Local News
Retired Air Force Colonel Joseph Stahl – Running for Happy Creek School Board Seat
Happy Creek resident Air Force Colonel Joseph Stahl (ret.) recently announced his candidacy for the position of Happy Creek District School Board seat, which will be on the ballot for the November 4th election.
Happy Creek resident and retired Air Force Colonel Joseph Stahl has announced his candidacy for the Happy Creek District School Board seat.
Colonel Joseph Stahl (USAF, ret.) has been married to his wife, Susan, for 30 years and is a proud father of 10 biological children, 10 foster children, and two adopted children. A dedicated youth coach and mentor, Stahl brings a deep, personal commitment to children and families. He believes that every child—especially those facing disadvantages—deserves the best possible start in life and the best possible education. Drawing on the same focus and intensity that guided his combat support missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, Col. Stahl is determined to ensure that every student in Warren County has the opportunity to achieve academic excellence, personal growth, and the confidence needed to succeed in life.
Colonel Stahl promoted his son to the rank of Senior Airman (SrA) in the U.S. Air Force in 2018 while his wife Susan stood by with maximum support.
“In Warren County, our children’s academic success must be our highest priority,” says Col. Stahl. “That means focusing on strong reading, writing, and math skills—foundations that unlock opportunity for every student. It requires a curriculum that is not only rigorous, but clear and purposeful. It calls for teaching goals that are meaningful and understood, and for classrooms where students are supported by both dedicated educators and engaged parents.”
Col. Stahl is committed to the success of every child and believes that failure is not an option. “Academic achievement is not a luxury; it is a necessity. And it must be driven by merit, not inflated by grades or clouded by political agendas,” he says.
Col. Stahl understands that parents are—and always have been—the first teachers and that they deserve full transparency into what their children are learning and experiencing in school. He believes that when parents, teachers, and the community work hand in hand, children thrive. And that kind of partnership builds trust, drives achievement, and nurtures the confidence our students need to grow.
“Our teachers are the heart of the classroom. They deserve to be respected, supported, and fairly compensated, while still being fiscally responsible to the Warren County taxpayer,” Col. Stahl says. “A competitive wage is not a reward—it’s a recognition of the invaluable role that teachers play in shaping future generations. Restoring their authority and dignity in the classroom is essential to creating an environment where both teachers and students can flourish.”
Col. Stahl reads to his children on a recent visit to Samuels Library. We love Samuels library! “I have held meetings and seminars in their state-of-the-art conference rooms. My children love to read books in Samuels and roam around their children’s area. Samuels is an award-winning library for everybody in Warren County to enjoy!”
Col. Stahl wants to create schools where children are not only educated, but inspired—where they grow into confident, thoughtful citizens ready to contribute to their communities and fulfill their life’s purpose. And that can only be done in schools where every child feels safe, protected, and encouraged.
“It starts here. It starts with us. And it starts now,” concludes Col. Stahl, who is running as an independent candidate with the endorsement from the Warren County Republican Committee in the November 4th election. Learn more about Stahl at https://stahl4schoolboard.com
