BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS

The Edgewood Board of Education is a five-member board whose members are elected to represent the community to insure appropriate organizational performance within the school district.

The board appoints a superintendent and treasurer of schools and works closely with these individuals to drive the mission, goals and objectives of Edgewood City Schools.

Some of the duties and responsibilities of the board are the following:

Adopt board policies as needed and required to govern the district.
Through the recommendation of the superintendent approve employment of staff, renewal, non-renewal and termination of staff, salary schedules, course of study, curriculum, selection of textbooks, and other matters which impact our schools.
Adoption of annual appropriation measures.
Exercise its taxing power to provide funds for the operation of the district.
Play a key role in adopting and driving the districts strategic plan.

Board members are elected at large to serve a four-year term. Each member is elected on staggering terms. The current board make-up is three members on one term, and two on another. Officers are elected by their fellow board members and serve one-year terms. There are no term limits for board members.

CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS

Gary Gabbard, President

Gary Gabbard, President

Gary Gabbard is a 1991 graduate of Edgewood High School. Gary resides in Jacksonburg with his wife Jody and son, Garrett. Gary has been a resident of the Jacksonburg community for more than 50 years. 

Gary owns Gabbard Construction and has been in the business for more than 30 years. Gary has employed many students throughout the summers.

Gary is active in the community and involved in many projects on school grounds. He has also served as a football, basketball and baseball coach to many student athletes. 

Email:garygabbard@sbcglobal.net

Phone: 513-465-5255

Jim Wirtley, President

Andrew Pressler, Vice President

A 2005 graduate of Edgewood High School and a lifetime resident of the school district.  Andrew is a life-long learner and continued his education by completing an electrical apprenticeship program in 2011 and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from Cincinnati State Community College in 2017.  Andrew then went on to graduate from Northwest State Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Construction Electricity in 2018.  He is currently enrolled at Arizona State University in their Bachelor’s Degree program focused on Power Systems Engineering.

         Andrew has been employed as an Electrical Engineer and most recently as a Supervisor since 2012 for Synergy Electrical and Mechanical located in Fairfield, Ohio.

         Andrew currently resides in the district with his wife, Annie, and children; Adalynn, Alden, and Aycen.  He is very involved in community organizations and has served as a Head and Assistant coach in various youth sports organizations in the community and surrounding areas.

E-mail:  andrew.pressler@edgewoodschools.net

Amy Ashcraft, Vice President

Amy Ashcraft, Member

Amy Ashcraft is a 1991 graduate of Edgewood High School and a lifetime resident of the district. Amy continued her education at Ohio University for two years before transferring to the University of Cincinnati. Amy graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and minor in Sociology. Amy attended and graduated from Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University in 1999.

 Married to Matt Ashcraft, also a 1991 graduate of Edgewood High School, the Ashcraft's have twin girls, Brooklyn and Emily, and twin boys, Coulter and Cory.

Amy has represented children for many years as a Juvenile attorney and as a Guardian ad Litem for children who have been removed from their parents. In July 2018, she joined Parachute: Butler County CASA as the Assistant Executive Director and Staff Attorney. Parachute provides volunteer advocates for children who have been neglected and abused. 

Amy has been a member of the Edgewood Board of Education since 2012. Amy comments, "I have a strong passion for the district and the children in our community. I am honored to serve on the Board and hope to help Edgewood continue to be excellent."

Phone: 513-899-1183
E-mail: amy.ashcraft@edgewoodschools.net

Amy Ashcraft, Member

Marc Messerschmitt, Member

Marc Messerschmitt has served on the Board of Education since 2022.  He is a 1989 graduate of New Miami High School and he has a master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness from Troy University in Troy, Alabama.

Marc enlisted in the military after High School and he served 22 years on Active Duty as a US Army Ranger.  He deployed to combat 6 times and he retired from the 75th Ranger Regiment in 2012.  Marc served as both an Infantry officer and an enlisted Soldier earning a Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart amongst other awards and decorations.  Marc is a winner of the US Army Best Ranger Competition, he is a graduate of the US Army Sniper School and he earned a Master Parachutist Badge with combat jump star. 

Marc is currently employed as a manufacturing manager and he is a part-time instructor at Miami University teaching management and organizational leadership courses both online and in the classroom.  Marc also volunteers with several veteran non-profit organizations and veteran initiatives in Butler County.

Marc is married to the former Katie Wheelright who is a 1995 graduate of Edgewood High School and they have one daughter, Cora Grace, who is currently attending school in the Edgewood City School district.  Marc and his family have lived in Wayne Township since he retired from the Army in 2012.

Phone: 513-515-2199

Email: marc.messerschmitt@edgewoodschools.net

Michael Pressler, Member

Michael Pressler, Member

A lifetime resident of the district, Michael graduated from Edgewood High School in 2005. After graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and is currently serving as the Aircraft Maintenance Unit Superintendent at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. During his career, he served one tour in Bagram, Afghanistan, earning numerous decorations. Under his leadership at Wright-Patterson AFB, there are over 180 airmen assigned that support the overall production of nine C-17 Globemaster III aircraft valued at over $3 billion.

Michael continued his education while in the Air Force, graduating from the Community College of the Air Force with an Associate’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology and Maintenance Production Management. He later continued his education at Park University, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and minors in Human Resource Management and Military Studies.

Michael is married to Amber (Young) Pressler and has five children. He is actively involved in the community where he is a volunteer coach with several youth sports organizations.

Phone: 513-804-6816

Email: michael.pressler@edgewoodschools.net