All too often, school board elections get short shrift in a presidential election year. There are also county offices up for grabs, as well as congressional and state legislative offices.
But school boards preside over large budgets. The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District, based on student population, is the fourth largest in Indiana.
This year, HSE Schools will have an at-large election with three seats up for grabs. All eligible voters within the district have the opportunity to cast ballots for board members. That includes all of Fall Creek, Delaware and Wayne townships. That means the entire City of Fishers is included in the HSE District.
Although all eligible voters may cast their ballots on all three races, candidates must reside within the township in which they are running.
Sylvia Shepler did not file for re-election, so for the first time since the year 2000, someone else will be filling that board seat. Clint Wilson was selected by the board to serve the remainder of Mike Bottorff’s term. Bottorff was elected to the board in 2016 but resigned his seat in 2019. Amanda Shera is seeking another four-year term on the board after her election in 2016.
The Fishers community and the surrounding areas served by HSE Schools have had a major debate over when and how school should be resumed in person or online for health reasons in the middle of this pandemic. This debate has become bitter and heated at times.
When evaluating school board candidates, I believe their positions on issues should be a consideration. But consider this – I never asked a school board candidate how to handle a major pandemic. No one knew over the past two election cycles that would be a big issue to handle.
It is now.
Consider how each candidate might be best equipped to handle the issue no one can foresee at this time. One’s judgment and ability to make good decisions may be more important today than ever before.
I will not tell you whom to vote for … but take time to consider your choice.
I previously announced that there would be no candidate podcasts from me due to the massive amount of time it takes. However, I have been contacted by a high school student trying to organize podcasts with the candidates. If that happens, I will let you know and link to those podcasts, supporting these high school students.
Here is the full list of local school board candidates:
Fall Creek Township
Clint Wilson
Chauna Leigh Holder
Suzanne Thomas
Matt Stolle
Jason Arnold
Delaware Township
Amanda J. Shera
Tony Bagato
Sarah Donsbach
Wayne Township
Sarah E Parks-Reese
Tiffany Pascoe
Ron Thieme