I was unable to personally attend the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) school board candidate forum last Wednesday at HSE High School, but HSEA did post a video recording of the event on their Web page. I reviewed the entire recording and based on viewing that video, here is a summary of what I learned.
There are ten candidates total, but if you reside in the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District boundaries, you vote only for the candidate within your district. You can view the school board district map at this link. HSEA President Janet Chandler reminded everyone that if you vote a straight party ticket in this year’s general election, which voters in Indiana are entitled to do, you must wait on the voting machine to see the school board election, since in our state, school board elections are non-partisan. That means no party affiliation is listed on the ballot for any school board candidates.
All ten school board hopefuls were on hand for the forum sponsored by the local teacher’s union. I have attended several local school board candidate forums in the past few years. There are a few themes I have heard in all of them. Everyone wants more and better communication with the public, no one is in favor of less communication. Everyone cares about the roughly 22,000 students in the HSE School District and the teachers. When asked about a nondiscrimination policy to include transgender students, all appeared to favor it and encouraging inclusion for students and staff. There was a lot of agreement, although there was a difference in emphasis with some candidates.
Below is a summary of what I heard from each candidate at the forum.
DISTRICT 1
Brad Boyer – He was inspired by his mother, a teacher, on educational values. HSE Schools can and should do more for its teachers and parents with the goal of improving the schools. He wants to provide strong leadership as a board member. He would work to redefine our educational system and be an instrument for change. Mr. Boyer admitted he did not have all the answers on education funding and does not understand all its complexities, but is concerned about the issue.
Ben Elsbury – He is a banker, has knowledge of finance and will work to ensure tax dollars are spent wisely. His daughter is a product of HSE Schools. People move to Fishers because of the schools and the quality of life, so schools must remain strong. He is proud of how HSE Schools has handled the massive growth in recent years. He is concerned about attracting and keeping good staff and providing a quality of work life that will encourage them to stay. He wants to pressure state lawmakers to provide the needed amount of funding for HSE Schools, which the board has been doing.
Josh Richardson – Mr. Richardson is an attorney with a state agency and is a product of public education, a graduate of Ball State University and IU Law School. Both parents were public school teachers. He believes a strong school corporation is key to a strong community. Mr. Richardson is less focused on specific issues, saying he is most concerned about his approach to serving on the school board. He wants more opportunities for students to learn outside the classroom. He admits dealing with the Indiana Legislature is hard, but will work with state elected officials on issues such as funding for HSE Schools.
DISTRICT 2
Matt Molter – Mr. Molter touts his experience as a police officer, and then starting his own company to develop software designed for law enforcement agencies. He described falling in love with his wife she invited him to her teaching classroom. He has 3 children and believes in creating an atmosphere allowing for a love of learning. He is concerned about school bureaucracy restricting an atmosphere allowing a love of learning. He wants to reduce the need for referendums to fund local schools and remove the need for referendum money to fund teacher salaries, although he was not specific about how he would favor getting that done. He has undergone active shooter training as a police officer and he argues that gives him a perspective on security issues in the schools.
Janet Pritchett – Ms. Pritchett has been married 17 years, 14 of those years as a Fishers resident. She and her husband have 4 children. She has served as a volunteer, particularly in Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs). STEM education is a focus, including other projects such as the chicken coop at one elementary school. She wants local schools to look at alternative testing and work to bring all our schools into the 21st century, with a focus on softer learning methods. Local school officials must continue to lobby state lawmakers to ensure enough funding for the HSE Schools. She works as a manager at the Herff Jones Company.
Frank Whelan – Mr. Whelan has been a part of HSE Schools for 20 years and has lived in Fishers for 23 years. He has 3 children throughout the HSE schools. Being engaged and active as a parent has taught him much about local schools. His family has endured 4 redistricting processes. He has experience serving on boards of nonprofit organizations and says he has an understanding of a school board member’s role. HSE schools are high-performing by state standards and should strive to be a national leader. The board should be looking 10 years ahead in formulating goals. He wants to continue lobbying for funding from the state and continue cooperation with the City of Fishers to get that done.
DISTRICT 3
Michelle Fullhart – Ms Fullhart is the only serving board member running for reelection in 2018. She is grateful for the nearly 4 years serving on the board. She was a 1st grade teacher for 14 years. She worked on creating the first HSE Schools Web site as a contractor. Ms. Fullhart cannot imagine any of her children attending any school district other than HSE. She is proud of accomplishing her goals of getting into classrooms, promoting internships, apprenticeships and measuring success. She believes the level of engagement with the community and the school board has increased during her tenure. HSE was the 3rd lowest funded school district in the state when she went on the board, and that has changed.
Jennifer Reardon McSoley – Ms. McSoley claims not to be a typical candidate or politician, but felt called to run for school board. She says she has a passion for students and staff. She has lived in Fishers the past 12 years, has two small boys and is active as a school volunteer, also donating time to the Youth Mentoring Initiative (YMI). For the past 12 years, she has worked in child care. Her first goal on the board would be improving communications out to the front lines., particularly about any new initiatives and believes in explaining why any changes are made. She wants HSE students to thrive, be focused on college readiness or careers after high school. Experiential learning is something she will push as a board member.
DISTRICT 4
Brad Banks – Mr. Banks is a former prosecuting attorney now in private practice. He spends time volunteering in organizations aimed at helping children, including Prevail, Big Brothers and Indy Premier Soccer Club. His wife has volunteered in PTO activities. He promises what’s in his heart and brain will drive his decisions in best interest of children as a school board member. School security is a high priority for him and wants continued partnership with the city to provide more School Resource Officers. He is proud of HSE educators, because they have accepted challenges. HSE schools should expect the best and treat staff well. State Representative Todd Huston has done a good job in pushing for local school funding.
Julie Chambers – She and her family have lived in the area for 10 years, the last 3 in Fishers. She is also a former prosecuting attorney now in private practice. She has 2 daughters, one in 1st grade. Volunteering in Daisy Scouts is an activity she supports. Ms Chambers’ mother taught special education. The school board is not always listening to the concerns of parents and teachers, in her opinion. She believes local schools should be willing to try new things without the fear of failure. Board docs on the HSE Web site is not so easy to use, she says, and would work toward accessing that information easier. She favors a listening tour with board members. She would advocate better state funding for HSE, and push for security on several fronts, saying school shooters are not the only security issue.
That is my best summary of what each candidate had to say during the forum. If you would like to watch and listen to the entire 2-hour video of the forum, you may do so at this link.