Three seats on the Stillwater Board of Education are up for election, with voters deciding which of the four candidates will fill those positions on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. The three-year terms will commence on July 1, 2025 and expire on June 30, 2028, succeeding incumbents William Callanan, Amanda Cocozzo and Rob McCoy. District residents can cast their votes for Board candidates and the 2025-26 school budget on Tuesday, May 20 from 12-9 p.m. in the Stillwater Middle-High School auditorium.

The candidates, in alphabetical order are Tara Gutman, John Hoogeveen, Rob McCoy and Aimee Salecker.

Tara Gutman

Tara Gutman, a parent of two middle schoolers, is seeking her first term on the Board. She and her family have resided in Stillwater for years and feel fortunate to be part of a “small, but mighty” school district. Tara believes the district’s strength lies in its tight-knit community, which enables Stillwater to offer more opportunities.

With over 20 years of legal experience as an attorney, Tara has developed the skills to resolve disputes in a fair and equitable manner. Her profession has taught her to be an expert listener, ask the right questions and find common ground with individuals – abilities that are essential for thoughtful and effective board service.

As a board candidate and parent, Tara cares deeply about what’s best for Stillwater students. “I believe every decision we make should ultimately serve one purpose: supporting the success, growth and well-being of our students,” she said.

Her goal is to help the district continue to thrive, not only academically, but in all forms that will foster a positive and meaningful learning experience for every student. Tara also hopes to see a baseball field come to life while her children are still students; while this is not definite, Tara is committed to giving it her all to help move projects like this forward for the benefit of Stillwater students and the community.

John Hoogeveen

A Stillwater native, John Hoogeveen graduated from the district in 2007 and is seeking his first term on the Board. At age 16, he decided to serve the community as a firefighter, a job he continues to do to this day, in addition to running a small farm. He’s a parent to two young daughters, both of whom are enrolled at Stillwater Elementary.

As a lifelong Stillwater resident, John believes “we have a wonderful district” that’s “built on a strong group of teachers, support staff and administrative faculty.” He’s committed to providing all students with a high-quality education and ensuring they have opportunities to succeed both academically and athletically. John also strives to maintain the district’s core values of “strong academic support, robust athletic programs and a budget that works for taxpayers.”

Rob McCoy

Rob McCoy is seeking his second term on the Stillwater Board of Education. He lives in Stillwater with his wife, Shelby, and their two children – both of whom attend schools in the district.

Rob is a small business owner and stay-at-home dad who said he “is looking to bring back community communication to our school board. Your child, your choice: I believe we need to get the students back to learning and thriving in Stillwater, and in a close sense of community that supports teachers and staff throughout the district.”

“I believe in a safe school environment for all, with smart planning for the future as Stillwater schools grow in numbers. I stand for educational growth for teachers to excel and advance with excellent pay and benefits.”

Aimee Salecker

An alumna of the district, Aimee Salecker is seeking her first term on the Board. With deep roots in Stillwater through her mother’s family, Aimee moved back to the area in 1989 and has called it home ever since. She graduated from Stillwater High School in 1999 and currently lives in town with her husband and daughter.

As a Stillwater native, Aimee has always “wanted a chance to be involved in making a positive impact on the future of the school district.” Her interest in serving on the Board of Education was sparked in 2022 after her experience on the Baseball Field Committee. While attending board meetings, Aimee became “immediately interested” in the position but recognized the timing wasn’t right as she couldn’t fully commit.

Three years later, Aimee is ready to take on the position and believes she would be a great addition to the Board for several reasons. First, growing up in Stillwater gives Aimee a unique perspective on the district, having seen it develop over the years and grow in both size and opportunities. Second, Aimee has extensively volunteered throughout her daughter’s education in Stillwater, having served as a member of the PTA and as the organization’s co-president during the 2015-2016 school year. She remained a member of the PTA until her daughter graduated from the district in 2024. Aimee has also been involved in the Stillwater Drama Club and was the President of the Baseball/Softball Booster Club from 2018 to 2024.

Through these experiences, Aimee worked with various parents, teachers, and administrators to bring these “high-quality opportunities” to Stillwater, gaining experience in communication, problem solving, and critical thinking. Her work as the Center Director for the Stillwater Area Community Center and the Foster Grandparent Program Manager for the Commission on Economic Opportunity, has enabled Aimee to establish relationships within the Stillwater community and given her the necessary tools to work with the public, in addition to being part of a team.

If elected, Aimee’s main goal is to support Stillwater students. She aims to “be every student’s best advocate in the classroom, on the court, field, or stage.” Aimee also wants to “ensure the teachers, staff, and administration are supported through professional development and personal growth.” Another goal of Aimee’s is to increase transparency with the community. As she explains, “I believe the Board is already doing so well, and I’d like to work to figure out how we can increase visibility of those things.”

Lastly, Aimee would like to work closely with Stillwater’s older population to ensure these residents are fiscally aware and responsible when it comes to projects and any tax increases.