Three seats up this election

An eight-year member of Ironton’s board of education is hoping for another four-year term.

Incumbent Tim Johnson has filed his petition for the November election. Besides Johnson, newcomer Mark Fields has also filed his petition to run for the Ironton school board. Incumbent Robert Pleasant Jr. has picked up a petition to run, but has not filed it.

Three seats are up for grabs including those of Johnson, Pleasant, and John Wolfe.

Johnson, 45, currently serves as an admissions coordinator in the rehabilitation and transitional care units at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Ky., where he has worked for 23 years.

The father of two high school seniors, Johnson said he likes having a say-so in the decisions the board makes and knowing how the board works.

“I think every citizen should experience that,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he is most proud of the district’s new schools. He’s also proud that the district moved from a continuous improvement rating to effective rating, according to the Ohio Department of Education.

If re-elected, Johnson said he wants the district to focus on its finances in light of recent state and federal cuts to its budget.

“The one thing I get sick of is that any time the state wants to cut, they want to cut the programs that help kids and the elderly people,” Johnson said. “I think that’s unfair.”

The district will have to adapt to the cuts, he said, adding that it was fortunate not to have to cut positions, an accomplishment he attributes to the district’s treasurer, Patty Wade.

The school district should also continue to work on its curriculum as well as improving its graduation and college attendance rates, Johnson said.

“I’m looking forward to serving the people to the best of my ability,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed the process over the years.”