Five candidates are running to fill two seats on the Perrysburg Board of Education in November.

Of the residents who have thrown their hats into the ring, one is current member Jarman Davis, who was appointed to the board in January, 2014, to fill a seat left vacant when Barry VanHoozen joined the Perrysburg City Council. The other candidates are former board member and attorney, Valerie Hovland; recently retired Perrsyburg Athletic Director Ray Pohlman; Susan Rowland Miller, associate executive director at Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity; and Edward Palmatier.

Longtime board member Walt Edinger decided not to seek re-election.

“I think this board was at its best when all its members had kids in Perrysburg schools,” Mr. Edinger said. “Both of my kids have graduated, so I thought I’d step aside so that maybe someone with kids in the district can have the seat I’ve had the pleasure of sitting in the past 16 years.”

Mr. Davis said one of the main reasons he’s running is because he has four children in the district. The 45-year-old financial planner said he’d like to continue to serve the Perrysburg Schools community.

“I’m really vested and invested in the district. I grew up here, I’m raising my family here, I’m a homeowner, and I’ve brought my business here,” Mr. Davis said. “People move to Perrysburg partly because of the success of the schools. I’ve learned a lot in the time that I’ve been here, and I’d like to continue to serve the district and the community.”

The Perrysburg district is in the middle of several projects, including a new track at the high school, renovations at the middle school, and plans to build a new building for the fifth and sixth grades.

Mrs. Hovland, 53, is a member of the district’s site committee for the new school. She served eight years on the board until 2013, when she lost a re-election bid. Mrs. Hovland said her professional work and previous experience on the board makes her a good candidate.

“I think they need people who have experience and have built schools before. I have that experience,” Mrs. Hovland said. “I was on the operations committee for six years. I understand how everything runs, from the electricity, to the toilets, to when a roof needs to be replaced. I think we have a good quality education system and it needs to remain that way for future students.”

Mrs. Rowland Miller, an ordained pastor and parent of two Perrysburg students, said her financial management experience could be of benefit to the board when dealing with its budget. She said the board needs to be more open in its communications.

“Transparency internally and with the community is of the utmost importance,” Mrs. Rowland Miller, 47, said. “People should have access to [accurate] information.”

Mr. Pohlman retired from the district in July after 36 years. During that time he worked as a teacher, coach, president of the teachers’ union, and most recently, athletic director. Mr. Pohlman, 59, said his passion for the Perrysburg Schools led him to run for a seat on the board.

“I believe I can make a great impact as a school board member. I feel like I can make some great connections between the schools and the community,” Mr. Pohlman, 59, said. “I know what it takes to be a teacher. There are so many changes coming up, and I feel like I can help with some of that because I’ve experienced it firsthand.”

Mr. Palmatier could not be reached for comment.

Voters will elect two of the five candidates on Nov. 3.

Contact RoNeisha Mullen at: rmullen@theblade.com, 419-343-3299.81fe7785-c3e7-4c71-b19b-ce269ab6a609

First Published August 17, 2015, 4:00 a.m.