I STAND FOR:
- I believe that our students and staff deserve properly funded public schools. The overwhelming majority of financial resources that public schools receive come from state and local government, and our state government has proven multiple times that public education isn't a top priority. I am not a supporter of taxpayer money going to fund private and charter schools. (vouchers) Public schools are a fundamental building block for society. They initiate learning and interaction across the streets and tracks from all over the communities they serve. Combing students with different backgrounds helps them learn to interact intelligently within society.
- On the topic of funding, you are certainly aware of the referendum that the current TCSC Board has voted to place on the November ballot. I know that there are many different opinions regarding this. EVERYBODY SHOULD BE GIVEN A DEFINITIVE ANSWER AS TO WHAT THIS REFERENDUM WILL COST YOU - at least in the first year! I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE EVERY LAND AND BUSINESS OWNER TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS REFERENDUM! You have a right to be as fully educated as possible before voting this fall.
- I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE COMMUNITY DESERVES TO HAVE A STRAIGHTFORWARD PLAN - HOW WILL THE BOARD WORK TO REDUCE EXPENSES, especially ADMINISTRATIVE costs? If this referendum passes, it will allow most, if not all of the current services that students receive to continue. However, make no mistake. This is a band-aid for our corporation. Without reduction in spending, we are going to be no better off in 3-4 years than we are today. In fact, we may be worse off. Our school needs, and our community deserves, Board members who will be exceptionally prudent and conservative financially, especially when asking the community to pass a referendum.
- WHY IS THE REFERENDUM ON THE BALLOT? Our state government, through the passing of SEA 1, responded to the calls from voters for property tax relief. SEA 1 not only failed to give home owners meaningful property tax relief but it cut considerable revenue from every public school corporation in the state. Not every school corporation is proposing a referendum this fall. Some of the schools who are not proposing a referendum this fall may in 2028. If you have specific questions regarding what the funds from the referendum will or will not pay for, please reach out to corporation administration, including current Board members. They should be only too happy to answer your questions and hear your concerns.
- I believe that our staff members are entitled to having Board members who support their roles in public education. The role of a school board isn't to micromanage the staff who have day to day interaction with our students. The role of a Board member includes asking questions of administration (especially when it comes to personnel decisions and position funding or elimination), being financially prudent and responsible while ensuring our students receive high quality educational opportunities that will benefit them no matter what their plans are post graduation and having open communication with anyone who has a stake in our school corporation. I also believe that Board members should be visible, reachable and accessible. While I believe that following the "chain of command" within a school corporation is critical, there should be conversations between the Board and the entire community, including staff members. Honest and effective communication builds a stronger climate within our schools. If elected, any member of the TCSC community will be welcome to reach out to me just like during my first term.
- I am a believer that it is past time to become of the mindset that one day, sooner than later, Tipton and Tri-Central will consolidate. The Indiana General Assembly and Indiana Chamber of Commerce indicated in the recent past that they want small, rural corporations with enrollment under 2000 to consider consolidation. While they have yet to force the issue, there is nothing saying that in future sessions the Indiana Legislature won't mandate consolidation. Simply combining administration while maintaining two campuses won't bring a significant savings. The truly meaningful savings would come from closing a campus and moving everyone to one location. I am a firm believer that Tipton would be the campus to house our county public school students. While I realize and totally understand that Tri-Central wants no part of consolidation at this time, the state soon may make the decision for them, and in turn for us. If elected, I pledge to be a strong advocate for consolidation whenever it is discussed, becomes mandated or when other local officials realize it is the financially responsible course of action. I further promise to be a strong advocate for the heritage, history and tradition of Tipton Community School Corporation. This includes the school colors, mascot and school song. CAN I GUATANTEE that 5, 10, 25 years or more from now we will still be the Blue Devils with blue, white and black as our school colors? I CAN NOT. I CAN PROMISE that as long as I have a voice and vote at the table, I will be a vote for Tipton's longstanding and rich tradition.