ENDORSEMENTS
Above all, Adria fully believes that our future depends on leaders who focus on collaborative solutions."
As the mayor of Broadview Heights, as well as the parent and grandparent of both past and future BBH graduates, I am honored to whole-heartedly endorse Adria Catanese as a future member of our distinguished school board. Public education’s preservation is dependent on elected officials who understand and believe in its students, parents, faculty, support staff, and administrators.
Positive learning environments don’t happen by accident. They are impacted by the strength of a district’s employees, curricular choices, sports/extra-curricular programs, and so much more. All of that is overseen by the board of education. They set the tone. Our current board will have two available seats this November, so we need to ask ourselves as a community what our priorities are. I can easily tell you mine.
As the mayor of Broadview Heights, I want a person who serves all of our children on their very first day in office. Educational policies need to include everyone. Academic programs need to include everyone. Funding of existing and future initiatives need to include everyone. Above all, I am looking for someone who values each child for who they are and uses their seat on the school board to embrace our kids’ individuality and make decisions that show all of them that their potential is limitless and they all belong here.
As the parent and grandparent of two generations of BBH students, I am looking for someone who is a good communicator, a voice of reason, and an out-of-the box thinker who stays true to their principles. My grandchildren, who are students at our elementary school, have many years ahead of them before they are BBH grads. They deserve to have someone in their corner who not only celebrates their successes but also supports them in their challenges, whatever they may be.
I have had the pleasure of engaging in multiple conversations with Adria about her vision for the Brecksville-Broadview Heights schools. As a mother of two students in BBH, she’s had years of experience here as a parent, volunteer, school board meeting attendee, and diehard believer in the strength of our district. Her sole purpose in moving here was to provide her children the opportunity to graduate as BBH Bees, which is exactly why my wife and I moved to the beautiful city of Broadview-Heights in the 1990’s. I admire her devotion to her daughters and I know that she will be equally devoted to our community’s children.
As a Case Western Reserve graduate with her MBA, Adria obviously values education. Her organizational and management skills, including experience with setting and understanding budgets, makes her an excellent choice for a BBH school board member. But above all, Adria fully believes that our future depends on leaders who focus on collaborative solutions, not divisive rhetoric that separates us, but rather, unites us. She believes that we need to take each child from where they are and help them grow not only as students, but as future citizens who will someday shape the future.
It is for these reasons, and so many more, that I sincerely and enthusiastically support Adria Catanese for the Brecksville-Broadview Heights school board.
What sets Adria Catanese apart is her common sense approach to challenges in her professional career coupled with her infectious enthusiasm for our schools’ potential."
Brecksville Broadview Heights School Board Member
35+ years in BBH schools as principal, assistant principal and teacher
I am delighted to offer my enthusiastic endorsement for Adria Catanese in her campaign for the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Board of Education. As a parent whose children have attended our district’s schools, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication and genuine care that Adria brings to our educational community.
What sets Adria Catanese apart is her common sense approach to challenges in her professional career coupled with her infectious enthusiasm for our schools’ potential that I have personally witnessed. In her management career, she listens thoughtfully to concerns, weighs options with practical wisdom, and has a teamwork mindset for problem solving.
Adria clearly has the best interest of our children at heart and will approach a school board position with a nonpartisan, open-minded approach. Whether navigating complex issues or listening to families, Adria brings a positive, solutions-oriented spirit that inspires trust and collaboration among educators, parents, and students alike.
As a community, we need leaders who understand the everyday realities of our schools and who are deeply invested in their success. Adria embodies these qualities and more. I am confident that, as a member of the school board, she will continue to advocate strongly for students, promote excellence in education, and foster a supportive environment for all.
For these reasons, I wholeheartedly support Adria for the local school board and encourage others to join me in voting for a candidate who truly understands and champions our community’s schools.
Our Schools can expect to move in a positive direction if Adria Catanese is elected to the BBH School Board."
Stella Karas Skaljac, Esq. Brecksville Resident, BBH Parent
HR Director and Associate General Counsel at Ken Ganley Companies
I’ve had the privilege of knowing Adria Catanese for over 20 years, and I can say without hesitation that she would be an excellent addition to BBHCSD School Board. In spending time with Adria, I can honestly say she is one of the most intelligent and motivated women I know. I always admired her unwavering tenacity, business savvy and thoughtful insights. She approaches everything she does with integrity, rationality, and a deep sense of purpose.
We developed a personal friendship and connection when our oldest children were born and it was a special bond that all of us Moms shared at that time. Adria emerged as a natural leader in our group and I feel fortunate to have navigated the early years of motherhood with her.
What truly sets Adria apart is her ability to listen carefully and understand different perspectives. I have no doubt she will bring that same thoughtful and inclusive approach to serving our school community. Her natural leadership skills and dedication to education and learning make her an ideal candidate - and we would be lucky to have her on the Board.
She approaches everything she does with integrity, rationality, and a deep sense of purpose."
Brecksville Broadview Heights School Board Member
Brecksville Resident
Attorney-at-Law
I have had the privilege of serving on the Brecksville Broadview Heights School Board since January of 2018. During this 7-1/2 years I have served with numerous other School Board members, two Superintendents and two Treasurers. This experience has taught me that the most valuable qualities a School Board member can bring to the role are: 1) Respect for others, which includes a willingness to listen and engage with community members, fellow Board members, School District administration and state lawmakers; and 2) The time to stay current with School District happenings, legislation and trends relating to education.
Adria Catanese definitely possesses these qualities. Prior to announcing her candidacy for the Brecksville Broadview Heights School Board, Adria engaged with me on several occasions about educational issues with which she had concerns. During these interactions Adria was curious, courteous and articulate.
I have been following Adria’s campaign for School Board and am impressed with its organization and energy. Not only has Adria already attended numerous School District and community events, such as the annual Brecksville Corn Roast, she has participated in several candidate meet and greets, has a lively presence on social media and an active campaign page. Moreover, Adria has been and continues to be a dynamic member of our public school community, as one of her daughters is a recent graduate of BBHHS, and her other is a current BBHHS student. If you want to speak to Adria in person you can typically find her wherever the High School band is performing. Adria’s professional background as an engineer with an MBA demonstrates her own commitment to education.
Our Schools can expect to move in a positive direction if Adria Catanese is elected to the BBH School Board.
As a former teacher and school board member, I wholeheartedly support Adria Catanese for the Brecksville-Broadview Heights School Board."
As a former teacher and school board member, I wholeheartedly support Adria Catanese to be a member of the Brecksville-Broadview Heights School Board.
Adria moved to Brecksville fourteen years ago with express intent to have her daughters attend our excellent schools. She has been actively involved in her children’s education, has shown interest in issues affecting the school district throughout the years, and has attended many school board meetings.
Adria’s career has included management positions in industrial engineering, finance, and
continuous improvement operations. Her skills will be beneficial in helping her make the best possible decisions for our district as issues arise.
As someone who has served this district for 40 years - 36 as an elementary classroom teacher and four as a school board member - I am well-aware of how this district operates and what it takes to lead.
Adria’s long-standing interest in our schools and her business experience make her an excellent candidate. I hope you will join me in voting for Adria Catanese!