in its district. Keeping kids out of school for extended periods of time complicates behavioral, social and learning all across the country, and Edison is no different. I'm frustrated by the way schools are funded in the state of Ohio, but I don't believe that will change anytime soon, so the burden will fall on the local property taxes for the time being. Edison is actively doing everything possible to alleviate that burden, but the cuts can only go so deep. Q: What's a main reason that you decided to run? SB: I decided to run because I've gained so much knowledge in the past year from current and former board members that I feel a need to carry that into the future of Edison. I am always open to change, but I feel continuity and stability in the near term is what is needed. Q: Why should the community vote for you? SB: The community should vote for me because I have the experience, I'm from the community, and I'm transparent with the community. School board roundup In Edison Schools' school board race, seven people are competing for three seats: • There are three incumbents, Stephen Berry, Mark Suhanic and Samantha Limberios, who was recently appointed to her seat after Matthew McClester resigned. • They are against four challengers, Laura Dunn, Mark Harrington, William Muthig and Jacqui Rockwell. The top three vote-getters win four-year terms starting in January. There are two school board members — Patricia Cuthbertson and Brian Chase — whose seats are not up for election this term. They will continue their duties on the board until their terms expire in 2027. In-schools debate To learn more about each candidate and the issues important to them and the student body, watch the return of this year's in-schools debate series. Milan Town Hall will host the school board candidates on Oct. 12. The public is invited to attend this specific debate, but they can't ask questions on the day of this contest. Local students participating in the Edison Speech and Debate program through the Berlin Heights Kiwanis Club will be posing the questions to candidates. Viewers can check in at sanduskyregister.com and the Register's YouTube channel shortly after the event concludes. Community members can also submit questions for candidates ahead of time for the chance for them to be asked. Questions can be emailed to news@sanduskyregister.com. They must address all participants and cannot single out a specific candidate. The in-schools debate series is sponsored by the Greater Sandusky Partnership. Confirmed dates for this year's series: • Edison school board — Sunday, Oct. 12 • Perkins Township trustee — Tuesday, Oct. 14 • Sandusky school board — Wednesday, Oct. 15 • Sandusky city commission — Wednesday, Oct. 22