WINTERSVILLE — Voters in the Indian Creek School District will find three candidates running for two seats on the local school board when they cast their ballot for the Nov. 4 election.

They are Daniel Bove Jr. of 200 Stardust Drive, Wintersville; Rachel Gilman of 4171 county Road 26, Wintersville; and Brianne Schoolcraft of 4801 Garden Acres, Steubenville.

Daniel Bove Jr.

A native of Mingo Junction, Bove has served on the school board for 20 years. He is a graduate of Indian Creek High School and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and Point Park University and is the owner of Everhart-Bove Funeral Home.

“For over 20 years, I have operated a business and that experience, especially in managing budgets, has prepared me well for serving on the school board,” Bove said. “While operating costs and inflation continue to rise, tax revenues and state funding have remained stagnant. As a school district, we must adapt while still providing the best possible opportunities for our students and staff to succeed.”

He said, “Thanks to the support of our voters, we now have beautiful, state-of-the-art facilities. These facilities have opened the door to new opportunities, such as performing arts in our auditorium, technology and information technology through the Creek Squad and scientific exploration through the hellbender program.”

He said if re-elected, he will push for continued improvements to the College Credit Plus program, though which high school students can complete college courses and often earn an associate’s degree, and involvement in local schools by all community members, not only the families of students.

Rachel Gilman

Gilman is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and Temple University Medical School and is a gynecologist for the Wintersville health clinic established by C.H.A.N.G.E. Inc., having previously served in that capacity at Weirton Medical Center and Trinity Medical Center West, where she chaired the obstetrics-gynecology department; and All About Women Health Associates, a private practice in Steubenville.

She has worked in the medical field for more than 20 years and served on the medical executive committees at WMC and Trinity and on the board for the Jefferson County Humane Society.

“My past board and committee experience and chairmanships have provided me with valuable insights into the gathering of knowledge of issues at hand, handling sensitive information, conflict management and most importantly, collaborating with others on boards and in the workplace,” Gilman said.

She said if elected, she would work with others to establish a career mentorship program and enhance college counseling for college-bound students; build teacher morale, possibly through reduced class sizes and the addition of intervention teachers to provide more one-to-one instruction; and seek grants for science, technology, engineering and math courses, fine arts programs for the elementary and middle school levels and gifted programming, especially for those younger levels.

Brianne Schoolcraft

Schoolcraft is a graduate of Indian Creek High School, Bella Capelli Academy, a cosmetology school in Robinson Township, and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education through Bowling Green State University.

“As a cosmetology instructor at the Jefferson County Vocational School for four years, I am committed to helping students reach their goals of achieving professional excellence and personal growth,” she said. “In addition, I have been a licensed cosmetologist at Legal Hair and Day Spa for 15 years, serving clients and guiding young stylists as they begin their professional journeys.”

Schoolcraft has served on the Indian Creek Foundation’s board for four years, as secretary of the Indian Creek Athletic Boosters and as a member of the Indian Creek Football Parents Club.

She said if elected, she will bring her perspectives as a teacher, parent and former student to the board.

Schoolcraft said she will work with others to strengthen the district’s academic programs, keeping them innovative and competitive; ensure teachers have the resources they need and students with disabilities receive the necessary support; and encourage safety and open communication in the schools.

“Keeping our students safe is a top priority, and that includes protecting their physical, emotional and mental health,” she said.