Political party: Democrat

Office sought: Riverside Local School Board

Age: 44

City of residence: Concord

List campaign websites and/or campaign social media accounts: www.electkatitomco.com; The Committee to Elect Kati Tomco (Facebook)

Occupation: Special Education Coordinator

Employer: Mayfield City Schools

Elected office experience (Office must have appeared on a public ballot): N/A

Non-elected experience (boards, organizations, etc.): Courtside Club – Treasurer

Education: Riverside Local Schools – High School Diploma; Manchester University – B.A.; John Carroll University – M.A.

Should you be elected, what are three specific areas you’d like to change, address, improve or further research, and how specifically would you go about it?: As a board member, I will focus on fiscal responsibility, meeting the needs of all students, and facilities planning aligned with District goals and community voice. As a board member, fiscal responsibility not only includes short and long-term financial stability, but also ensuring the money spent reflects the community’s desires, student needs, and District needs. The current board is spending money frivolously without taking into account the impact of new budget bills, long-term impact on current spending, short-term fixes for long-term problems, and potential upcoming levies, renewals, and bond issues. Currently, a quarter of the potential student population in Riverside has elected to enroll in another district through open enrollment, an online or site-based community school, EdChoice or EdChoice Expansion Program, or the Ohio Autism Scholarship or John Peterson Scholarship program. That equates to $27.8 million in a five-year forecast and does not take into account additional federal dollars for students with disabilities. In addition, this figure does not take into account the families that elect to pay for non-public schooling. It is imperative the District and the Board identify strategies to re-engage these families for financial stability. I will recommend surveying these families to identify areas for improvement and engagement.

I have heard from many families over the years their desire for the District to support our academically accelerated students, special education students, and students who struggle with behavior and their social-emotional needs. I am a strong advocate of high-quality professional development that is evidence-based and aligned to the District goals. I will support reviewing board policies to ensure they align with meeting the needs of all students. For example, the removal of social-emotional supports, specifically Responsive Classroom materials, is not indicative of meeting the needs of all students. If the goal of the district is to increase student achievement, the District must prioritize resource allocation and funding to curriculum, assessment, and professional development.

Most recently, I have heard from families their frustration with the decision to build elementary buildings instead of a high school campus. The District and the Board will need to develop a long-term facilities plan to address the aging buildings on the campus. This facilities plan must take into consideration the cycle of levy renewals, new operating levies, and bond issues. The Board must also consider the potential cuts to public school funding and money that has already been spent on a short-term fix for a long-term problem to ensure we are not pushing older residents or those on a tight budget out of their homes.

Whether for past accomplishments or future goals, why should voters elect you?: I am running for the school board because my family is deeply rooted in public education, and we are believers that strong public schools are essential to a strong community, a successful workforce, and a thriving economy. I have worked in educational settings for the past 23 years, dedicating my career to putting students first. During this time, I have collaborated on numerous construction projects and I have advocated for spaces, technology, and strategic placement of classrooms, ensuring students with disabilities were not an afterthought during the construction process. I have participated in ODE workgroups advocating for our students and families while also communicating the challenges educators face every day. I understand the importance of systems and believe that when those systems support evidence-based instructional strategies, high-leverage practices, and a student-first mentality, student achievement and wellness are impacted in a positive manner. I am not afraid to ask the tough questions, maintain high expectations for a quality education for our students, and provide accountability to ensure District goals are being met. I am an independent candidate who is not aligned to a group or an agenda. I refuse to sacrifice my integrity for backroom deals and financial gain.