Tony Arnett

Watertown

Tony Arnett was elected to the Watertown Unified School District Board of Education in 2014 and re-elected in 2017, 2020, and 2021. He served on the Board for 10 years, leaving in 2024. He was Board President from 2018-2024. As a member of the Board, he served on the Fiscal Management, Human Resources, Policy, and Planning committees. He focused on a quality education at a cost the community can afford. He highlighted the economic pressure created by the stagnant local economy and declining public school enrollment, pushing for change in the way the schools are structured.

Prior to serving on the Board of Education, Tony served 3 terms as alderman for the 7th district on the Watertown City Council, from 2007 to 2013. As alderman, he served on the Finance Committee and the Public Works Commission, placing him at the center of many of the most important decisions being made in city government. He focused on cost-cutting, creating jobs, protecting community values and maintaining good services for the community. Prior to being elected alderman, Tony served on Watertown's Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. Since leaving City Council, he has served on the City of Watertown Planning Commission.

Family

Tony Arnett is married to Kathy (Wehmeyer) Arnett, a Plymouth, Wisconsin native. Kathy is a Registered Nurse (RN) and fitness instructor. Kathy and Tony moved to Watertown in 2005, purchasing the historic George C. Lewis house on South Washington St.

They have two children, Alexander and Audrey. Both attend Watertown public schools. Tony has coached Alexander's baseball, soccer and basketball teams.

Public Service

Tony Arnett's more than 25 years of public service began when he was elected to a 4-year term on the Yellow Springs Board of Education in Yellow Springs, Ohio in 1994. He was Board President in 1996, Vice-President 1994-95 and Legislative Liaison all 4 years. During his term, the School District built its first positive fund balance in over 10 years. He assisted in both the elementary school and high school achieving National Blue Ribbon School recognition by the U.S. Department of Education.

Tony was elected to a 4-year term on the Yellow Springs Village Council in 1997. During the following years, Council faced difficult issues surrounding the budget, affordable housing and wellhead protection. Tony's consistent position on the budget was one of fiscal constraint and long-range planning to address revenue and capital projects.

In November, 2001, Tony was re-elected to a second 4-year term. He was also selected as President of Village Council. As Council President, Tony focused on good process during Council meetings, with open, equitable participation for the public. With a stagnant income tax base and recent job cuts in local industry, the focus was developing local business.

In addition to these public roles, Tony served on several non-profit boards in Yellow Springs. From 1992-1998, Tony served on the Board of Trustees of the Community Children's Center. He was Board President from 1995-1998 and Vice-President before that. Tony was also a founding member of the Yellow Springs Endowment for Education and served on its Board from 1994-2001.

He joined the Board of Trustees of the Glen Helen Association in 2001 and served as President from 2002-2005. As GHA President, he successfully negotiated the donation of land back to Glen Helen after that land was sold by Antioch College. He also served on Antioch College's Glen Helen Board from 2002-2005.

In 2002, Tony was invited to join the board of Community Resources for Yellow Springs/Miami Township, the local community improvement corporation focused on developing the local economy. (View a complete list of Tony's public service activities.)

Education and Experience

Tony Arnett holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management from Antioch University. He has also attended the University of Chicago and Wright State University.

For the last 25 years, Tony has worked in marketing and technology. Prior to working in marketing and technology, Tony managed retail bookstores for 10 years.