Q&A with School Board Candidate Mike Penta

Why did you decide to announce that you want to run? 

“I’m not the type of person that can sit on the sidelines apathetically or blog pompously endlessly, I like to get involved and I wanted to find out where I could get involved in my community and found out the school district, having three kids who are attending , this is the place for me to be.”

If you were elected tomorrow, list a few things you’d like to specifically accomplish?

"If I was elected tomorrow, the first thing we need to do is develop a partnership with the new superintendent as they build their team. And work to make their mark on the district.

I would work to improve communications with the public, we need to continue to gain their confidence.

I would bring a fresh unique perspective to the board being a sociologist. I bring with me an understanding of social systems in organizations, the ability to collect, analyze and read data. I also understand group dynamics, human behavior and I have the ability to assess whether programs are working or not. The goals that we set for our programs, what’s wrong? What do we need to look at?"

What do you think they’re (community members) not seeing?

“I think the school district needs to put more of the good stuff out there. The good information of what the kids are accomplishing, what they’re doing out in the community. You don’t get a lot of information about what’s going on with the D.E.C.A. club or what’s going on with the National Honors Society and the district needs to put that information out there to help attract families to our community.” 

If elected to the board, do you think you could get along with the school board members?

"All five of the current board members have their strengths and I respect all five of them for their strengths. There are some challenges, there’s not doubt about that, you’ve got five people who need to get along. I’m open-minded and I enjoy listening to others opinions. I think I’ll be able to get along with that group."

Quick Profile:

Mike Penta- Cuyahoga Falls School Board Candidate

Age: 36

Marital Status: Married

Resident: Since 2004

About Penta:

Mike Penta moved to Cuyahoga Falls in 2004. He has three children who attend Cuyahoga Falls City Schools. Penta is a Garfield High School graduate, he is pursuing a Master's degree in sociology and minors in family and child development; parent and family education and conflict management. He serves on the 21st century planning committee and the Alternative Juvenile Detention Initiative in Summit County. He's currently a full-time student at the University of Akron.

Correction: We previously reported that Penta currently works at the U of A. We regret the error.