Occupation/Current Position
retired teacher, children's toy and bookstore owner/manager, and youth pastor
Education
Concord High School, Indiana State BS Elementary Education, IUSB MS Elementary Education, AMBS course work
Campaign Email
friends4loanne@gmail.com
Campaign Phone
574-501-0258
I was drawn to school board work while as a teacher. One of my main reasons for running now is the absence of any women on the current board. I feel strongly that women need to be represented.
I have devoted my working career to the development of young children. My education background and extensive experience give me insights helpful to strong decision making for schools and children. I have served on local and national boards so I have experience dealing with finances, policies and people. I have worked on search committees, arbitration, and celebrations.
I am diligent and dependable, and able to listen well. I enjoy thinking outside the box, and often approach issues from different perspectives. I respect and appreciate working with others in a group.
As state mandates increase and resources decrease the board's relationship with the community will need to be strengthened. Not all current efforts by the board and administration at transparency have been recognized as such. While there can never be 100% buy in by the populous, there needs to be more effort put into communicating clearly, often, and in multiple ways with parents and community. It is important to communicate both from the board and with the community.
As there will be significant turnover in board membership, there will need to be work done among the members to build a board with a strong sense of direction and purpose. A board that can communicate well with each other and can demonstrate the same relationship hoped to be developed with the community, one of respect and collegiality.
While the decision-making rests solely with the board and administration for the schools, a venue for hearing and responding to public input is important in maintaining a strong and healthy relationship. It would be most helpful if there were regular and defined spaces for this sharing outside of the scheduled school board meetings. Creating opportunities where board members and community members can interact as collaborators working together to help our youth develop into respectful, generous and compassionate adults should be the goal, a goal that brings all into the final decision-making.
I feel that the new law creates a division between members of the board. Previously persons were elected from a pool of candidates and became members of the board. While they did win over another, there were no designations that they brought with them into the group. Now the new members are branded with a party, a party that may or may not have any impact on the work of the board, but divides nonetheless.
I chose to run on the Democratic ticket because of personal preference and because of the support of the party as I have negotiated the processes required to run for the position.
Since teachers are the most valuable entity of any school, I would prioritize their pay and the resources needed for their work and for their retention. Ultimately, it is the child's education we are most passionate about supporting and encouraging.
All cuts will be hurtful. I could hope that a little off here and there might be enough, but realize that more may be needed. A designated committee of board members, students, parents, and community members might look at all school programs, both new and old, to evaluate possible reductions or cuts. It's difficult for me to classify an area for cuts without input from others.
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