By Rachel Scofield

As voters head to the polls on Nov. 4, seven candidates are vying for three open seats on the Canal Winchester Local School District Board of Education. This nonpartisan race includes incumbents and newcomers.

Joe Arndt

A lifelong Canal Winchester resident and 24-year high school counselor in the district, Joe Arndt also coached basketball for over 35 years. He served on the CW Charter Commission and is a member of CW Athletic Hall of Fame.

Arndt’s platform focuses on fiscal responsibility and school quality.

Arndt plans to consider decisions through the scope of how they could affect the heritage and standards that have been established.

Arndt has been married to his wife, Barb, for 38 years and they have two daughters who graduated from Canal Winchester High School and an 8-month old grandson.

He enjoys coaching, church activities, and currently works as an Educational Liaison for the Central Ohio Educational Service Center. He also works weekly with Foster students at their schools.

Vangela Barnes

Barnes is a local business owner, IT Project Manager, and mother of five Canal Winchester graduates. She has been a foster parent and serves as chair of the Greater Southeast Area Commission.

Her focus includes community engagement, supporting students with challenges, and maintaining strong relationships between parents, schools, and the district.

She wants to continue being a part of the board because they have a plan for the future and she wants to continue moving that forward.

Dave George

An incumbent and Vice President of the Board, George is an IT professional for the City of Columbus and a former U.S. Army officer. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech and has coached youth sports in CW for a decade.

He is also an endurance athlete who has completed Ironman and ultramarathon events. George emphasizes advocacy for public education, parent engagement, and student programs.

He children all attended or are attending within the school district.

Monika Talley

Serving since 2020, Talley holds an Executive Master of Public Administration and supervises the Child Support Liaison Department at Franklin County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court.

She focuses on advocating for equitable funding, responding to student needs, and community transparency. She has also engaged in statewide legislative advocacy for fair school funding.

She and her husband have lived in the district for 16 years. Since her youth, Talley had a passion for education.

Talley was accepted into the Young Scholars Program and received an all tuition paid scholarship to the Ohio State University at 12 years old.

Lea Cobb

Cobb has 20 years of experience in public education, including time as an administrator in Whitehall and Canal Winchester City Schools, and now Westerville City Schools.

She understands how government decisions directly impact classrooms, staff, students, and families.

Cobb wants to create a school environment where every student feels seen, heard, and valued, and where staff have the training, resources, and support they need to ensure student success.

Her youngest attends Canal Winchester schools.

Cobb values community service, lifelong learning, and family.

Elizabeth Jewell

A licensed social worker with 17 years in public service, Jewell is a mother of three Canal Winchester students and has worked in mental health for 14 years.

Her focus areas include fiscal responsibility, safety, and student wellness, including expanding access to mental health services.

Her platform includes pursuing grants and community partnerships to improve operational efficiency, especially energy savings.

Lauren Torgerson

Torgerson is a first-time candidate, real estate agent, small business owner, and mother of three students in the district.

She is married with three children.

Her platform highlights being a parent in the district, literacy initiatives and conflict resolution programs.

She would make sure that the district stayed on top of safety grants and follow best practices for conflict resolution and interpersonal communication.

Her hobbies include raising a small flock of chickens, beekeeping, gardening, and playing the bassoon.