NORTHWOOD – Northwood has four candidates in the race for board of education – all because they want to
offer their services to their school district.
Amy Romstadt was appointed to the board in August 2008 to fill an unexpired seat, and is hoping to be
elected for a full four-year term. Also bidding for seats are Fritz Kalmbach, Jeffrey Dunlap and Desiree
Brewer.
There are three seats open; Scott Phelps and Jim Adams are not seeking re-election, and Romstadt’s
temporary appointment expires at the end of the year.
Romstadt said she has enjoyed her time on the board and has gained valuable experience and knowledge of
its roles and responsibilities. "It’s a lot different than I thought it would be … The public
perceives the board to have the power to do things they don’t have the power to do."
Romstadt, a medical biller for a private company, said her oldest child is a senior at the high school
and her youngest is a first-grader. That gives her a wide perspective of what’s happening in each school
building and keeps her in contact with other community members. She is a 1990 graduate of the district,
and she worked on the district’s levy committees in 2007 and 2008. She also is a member of the Northwood
Elementary Organization.
Kalmbach has lived in the district for 30 years and has had two children graduate from Northwood High
School.
With three seats available, "I had just thought it was something I could do. I haven’t really done
public service for the school system or the city in the past." But with so many vacancies, he felt
the need to step in to do what needed to be done, he said.
"If they’re willing to have me serve, I’ll be happy to do it. I’ll do my best."
A lawyer, Kalmbach sees the primary issue in Northwood is no different than other districts: "Trying
to get the best quality education and make it affordable without having to continue going to the
voters." He thinks his skills as an attorney and certified public accountant will be of use to the
board.
Dunlap said he filed as a candidate because a community member suggested he would do a good job. After
giving it a lot of thought, he said, he decided he wanted to see Northwood Schools continue to do well
and make sure someone was in office who cares about students.
Employed as a dimensional designer, Dunlap has lived in the district almost 18 years and has a senior at
NHS as well as a graduate.
He said he has heard talk from people who have issues with the district, "and yet, leadership is
doing the best they can," he stated. "I also felt the schools were doing a good job in
managing what they have."
Brewer is a 1987 graduate of the school district, and she has three children enrolled at Northwood. She’s
employed as a registration specialist at Bay Park Community Hospital in Oregon.
With children attending Northwood Schools, Brewer said she has a vested interested in the district.
"We need more people with children in the school" to serve on the board, she said, but added
she thought all constituents’ concerns are being heard.
Brewer said she would serve the board well because "I just feel that I can really evaluate many
situations. I can look at both sides. I’m very quick to give my views, but I’ll also willing to listen,
too."