Meet The Board
Amy Hoovler
President
Amy is a lifelong resident of the SWL School District and a 1989 graduate of Watkins Memorial High School. She is a 1993 graduate of Miami University (OH) with a Bachelor of Arts. Amy is a partner at Hoovler Financial & Insurance services where she is an Investment Adviser Representative. She has served on several boards in Licking County as well as been involved with the SWL for Kids Political Action Committee. She and her husband, Steve Helwagen, have three grown children, Carter (WMHS Class of ’17), Dolen (WMHS Class of ’17) & Lindey (WMHS Class of ’20)
Leslie Spach
Secretary
Leslie and her husband Steve along with their children Sammie (WMHS class of 2022) and Jimmy (class of '24) moved into the SWL School District in 2013. Leslie, an Ohio native, is a graduate of the Ohio State University and is a Regional Sales Manager for Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc a manufacturer of esthetic dental materials. She is also a board member of the Watkins Memorial Athletic Association and has volunteered for several other local youth associations and school committees.
Deborah Kohman
Treasurer
Debbie is a CPA with Nichols & Company in Westerville, Ohio, and a graduate of the Ohio State University. She is a life long resident of western Licking County and has resided in the SWL school district for over 38 years. Debbie is an active member of several Licking County non-profit boards, and previously served as treasurer for the Pataskala Area Chamber of Commerce and various SWL organizations. Her daughter Andrea graduated from WMHS in 2003.
Kasey Perkins
SWL Schools Superintendent
District Administration Liaison
Kasey Perkins has been in the education field for 20 years. She earned Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University and her Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Ashland University. Kasey obtained her Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Miami University in 2020. Kasey became the Superintendent of SWL Schools in January of 2020 after demonstrating a track record of academic excellence at SWL the preceding 7 years. Kasey has a passion for working with the students and families of our community. She and her husband, Jacob, proudly reside in the SWL school district with their son, Cooper.
Melissa Ladowitz
SWL Schools Curriculum Director
District Curriculum Liaison
Melissa entered education in the 1999-2000 school year. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Kentucky and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton. After teaching in a neighboring district, Melissa joined the SWL team in 2016, serving as Assistant Principal of Watkins Memorial High School for four years and Principal for three years before shifting to the district level in the summer of 2023. Melissa and her husband, Rich, live in Pickerington with their children Audrey and Bennett and have three grown children, Ethan, Emily, and Eliot, who are scattered across the country with their spouses.
Cathy Spindler
SWL School Board Representative
Cathy is currently serving her second term on the Southwest Licking Local Schools Board of Education. Cathy has been a resident of SWL for over 23 years. She is a 1997 graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Health. Cathy also earned her Masters of Business Administration from Wright State University in 2004. Cathy is employed by Molina Healthcare of Ohio, Inc. She and her husband Ryan have three kids, Jamey (WMHS class of 2020), Joshua (class of '23), and Jordan (class of '28).
Tanya Moore
Community Representative
Board Member
Tanya earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from The Ohio State University in 2002 and her Masters Degree from Ohio State in 2003. She obtained her Principal Licensure in 2010 and Superintendent Licensure in 2013. She obtained her Doctorate degree from Miami University in 2020. Tanya has worked within the SWL School District since 2003. She began her career in education as an elementary teacher. Tanya transitioned to administration in 2013 and served in various capacities before being promoted to Director of Curriculum and Instruction in 2018. Tanya and her husband, Vinnie, live in the SWL school district with their two daughters Olivia and Amelia.
Daniel Hayes
Community Representative
Board Member
Dan and his wife, Suzanne, are 1993 graduates of WMHS and life-long members of the SWL community. Dan graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1997 with a degree in business and attained a Juris Doctoral Degree from Capital University Law School in 2001. He is the father of Will (WMHS class of 2020), James (class of '23) and Claire (class of '26). A Partner at Hayes Law Offices, Dan has served on various public and private boards in the Pataskala area and is the program director and head H.S. boys coach of Warrior Rugby Football Club.
Donald Huber
Community Representative
Board Member
Don and his wife Shirley have been residents of the SWL School District for over 45 years. All three of their children attended SWL Schools, as have four grandchildren. Don is a graduate of Capital University, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, the University of Michigan, and Duke University (Ph.D., American Religious History). He served for 24 years on the SWL Board of Education, where he advocated for academic excellence and the resources that are necessary to make this possible.
Joe Parker
Community Representative
Board Member
Joe and his family have been part of the Pataskala community for nearly a decade. Joe graduated from Kent State University in 2009 with a degree in Graphic Design while competing on the KSU Track & Cross Country teams. His wife, Kelly proudly teaches at Watkins Middle School. Their two children, Myles & Josie will soon be entering the SWL school system. Professionally, Joe owns and operates Wood St. Sports located in the heart of Downtown Pataskala.
Kevin Garwick
Community Representative
Board Member
Kevin has lived in SWL school district for 12 years. He graduated from Bishop Hartley High School in 2006 and has an associate degree in EMS/Fire Science Technologies from Columbus State. He has worked as a Firefighter/Paramedic for the City of Newark Fire Department for the past 12 years and has served as the President for the International Association of Firefighters Local 109 since 2020. He is a founding board member of the Newark Firefighters Charities and the First Responder Peer Support of Licking County, both of which assist first responders in Licking County with mental health awareness and treatment. Kevin and his wife Rachel have 2 girls, Lillian (class of 29) and Abigail (Class of 34).
Paul Benedict
Community Representative
Board Member
Paul and his family have been part of the Pataskala community for over a fifteen years. Living downtown he gets to enjoy the street fair to its fullest! Paul is a graduate of Muskingum University in 2005 with a degree in Business while competing in Cross Country and Track & Field. He received a Masters of Sports Management at Ohio Dominican University in 2015. Professionally, was the Head Cross Country & Track & Field coach at Ohio Dominican University (2008-2018) and is currently the Director of Camps & Clinics at The Ohio State University within the Athletic Department. Paul and his wife Bethany have two children who attend SWL schools. Paul has a passion for youth, his community and running.
Susan Conley
Community Representative
Board Member
Susan and her husband Rich have been residents of Pataskala for 21 years. They have three beautiful daughters, Adia (Class of 2026), Cecelia (Class of 2029), and Lucy Jane (Class of 2035) who all attend SWL schools. Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from The Ohio State University (2002), as well as a Master of Business Administration in Human Resources from Mount Vernon Nazarene University (2012). She currently works as the Project Manager for Hoovler Financial. She enjoys church, reading, and cooking when she has spare time. Susan has a broad background, and a passion to serve others.
TJ Niedzielski
Community Representative
Board Member
TJ a 1994 graduate of WMHS, and his wife Leslie are long time members of the SWL community. TJ graduated from Muskingum University in 1998 with a degree in accounting, is a Certified Public Accountant and is currently a Partner in the accounting firm Crowe LLP. He is the father of Jay (WMHS class of 2019), Joseph (class of 2022), and Corinne (class of 2025). TJ has served the community through various leadership roles in the Scouting program as well as chairperson of the SWL for Kids PAC.