Prentiss, like Richard Decolibus, laments the addition in 1995 of governor-appointed members to the board. That was clearly a shift in paradigm. The state Board of Education and Department of Education was, when i was on the board, independent of the governors' office. Voinovich, when he was governor, pushed to begin the process of having a much more hands on involvement with the school board. Today eight Ohio Board of Education members are appointed, eleven elected.
Members are limited to two four-year terms.
Six district seats are up for election this year. In Cuyahoga County's 11th district, nine candidates are challenging incumbent Charles Byrne of Cleveland Heights. In district five, which covers Ashtabula, Lake, Medina, and Wayne counties, and part of Cuyahoga County, Jeffrey L. Dean of Chagrin Falls is at the end of his second term. Five candidates are vying to replace him. Campaigns tend to be low profile because they're typically not very well-financed.