I have been a proud resident since 1998, and I am running for reelection to the Madison School Board. Over the past 23 years, I have had the privilege of raising two children with my wife of 32 years, Marion (SLP with Cuyahoga County DD), right here in our community. Our oldest son, Caleb (serving in the Army National Guard in DC), is now 23, and our youngest son, Nathanael (attending Geneva Colle
ge in PA), is 18. After spending nine years working for a job recruiting agency, I decided in 2015 to open my firm, Jericho Group Consultants, within our community. It has
been rewarding to assist companies across America in finding qualified candidates. This experience has given me firsthand insight into the importance of preparing our children for life after graduation and ensuring their career readiness. In addition to running my firm, I have had the honor of working as a substitute teacher in local schools (Painesville, Mentor, Perry, and Geneva) for the past
ten years. I see daily how our educators dedicate themselves to each student.
**I believe:**
Our children are our future, and without a well-rounded education, they will struggle to succeed. I am running to be a voice for every parent and student in our community—a voice that seeks to build upon our successes and strengthen areas where we need improvement. All-Day Kindergarten One of my favorite aspects of serving on the board has been voting YES to implementing All-Day Kindergarten for Madison students. It is essential that they start their education with a strong foundation. New Superintendent- As School Board members, we searched for many months to bring in a Superintendent who could bring a new vision to the Madison Schools. Rambler has brought a new vision and pride to the district, along with new leadership, a passion for getting to know our students and staff daily, and regular communication with our students, families, and community. Safety - As a Board member, I have worked to ensure that each of our schools has an SRO on duty each day. We have updated our school cameras and locks, procedures, and drills to protect our students. Keeping our students and staff safe is one of my Top priorities at Madison Schools. Communication, I support our district in keeping our students, families, staff, and community informed about daily events. I have personally been utilizing social media for the last 44 months to keep our community informed about events going on in our schools. I firmly believe in recognizing and celebrating our students' achievements. Transparency, I prioritize listening to all sides of every issue and making informed decisions. I ensure our community is aware of all board meetings (Board meetings are open and live-streamed via the district's YouTube account) and welcomes discussions on relevant issues. Over the past 44 months, I have spoken with hundreds of residents through private messages, phone calls, and texts. I am always available to answer questions at 440-897-2528 or via email at [email protected]. Advocate, Last year, I invited Senator Jerry Cirino to visit Madison High School to observe our building conditions. This year, State Rep. Jamie Calendar will join me and our school leadership team on Thursday, October 9, 2025, for a walk-through. We must engage with our state leaders to determine what our schools truly need. School Funding and Property Tax Reform. It is time for our Governor, Senators, and Representatives to prioritize proper funding for our schools. They must stop diverting funds away from education to other sources, must provide ways to reduce high property taxes, and give property owners a break. Community Involvement: We need to collaborate as a community to advance Madison Schools. Partnering with local businesses and organizations is critical. We are in the process of setting up committees to address these issues. Fiscal Responsibility: All financial reports are publicly available to the community, and we must encourage awareness of how federal and state funding impacts our school district. Future of Madison Schools. We must come together as a community to discuss how to address the needs of Madison High School, N Elementary, Pre-School, and our sports complex. We are in the process of determining how to address these issues as a board. Volunteering and Community involvement are vital. I support our teachers' union, clubs, and sporting teams by volunteering at their fundraisers. Our educators are vital to the future of our schools, and I am committed to ensuring they have the resources necessary to provide an excellent education for our children. I am committed to ensuring our students are both college and trade-ready, offering them opportunities to succeed in the workforce upon graduation. I envision bringing in local business owners to share insights about their jobs and skills and hosting trade shows. I look forward to meeting with all of you in the coming months to discuss how we can provide top-notch education for our children. I hope to earn your vote this November. Sincerely,
Jeff Thompson
Madison, Ohio
440 897 2528