Jennifer Kane, Chrissie Richards, and Bill Lautar Lack Transparency, Exemplify Cronyism & Should NOT Be Elected to Kettering's School Board

Jennifer Kane, Chrissie Richards, and Bill Lautar are seeking your vote for school board for the Kettering City School District on November 7, 2023, but there are several red flags that prove they are not the best candidates for this important job. 

Kane, Richards, and Lautar Are the Epitome of Cronyism for the Kettering School Board 

Mark Twain is mistakenly credited for saying, "Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason."

The statement holds true.  No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, most people agree that term limits are necessary to ensure people enter public service for the right reasons.  

One significant source of corruption in our political system stems from elected officials holding office for far too long.  The power, prestige, and perks of leadership corrupt people, and they abandon their good intentions for personal gain and status.

Cronyism is a result of a corrupt system.  Cronyism is the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority.  It's a form of in-group favoritism that shows partiality to like-minded people by awarding them with jobs, knowing they will toe the company line. 

ALL FIVE of the current Kettering City School board members were originally appointed to their positions without first running for office, and if you keep reading, you'll quickly conclude that the Kettering School Board has become quite a cabal.

Jennifer Kane was appointed by the school board in 2013 to replace James Trent, who was arrested on a misdemeanor charge for sexual imposition.  Before leaving in disgrace, Trent had been a teacher, principal, superintendent and board vice president.

Chrissie Richards was appointed by the school board when Lori Parks stepped down on December 31, 2022, with one year remaining in her term.  Parks had been on the board for 19 years, and scandal surrounded her departure, though the board quickly swept it under the rug.  Parks' husband, owner of The Marketing Formula, was given a no-bid contract by then superintendent Scott Inskeep to make Kettering City Schools a destination district.  For Inskeep to pay one of his boss's spouses was highly unethical and a conflict of interest, and the legality of it all was shady. Inskeep "retired" soon after.  

When Jim Ambrose finally stepped down from his board position at age 75 after serving for 11 years, Bill Lautar was appointed in June 2023 to fill the unexpired term.  Lautar has been an educator for over 40 years in various positions and has the best track record in education than any other board member, but it's unclear whether his experience is an asset or a liability to parents who don't want a Washington-esque swamp in Kettering Schools. 

It's worth mentioning that Ambrose's wife, Micki Ambrose, was hired as principal of Kettering's Orchard Park Elementary after starting as assistant principal at J.F.K. while her husband was still serving on the board that approves all new-hires.  Despite Kettering School's motto being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe, Jim Ambrose was notorious for rolling his eyes during public comment time, dramatically throwing his head into his hands and acting rudely toward parent speakers.  

In October 2020, Mark Martin was appointed by the board to replace Julie Gilmore, who also decided to retire before her term expired.  Gilmore served on the board for 23 years.  Martin made a public comment that demonstrated his pride in representing students who were people of color like himself--a red flag.  Martin was selected to represent and be a role model for all students, not just minorities.  Martin's comment may have been well-meaning, but it was problematic, nonetheless.

Toby Henderson, an attorney and current board president, was appointed in 2018 to fill the unexpired term of Edward Breen. Henderson then ran unopposed in the 2019 election.  

Are you seeing a suspicious pattern?  

Board members, in succession, are leaving office before the end of their terms, allowing the remainder of the board to hand-pick their replacements without a vote from the public, and it appears intentional. Why is this a problem?

BallotPedia statistics show that 79-89% of school board incumbents who seek re-election win.  Historically, school board seats are unopposed 24-40% of the time.

Kettering residents, not the school board, should decide who is given a seat on the board.  The Ohio Revised Code requires that when a board position is vacated before the term has expired that it be filled through a specific process; however, it's happening with such frequency that the PEOPLE are not organically deciding whom they want to represent them.  Repeatedly, the Kettering City School Board is choosing what players they want on their team and giving them a huge statistical advantage over potential challengers.  This opens the door to group think, political bias, and cronyism.

Why Are Kane, Richards, and Lautar Campaigning as a Group for Kettering School Board?

Kane, Richards, and Lautar might be listed separately on the ballot, but they are campaigning as a unit. This same strategy was used in 2021 when Ambrose, Henderson, and Martin joined together to campaign as a group.  Why can't these candidates run on their own merit like their opponents?

The answer is simple.  Newly appointed members or those who aren't well-known in the community are capitalizing on the name recognition of the longer-term members of the board.  It is also easier for voters to remember one grouping of names rather than three individual ones.  

Running as a group also conveys cohesiveness.  Residents might think, "If the current school board is working, why change it?"  

Kettering Mayor Lehner echoes this sentiment in her endorsement when she states, "...I am well aware of the divisive impact on school districts when the cohesiveness of a student-and-family-centered School Board is disrupted."  Lehner asks residents to keep the current candidates because they are a "strong, knowledgeable leadership team that has kept our schools academically strong, safe, and parent-friendly."

Lehner's statement should shock you.  First, she is insinuating that anyone else who dares to run for school board will be divisive.  By "divisive," she means someone could be elected who is an independent, critical thinker with questions who won't blindly conform. 

Lehner is also fear-mongering, as politicians do.  She's saying that anyone new to the board could make Kettering schools less safe, academically strong, and parent-friendly.

The Kane, Richards, and Lautar triumvirate has also garnered the support of other city council members.  Tony Klepacz from District 3 refers to them as "open-minded and transparent," and Jacque Fisher comments that they will "provide a safe and welcoming environment where all students feel supported and encouraged to learn."  Fisher's comment doubles as code for LGBTQ activists who want transgender students in the wrong bathrooms, teachers ignoring basic biological facts, and curriculum infused with sexualized themes parents do not want in the classroom.

Former Kettering mayor, Don Patterson, was also tapped for an endorsement and claims the three incumbents "actively listen" and "show transparency."  

Are you noticing that the string of endorsements are with past and present city officials?  A separation of powers is vital, so the close working relationship Kettering School officials have with Kettering City officials is alarming.  It's desirable for both entities to get along, especially on issues that require collaboration, but it's quite another for them to be in cahoots.  The incumbents are also posting endorsements from business owners and other organizations, but noticeably absent are testimonies from ordinary parents like YOU! Parents aren't important enough to include, yet the candidates want your ultimate endorsement on election day.

Consider this.  In January 2023, the City of Kettering's Board of Community Relations persuaded Kettering City Schools to host the Undesign the Redline exhibit at Fairmont High School.  This exhibit promotes divisive left-wing propaganda about structural racism, social justice, and equity--all the buzz words contained in Critical Race Theory (CRT)--after the superintendent and school board emphatically denied that CRT was taught in Kettering Schools.  When confronted about the disparity, the superintendent, Mindy McCarty-Stewart, responded that the exhibit was approved by multiple school officials, and she provided the state content standards the exhibit met.  

What does this example show us?  It demonstrates that our current school board and administrators are willing to allow the city council's political ideology to influence the school's curriculum.  School officials are prepared to hide behind the guise of "content standards," even though there are many avenues that can be taken to meet state requirements.  The Kettering School Board appears compromised.  

Typical of cronyism and elitism, Kane, Richards, and Lautar seem more concerned about seeking the approval and endorsement of Kettering's ruling class than they are about representing the will of the parents in our community.  Running as a group is a manipulative tactic to trick you, the voter, into picking them this November.  

Kane, Richards, and Lautar Are All About Optics for Their Kettering School Board Campaign

The incumbents shared on their Facebook page a link to the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) page that explains the responsibilities of the school board, what roles the board members play, and what they do not do.  The group stated, "Kane, Richards, and Lautar have a clear understanding of these responsibilities."  Are they an elite group that has cracked a special code that only grants them the power and knowledge to lead?  Lautar has been on the board for almost four months, Richards for ten.  Obviously, learning the ropes is not difficult.  In fact, new board members receive training and are not thrown into the water and told to swim.

Anyone with a passion for education and for helping children succeed can be on the school board.  

According to OSBA, the primary job of the school board is this:  

The board is a policymaking body and members are the chief advisers to the superintendent on community attitudes.  Board members do not manage the day-to-day operations of a school district; they see to it that the system is managed by professional administrators.  

Despite the administrators and teachers doing the heavy lifting each day, you will notice at every school event that each board member is recognized by name to the parents in attendance.  Whether it's an orchestra performance, school play, Veteran's Day production, or other program where voting parents are present, a special thanks is given to each board member by name--even though the board has nothing to do with these events.  The educational system is VERY political.  The synergy between the board and school staff is the proverbial "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine." 

Kettering school board members are paid $125.00 for each meeting they attend, and they meet twice per month for a public session and a work session.  Two months before any election, they throw together a social media page and post content to make you think they are working tirelessly every day.  

Lautar is pictured on Facebook reading to kindergartners.  Kane and Richards are at a marching band invitational.  The three candidates are tailgating with teachers before a football game.      

None of these social media posts look contrived at all (wink).  Where are board members Henderson and Martin?  Don't worry--you'll see lots of them two months before their terms expire. 

Do You Attend Kettering School Board Meetings Regularly to Observe Kane, Richards & Lautar?

When was the last time you observed a Kettering School Board meeting?

Board meetings have very low attendance rates.  Only a handful of concerned parents and community leaders come regularly.  Citizens for a Stronger Kettering is one group that is represented at most monthly meetings, and it keeps a watchful eye on board members to hold them accountable.

Citizens for a Stronger Kettering and other community members have publicly addressed the board on countless occasions and been largely ignored.  Board members do not respond to public input and parent emails, nor do they take suggestions from the public seriously.  

Parents have confronted the board about a host of different issues:  CRT-laced curriculum, parental consent, mask mandates and school shutdowns, revisionist social studies lessons, employee Rick Earley's anti-parent bombshell comments, the board's lack of respect for parental input, and so much more.  A recurrent theme parents have addressed over the years is the board's lack of transparency.  Yet, the incumbents are running on their "transparency," which is laughable.

While the superintendent and some principals and teachers email weekly newsletters, the information that is shared is cherry-picked.

In our digital age, websites are a valued resource, and Kettering School's website is one of the worst.  This has been brought to the board's attention numerous times over the years, and Lynn Quillen, the 2023 school board candidate who is challenging Lautar, even submitted a 12-page analysis of the current website, including a plan to make it more user-friendly, transparent, and attractive to boost enrollment.  

After ignoring calls to update the website for more transparency, only now, three weeks before the election, the superintendent and the school board are beginning to implement a few of Quillen's suggestions. 

Prior to COVID, public board meetings were recorded and posted on the school's YouTube channel.  When parents started packing the board room to publicly share vital statistics decimating the theory that mask mandates and school shutdowns were beneficial, the board stopped posting the videos.  Watchdog groups like Citizens for a Stronger Kettering asked the board to make the videos available to parents and were given lame excuses why it wasn't happening.  

No matter what issue board meeting attendees raise, board members are arrogantly dismissive and proceed with their own agenda even though they are tasked to gauge and take community sentiment into consideration.  Maybe they don't have a "clear understanding of these responsibilities" despite their claim to the contrary.

Another major issue with the current Kettering School Board is their inability to think independently.  Unity is important and arriving at a consensus that best benefits the district is the ultimate aim, but there is no debate among this group, nor has there been in recent history.  The entire board walks in lockstep, which is encouraged at the state level.  No matter how many parents voice legitimate concerns, the board never deviates from their agreed upon talking points.  They all vote the same on every agenda item--there is never a dissenting vote.  It's all about group think.  Not one board member has demonstrated the backbone to break rank and engage in a robust conversation regarding public input.

If you haven't attended a school board meeting recently, you might not realize that this is happening.  For those of us who are regular attenders, we've come to a unanimous conclusion:  

It's time for a new Kettering School Board. 

Vote for Quillen, LeBrun, and White for Kettering School Board

The current Kettering School board appears to be outwitting voters by garnering resignations from its members before terms are completed so that new cronies can be installed, but we parents can do something about it. 

We can wipe the slate clean by selecting new board members who are parents first, not politicians. 

Lynn Quillen, Justin LeBrun, and Steve White are challenging the incumbents.  

Unlike the current board members who are doing photo ops at fun events, Quillen, LeBrun, and White are canvassing neighborhoods, talking to parents, listening to feedback, and working hard to earn your vote. 

Get to know the candidates.  Visit their websites to learn more about them--their information is listed below.  Feel free to reach out to them with your questions, concerns, or to see how you can support their campaigns. 

 

Lynn Quillen ran for Kettering School Board in 2021 and lost by a mere 189 votes.  She has regularly attended and spoken at school board meetings for several years.  She and her husband are small business owners in Kettering, and Quillen is passionate about supporting parents.  Quillen has a plan to bring much-needed transparency back to the district along with driving improvements across our great schools.

Visit Quillen's website to learn more:  Lynn Quillen for Kettering School Board

Justin LeBrun is a parent of six, and he is determined to restore the broken lines of communication between the district and Kettering parents by giving parents the voice they deserve, keeping them informed, and increasing transparency.

LeBrun's website shares his vision for Kettering Schools, his personal and professional information, a blog about the issues, and ways to support his candidacy.

Visit LeBrun's website to learn more:  Justin 4 Kettering Board of Education 

Steve White will make sure your kids are educated, not indoctrinated, by keeping a watchful eye on the curriculum being taught in Kettering classrooms.  White is a huge advocate for parental rights who recognizes that YOU should be making the big decisions that affect your children.  Using taxpayer dollars wisely is also one of White's chief concerns.

Visit White's website to learn more:  Steve White Kettering School Board Campaign

Kane, Richards, and Lautar Need to Removed from Kettering School Board

Are Jennifer Kane, Chrissie Richards, and Bill Lautar bad people?  No.  Like many in the political swamp, however, they appear to have quickly exchanged their good intentions for ideology and group think, making them unfit to lead.

State Representative Mike Loychik introduced legislation in 2022 that would limit school board terms from four to two years.  Such a measure, if passed, would make for better candidates because they would be held accountable with greater frequency.  If board members acted recklessly or ignored public input, parents could make their voices heard at the ballot box sooner.

In the meantime, the Kettering City School board could develop a policy that would limit the terms for its own members, but it seems Kane, Richards, and Lautar would not support such a measure.    

Loychik also introduced House Bill 267 in September 2023, that would require school board members to declare their political affiliation.  The bill would force candidates to appear in primaries instead of being listed on a nonpartisan ballot.  

Loychik makes this statement in support of the bill, "Partisan elections for school board members will allow voters to get a better idea of what the candidate's platforms are.  It is important that we give voters information that will allow them to make an informed decision, especially when they're voting for those who decide our children's educational opportunities."

Kane, Richards, and Lautar seem to only care about your input at election time.  The content on their Facebook page is glaringly phony and designed to project an image that doesn't match the reality of how they govern.  You're not supposed to notice.  Their track record is one devoid of transparency and ripe with cronyism.  

It's time for parents to take back control of our Kettering City Schools by electing members who remember that they answer to us--not the teacher's union, school administration, or the city council.

On November 7, vote for Quillen, LeBrun, and White for Kettering School Board!

You can hold the Kettering School Board accountable by attending monthly meetings at Fairmont's Recital Hall.