SYRACUSE — The filing deadline has passed and a race for the Wawasee Community School Corp. District 2 seat, representing Turkey Creek Township, is set. Registered voters throughout the district will be making a choice who will serve in that position in the November general election.

The race will be among incumbent Mary Lou Dixon, Steven Baut and William D. (Bill) Cripe.

Incumbent candidates for the District 1 (Tippecanoe Township seat) and District 3 (Van Buren and east Jefferson townships seat) are unopposed. Robert (Rob) Fisher currently holds the District 1 seat and Rebecca (Becky) Linnemeier, holds the District 3 seat.

The Candidates

Robert (Rob) Fisher

Fisher, North Webster, is seeking his third term on the board. “Over my past eight years, I feel like I have really been able to give back to the community that I love. … worked very hard to keep our taxpayers tax rate relatively the same, while yearly upgrading four school buildings, building the brand new Syracuse Elementary School, and giving the Warrior Field at the high school a complete facelift … concentrating on growing our very exciting CTE program. … I feel we are really giving the students that are not college bound the tools they need to succeed for their future. … Students can acquire course certificates in all of these CTE programs that they can take to a trade school or with them right into the job market.”

Dixon, Syracuse, is seeking her fifth term on the board. “I was asked by any number of people, in and out of the school, to continue serving,” Dixon stated. “I’ve always tried to be helpful,” she added.

Opposing Dixon are Steve Baut and William Cripe.

Baut who moved from Milford to the Syracuse area 2 1/2 years ago, has three children involved in the school system. “A driving factor for me is to give a voice to teachers and the community … lot of great things that happen,” Baut said, adding he is not a micro manager and believes in empowerment of the people. He feels he has the education and skill sets to help the board grow. “I’m an idealist by nature and opportunist by heart. I’m a very great advocate for our school system in making positive choices and great movements.”

Rebecca (Becky) Linnemeier

Cripe, a 1965 graduate of Syracuse High School, moved his family back to Syracuse in 2008 from the Middlebury area. Cripe noted he has always been interested in the schools, but until recently he did not have the time. “I have more time and interest in the school system,” he said noting he now has grandchildren in the school system. “It is something I could contribute and have the time to do…always wanted to do this. The school is an important part of the identity of the community. I like to be a member of this community and school board.”

The final candidate, Linnemeier, Milford, is seeking her fourth term on the board. “My love of kids hasn’t changed,” said Linnemeier. “Whether they prepare to go into the workforce, university or military, I still have that same passion,” plus “boards that have people who have done it for a while are most effective,” she said. She currently is the Indiana School Board Association Region 2 director, adding “I feel like I’m not done. I enjoy working with our administration. It’s not always fun but I’m passionate about kids and education.”