This article is part of the 2025 General Election Voters' Guide produced in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Akron Area.

Kimberly Polatas

Nonpartisan

Education: B.A. and MBA from the University of Akron

Campaign email address: polatasforstrongschools@gmail.com

Why are you the best candidate for the office?

I bring a unique combination of leadership experience, community involvement, and a collaborative mindset that make me well-suited for the Tallmadge City School Board. As a local business owner, Executive Director of the Tallmadge Chamber of Commerce, former president of the Tallmadge Rotary Club, and current Assistant Governor for Rotary District 6630, I understand how to bring people together to solve problems. I’ve been actively engaged in the school funding conversation and currently chair the Citizens for Tallmadge Schools levy campaign. I’m running because I care deeply about our schools and believe strong schools build strong communities. I will listen, ask thoughtful questions, and work hard to ensure transparency, fiscal responsibility, and student-centered decision-making. My goal is to support our educators, engage families, and help Tallmadge City Schools thrive—now and into the future.

What are the most significant issues facing the school district and what ideas do you have to address these issues?

Tallmadge City Schools faces ongoing funding challenges, relying heavily on local levies to operate. As chair of the Citizens for Tallmadge Schools levy campaign, I’ve seen the importance of transparency and building community trust. We need fairer state funding and clear communication about how local dollars are used.  Strong schools need strong leadership, and I’m ready to help guide Tallmadge forward.

What ideas do you have for ensuring safety in your school district?

Ensuring student and staff safety is a top priority. I will continue building strong partnerships with our local safety forces, mental health providers, and community organizations to support a safe and responsive environment in all our schools. Safety isn’t just about emergency protocols—it’s also about prevention, trust, and well-being. I support ongoing staff training, clear communication, and inclusive practices that make every student feel secure, supported, and ready to learn.

What action, if any, do you believe the Board of Education should take to support all students and ensure they are provided with a high-quality, meaningful education?

The Board of Education must ensure that all students—regardless of background, ability, or circumstance—have access to a high-quality and inclusive education. That means listening to educators, setting clear priorities, and making student-centered decisions that ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.

The Board should also monitor outcomes and work closely with families, teachers, and community partners to remove barriers to learning and keep students engaged.

Jennifer Ross

Nonpartisan

Education: Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education & Masters Degree in Curriculum & Insteuction

Previous public office: Tallmadge City Schools Board of Education- 2 years (appointed in 2023)

Campaign email address: Jenniferlross1@aol.com

Campaign phone: 330-606-2673

Training/experience: Tallmadge City Schools Board of Education- 2 years (appointed in 2023)

Why are you the best candidate for the office?

I have served the last two years after filling a vacancy on the board. I am now running for my own term. I have my undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and my masters in Curriculum & Instruction. I have also been a volunteer in the Tallmadge City School district for over the last decade.

What are the most significant issues facing the school district and what ideas do you have to address these issues?

Keep the standards of educators, education and pride that Tallmadge has worked so hard to achieve. Ensure the correct information is being disseminated effectively across all communication platforms. 

What ideas do you have for ensuring safety in your school district?

Continue to stay current with trends in school safety. Adding security features (badges, cameras, communication) to keep students, teachers and staff in the buildings.

What action, if any, do you believe the Board of Education should take to support all students and ensure they are provided with a high-quality, meaningful education?

 Every student in Tallmadge should be educated to the best of our abilities to achieve their individual goals in school. I support the Tallmadge Way of empowering every student every day for a successful completion of graduation, with a focus on looking ahead to enroll, enlist, or employ their future.

Michael Donnell

Nonpartisan

(Editor’s note: The candidate did not respond to requests for information.)

Todd Loughry

Nonpartisan

(Editor’s note: The candidate did not respond to requests for information.)

David S. Parry

Nonpartisan

(Editor’s note: The candidate did not respond to requests for information.)

Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.