After winning a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Mary Wineberg is embarking on a race in a different arena.

Mary Wineberg is campaigning for a seat on the Cincinnati Public School board. In 2008, she became the first Black female University of Cincinnati alum to win a gold medal at the Olympics. Through her team’s win in the women’s 4×400 meter relay. She’s also an alumnus of Walnut Hills High School. Along with earning a Masters degree in Education from Mount Saint Joseph University. She’s an author and has worked as an elementary school teacher now for over a decade.

Wineberg is stepping into a school board campaign at a fraught time for school boards nationally. Due to school boards being embroiled in America’s dumb culture wars. With bickering over COVID-19 health measures and curriculum. The bickering has sadly transformed some school board meetings into public access TV versions of “The Jerry Springer Show.” While thrusting some school boards into the national spotlight. After school board meetings were previously regarded as duller than dishwater by many in society. Partly because of school boards being non-partisan bodies in most places, including Cincinnati.

Wineberg is also stepping into this campaign at a fraught time for educators. Teaching can be a stressful job under normal circumstances. Like those in many other vital professions, many teachers are underpaid and under-resourced. The pandemic has only added on more layers of stress for teachers. Prompting some to leave the profession or consider it. Things weren’t peachy for teachers before the pandemic. Pension reform disagreements previously resulted in public school teacher walkouts in Kentucky and other states.

Wineberg is among a bipartisan group of local athletes to make a run for public office over the years. There’s the late Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning. He represented Kentucky for decades in both houses of the U.S. Congress. Elsewhere in Kentucky, George Ratterman had a highly notable stint as Campbell County Sheriff in the 1960’s. Between his professional football playing career and his career as a TV analyst.

As Sheriff, Ratterman, his colleagues and federal authorities cracked down on organized crime in the county. Pledges to do that during his campaign led to Ratterman being drugged and set up with a stripper. In an unsuccessful effort to intimidate Ratterman out of the race. The infamous moment accelerated the mob’s demise in Northern Kentucky. Ratterman later ran unsuccessful campaigns for county judge and Congress. He passed away in 2007, after successful careers in Television and financial planning.

Former Cincinnati Bengals player Reggie Williams served on Cincinnati’s City Council while playing in the 1980’s. More recently, former pro football player and current local radio personality Rocky Boiman was a township trustee. The lone currently serving person on this list is former Cincinnati Football head coach Tommy Tuberville. He’s a first term U.S. Senator representing Alabama. Controversially, he was one of several Republican congressmen that disrupted the certification of the 2020 Presidential election. Even in the immediate aftermath of the January 6th Capitol riot. Much like Cincinnati Football’s offense deep into Tuberville’s head coaching tenure; his efforts were unsuccessful.

Wineberg is among six candidates running for Cincinnati’s school board. All vying to fill four seats on the seven member board. Also running are incumbents Pamela Bowers and Mike Moroski. Along with Brandon Craig, Gary Favors and Kareen Moffett. The top four will join Board President Carolyn Jones. Along with members Eve Bolton and Ben Lindy. Jones, Bolton and Lindy’s terms expire at the end of 2024.

The Cincinnati School Board faces many key issues. Dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is a big one. From efforts and debates over the best approaches to limit the spread of the virus. Including debates over implementing mask and vaccine mandates throughout this pandemic. To the impact the pandemic is having on student readiness. With the pandemic affecting three-consecutive academic years in some way. Through outbreaks, the disruption of in-person instruction and technical challenges.

Beyond the pandemic, a recent change in Cincinnati Public School’s bus service is another issue. Due to a Metro drivers shortage, CPS students aren’t able to use Metro buses specifically dedicated to students this year. Staff shortages within schools could be another issue affecting many school boards. For school districts in low income areas, the effects of poverty on district schools and students is another concern. The effects of crime, community and family strife on students’ well-being is another.

Some of the big concerns also crosses over as significant issues in other races. For Cincinnati’s City Council and the Queen City’s mayoral race. Early voting in Cincinnati is already underway and Election Day is November 2nd.