School Board Candidate Profile: Thomas Oves

For the first time, Ocean City voters will go to the polls in a November general election to choose Board of Education representatives.

Four candidates will run for three seats on the Board of Education in the election on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The winners will serve three-year terms on the board. 

Incumbents H. James Bauer, Peter V. Madden and Thomas R. Oves Jr. will seek re-election, and Jacqueline A. McAlister will seek her first term.

Tiffany Prettyman is the only candidate running to complete the unexpired term of Antwan McClellan, who stepped down from the school board when he took office as a city councilman on July 1. 

The four candidates in the contested race completed the same questionnaire.

• Jacqueline McAlister
• Thomas Oves
• H. James Bauer
• Peter Madden

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Name: Thomas Oves

Age: 49

Education: St. Augustine Regional School, Ocean City High School (Class of 1981), University of Delaware (degree in biology).

No. of years lived in Ocean City: Lifetime

Family in school system: Twin sons in ninth grade; son in fifth grade 

Occupation: Retired teacher; runs family business on Boardwalk (Oves Restaurant); part-time real estate agent

Public service: Served one term on the Ocean City Board of Education; Long-time youth coach in different recreational sports.

Three issues you think are most important:

• Quality education: I'd like to continue to deliver the best possible education to the students. The administration and the the board do everything they can to maintain a high-quality education.
• Budget: It's important to maintain a budget that falls under the 2 percent cap on increases. The board has done well in the past two years to deliver budgets at zero percent and 1.5 percent increases.
• Facilities: Ocean City should continue to have schools that are well-maintained. The district should be prepared when grants become available to help sustain facilities that will last for many years to come.

Accomplishments as an incumbent?

As an incumbent and Building and Grounds Subcommittee chairperson, I was able to participate in the entire Intermediate School renovation process. I can now use that knowledge for future projects. As a board member, I was proud to see Ocean City High School become one of the top-ranked in the state and first in the area for our demographic group. The board's negotiations team settled a difficult contract with teachers. I learned the budget process. My experience can help make sure students and taxpayers see that a quality education is delivered in a cost-efficient way.

What would you like voters to know about you and your vision for the board?

As a graduate of Ocean City High School with children going through the schools now, I take a lot of pride in our district. I would like to provide the best possible education available, but I understand we cannot waste money. I'd like to thank parents for sending us the best students, teachers for their hard work and concern for student success and the administration for its hard work and the milestones the district has achieved. I hope I can represent voters for the next three years.