Wawasee School Board candidates answered a series of questions regarding school board members responsibilities and school issues. From left are Heather Coy, District 1; Neil Likens, District 1; Steven Baut, District 3; and Brian Weideman, District 3. Photo by Caleigh Byrer.

By Caleigh Byrer
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Candidates for the District 1 and District 3 seats on the Wawasee School Board of Trustees participated in a candidate forum Thursday, Oct. 27, where some similarities between the individuals and their priorities were brought to light.

Steven Baut

Heather Coy and Neil Likens are in pursuit of the District 1 seat and Steven Baut and Brian Weideman are vying for the District 3 seat. The forum was moderated by Trent Beer, eighth grade Wawasee Middle School teacher, who asked the candidates a series of questions regarding their thoughts on school board matters.

Candidates were allowed three minutes for introductory statements, two minutes to answer each question and three minutes for any closing remarks.

Coy, Likens and Baut all responded to the first question regarding the opportunities and challenges present in the school district with similar answers. They believe that as a small community, there should be more teamwork and public involvement. Posing both an opportunity and a challenge, Weideman noted that students are still in the process of catching up educationally after COVID-19 and it should remain a priority to ensure they are trending upward.

All candidates were in agreement that if they needed to seek advice, they would speak with other board members or the superintendent. They were also in agreement that a parent’s voice should be heard in their student’s education and that a platform where they can be proactive and communicate freely is essential.

Neil Likens

When asked what the ideal relationship between the board and superintendent would look like, Likens stated, “At the end of the day, what we’re all working towards is for the students. If we all work together and we problem solve, we can come up with a solution that best fits the students and the school.”

Some specific changes in policy, curriculum and programs the candidates would like to see are in safety and how the state-mandated curriculum is applied. Baut and Likens agreed safety should be a significant priority because although the school has done well at ensuring policies are in place, no one ever expects to be the school that suffers from a breach of security.

In reference to potential expenditures or resource allocation in the area of safety, Baut stated, “How we will do it is another question, but I promise my daughter is worth it, your child is worth it.”

Coy would like to give power back to the teachers and allow them to individualize education, because no two students learn exactly the same way. Weideman would also like to see changes in how curriculum is presented and evaluate the stress levels of teachers and students.

Heather Coy

The outcomes that matter most to Coy are how the children have been educated, utilization of programs and that teachers, parents and the community are supported and heard. Coy made many references to effective communication throughout the night, stating, “we need our parents to feel safe and secure to come to our board, to come to our teachers to express their feelings.”

It is important to Likens that the school is offering students the best opportunities possible and keeping the trade school

programs to ensure the future success of students who do not want to go to college.

Baut was adamant that the career and technical program as well as others should be kept and utilized and there should be effective communication between the school, parents and the community. Weideman would like to ensure that students are keeping up and succeeding in their respective grade level.

In the event state funding is reduced or no longer available, all candidates agreed that if a tax raise was deemed necessary, it would have to be done strategically with a lot of clear communication. Coy suggested trying to attain grants and Weideman said letters should be written to state representatives before a tax increase is considered.

Brian Weideman

Weideman stated, “we would need to continually tell people to write to their representatives telling them that our students are the next generation, we need to make sure they are ready for what is coming at them.”

In closing, the candidates stated why they were the best suited for a school board seat. Coy cited her 15 years in early childhood education, her fiscal responsibility in real estate and her grant writing experience made her a valuable asset. Likens stated that being a parent, business owner and his accessibility as a public service worker made him the best candidate.

Weideman expressed his experience with children, being a parent, social ability and experience working with data and numbers made him the best candidate. Baut stated that “best” is subjective and that he was an equal to the other candidates. “Wawasee wins either way,” he said.

Collectively, all candidates expressed that they value the involvement of the community, the quality of education children are receiving and effective communication.