Wooster school board swears in reelected, new members at Jan. 6 meeting

The Wooster City School District Board of Education held its organizational meeting Jan. 6 for 2026 at Wooster High School, where reelected member Jody Starcher and two new members, Bonnie Nair and Dr. Clayton Deighan, were officially sworn in to begin their terms of service. They will serve through Dec. 31, 2029.

Starcher, Nair and Deighan join members Rik Goodright and Joy Kleinhenz to complete the Wooster City Schools Board of Education.

“On behalf of the entire district, I want to thank all of our board of education members for their commitment to Wooster City Schools,” Superintendent Gabe Tudor said. “Their willingness to serve, especially during a time of important decision-making for our district, reflects a deep dedication to our students, staff and community. We are grateful for their leadership and service.”

Nair, a lifelong Wooster resident and University of Akron alumna, is a graduate of Wooster City Schools, as are her parents and daughters.

“I’m excited to be a voice for our community and help the board make crucial decisions,” Nair said. “The children sitting in classrooms today will one day take our seats, and I want to ensure the next generation is prepared for the future.”

Nair is motivated by her pride in Wooster and her belief in the impact of a high-quality public education. Outside of her professional life, she is actively involved in volunteering and community advocacy.

Deighan, a Wooster High School alumnus, returns to serve the district where he and his wife Jennifer both graduated. The couple is raising their family in Wooster, continuing a third generation of Wooster Generals.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to give back and serve the community,” Deighan said. “It’s important to me that Wooster City Schools continues to be a place of excellent academics and opportunities for our current and future students.”

Deighan earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Ohio State University in 2015 and currently serves as scientific applications and sales manager at NanoFCM, where he leads a team of scientists across North America. He looks forward to serving as a voice for parents, teachers and community members and helping address the district’s long-term facilities needs.

The Wooster City School District Board of Education is responsible for establishing policies and programs that promote student learning while ensuring responsible management of district resources. The board conducts its work openly and values the involvement of students, staff, families and community members in its decision-making process.

For more information about the Wooster City Schools Board of Education including meeting dates and member information, visit www.woostercityschools.org/board-of-education.