Karen Powers: School Board Candidate, Incumbent

Name: Karen Powers

Age: 52

Lives in Stow: 31 Years

Family: Married to Dave for 28 years and we have three sons; two graduates from who attend Kent State University and the University of Akron, and one who is currently a senior.

Education: Graduate of Archbishop Hoban High SchoolAttended Kent State University.

Political Affiliation: Democrat, according to the Summit County Board of Elections.

(Board members serve the district on a non-partisan basis)

Position Sought: 

Other Elected Positions: Serving first term as a Board Member for the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District, January 1, 2008 to the present.

What is the biggest problem facing the district? 

• "Clearly, without question, the most important issue is the ability to obtain continued viable funding in a difficult economic environment to keep the district solvent and financially sound and finally finding a solution to the ever constant funding problem we seem to be faced with nearly every single year due to diminished state funding. Unfortunately, legislators have failed to find a permanent solution that is fair to all districts. I plan to continue to solicit legislators for reform and continue to educatecommunity members on school finance matters and the importance of their role in the funding issue."

Are you in favor of the ?

• "Absolutely. The entire time I have been on the Board funding has and still remains the most critical issue. I personally have been affected by the economy when I found myself unemployed for a year and one-half during the height of the recession in 2009 so I understand that may be an issue for some. However with inflation, I know that my family couldn’t survive on what we earned nine years ago and districts can’t either. State funding has been cut and expenses for everything and everyone have increased. Nobody wants to pay more in taxes, but a vote FOR the levy is a vote for our future, our children and our community. The very last thing I want to do is implement the impending cuts and raise pay to participate fees if the levy fails. My family was affected in 2001 the last time major cuts were put in place and it was a miserable experience that I don’t think anyone wants to revisit. Most importantly, I believe that the extracurricular programs play a major role in forming children’s personalities and shaping their lives, gives them confidence and creates well rounded students who give back to their community and students that colleges actively recruit."

What are your goals if elected?

• "Keeping class sizes to a minimum has always been a main priority in my tenure as a board member. I am concerned that we will not be able to sustain that status quo if our levy fails as the district has already made over $7 million in cuts. Eventually the cuts will affect the students in the classroom.
• "Providing students with a challenging curriculum and the tools for each student’s personal success in achieving their highest potential so they can compete on a national level in a global world and be productive citizens.
  Maintaining the district’s excellent rating.
• "Improving community relations with all segments of our community."

Why run for re-election?

• "I remain committed and dedicated to our children and the same causes and reasons why I ran for the office four years ago: student achievement, maintaining an 'Excellent' state rating, adequate funding to keep our schools one of the best in Summit County and advocating for the fairness and equality for ALL children."

What qualifies you to be on the board?

• "Prior to my election in 2007 I was involved in the schools at all levels through PTA andam a past president of Echo Hills PTA and Stow-Munroe Falls PTA Council and held a variety of offices since 1990 and I have been a volunteer in the district for over 20 years.I was appointed as a member of the Finance Committee at its inception in 2002 and chaired that committee for a period of three years from 2002-2005."

.Where do you stand on the  Program?

• "Frankly, I don’t have strong feelings about IB one way or another. While I feel that IB has many worth-while qualities, I’m not particularly in favor of any program that cannot be implemented across the board at all grade levels and buildings so that all students inthe district are taking advantage equally. I also have concerns with regard to being ableto sustain IB financially in a consistent manner in the future."