Oxford School Board To Seat One New Member, One Incumbent

BY MAGGIE CALLAHAN, ELISABETH DODD, MOLLY NICHOLAS, DUNCAN STEWART & SCOTT SUTTON
Miami University journalism students

Patrick Meade will continue a "students first" agenda as the newest member of the Talawanda School District Board of Education.

Meade, a teacher for Butler Technical and Career Development Schools who teaches at-risk high school students on the Miami University campus, has six children who went through the Talawanda schools and two of 14 grandchildren currently enrolled.

"I would hope that anyone running would run the business for the students," Meade told Patch.com earlier."Sometimes I think we forget that. The thing we're most proud of should be students' achievements, not the budget."

Reached after his Tuesday win, Meade reiterated that message. "I'll put the student first. How our decisions will affect them will always come first."

Board incumbent Mary Jane Roberts, meanwhile, said she will continue to work on producing "21st-century learners."

“Two and a half years ago we set aside $7 million so every student had a Chromebook (computer),” said Roberts. “We want to continue those kinds of things. We want to make sure the STEM program continues. It’s a lot of things like that that’ll make a difference.”

Candidate Lori Parks said she was disappointed not to win a seat but pleased that Meade won. A visiting assistant professor of art history on Miami's Hamilton campus, Parks said she'll work on her own research for teaching adding that "I'm thinking I'll have to find another area to be involved in."

Incumbent Lois Vollmer could not be reached for comment.

The new members of the school board will serve four-year terms, starting on Jan. 1 and earning $125 a meeting. They will join Mark Butterfield, Mike Crowder and Chris Otto, whose terms end in 2019.

For full results of all 85 political races in Butler County, visit the Butler County Board of Elections.

Top photo: Patrick Meade's granddaughter, Maya Meade, assists on the campaign trail. -- Contributed photo