Medina Mavens survey school board candidates ahead of election

The Medina Mavens Education Committee recently surveyed county school board candidates to help voters make knowledgeable and thoughtful decisions in the upcoming election. Answers to the questions can be found at medinamavens.org/home/medina-county-school-board-candidate-questionnaires.

The Medina Mavens is a nonpartisan group of almost 1,000 Medina County citizens dedicated to fostering informed dialogue, promoting civic engagement, and addressing extremism at the local, state, and national levels. Areas of concentration include public education, reproductive rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, gun safety, voter rights, and democracy.

The group began in August 2022, when three friends — Shelly Rea, Terry Stancin, and Karen Thorn — discussed their concerns following the Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Laura Mullen later joined them, and the four now lead the organization. They were inspired by Red, Wine, and Blue, a national organization that trains and connects suburban women of all political backgrounds to defeat extremism.

Although women first organized the Medina Mavens, it is an inclusive group of all ages, and an increasing number of men have joined over the last three years. The group does not endorse any political candidates.

The project was a follow-up to a voter information fair the Mavens held at the Medina Library before the 2024 election. “Guided by our mission to educate, motivate, and activate, we felt a responsibility to inform voters about the candidates,” Thorn said.

The survey was distributed to 29 school board candidates running for office in the Medina, Highland, Cloverleaf, Buckeye, Brunswick, Wadsworth, and Black River districts. Sixteen candidates responded. The nine questions covered background, prior involvement in school issues, reasons for running, and top concerns. Candidates were also asked to address public education funding, book bans, and release time for religious instruction.

For more information or to join the Medina Mavens, email medinamavens@gmail.com. The group meets monthly in Conference Rooms A and B at the Medina Library. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.