Campaign Phone Number
7735314797
email
xjohncastrox@gmail.com
street
9410 WHITE OAK AVE
Years in an elected position
8
I am currently a school board member. I have been a member of the School Town of Munster Board of School Trustees for 8 years.
I attended 12 regular meetings (all of our regularly scheduled monthly meetings) along with multiple work and executive sessions. I have also served as the school board liaison to the redevelopment commission, which necessitates attendance at meetings that immediately follow those of the Munster Town Council.
My top priority is always to be fiscally responsible. I have been part of a hard working team that has helped this district move from a deficit to a surplus. Thanks to the unwavering support of our community combined with continued oversite and vigilance, this board has been able to operate successfully. That philosophy ties directly into any decisions I make as a board member. I ALWAYS try to do what is best for the kids in our district and the families in our community - even when it is not necessarily the most beneficial outcome for me or my family.
I am in the finance industry. I have always prided myself on diligence and attention to detail. My exposure to market conditions has always helped me maintain a view into how the economy can directly affect our district. I'm also in a business that requires overcoming adversity and thoughtful decision making. I bring those strengths, along with the ability to consider multiple viewpoints and the desire to build consensus among any team I am a part of. I have and will continue to work with my fellow board members, the superintendent, and the administration to ensure we are doing all we can for the success of our district.
If re-elected, I will continue to be fiscally responsible, while working to continue improving pay and benefits for teachers and staff. I will also work towards facilities improvements for our district, while being sure to push for continued maintenance and oversite in regards to the facilities improvements we have made in the past.
When considering educational equity, I need look no further than the vision statement on the Munster School District Website: A District of National Distinction, supporting every child every day. To me, educational equity is about ensuring that the needs of the students in our district are being met. Parents need to know that students in our district can access the resources that will help them succeed and prepare for whatever will come next in their educational journey.
I have been, and will continue to be supportive of facilities improvements that have made life better for students in our district. I will continue to be supportive of board policies and procedures that consider the educational, extracurricular and developmental aspects of our students, and will always strive to support initiatives that focus on enriching the lives of students in our district.
Safety is of the utmost concern to me. I am certainly concerned for the staff and students in our district, but selfishly, my vigilance is elevated as I have two daughters that attend Munster Schools. As a board member, I have worked closely with our administrators to ensure we are taking all measures possible to keep our students and staff safe at all times. The school district has maintained a strong and symbiotic relationship with the Town and the local law enforcement community, and I will continue to work hand in hand with those entities to ensure that we are doing everything we can to keep our children, our teachers and our staff safe at all times.
I have been a board member for eight years. All of my contact information is public and easily accessible via the district website. I will continue to be open to communication with all members of the community, as this is one of the top responsibilities of any elected official. Beyond that, I'm always happy to talk face to face to any residents I might encounter, and will always be responsive to any concerns I might become aware of. I might not be able to directly address a concern, but I will certainly make sure that an issue is being considered by the proper point of contact in any matter brought to my attention.
I would be honored to have the opportunity to continue serving our community as a member of the School Town of Munster Board of School Trustees. I love the idea of that word, Trustee, and take it very much to heart. This position is just that - one in which I am part of a team entrusted by the community to foster an environment of success in our schools. If re-elected, I will continue helping the School Town of Munster strive to be the best school district in the State of Indiana.
Campaign Phone Number
3124155688
email
johnny4munster@gmail.com
street
1135 Thicket Lane
Years in an elected position
0
No
2
1. Continue the work in recent years of ensuring the school district remains on solid financial footing.
2. Think big, but practically when investing in programs and facilities. Munster is competing with other school districts as we aim to remain an attractive and vibrant community. It's critical that our facilities and programming reflect all that we have to offer.
3. As a board member, I'd be a stanch advocate for the students and families in our district. Stakes are high in our state capitol as public education is a topic in each legislative session. I will stay informed and use my voice to educate and advocate for the interests of the School Town of Munster.
I have over 20 years of experience in the education industry. I've served students from pre-K through college. I understand pedagogy, the faculty-administration dynamic and the finances of running schools. As a current higher education executive, I'm equipped to offer my industry experience to provide insights and pose questions to the district administration that will result in the continuous improvement of student outcomes and overall experience.
The state funding formula puts school districts like ours in a position to rely on local referenda. I was a volunteer for the last referendum and would support another (keeping our taxes the same) when the current one expires. Beyond referenda, the other sources of revenue available to the school board include bonds (with state limitations) and of course, state funding. I would work closely with administration to ensure our borrowing remained in a healthy range/ratio. Regarding priorities--I'd support the programs that have earned the district an A+ rating by niche.com, while also looking to upgrade our facilities. From the arts to athletics, Munster students should have the opportunity to learn and grow in a first-class environment.
Educational equity is about meeting students where they are. All students, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status or scholastic aptitude should have the requisite access and support to achieve to their highest abilities.
Quality of life can mean different things to different people, but here I'll focus on time (school/life balance), accessibility and engagement. After-school activities should primarily be....after-school. With more space for arts and extra-curricular activities we can work to ensure our students can be home at reasonable hours to complete homework or spend time with family. Regarding activities--we should work to ensure that the interests of all students can be supported. Athletics is only a portion of what is available to students. My daughter was active in theater, choir and speech--pursuits such as these are every bit as important as football and basketball and should be treated as such. Lastly, engaged students are happier students. Working with our faculty to create a supportive and encouraging environment for them, will lead to stronger performance in the classroom and ultimately more committed and enriched students.
I support the recent upgrades to the cameras around the school district which allows for clearer surveillance and monitoring. The STM has a strong relationship with MPD, which should continue. As a board member, I would insist on a regular review of the safety protocols and emergency preparedness plans to ensure we remain up to date with the latest requirements. All the while, it's important to promote a sense of safety and security, while still remaining a place of learning. The ability of administration and faculty to foster a trusting relationship with the students and families can go a long way toward providing a safe environment. In addition to protocols and plans, we can't underestimate the value of open and honest communication.
My contact information would be available for anyone via the school board website and I’d be happy to meet with any resident to discuss questions or concerns. For those looking to talk more informally, I’m sure I could easily be found at any number of Munster school events and would not shy away from a conversation!
Over the last 16 years, I have a demonstrated investment to our children, schools and community. From volunteering in the classroom for Junior Achievement to knocking on doors to support our referendum and everything in between, I’m no stranger to putting in the work. My candidacy is a formal commitment to continue my work on a wider scale. I’m thankful for the opportunity.
Campaign Phone Number
2197188283
email
ingridjschwarz@hotmail.com
street
1506 park west circle
Years in an elected position
8
Yes
25ish including regular board meetings, work sessions and executive meetings
It is always difficult to list top priorities when I know the school board must consider all aspects of the district as important. I believe finalizing our strategic plan and fabricating action steps will benefit all stakeholders. We need to stay student-centered but can't ignore the importance of our staff, finances and culture in that goal. I also want to support and evaluate our new preschool program. After listening to our community, we instituted a trial year of preschool in two of our elementary schools. We need to be sure the education goals are met and that the dollars are spent wisely.
I have been a proven leader on the school board. I have served as the Board President in 2018, 2020, and 2022. I also chaired the 2021 Superintendent Search that led to the hiring of Dr. Bret Heller. I was very involved in our schools prior to joining the board. Thus I have a deep understanding of our school system and it's people. I am an ethical person who tries to make decisions by asking "What's best for students?"
The School Town of Munster is extremely lucky to have a community that passed a referendum to support our district financially. We also have groups like the Munster Education Foundation and Munster Booster Club that generously support our classrooms. However, our most immediate budget concern as a board member is the allocation and spending of the $62M 24-26 District Wide Facility Improvement Project. This project will be funded with the issuance of bonds. The board is obligated to see that every dollar is spent in a responsible manner and aligns with the long term vision for the district.
In a January 2024 survey within our district by Hanover Research, the top attribute listed as a core value was GROWTH. Educational equity is helping all students GROW and become successful in their own way.
I believe we have made great strides in our district culture but more can be done. We need to ensure students, staff, parents and administration have a sense of belonging to the district. We need to cultivate lines of communication that keep people informed but also valued. I am currently reading The Art of Community by Charles Vogl as I am very interested in how to nurture a sense of community and belonging both in subsets and the full district.
I think the School Town of Munster has made great changes in the last few years to ensure the safety of our buildings - adding a resource officer, keyless entry, secured double doors for entry have all helped. But safety can also be feeling mentally and emotionally secure. We need to continue to support mental health efforts (reported by students as their number one concern) and provide a culture of belonging. My goal would be that everyone in our buildings has a point of contact - a person they trust in the district to whom to reach out as a support.
I am already easy to contact. My phone number and email are listed on the district website. I respond to all emails and calls.
I have lived in Munster for 26 years and have dedicated myself to our school district for most of that time. I am passionate about public education and the importance of giving our young people the skills and knowledge to become productive and happy citizens.
Campaign Phone Number
219-487-9806
email
Info@amysinder4munster.com
street
10316 Megan Way
Years in an elected position
5
No, however I have experience serving on the governing board of a public university. In Munster, I have served in membership and leadership roles in the Eads, WWMS, and MHS PTOs. I have led teams for fundraising, served as a Munster little league coach & a Cub Scouts den leader.
I have attended school board meetings intermittently for over 10 years, either in person or remotely reviewing minutes, in addition to being involved at the Munster grade, middle and high schools.
Our five year plan for capital improvement is underway and we will need to monitor the success and adapt it as needed. Ensuring responsible and strategic use of our funds is essential. I am passionate about receiving feedback from our teachers, students, and support staff to ensure we are supporting them in the best ways. As a parent of a child with special needs, I want to ensure we provide the best resources for our exceptional learning programs.
As a seasoned member of governing boards, I will bring operational experience along with financial acumen. I have experience setting budgets, strategic plans, managing profit & loss, building culture and setting policies. I have a background in speech pathology with student teaching experience as well. Our outgoing board member was tasked with governmental relationships and I have experience lobbying for education and healthcare. In addition, my experience and involvement in our schools for the past 15 years, has allowed me to collaborate successfully with many of our stakeholders. My experience starting up and turning around businesses has allowed me to gain insight into efficient and effective ways to ensure any business is exceptional. I also hope to bring creative ideas to our district such as service and/or experiential learning opportunities.
We are lucky to have resources provided by the Munster Education Foundation, our Booster Club, and our PTOs. I would also maintain our focus on communication and education of our state officials in order to ensure they allocate monies appropriately to our school system. The current referendum is still in place so I do not see any immediate need for an additional one. We have a plan in place for significant capital improvements which will need to be closely monitored to ensure success.
This is a discussion held regularly at my home since my husband is finishing a certificate in MILD education and my son has received many services for his exceptional needs through our school system (and outside of it). It is our job to create a learning environment that supports each individual student to reach their fullest potential. Our teachers are tasked with identifying challenges and our school board must be actively involved to support our teachers, students, and support staff to ensure our students achieve success following graduation, despite social or cultural factors.
It is important for elected officials to listen to their constituents. I am excited to engage with our stakeholders to find out if our current programs are meeting their needs and which ones should be updated or changed. We need to continue to focus on values of inclusion, accountability, and continuous improvement.
I will ensure we have updated emergency management plans and procedures following state and federal guidelines. I will work with our subject matter experts to ensure the safety of our staff and students is always prioritized. We should always have an auditing system in place to ensure our practices are working as well.
I am very responsive to email and will publicize my contact information. I am also a frequent attendee at our athletic and extracurricular events.
My husband and I moved to Munster in 2008 because we felt the school system would support the special needs of our son. We have two sons and two nieces that attend Munster's public schools. Our nephew just graduated from MHS and is a freshman in college. The education of our students is personal to me and a passion of mine since completing my undergraduate degree in speech pathology. I hope to serve in a thoughtful and strategic way to keep our school system as an unparalleled destination for teachers & students to thrive.
No
I attend virtually either same day or within the week of the meeting.
I am dedicated to upholding academic, athletic, and artistic excellence for students, staff, and the community. I strive to be a responsible steward of financial resources while balancing delivering exceptional educational experiences and operational efficiency.
I am committed to the vision of the School Town of Munster continuing to lead the charge in preparing students and supporting teachers and staff to achieve success.
With executive-level finance and accounting experience across various industries, I have dedicated the past two decades to healthcare finance, working with both for-profit and non-profit organizations. Throughout my career, I have led and collaborated with diverse teams to achieve our collective goals. While we have not always seen eye to eye, we have accomplished most of our objectives. For those we didn't, it was often due to unforeseen circumstances or lack of feasibility. It is paramount to me to bring unique skills, knowledge, and experience to the table, just as other candidates will. If given the opportunity, I will also bring humility and transparency, understanding that success stems from cooperation and unwavering dedication to the betterment of students, teachers, staff, and the community.
To ensure the sustainability and enhancement of educational programs, it is essential that schools explore new sources of funding. This may include partnerships with local businesses, grants from private foundations, and innovative community fundraising efforts. By diversifying revenue streams, schools can better support students, maintain essential services, and invest in critical resources without overburdening traditional funding sources.
Educational equity refers to the principle of ensuring fair and just access to educational opportunities for all students, regardless of their background, socioeconomic status, race, gender, or other personal characteristics. It involves providing the necessary resources, support, and accommodations to meet the diverse needs of each student, enabling them to achieve their full potential. Educational equity goes beyond treating students equally; it recognizes that different students may require different levels of support to overcome barriers and achieve similar outcomes.
A few examples of initiatives I support include nutrition and wellness, after school programs, tutoring, cultural competency, career and college readiness & mental health programs. I acknowledge that initiatives need to reflect the needs of the student body and can evolve over time. Staying connected to the needs of the student body is imperative as initiatives are chosen.
Keeping schools safe requires a comprehensive approach that addresses physical security, emotional well-being, and community involvement. Some key strategies are strengthening physical security such as access control and security, reviewing emergency preparedness and response plans and conducting drills, establishing communication protocols. Also important is establishing clear policies around bullying and harassment, Engaging parents and local law enforcement in decision making process. Lastly, it’s important to educate students on cybersecurity and digital safety.
I prioritize clear and open communication, making it easy for everyone to stay connected and informed. Whether through in-person meetings, phone calls, or digital media I work to ensure that communication is accessible and efficient. I am committed to responsiveness and transparency.
I grew up in Highland as the son of educators. My Dad is a retired Teacher and my Mom is a retired School Nurse. I used to be a rival Trojan and graduated in ‘93, but now I'm a committed Mustang. I have three children attending Munster schools: one Senior, one Eighth grader, and one Sixth grader. Growing up with parents who work in education gives me a unique perspective. I have learned to have an unyielding respect for educators because none of us would be where we are today without the teachers who guided us, rewarded us, and held us accountable. I understand that excellent education has never been more important than it is today, and the bar continues to be raised for the level of achievement required for success. I am committed to the vision of the School Town of Munster continuing to lead the charge in preparing students and supporting teachers and staff to achieve success.
