FAST FACTS on maggie CoOK- INCUMBENT ASKING FOR 4 MORE YEARS

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  In March 2023, Maggie Cook voted against a non-binding resolution that urged legislators to protect the privacy of young girls in bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams from biological boys entering. She compared the spirit of the resolution (to protect private spaces of young girls) to "discrimination and harassment". The resolution failed 2-3, with only Payne and Tuttle voting in favor.

 Due to lack of action on a local level, legislators were compelled to step in, and on February 2025 Senate Bill 104, commonly known as the “bathroom bill” was signed into law.  The legislation established common-sense protections  for girls statewide, requiring Mentor Schools to comply. 

https://www.youtube.com/live/uuxz21AT12c?si=JqHzMABCFsLISAOJ

 In an email response to a constituent from May 27th, 2022 at 10:49am, Maggie Cook states, "Finally, your most recent question was, if I believe a male can become a female (via identifying as one) and vice versa is it possible for men to have babies and abortions?  I have very limited knowledge on gender transitions and how hormones and surgeries may impact pregnancy. If you are interested in this information I would suggest consulting a medical expert in this field.  I am not sure how this is relevant to educating children in Mentor Schools.  

Sincerely, 
Maggie Cook"

She also stated in that same email, "Being a "true" male or female can mean different things to different people."

*Email received via a Public Records Request to CFO of Mentor Schools. 

During discussion of a proposed parental rights addition to the Ohio School Board Association legislative platform, meeting minutes from October 27, 2022, state: "As written, Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Bryner and Ms. Jeschelnig were not in favor of the parental right platform as written to include the word 'all'; Mrs. Payne and Mr. Tuttle were in favor of the platform as written on this topic."

This highlights a clear divide- while Payne and Tuttle supported full transparency for parents, Cook and others opposed language affirming that parents have the right to know all aspects of their child’s education.

 On January 8, 2025, legislators once again stepped in to affirm parental rights by signing into law the Parents Bill of Rights (also known as House Bill 8) officially confirming that parents DO have the right to know ALL aspects of their child’s education. 

https://4.files.edl.io/6d01/11/09/22/182849-8d75067c-d6b5-4448-863c-c7951ab80298.pdf

 Cook voted to allow silent reading books for students in kindergarten through 5th grade that cover topics such as BLM, sexuality, and gender identity. These books were excluded from the parental notification system, and when several were formally challenged for their content, Cook voted to keep each one in classrooms. 

* On July 12, 2022, the K–5 Collaborative Classroom Book Collection was approved as curriculum by a 3–2 vote, with Payne and Tuttle voting in opposition. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvqLmUJJyPg&t=3016s

*  On March 12, 2024, Cook voted to retain Right Now: Real Kids Speaking Up for Change by Miranda Paul (see photo above)- a book featuring a transgender child activist and encouraging youth involvement in various forms of activism. The book was formally challenged by concerned parents who, along with many taxpayers, viewed its content as age-inappropriate for K–5 students. Ioppolo and Payne voted against retaining the book. 

Additional concerns included quotes from Greta Thunberg such as, “Our world is dying, our future is dying,” and “Instead of looking for hope, look for action. Then and only then will hope come.” 

The book also defined deportation as “When authorities send a person away from the country they are currently living in," without acknowledging the legal context surrounding deportation of individuals residing in the country unlawfully. 

https://www.youtube.com/live/FMk2XiFwMH0?si=25pIxFsLVuObxKfj

• Maggie Cook endorsed a school board candidate, then voted to hire her as a district employee—despite the clear conflict of interest. (Source: Lyndsie Wall, Twitter, 9/18/23 and Meeting Minutes)

• Cook allowed her husband, Brian, to attend a closed-door Board Executive Session without approval from the board or superintendent—violating Bylaw 0166. (Source: Public Record Request)

• On May 14, 2024, Cook motioned to vote on the superintendent’s five-year contract without ensuring the contract was available for board members and the public to review. (Source: Meeting Minutes and https://www.youtube.com/live/9VJmGsWh7tU?si=AECn5S8QbgmXR3to)

•  Cook was elected board president by a slim 3–2 vote two years in a row, breaking tradition and sidelining fair representation among board members. (Organizational meetings, January 2024 and 2025)

•  Cook consistently followed party lines when voting- whether the issue was controversial or routine-showing little willingness to consider alternative perspectives or bipartisan collaboration.  (Public Voting Record from 2022-Present)