School board candidates were asked three questions about running for the position.
Today’s answers are from Steven Baut and Brian Weideman, who are running for Wawasee School Board District 3. The other school board races will be featured during this week.
Question 1: What qualifications do you possess make you the best candidate for the school board position?
Baut: I believe my positions within the executive level through several companies provides leadership in those seats where determined vision and strategic direction is imperative. Providing a solid background in the business world as well as serving as a current board member for the Lakeland Youth Center have provided me clarity to the needs of our local area.
I am a father of three, two boys already graduated from Wawasee and a fourth-grade daughter currently at Milford elementary. I continue to have a solid investment and a stake intWawasee Schools.
I believe that my theme of common-sense solutions aligns well with what this new paradigm shift is happening within our Wawasee Schools. It’s about asking the right question, which is paramount here. It isn’t about who the best candidate is, it’s about if we are to choose someone to understand growth, the future and upholding policy in its stormiest of days. Which candidate would you want to hold the line?
Weideman: I attended high school in a small rural community in central Indiana very similar to the size of Wawasee Community Schools. After high school, I joined the U.S Army, attended basic training at Ft. Knox, Ky., where I was awarded the professionalism award and then went on to my duty station at Ft. Hood, Texas, as an armor crew member.
When I returned home, I was assigned to the Indiana National Guard unit in Bluffton and served until my honorable discharge. I learned the values of hard work, time management, leadership and working together as a team. While in the National Guard, I attended and graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in business management.
My wife and I live and work in the community and have two grown children. They both attended Milford School and graduated from Wawasee High School.
Question 2: How much experience do you have with budgets and how would you approach your school corporation’s budget if you’re elected to the board?
Baut: Again, working and consulting with several companies within my career, the budgetary side has been a staple into what is measured against regarding growth. While I will not say I am an expert at the school budgetary practices, I do believe that it aligns with many other areas that I have dealt with personally.
My approach always is being creative, understanding the tax dollars per student, enrollment, faculty pay, program dollars, etc. There are many facets that impact the overall budget but with solid policy, fiscal understanding of the capital the school receives, aiming that capital towards the vision of growth and health of our schools, not overspending, I believe that my expertise within this realm working with our school board team will prove beneficial.
Weideman: Up until a year ago, I did not have any idea how the school corporation worked through the budget process and how the money was appropriated to each of the funds. Over the past year, I have been attending the school board meetings and learning how the school receives money from both the state and local property taxes for the operation and education funds.
Also, it was interesting to learn about the debt service account and how it effects the current tax rate, which is at $0.5399.
If elected to the school board, I would work closely with the other school board members to review the budget process presented by the superintendent.
Question 3: How much input should the public, especially parents, have in the school district, especially at school board meetings and why?
Baut: Every board meeting provides an opportunity for patron comments and/or discussion. The public is welcome to these meetings to listen, assess, address during the comment segment of the meeting and can talk with any board member after completion of each meeting.
Our districts are represented by those who have chosen to cast their vote in favor for them. I have a duty to listen, discuss and possibly agree to disagree.
I believe I am a 100% responsible for the education of my children and the school is a vehicle. I need to provide a conduit between our public and our school systems as that rebuilds a trust that seemingly has been lessened over the years.
Accountability for each of these school board seats is not only important, but necessary to provide that trust with our public. Ladies and gentlemen, it takes a village and I want to provide a true team effort to magnify the great things the Wawasee School system is known for.
Weideman: In my opinion, parents should be involved and be a part of their student’s education. If the parent has any concerns or questions, they should follow the corporations’ chain of command; first the parent should talk with their students’ teacher(s), and if the issue still exists, they should schedule an appointment to speak with the principal.
If the concern is still not resolved, they should contact central office and speak with the superintendent.
The school board is concerned with the education of all students as well as their parents, but the school board needs to base their decisions on what is best for the entire corporation.
