The Bluffton Icon will feature information on the four candidates running for three seats on the Bluffton School Board of Education in the November 2 General Election: Bradley J. Dailey, Mitch Giesige, Roni L. Kaufman and Wesley L. Klinger. The information is provided by the League of Women Voters of the Lima Area. You can also view the complete PDF report for Allen County.

BLUFFTON SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION Term Commences 01/01/2022

Vote for no more than 3 

Responsibilities: School Board Members set educational goals and establish policy for the system based upon state laws and community values. Their most important function is to employ a superintendent and treasurer and hold them responsible for managing the school in accordance with the school board’s policies.

Term: 4 years Salary: $100/meeting (Maximum of $1,200)

Wesley L. Klinger

Current Occupation: Accounting & Finance 

Education: Bowling Green State University - Bachelor in Accounting Findlay University - MBA 

Training & Experience: 8 years experience on Bluffton School Board with multiple years as President. 24+ years with multiple opportunities (Accounting, Finance, Forecasting & Budgeting) at Marathon Petroleum. Former Board Member at Bluffton Recreation Center. Former Board Member at Bluffton Preschool, multiple years as President. Former Deacon at Ebenezer Mennonite Church. Multiple school board training courses. Multiple opportunities to be involved in school levy renewals. High level budget/forecast/planning experience. Leadership skills. Web Site: http://www.facebook.com/KlingerforBlufftonSchoolBoard 

Q: What is the single most important issue facing your school district and how would you address this issue? 

A: That is an interesting question as there are a few things that give me pause as a school board member and most specifically as a parent that has had 2 kids graduate Bluffton, and another 2 that will. Funding, technology, student involvement, continued leadership, continuing to hire top talent. etc. The one item that has recently crept to the top of my list is the pressure and uncertainty facing our students. Students face pressures today from a fast moving society that I never did. COVID can be debated by many, but the one thing that can’t be is it is additive to this pressure. The mental and social health of students along with student engagement is so critical right now for their growth and development. At Bluffton, it is something we don’t shy away from thru training for our staff, to special programs for students, to adding to our guidance counselor pool. I have been proud to be a small part of it as a board member. 

Q: What specific strengths would you bring to the board table? 

A: I feel like over the past 8 years I have brought the following to the board and will continue to if re-elected. The ability to lead and continue to look for process improvements for the betterment of students. There are 4 key roles associated with being a board member - Vision, Structure, Accountability, and Advocacy. My experiences and opportunities both in my professional life at Marathon and in my personal life in being involved with organizations has allowed me to hone my skills in these 4 components. Anyone that has worked with me knows, I am a big believer in celebrating successes but I am probably an even bigger believer in continuous improvements. Bluffton Schools have had a multitude of successes to be proud of but as a board member there is a need to provide that vision, structure, accountability, and advocacy along with teachers, staff, and administrators to look to improve performance, even amongst all of our successes. 

Q: What is your position on Ohio HB322 and HB327, as proposed by the Ohio House, which if passed, will have an impact on K-12 as well as higher educational institutions?

A: I am aware of both HB322 and HB327 through research and what has been provided via the media. Even that information has been extremely limited since both are still in early stages. Obviously, our administrative staff and mainly our superintendent does a tremendous job of tracking what happens or may happen at the state house. As a board member, I have resources thru our Ohio School Board Association and personal research but we do lean on our leaders at the school for impact on our curriculum. I will continue to monitor the progress as it moves thru the process, but many bills never make it to an action.

Additional information on the November 2 Bluffton ballot will be posted on the Bluffton Icon. See pages 4 and 7 of the LWV Voter Guide for Bluffton council and school board candidates.