Stobe Joins Incumbents Jantz, Ohradzansky on School Board

Avon Lake voters overwhelmingly supported returning incumbents Ron Jantz and Pam Ohradzansky to the , and adding CPA Jim Stobe to fill a vacant seat.

Unofficially, John Crooks earned 1,349 votes; Michael Hellyar, 828 votes; Thomasina Houston, 2,856 votes; Jantz, 4,509 votes; Ohradzansky, 4,755 votes; Thomas Smith, 1,768 votes and James Stobe, 3,178 votes. The top-three vote getters earned places on the school board.

“I’m honored by the community’s trust in me and I take it as a very serious responsibility,” Jantz said.

He said he will be focusing on House Bill 136 (the "voucher bill") which was discussed at the monthly school board meeting earlier in the evening. Last week, against the bill.

“I have a lot of questions about HB 136,” he said. “That’s obviously on our radar. And then continuing to stay focused on our spending and staying lean and being good stewards of our community’s money.”

He said Stobe would be a solid addition to the board.

“He’ll be a great asset, especially with his background,” Jantz said.  

Stobe, a CPA, also a School Treasurer’s Certificate and has completed classes in school finance at Ashland University.

“I’m hoping to use my financial background to help keep the district lean and its finances in order,” he said. “They’re two strong incumbents,” he said. “I’m glad to be joining them and other board members.”

Ohradzansky, who earned the most votes, said she was “thrilled.”

“I’m excited to return to the board with Ron and Jim Stobe,” she said. “(Stobe) will  be a great addition. He earned that spot”

Ohradzansky said House Bill 136 will be a main focus moving forward.

“Definitely House Bill 136 and definitely finances,” she said. “And always, it’s academics. How can we continue to go down the road of excellence? How can we think outside the box to use technology to increase revenues and cut costs? Jim (Stobe) may have some good ideas with his background.”