HOWARD — Only two school board races in Knox County are contested Nov. 4 — East Knox and Danville.
Six candidates are running for the three open seats on East Knox’s Board of Education. Four candidates are running for two open seats in Danville.
Knox Pages emailed a questionnaire for publication to each candidate from both East Knox and Danville.
All four Danville candidates’ responses are below.
However, Joshua Beltz and Melissa Tomlinson were the only East Knox candidates to return questionnaires. Their responses are below.
Ronald Bostic, Randy Reese, Kathy Tate and Jared Stein are also running for East Knox’s Board of Education, but they did not return a questionnaire for publication.
East Knox candidates
Joshua Beltz
Age: 33
Occupation: Assistant Utilities Director for the City of Mount Vernon
Education: East Knox High School
Qualifications for office: 10 years of public service and strong leadership qualities.
Why are you running for a seat on the Board of Education?
A: To make East Knox a district that parents, staff and community members can be proud of.
What are the three most significant issues facing the district? What will you do to address them?
A: Staff retention- looking into pay raises and other benefits to staff and teachers.
Overall state test scores. Community curriculum boards and staff retention should help East Knox academics.
District transparency. Publicly posting board meeting minutes, monthly newsletters, more community involvement.
What are your budget priorities?
A: To use the surplus of funds that East Knox has to better benefit our students and staff. This would require careful planning with the superintendent the school treasurer and the community.
What literacy challenges face the district and how would you solve them?
A: We need to score better on early literacy. I think the best thing we can do is look at what other districts do well and try to emulate what they are doing.
How would you reduce the chronic absenteeism rate for the district?
A: Make school fun for the kiddos. It shouldn’t feel like a job.
What differentiates you from your opponent(s)?
A: Just the fact that I am a local dad who wants the best for my community and the children in it. I’m willing to put in the research and the work that it takes to make a district that we can all be proud of.
Melissa Tomlinson
Age: 32
Occupation: Risk and Compliance Auditor for a major credit card company
Education: East Knox graduate; Associate of Science
Qualifications for office: As a parent, alum and active PTO officer, I’ve had the opportunity to see East Knox from multiple perspectives as a student, a parent and a volunteer. My professional background in auditing and compliance has trained me to analyze data, identify patterns and ask the right questions to make sure policies and procedures are working the way they’re supposed to. I believe those same skills translate directly into being an effective, thoughtful board member who makes decisions based on facts, transparency and accountability.
Why are you running for a seat on the Board of Education?
A: I’m running because I care deeply about this district and the people in it. I want to help strengthen the connection between our schools and our community and make sure every decision is centered around what’s best for students and staff.
I believe East Knox has the potential to be one of the strongest districts in our area academically and culturally, and that starts with listening, communicating clearly and working together. I’m not running to reinvent what already works. I’m running to listen, to learn and to help make sure every decision we make as a board reflects what’s best for students both now and for years to come.
What are the three most significant issues facing the district? What will you do to address them?
A: Teacher retention: We need to understand why so many teachers are leaving and address those concerns directly. That means creating open channels for feedback, improving support and communication and fostering a school culture where educators feel valued and heard.
Student enrollment and engagement: When families choose to leave the district, that’s a signal something isn’t connecting. I’d like to work with administrators and parents to identify what’s driving those decisions and make East Knox the district families want to stay in.
Academic performance and opportunities: Our students deserve access to strong academics and diverse electives that prepare them for college, careers and life. I want to focus on raising test scores while also expanding opportunities that keep students excited about learning.
What are your budget priorities?
A: My top priorities would be keeping resources focused on the classroom supporting teachers, updating instructional materials and expanding student programs while making sure spending decisions are transparent and communicated clearly to the community. We should balance fiscal responsibility with investment in areas that directly impact learning and student success.
What literacy challenges face the district and how would you solve them?
A: Early literacy lays the foundation for everything else. I’d like to see stronger collaboration between teachers, parents and intervention specialists to identify reading gaps early and address them with consistent support. We should also make sure teachers have the resources and professional development they need to implement evidence-based reading strategies that meet students where they are.
How would you reduce the chronic absenteeism rate for the district?
A: We can’t fix attendance without understanding why students are missing school. That means working closely with families, counselors and teachers to identify barriers, whether they’re academic, social or transportation-related, and finding practical solutions. Building stronger relationships with families and creating a positive, engaging school environment are key parts of that.
What differentiates you from your opponent(s)?
A: I bring a balanced perspective as a parent, alum and professional. I don’t come in with an agenda; I come in wanting to listen, learn and help find solutions that make sense for everyone. My background in auditing and compliance gives me a strong understanding of how to ask tough questions respectfully, interpret data and make fair, informed decisions. Most of all, I genuinely care about this community and want to help rebuild trust between the district, staff and families.
Danville candidates
David Dusthimer
(Picture not submitted)
Age: Not given
Occupation: Retired business owner
Education: Danville High School 1968. University of Cincinnati, Associate In Arts. Ashland University, BS Business Administration Dual Major, Finance & Management Minor in Accounting.
Qualifications for office: Decades of successful business experience.
Why are you running for a seat on the Board of Education?
A: As a past board member, I want to continue my support of our amazing administration & staff. Our students are the lifeblood of our community, and our staff is constantly striving to help each and every student achieve their success.
What are the three most significant issues facing the district? What will you do to address them?
A: The district’s finances: With the uncertainty with state & federal funding, we need to be contently monitoring our finances so that we can continue to provide the very best level of education.
Maintaining & improving our staff: This goes hand in hand with our financial situation. To maintain & help our staff improve, we must endeavor to provide them with all the tools they need. Thereby ensuring that we give our students the best opportunities for each of them to find their success.
Our ever-changing community landscape: With our changing (decreasing) enrollment, we must constantly manage our options as to provide the best opportunities for our students.
What differentiates you from your opponent(s)?
A: My extensive business background and my previous board experience.
What are your budget priorities?
A: Continue to provide the most up-to-date facilities and trying to provide our staff with the best benefit packages that we can.
What literacy challenges face the district and how would you solve them?
A: Early Childhood development. Our elementary team has had remarkable success in improving our young children’s educational skills. I’d like to continue to support their efforts so they can help our youth be even better prepared for their continued educational growth.
B.J. Miller
Age: 45
Occupation: High School Math Teacher
Education: High School – Danville Local Schools
Undergrad – Bachelor of Science in Education and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Walsh University
Graduate – Masters in Educational Administration from Ashland University
Qualifications for office: I have had the privilege of serving our district as a teacher, administrator and athletic director, giving me a well-rounded perspective on the academic, operational and extracurricular sides of education. Through these roles, I’ve worked closely with students, staff and families to build a positive culture focused on growth and opportunity.
My years of service within this district have prepared me to make informed, balanced decisions that reflect both classroom and long-term district goals. I understand the needs of our students because I’ve been in their schools, worked alongside their teachers and led programs that shaped their success.
Why are you running for a seat on the Board of Education?
A: I am running for the Board of Education because I care deeply about this district and the people it serves. Having dedicated part of my career to our district, I want to continue giving back by ensuring that decisions made at the board level truly benefit students, teachers and families. I believe strong leadership begins with listening, and my goal is to represent the voices of our community while promoting academic excellence, accountability and student well-being. This district helped shape who I am, and I want to help ensure it continues to provide the same opportunities for future generations.
What are the three most significant issues facing the district? What will you do to address them?
A: Student Achievement and Learning Gaps: As both an educator and administrator, I’ve seen how different student needs can be. I would advocate for targeted academic interventions, expanded tutoring and enrichment opportunities and more individualized learning supports to help every student reach their potential.
Teacher Retention and Support: Our teachers are doing incredible work, but many feel stretched thin. I would focus on improving morale by ensuring teachers have the resources, professional development and respect they deserve. When teachers feel valued and supported, students thrive.
Building Stronger Community Connections: As athletic director, I saw how school events unite the community. That same sense of connection should guide our district’s communication and decision-making. I’ll work to increase transparency, invite community feedback and strengthen partnerships between families, staff and the board.
What differentiates you from your opponent(s)?
A: What sets me apart is my firsthand experience inside this district. I’ve taught in our classrooms, led as an administrator and built community spirit as athletic director. I understand the district from multiple perspectives, academic, administrative and extracurricular, and that experience allows me to see how all parts of the system work together.
I bring not only knowledge, but relationships and trust earned over years of service. My commitment is not political; it’s personal—I want what’s best for our students, staff and community.
What are your budget priorities?
A: My budget priorities center on student learning and staff support. That means prioritizing classroom resources, instructional technology, student mental health services and fair compensation for staff. I would also ensure funds are used efficiently and transparently, with a focus on how every dollar contributes to student success. Athletics and fine arts programs should continue to receive the support they need, as they play a crucial role in developing well-rounded, engaged students.
What literacy challenges face the district and how would you solve them?
A: Literacy is the foundation of all learning, and too many students still struggle with reading proficiency. To address this, I would support early literacy initiatives starting in the primary grades, ensure teachers have access to evidence-based reading training, and expand intervention programs for struggling readers.
Additionally, I would promote parent and community involvement in reading programs, encouraging families to take an active role in building literacy at home. By focusing on early support, teacher training, and family engagement, we can strengthen literacy outcomes across the district.
Paul Stover
Age: 61
Occupation: Business Owner
Education: Business Mgmt., Six Sigma Continuous Improvement Black Belt, Momentum Coaching Executive Leadership.
Qualifications for office: 10 years BOE experience, 25 years of corporate management experience, co-owner of 3 successful businesses with my wife.
Why are you running for a seat on the Board of Education?
A: To continue to give back to the district, to be a leader in driving academic excellence and continue to work with all BOE members and staff to improve our district for our students and stakeholders at all levels. We have to work every day for our students as they are our future, and preparing them is the key to their success in whichever path they choose, whether it be college, the workforce, or perhaps the military.
What are the three most significant issues facing the district? What will you do to address them?
A: State Funding – We have to be more fiscally responsible than ever with the continual changes in this area. I will work with district leadership to ensure we have a solid 5-year forecast to ensure financial stability within our district.
Staffing Needs – I will work with the administration team to ensure we are working to not only retain, but to also attract the best possible staff for our students.
Student/Staff safety – Continue to ensure we are doing all that we can as a district to make certain our students are taken care of in all areas within our control. An example of this would be the recent addition of the secure entry way into the high school.
What differentiates you from your opponent(s)?
A: Over 3 decades of management and financial experience with a multi-national organization. 10-year current BOE Member, 2-term BOE President.
What are your budget priorities?
A: Keeping our students safe, warm and dry every day, so our facilities have to be kept in a very good condition. Staff training and support so our teachers are the best prepared in their jobs they do. Ensure we are fiscally responsible at all spending levels within our 5-year forecast.
What literacy challenges face the district and how would you solve them?
A: We have to continue to support our special education department’s needs, continue to improve our standards-based learning and grading program. This, in turn, takes away the guesswork on how each student is performing, and gives us the data to drive the learning curriculum at all student individual levels.
Alan Swendal
Age: 50
Occupation: Self-Employed
Education: BA in Criminal Justice
Qualifications for office: Previously supervised the probation department for Champaign
County Judge, John C. Newlin. Instructor for the Supreme Court of Ohio. Advanced certification through the University of Nevada in court administration. Ohio Department of Youth Services grant administrator with a multi-million dollar budget. Vice President of
Grimes Credit Union. Current board member/office holder of Zion Lutheran Church.
Why are you running for a seat on the Board of Education?
A: To serve my community and, more specifically, assist our local school with the skills I have obtained throughout my career to better our district.
What are the three most significant issues facing the district? What will you do to address them?
A: Losing quality staff to bigger districts. Direct staff feel they have no voice/support. Lack of compensation for the essential support staff. If elected, I plan to be involved with the school by visiting departments and gaining firsthand experience in the daily operations of the school. Being a smaller district, there are obviously financial restraints, but giving staff a voice and other possible perks could make for a better work environment and a more attractive school district to work for.
What differentiates you from your opponent(s)?
A: I have decades of experience in management, working with the public and coaching new staff.
What are your budget priorities?
A: Financial accountability and appropriate spending for all departments and personnel.
What literacy challenges face the district and how would you solve them?
A: Maintaining a quality education for our students with staff turnover, limited space and just the limitations of being a small rural school. Evaluate the funding of each department and management. Look at possible incentives for staff. Recognize and reward ideas that turn our limitations into strengths. Lastly, I feel we are a family here at Danville, and maybe we can do more to treat people as such to entice longevity.