CG School Board Candidate Q & A

Errata: On page 18 of the print version, the responses of Mr. Prusiecki and Mr. Richards were swapped. This version of the article contains the correct answers. We also corrected the PDF version that is available in the right-hand column of each page. 

There are three candidates running for two positions on the Center Grove School Board.  We asked each candidate three questions:

1. What do you consider the most important issue facing the Center Grove School district?
2. How do you propose we address the above concern?
3. Why should people vote for you?

Matt Prusiecki
What do you consider the most important issue facing the Center Grove School district?

I see three issues that need to be addressed:

1. Conduct an overall needs assessment of the academic programs that are offered and determine what curriculum would best serve the needs of all of our students on the k-12 continuum and beyond.

2. Support the process of the new teacher evaluation system as required by the Indiana Department of Education so that an effective process takes place to ensure quality instruction in the classroom, supporting teachers who do an excellent job while providing the support to those who need it.

3. Maintain fiscal solvency as a facilities assessment, as completed by CSO Architects, is worked through to determine what needs must be addressed to ensure safe, quality facilities for all students who attend Center Grove Schools.

 How do you propose we address the above concern?

All three processes must take place and move forward at the same time. Working through the Strategic Planning Committee, under the direction of the Superintendent, these goals will be assigned to the appropriate personnel to gather the necessary information, to collect input from the appropriate people involved, and to provide the Superintendent the necessary data where he may communicate this with the School Board. From there, the School Board will ask questions, ask for further input, and conduct meaningful dialogue to then vote on any of the recommendations submitted by the Superintendent. This process must be a collaborative effort to ensure a quality outcome that reflects the best representation of the community while best serving our children.

Why should people vote for you?

As a resident of the Center Grove Community School Corporation, I have a vested interest in the quality of our schools. As a parent of two children who attend Center Grove Schools, I have an interest in the opportunities afforded our children through these schools. As I am in my 20th year in education, as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal and now as superintendent, with first-hand experience from grades 1-12, I feel I am the most qualified candidate to provide an objective perspective to assist the school board with decisions for our community. My viewpoint is that we need to honor our community’s rich history as we strive to equip our children for the world that lies before them. I work daily with school budget, state education legislation, curricular programs, parent concerns, and staffing issues. As an educator, I have always shared with parents that, if they are interested in their child’s education, they should get involved. I feel I am modeling just that. I want to be involved to support those who work to develop our children for their futures. My dedication to the profession and willingness to support our schools allows me to provide the ideal complement to the others who already serve on the Board. I appeal to any parents who have or who have had children go through Center Grove Schools to consider me as Board Member for the future of our Schools.

Rob Richards
What do you consider the most important issue facing the Center Grove School district?

Continued student academic success and achievement is the top priority. Accomplishing this goal will require attention to a number of variables ranging from funding to teacher professional training to curriculum to family and community engagement.

How do you propose we address the above concern?

The district will have to work to improve funding through legislative changes, grants, corporate sponsorships, and community involvement as well as being responsible and strategic in the use of available funds.

Teachers are our most valuable resource as they are the direct link to preparing students with information and tools to make the students successful. The district must make sure the teachers receive appropriate training and resources to be most effective in the classroom.

As a public school, CG must provide student offerings that best meet their needs whether student’s goals are college, vocational school, the military, or the workplace.

Family and community engagement drive the success of many school-related programs especially so with band, choir, drama, and athletics to name a few. Sponsors, volunteerism, and fund-raising help keep the schools vibrant and award winning. At the same time, parent’s roles in their children’s lives are essential to ensure high student performance and success after high school. We must maintain and even increase the participation and effort going forward.

Why should people vote for you?

A. Student achievement is my priority. Quite simply, I will “expect more.” Center Grove is very good in many ways, and we need to continue along an improvement path by “raising the bar” of expectations.

B. I have a very broad range of work experiences. After graduating college, I was a high school teacher and coach. Then I had a long, successful career in various leadership assignments in the telecom industry. Now I am the General Manager in our family business.

C. I believe in fact-based decision-making based on priorities, which for me are student focused. I have had formal training and experience in analysis of situations, developing alternatives and selecting optimal solutions.

D. Center Grove has been very good to my family and me. Now I have two grandchildren in the school system with more to follow in the next three years. It is a good time for me to give back to the school and community.

Carol Tumey
What do you consider to be the most important issue facing the Center Grove School district?

It seems that many public school corporations have financial constraints and Center Grove is one of them. Center Grove goes from year to year not knowing for sure what the state reimbursement will be. We have even had to borrow money to cover our expenses until the state money is received. Center Grove School Corporation ranks 314th in the state in amount of money per pupil received from the state. We are a school corporation who provides a quality educational environment on a limited amount of financial resources.

How do you propose we address the above concern?

I have spoke in some recent forums about our constant financial situation. The School Board has discussed the need to become more aligned with the state legislators so that they are keenly aware of the financial concerns in our school corporation and that we can be awarded our fair share. We have discussed meeting them in their offices, having breakfast or lunch meetings and even having a Meet the Legislator forum where ideas and concerns can be voiced. It is my opinion that many times the legislators are not aware of many of the issues that are of concern in our school corporation.

Why should people vote for you?

My entire professional career has been with the Center Grove School Corporation. Upon graduation from Franklin College, I accepted a call for a position there. That call lit a spark that fired a passion for our school and community that still resonates to this day. My life has been centered around working to provide the best educational environment for our students in our schools.

I have served as a teacher, coach, and athletic administrator at Center Grove and am currently working in the Education Department at Franklin College.

I am honored to have been elected to the Center Grove School Corporation as a member of the school board for the past four years. I have a servant heart. I am collaborative, willing to communicate with everyone regardless of the question or concern. I will always put academics first and work to provide the best environment for our teachers and students.

I look forward to speaking with anyone who wishes to contact me.

Please consider Carol Tumey for Center Grove School Board when you go to the polls.