Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed authorship to the Carmel Education Foundation. The Reporter regrets the error.
Brown, Brake & Sharp team up to help Carmel Clay Schools
Submitted
Carmel residents with a combined 104 years living in Carmel – Jenny Brake, Dr. Adam Sharp, and Greg Brown – filed to run for Carmel Clay School Board this past month.
There are three school board districts represented on the ballot. Carmel voters will vote for a total of three candidates, one candidate from each district. This is a non-partisan position, so the candidate names will appear near the end of the ballot without a party designation.
Jenny Brake, running for District 1, a wife, mother, grandmother, and Carmel High School graduate, has lived in Carmel for 59 years and married her high-school sweetheart, Ron, also a Carmel graduate. Both of their children attended and graduated from Carmel schools. Her expertise is in business administration as well as serving in numerous leadership roles.
When asked why she is running, Brake said, “I’m ready to go to work to help my community and its school system to be the best that they can be for our families, our teachers, and our children, including my own grandson.”
Joined on the slate running for District 2 is Dr. Adam Sharp. He has spent over 17 years in the Carmel Community as an ER physician. He and his wife, Biana, have three daughters, one who graduated from Carmel High School, and the other two currently attending CCS schools. Having recently retired from clinical practice, he says he is excited to focus his time on helping to improve public education in Carmel.
“I believe that public schools should be focused first and foremost on preparing all of our children to participate in a job market that is increasingly more competitive and requires a deep understanding of technology,” Sharp said. “Not all children will choose to pursue education beyond high school, and I believe that it is our responsibility as a community to best prepare all of our kids for the challenges that they will encounter.”
Finally, Greg Brown is running for District 3. he and his wife, Kelly, moved to Carmel 28 years ago because of the then-excellent school system. Their son graduated from CCS and now works and lives in Carmel with his wife and young daughter. He has managed multi-million-dollar IT projects and has served in multiple leadership positions including as Scoutmaster in a Carmel Boy Scout troop.
Brown said he is running for school board after reviewing the CCS proficiency scores, which are below 70 percent as reported by the school’s administration.
“Carmel Clay Schools have been the premier district in Indiana for many years,” Brown said. “Some districts across our nation have shifted their focus from academic excellence to other programs, including Carmel. Families that have the resources are seeking alternative schools for their children. I want to ensure our schools offer the best core education for all our children, especially those who require additional attention to ensure they achieve their full potential. I want our young granddaughter to have the same great experience as our son!”
This trio of candidates came together around a common vision of restoring academic excellence in Carmel Clay Schools. Their focus will be on the policies necessary to achieve this critical academic goal.
For more information on the campaign, please visit ccsboardcandidates.com.
Greg is a good man! He has demonstrated to me that if I come to him with an issue, he will listen, do the research and ask questions of the right people, and come back with an answer.
I had recently seen a graph showing a significant decline in Ilearn beginning in 2014, with a plummet in proficiency after the pandemic. I appreciate these three candidates have a unified message around academics.
Sheldon it’s cool that you are supporting Greg. How do you feel about the other candidates?
Also, do you feel that length of time living in Carmel is a key factor in who voters should elect?
Hello Matt – I am supporting Sheldon Barnes for District 1. That’s right! I am on the ballot. Regarding how long a candidate has lived in Carmel, I believe this will be the least important factor to voters.
I believe that voters are looking for someone like me with strong people leadership skills. Someone that can unite our community to ensure we continue producing the best educational outcome for our children. Someone who knows that our greatest assets are the people in our community. That’s right! Someone willing to advocate for the best interest of our students, teachers, parents, administrators, and community.
That is what my campaign is about. Creating a multi-stakeholder approach to education where market-demand skills inform curricula development.
Over 75% of the citizens in Carmel have a Bachelor’s degree or higher. They will demand a lot more details from candidates.
Jenny, Greg, and Adam check the boxes for me! I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to meet them and learn even more about them.
I am a mother and grandmother living in this wonderful community and I have been concerned with how the education has been worsening. The scores are abysmal and I’ve been hoping that concerned candidates would step up run for school board members. I am so glad to see Jenny, Greg, and Adam step up. Thank you! My family will be following you and supporting your run. I will do everything in my power to help!
As a parent of school-age children in Carmel I also keep a close watch on the state of education in our wonderful city, but I cannot disagree more with the notion that a CCS education is “worsening.” There are several factors at play here, and No. 1 is that the overall format of testing has changed and comparing test scores in 2022 to 2015 or 2012 is truly “apples and oranges.” Anyone who cites stats saying, “look at how those numbers dropped!” is playing a manipulation game. Here’s a Fact: Carmel’s overall district average ILEARN scores for 2022 beat Zionsville and Hamilton Southeastern, plus Evansville, Bloomington and Lafayette. So is the state of CCS education “abysmal?” Please, Ms. Stewart and everyone concerned, be mindful of the source of your information and possible ulterior motives. There are groups with nationwide political agendas involved here.
I have lived in Carmel for almost 60 years. Both of my children and I are alums of Carmel schools. I recognize the importance of a school board that will guide the district in a positive direction. I believe
Jenny, Adam and Greg demonstrate the leadership qualities necessary to navigate through these challenging times. I strongly support the values which I know they will bring to the school board.
Just read the comments here. Thank you all so much for the support. The momentum is building. :). This is an important election. It is a choice that should be well informed and that is important for the future of our children and our community. Please visit ccsboardcdandidates.com to learn more about Jenny, Greg and myself. I have truly enjoyed getting to know them as we “found each other” and decided to run as a slate. They are two incredible and people who care deeply about our children well being and future. I am grateful to them for making the commitment.
Adam, welcome to the Internet!
FYI: there was an extra “d” in the link that you gave. Just so everyone gets to the correct website, the link is: ccsboardcandidates.com
I’m supporting you, Adam Sharp!
Funny Sheldon. Did I mention when we met that I cofounded and built two IT companies. Never been a big social media guy though. ?.
I hope you know I am being lighthearted. I am glad it didn’t take you 100 years to discover the Hamilton County Reporter and social media ?
Did you know that the Hamilton County Reporter is built using WordPress? My blog uses the same WordPress Platform.
Can we count on ALL OF YOU to combat this “Critical Race Theory”, which is JUST a theory, within our Carmel Community Schools? I have had 3 children graduate from Carmel HS. 2 of them are on DEANS lists at Major Indiana Universities. My LAST son, was DEVASTATED by COVID restrictions!! He is AT LEAST, 1 & 1/2 years to 2 years behind in his education. NO JOKE! I am a Nurse and my wife if a Physician! We are NOT stupid people and we don’t ignore our children. I NEED to know your views. If you are all-in on teacher’s Unions, you will NOT get my vote! I need to know who to vote for. If you are a liberal activist, you won’t get my vote! If you are a conservative, who believes in Parent involvement (which this community ALWAYS has had), you have my support! I will send you money to support your campaign. WE JUST NEED TO KNOW!
MEET YOUR CCS BOARD CANDIDATES
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Please join us for a meet and greet with Carmel Clay
School Board Candidates:
Lori Long & Stephanie Flittner
Date: Saturday September 24, 2022
Time: 9:00 to 11:00 AM
Place: Bask on Main – 336 W Main St. Carmel
Lori Long
REGISTER NOW
Stephanie
Flittner
We’ll have coffee and donuts!
Kids welcome! A simple craft activity and light snacks will be available.
Pal0 for
Stephanie Flitter for
CCS Board
PLEASE JOIN US!
The CCS Board
candidates elected on
November 8, will have a
major impact on our
kids!! We must elect
candidates that will put
academics over special
interests and politics!
Can’t seem to get an answer out of anyone. Very ambiguous (as I understand). No one wants to alienate a voter base, when they don’t have to! ??♂️
This was my question to a CCS School Board Candidate…
How can I find out if you
are a Conservative that
refuses to BOW to the
Teacher Unions? Are you
for STUDENTS or
teachers who want to
brainwash our kids?
Answers would be nice!
Sorry I could not make
your event, I was out of
town on business. I work
and I pay taxes (so I had
to miss your meeting).
Steph– I NEED to know
the Liberals from the
Conservatives! THAT IS
MY MAIN ISSUE!! 100%
Looks like I’m leaning
HEAVILY towards Brown,
Brake & Sharp!