Board of Education Members

The 5-member Board of Education poses together.

 

Mrs. Vella King (term Expires 12/31/2025)
President
vking@hillsdalelocalschools.org

Biography

Mrs. King graduated from Shelby Senior High School and North Central State College with a degree in Computer Science. She is retired from Grange Insurance Company, where she worked in the IT department in various roles, including her last position as a web development project leader. She is a 4H advisor and an OSU Master Gardener volunteer at Secrest Arboretum. In addition to volunteering with youth and gardening, her hobbies include reading, knitting and paper crafts.

She is married to David King and they have two children, Jeremy, a 1991 graduate of Hillsdale High School, and Jessica, a 1995 graduate of Hillsdale High School. They have three grandchildren who reside in the district: Caleb, a 2021 graduate, Gabe, a 2023 graduate, and Julia, a 9th grader. Mrs. King's grandchildren are the reason she first chose to run for the Hillsdale Board of Education in 2013. At that time, the district was in fiscal caution, had a reduction-in-force in staff and had cut programs. "This was not the school I wanted my grandchildren or any other students to attend. From 2014 to the present, Hillsdale has come a long way, thanks to the teamwork of the board, staff, students and the community," Mrs. King said.

Mr. Nicholas Atterholt (term expires 12/31/2025)
Vice-President; Legislative Liaison (OSBA)
natterholt@hillsdalelocalschools.org

Biography

Mr. Atterholt, a 2006 graduate of Hillsdale High School, has been serving on Hillsdale's School Board since 2016. He has held the vice presidency since 2019 and acted as the Legislative Liaison and Capital Conference delegate since 2016. He is a practicing attorney and college professor. He attended Hillsdale from kindergarten through graduation. His grandmother is a graduate of the Jeromesville School, his father is a Hillsdale graduate, and his mother taught at Hillsdale for over 30 years. He attended The Ohio State University after high school and went to the University of Cincinnati for Law School. He has lived in the district since 2013, moving back after law school.

Mr. Jon Burkholder (Term Expires 12/31/2027)
jburkholder@hillsdalelocalschools.org
Mr. Kenneth Schuck (term expires 12/31/2025)
Board Member
kschuck@hillsdalelocalschools.org

Biography

Mr. Schuck graduated in 1987 from Ashland High School and the Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in 1989. He has been employed at Ashland Tractor Sale for 24 years, where he has been parts manager for 14 years. He served on the Hillsdale School Board from 2001 until 2014. He was re-elected, assuming his current duties in 2022. He is a Life Member of the National FFA Alumni and a Past Ohio FFA Alumni President. Mr. Schuck is a member of the Hayesville Lions Club and has served as Ohio Lions District 2 Second and First Vice District Governor and was District Governor for 2019-2020. He recently completed his year as Ohio Lions Council Chairman, which is the presiding officer for the state Lions organization. He and his wife Darlene live in the Hillsdale School District with their son Michael and daughter Stephanie. The family raises beef, sheep, hay and straw on the family farms.

Mrs. Melinda Turk (Term Expires 12/31/2027)
Mrs. Melinda Turk
Student Achievement Liaison
mturk@hillsdalelocalschools.org

Mrs. Melinda Turk is a small business owner with a strong commitment to community service and education. 

Having lived in the district for twelve years, Mrs. Turk is invested in the success of Hillsdale. This dedication led her to join the Hillsdale Board of Education in January 2024 to be a part of student success, district advancement and community involvement. Mrs. Turk is driven by a desire to be actively involved in shaping the future of the district, ensuring that decisions are made with a neutral voice and an unbiased perspective based on facts.

Currently serving as the Student Achievement Liaison on the Board, Mrs. Turk is committed to reviewing and updating policies to better align with the evolving educational landscape. She firmly believes that meaningful change is best achieved through active participation, rather than from the sidelines. 

Professionally, she has been honored and recognized by the Ohio Senate for attaining a remarkable record of service to the area, earning the gratitude and appreciation of many satisfied customers. 

With grit and perseverance through business trial and error, Mrs. Turk has firmly established herself as a successful small business owner in the local community, amassing over a decade of invaluable experience. Her journey includes certifications as a Woman Owned Business (both WBE and WOSB designations), underscoring the depth of expertise she brings to the table.

After graduating from Ashland High School in 1995 and earning an Associate's degree from the Academy of Court Reporting in 1997, Mrs. Turk has continuously pursued entrepreneurial learning through various programs and courses.

Additionally, Mrs. Turk has served as a board member at the Montessori School of Wooster for six years, currently holding the position of Vice President after previously serving as Secretary.

Mrs. Turk's dedication to community involvement extends to Hillsdale as well. She is an active member of the Hillsdale Strategic Planning Committee focusing on academics and is involved in both the Hillsdale Athletic and Academic Booster clubs. Furthermore, Mrs. Turk shares her passion for baseball as a coach for the Hillsdale Pony League Summer Baseball team.

In addition to her professional and community commitments, Mrs. Turk is a proud alumna of Leadership Ashland, having graduated in 2018. She is also engaged in various committees focused on community development, finance, and fundraising at the Montessori School. Alongside her business endeavors, she is an active member of the Richland County and Ashland Area Chambers of Commerce for over 15 years.

Outside of her professional and community roles, Mrs. Turk enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her two children, Kyle and Morgan.

With a wealth of experience, a dedication to community betterment, and a passion for student success, Mrs. Turk is a valuable asset to the Hillsdale Board of Education.