Current Employment
Senior Principal Software Engineer
Education
B. S. Computer Engineering
I have experience on how boards operate, rules and procedures. I have served on two boards of directors and I am currently the president of my HOA board.
I have operated as technical lead in the commercial world for several years, matching vision/design to implementation. As a board, we need to develop a vision and work towards implementing that vision over time. Consistency and clarity are key maneuvering a large ship.
I also have experience connecting with the greater school community. My leadership positions, both professional and volunteer, require connecting with parents, teachers, students and administrators to develop an understanding of the needs and concerns of the larger community.
While we may play different roles, nobody is excluded from participating in public education. Perhaps students and tax payers feel that the most.
Parents are the primary educators of their children by natural right. They have the final say in what values and education their child receives. When parents talk, the school board and administration needs to listen. When we shut out parent's and lose their trust, they will go somewhere else. If we want a community that is engaged in their schools we don't get to play the "expert" card
Teachers and administrators play a critical role in contributing to district policy. The school board will never have the information and understanding about day to day realities that the staff does.
FWCS is too focused on fighting yesteryear's battles.
The public educational landscape is changing on many different fronts. Voucher fights were a distraction, now property taxes are on the line and it is getting very serious.
There is only one way out. Public school systems need to compete for students and they need to make the case to the families that their neighborhood school is the right choice for them.
FWCS should open up to part time students, to alternative education models and to value based educational initiatives. Supporting and encouraging opportunities for students to receive a more holistic education based on the values their family and community share. This will increase buy-in and begin rebuilding trust.
Current Employment
Retired Elem. Ed teacher , 30 years experience. I retired May of 2026
Education
Post Bachelor work
Facebook
No
Our current school board has seven members and only one of them has ever worked in a school. I have real world knowledge and experiences that will aid the board in making decisions about what teachers need and how best to help students become successful.
All of these entities need to have an active role in curriculum and policy decisions. Right now, money seems to be the driving force behind which curriculum is best suited for FWCS students. The same groups should have a active say in other policy decisions.
Policy: Passing every student to the next grade, regardless of academic success or attendance.
This policy is extremely dangerous because it does not promote students trying their best to become successful in their school work. We need to come up with an alternative to this outdated policy. The school board and teachers need to collaborate to find directives that help students and parents understand that the work being done is important to the success the student will have after school.
Current Employment
Professor of Sociology
Education
PH.D. in Sociology, MSW (Master's Social Work)
Facebook
facebook.com/folloforschoolboard/
I am a parent of a FWCS student. I am invested in the school board creating student-centered, community-engaged policy. I have been a higher education educator for over 15 years. I understand the importance of listening to teachers and administrators to create a good working and learning environment. As a licensed social worker, I know students and parents may be facing broader issues. It is important to listen to students and parents so we can work together to create an environment that increases student success. Finally, I research student success. Policy will have to work with state and local legislatures; however, it should do so with a student-centered approach.
These stakeholders should work collaboratively to create the best possible student-centered curriculum. The school board will create and pass policy, and parents, teachers, students, administrators, and taxpayers will implement it. Each of these groups will be critical to the success and effectiveness of the policy. Constructive engagement must take place among these stakeholders. Together, we will create an environment and policy that contribute to student success.
There is no single add or change because policy occurs holistically, balancing stakeholders, legislation, and funding, with students’ success at the heart of it. We need to be open to a variety of programming ideas and curriculum, with the understanding that an implementation proposal be presented, the appropriate stakeholders engaged, and evaluative data collected. I would discourage a discussion of “trade schools” in K-5; after that, it is fine. I would provide algebra tutoring for 8th graders. Getting an A does not suggest understanding. High school students need to pass the SAT. Two months before, they should have after-school tutoring.
Candidate has not yet responded.
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Candidate has not yet responded.
I would bring more than 38 years of executive leadership, organizational management, youth development, community engagement, and nonprofit experience to the Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of School Trustees. My professional career has been centered on serving young people, families, and our community, and I believe that experience has given me a broad perspective that would be valuable in school board service.
As President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Indiana, I have the responsibility of leading a complex community organization focused on helping young people reach their full potential.
I believe that all major stakeholders should have a role in developing district policy. All voice should be heard and taking seriously. It's the community schools, which means that all of it's citizens should be heard; as a representative of the community, I have an obligation to ensure stadtholder's voice are heard.
I would not have any perspective on any specific policy at this time. Before I would recommend any changes to a specific policy, I would have to take a deep dive into the policy being considered, to ensure I understand the policy and it's impact on all of the areas it would cause changes.
Current Employment
BOD Financial Group LLC
Education
BS from Manchester University
Facebook
Vote Noah Smith for FWCS School Board
Current FWCS Board member since 2021. Have been an "officer" of the Board since 2023. Currently serve as President of FWCS Board. I have effectively overseen and supported the navigation of the district immediately after the Global Covid Pandemic, implementation of a "Security Referendum", continuous construction and maintenance projects while seeing student achievement grow during my tenure. Closing the reading gap between students of all types, and pushing resources where they are needed the most. Maintain fiscal conservancy and responsibility while investing in our infrastructure. Start up and expansion of Amp Lab, Schools of Success powered by 3DE of JA and overall increased graduation rates and reading scores.
They should have the most active role, as our "constituents". We want and need to provide an "educational product" that students, families and the community desires to meet their overall needs and desires. We further must continue to push to obtain the educational "outcomes" that are students and families desire as supported by the "tax payers". Our policies and practices should reflect that, and I think we are continuing to grow and achieve that wish.
Subject to funding, provide all day FREE Pre Kindergarten education at all of our elementary schools. This has proven benefits and "paybacks" on this investment. Indiana is one of only 6 states that do not support this type of programming.
