4 hopefuls make their case

SANDUSKY — Ahead of the Nov. 4 election, four Sandusky school board candidates gathered Wednesday morning at Sandusky High School to answer the community's most pressing questions. In front of dozens of high school students, two incumbent candidates, Martha Murray and Jennifer Chapman, and two challengers, Jennifer Ashburn and Talib Garrett, debated a variety of issues for an hour-long debate. The debate was recorded and is available for on-demand viewing at the Register's YouTube channel and at sanduskyregister.com. This year's debate series is, once again, sponsored by the Greater Sandusky Partnership. Students from Kate Gant's class were responsible for writing and asking candidates questions on topics important to them and the other district stakeholders. A variety of topics were addressed, including dress code, school lunch, building plans and more. Danielle Duston, a senior at Sandusky High School, wanted to know more about the candidates' takes on mental health among students. Her question stated, "Suicide rates in teens are increasing. We have a greater need for mental health policies and plans. What is your plan? What can you do to increase student support, counseling and programs to address this issue?" Here's how the candidates responded in the order of when each spoke: • Murray: I believe that we have quite a bit of mental health, social work, coaches, success coaches in the district. None of that existed when I was in school. We had four guidance counselors in this high school, and that was it. I only saw them senior year. I think we're doing pretty well. But I do believe that we need more, probably group support. Kids leading kids, seniors leading younger kids. • Ashburn: It is a problem, but it is not just a Sandusky problem. It's a national problem. We have problems with mental health in America. What I am currently doing is I am trying to encourage as many young people that can to come to the rec center to help the kids there. They look up to older kids, and they look up to you if you would help them. But, also, I think we should join partnerships with the local churches. • Chapman: I feel that we are doing a lot with it. Again, become a counselor, become a social worker. We want you. It's just a dying breed anymore. Like I said, you guys are the ones that are going to make that difference. Talk to your little brothers, sisters, let them know what's wrong. Let them know that. Don't be afraid to be you. You are you. • Talib: I think we need more counselors, like I said, social workers to help out with the kids, talk to them. Like Ashburn said, you guys come help out the little ones. It's like pay it forward. You want to help out the little kids and build the confidence so they do not have to worry about suicide. Last stop in the series To hear the candidates' takes on dress code, school lunch, building plans and more, check out the Register's event coverage. A full recording of the hour-long debate can also be found on the Register's YouTube channel. This was the third debate in the Register's in-schools debate series for 2025. The Register's next and final debate is scheduled for Wednesday at Sandusky Central Catholic School with the Sandusky city commission candidates. This debate will not be open to the public but will be available to view in its entirety shortly afterward on sanduskyregister.com and the Register's YouTube channel. Like in past races, the Register recently published individual question-and-answer news stories on each candidate who shared their reasons for running. Individual candidate stories can be found by clicking on these links: • Tim Schwanger • Patricia Ferguson • Gregg Peugeot • Tom Tucker • Luvada Wilson Note: Print readers can search for the articles on sanduskyregister.com and norwalkreflector.com. The Register's also covered the Edison school board debate on Sunday, with the help of Edison High School students participating in the Berlin Heights Kiwanis Club's speech and debate team, and the Perkins Township trustee debate with high school students on Tuesday.