Candidates' Web Sites & Positions

The Kernan Shepard report, "Streamlining Local Government: We've Got To Stop Governing Like This," contains 27 recommendations, four of which pertain to education and are as follows:

Recommendation #11: Reorganize school districts to achieve a minimum student population of 2,000. Establish state standards and a county-based planning process similar to that established in 1959 legislation.

Recommendation #12: Require that school corporation bonds be approved by the fiscal body of the municipal or county government containing the greatest proportion of assessed value in the school district.

Recommendation #13: Prompt joint purchasing by schools.

Recommendation #14: Conduct all non-partisan school elections during November in even years.

Recommendation #18: Reorganize library systems by county and provide permanent library service for all citizens.

It can be expected that the 2009 General Assembly will be considering many if not all of the 27 recommendations. Where do the candidates, both for the General Assembly and Governorship, stand on these recommendations? Below are the web sites for candidates who represent Caston School Corporation as well as positions they have taken on some issues.

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Mitch Daniels, Governor
On July 12, 2008 the following was submitted electronically to Governor Daniels by this web site's administrator:

First I want to thank you for your leadership of the last several years. You have been willing to focus on some of our most critical problems and put forth some creative solutions while at the same time taking some political risks in doing so. I admire that!

I have heard on several occasions in past months that if re-elected you will be focusing on education. Then yesterday Brian Howey reported that your campaign manager, Eric Holcomb, stated that education will be the centerpiece of your next term if elected. Howey also stated that when details were requested Holcomb and others deferred to you.

I’m very interested in knowing more what you have in mind as it regards education and the next four years. Howey refers to you as the architect of what goes on in your administration. That seems as it should be. With that in mind I’m interested in your “blueprints” as it regards education and the next four years.

After receiving no response the following was sent to the Governor by U.S. Mail on July 23:

Summer is a busy time with vacations, upcoming elections, etc. and I know it can be challenging to respond to correspondence. Several days ago I emailed the enclosed letter to you. Since I have not received a response I just thought I would send this reminder of my interest in what you have in mind for education during the next four years.

I look forward to hearing from you.

As of Aug. 9 a response to the above has not been received.

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Andy Horning, Governor
On August 9, 2008 the following was submitted to Andy: "What are your thoughts and positions on the recommendations in "Streamlining Local Government: We've Got To Stop Governing Like This?" I'm particularly interested in Recommendations #11-14 pertaining to education." About 30 minutes after this was sent the following was received:

"Well, how did "school consolidation" from the 50's-70's work out? Did we see cost savings? ...Or did we see out-of-control spending on new, political, vote-getting priorities like college-campus-sized schools in rich areas, dumps in poor areas, sports programs that became farm-teams for the pros, and lousy education at Carl Sagan-boggling prices?"
Leaders always tell us that it's a good idea to funnel more and more power into fewer and fewer hands. I wish we'd stop believing them. I confess that the appointment and conclusions of the "Blue Ribbon Commission" (i.e. Kernan Shepard) were what tipped me over the edge into the decision to run for Governor. That said, I should address the specifics:
#11. We have consolidated too much, which makes accountability and transparency much tougher to achieve. It's already the case that schools and parents are too deeply separated by impenetrable bureaucracy and distance. Schools were better before 1959.
#12. I say we do the constitution instead! Read Article 8. I'm attaching a copy of the (Indiana) [C]onstitution.
#13. This was the idea behind a lot of the nonsense we now endure, like the Textbook Commission. This takes away local assessment of needs and teacher assessment of curricula, which I abhor. Let teachers teach. If we do the constitution, we'll save gobs of money without scrimping on what's important.
#14. Nothing will make voters vote better, I'm afraid, until we're smacked upside the head; and probably then only when it's too late. And I fear that the Biomass Theory of Democracy, while not unconstitutional, is deeply flawed. If we're trying to lure more people into the voting booth, including a lot of people who apparently don't care enough to drag themselves into a voting booth for the purpose of their own kids' education, I think we'll be disappointed by the results. More votes doesn't mean better-informed votes!"
I’ve always opposed property tax, and I lead the property tax protests that started in the spring and summer of 2007. (copied from web site)
I’d love to road trip all of Indiana. I’d love the cotton candy, the posing with farmers, the shaking hands with inner-city-kids and all that. But what in the world is this all about, really? What does it have to do with governing government?

...Ask candidates what they intend to do, what they intend to leave alone, and who’s going to pay for it. Judge us by that sort of basic, common-sense questioning... (copied from web site)

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Jill Long Thompson, Governor
On July 31, 2008 the following was submitted to Jill: "What are your thoughts and positions on the recommendations in "Streamlining Local Government: We've Got To Stop Governing Like This?" I'm particularly interested in Recommendations #11-14 pertaining to education." As of Aug. 9 a response has not been received.

"Place a stronger emphasis on 21st century vocational education to ensure Indiana students are prepared for the jobs of the future. By teaching advanced skills and providing more opportunities at the high school level to learn a trade, more of our high school students will graduate with the knowledge and skills they need to enter the workforce upon graduation and be successful." (copied from web site)
"Jill opposes privatization of the FSSA and other government services." (copied from web site)

Jill Long Thompson's Education Plan (9/4/08)

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Randy Head, State Senator, District 18

"Forcing schools to consolidate is a bad idea. In my opinion, many students get 'lost' at big schools: they don't get individual attention, are able to stay in the background in order to avoid challenging themselves to do better, and get into trouble due to lack of attention. Small schools help overcome these problems."
"I must admit that I don't know enough about school bonding in order to have an informed opinion about that recommendation."
"I do support joint purchasing as a way of reducing costs."
"I suppose holding school board elections during the general election would result in more votes being cast for school board, and that doesn't seem like a bad thing to me."

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Linda Klinck, State Senator, District 18
On August 2, 2008 the following was submitted to Linda: "You say, '...consolidating smaller schools into systems of 2,000 students or more is not necessarily the answer. As your State Senator I will work to make sure that teachers in District 18 are given the resources necessary to provide our students with the best education possible.' What is the 'answer?' What 'resources' do you have in mind? What are your thoughts and positions on the recommendations in 'Streamlining Local Government: We've Got To Stop Governing Like This?' I'm particularly interested in Recommendations #11-14 pertaining to education."

On September 17, 2008 Klinck responded to the above questions: "I am sorry that I am now just getting back to you and I will make no excuses. Regarding #11 and the consolidation of school corporations to have a minimum population of 2000.

I do not believe a simple formula like that would be an efficient way to cut costs or to streamline government. There are many things that make a school an effective learning institution and I fear that that a recommendation like that would be very harmful to many school districts.

I remember the consolidations and the death of many communities in the past and do not want to see anything like that happen again.

#12 - Bonding to be approved by county's fiscal body. At this point in time, I do not believe the county council or commissioners in most counties have the knowledge base to determine what is best for the education system, so the idea of them having the final say in bonding is a concern for me.

#13 - In a perfect world joint purchasing might be a benefit, but there are many things that need to be considered before undertaking such a requirement.

#14 - Elections being held in November instead of May has some merit, but I would have to honestly say that I would need to do more research before I could make a determination on that. I do know that many people do not want to claim a "party" and do not vote in the primary; that is a concern.

Again, I apologize for the delay in my response and if you need any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me. I guarantee you I will not make you wait so long for a response in the future."

The following are copied from her web site:

I will be very cautious about consolidating local government and schools. Many people in Indianapolis and large urban areas do not understand the challenges that face rural Indiana. Citizens in smaller communities want to make their own decisions; not have decisions imposed upon them from Indianapolis.
School funding must be stable and consistent so the students have the opportunities afforded to others. Furthermore, the tax dollars used to fund schools must be spent efficiently, but consolidating smaller schools into systems of 2000 students or more is not necessarily the answer.
I am very hesitant to support the abolishment of all property taxes without a comprehensive, detailed investigation into the impact it would have on local governments and schools.
"My real hope is that 'No Child Left Behind' gets scrapped and started over." (The Rochester Sentinel, 8/21/08)

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Bill Reutebuch, State Representative, District 16 (No web site as of 8/21/08.)
On August 9, 2008 the following was submitted to Bill: "What are your thoughts and positions on the recommendations in "Streamlining Local Government: We've Got To Stop Governing Like This?" I'm particularly interested in Recommendations #11-14 pertaining to education." (As of 8/21/08 no response received.)

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Doug Gutwein, State Representative, District 16 (No web site as of 8/21/08.)
On August 9, 2008 the following was submitted to Doug: "What are your thoughts and positions on the recommendations in "Streamlining Local Government: We've Got To Stop Governing Like This?" I'm particularly interested in Recommendations #11-14 pertaining to education." (As of 8/21/08 no response received.)

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Tony Bennett, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

"...we have to work on excessive...administrative costs..." (You Tube)
"...The Department of Education and other state agencies should work with local governments and school corporations to identify opportunities to secure products and services at discounted prices. This includes helping schools share administrative and teaching staffs across different districts..."
I believe that as teachers are the most directly responsible for the education of our children, and we must ensure that we have the highest quality teachers possible. We can do this...(by) providing extra incentives for teachers who continually produce outstanding students."

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Richard Wood, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

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Daniels Wants To Convert All Indiana High Schools To New Tech Model (retitled, Ind'pls Star, 3/11/09)
(The following was originally published March 10, 2009 by The Indianapolis Star,)

High schools may be in for big change

Daniels wants each one in state to use hands-on, high-tech model

By Andy Gammill
andy.gammill@indystar.com

Gov. Mitch Daniels wants to radically transform the way Indiana teens are taught by converting all of the state's high schools to a hands-on, high-tech approach by the time he leaves office.

But Daniels doesn't have answers yet on how to pay the estimated $500,000 per school to convert to the New Tech concept. School district officials say they're intrigued but want to see how those details work out. Indiana has about 350 public high schools.

In every class at a New Tech high school, students work in groups to solve challenges and work on projects rather than learning through lectures. A teacher may present only one or two lessons a week.

Projects are designed so that students learn specific facts or techniques on their own over the course of the projects. Grades are based on those projects as well as on presentations and evaluations of teamwork. Technology is key in all lessons.

Six schools in Indiana already have embraced New Tech, including Decatur Central High School and Tech High School in Indianapolis.

"No one knows what the ideal or perfect model for helping our kids achieve more is, but here we have something that works," Daniels said. "It's a huge step beyond what we have been doing. It's affordable, and it can be moved into schools very quickly."

The first Indiana schools to try it have only a few years under their belts, but New Tech schools in other states have been established for more than a decade.

Daniels acknowledged, however, he doesn't yet have a way to fund the $500,000 in upgrades for technology and teacher retraining at each school. He said he is looking at options. It's also unclear precisely how Daniels will push for conversion.

"I see no reason not to set as a goal it becoming as near universal as possible while I'm still in this job," said Daniels, who is two months into his second and final four-year term, which expires in 2013.

Sami Brawner, a freshman at the Decatur Township New Tech school, said the classes are great because she's not stuck sitting at a desk as a teacher drones on.

"Personally, I really like it," she said. "It's a lot more hands-on, and you get to talk to people. It's not like you're sitting there looking at a textbook."

And no one can zone out, she said, because their team's success -- and their grade -- depends on their participation.

Her geometry class has recently been spending its time designing Ferris wheels on the computer and then using them to demonstrate the concepts of tangents, diameter and radius. Her science class colonized bacteria. And she learned how to make video games.

She said she's not sure it would be a good idea to require such a school for all students. Those who aren't good with technology might struggle, she said.

School districts likely will have many questions and concerns about funding but aren't likely to reject the premise outright, said Frank Bush, director of the Indiana School Boards Association.

"I don't think you're going to find a backlash or a resistance to it," he said. "The idea is a responsible idea. As we move into the future, we're going to have a need for students to be trained and be citizens contributing with specialized skill sets."

But districts will have to decide whether the model fits their needs and look closely at the costs, Bush said.

Washington Township Schools Superintendent James Mervilde said he looks forward to hearing how Daniels would implement the change.

He said the two questions that immediately sprang to mind were how to pay for such a conversion and how it would fit into the curriculum for the 3,300 students at the district's North Central High School, Daniels' alma mater.

"It's problematic," Mervilde said. "Without having more information about how New Tech would fit into that at a place like North Central, we'd have to reserve our judgment."

Additional Facts
About New Tech

» A major emphasis is on technology, with the goal of having a computer in school for every child.

» Students work mostly in small groups to learn teamwork.

» Most class work is done through challenges; students must work through these themselves to learn the lessons.

» Classes are interdisciplinary, so English skills might be taught in math class and vice versa.

New tech schools

» Bloomington New Tech High School

» Columbus Signature Academy

» Tech High School in Indianapolis

» New Tech School of Ideas in Decatur Township

» North Daviess Junior/Senior High School

» Zebra New Tech High School in Rochester

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NEW Next Biennium State Budget Reduces Funding For Caston Schools (7/16/09)

The recently concluded Special Session of the Indiana General Assembly passed a State Budget for 2010 and 2011, that Governor Daniels has signed, that will result in reduced funding for many rural and urban schools as a result of declining student enrollment.

The table below shows Caston's ADM (average daily membership, i.e. student enrollment) and General Fund dollars provided by the State for 2009 and the estimated data for 2010 and 2011.

Caston	ADM	$ for General Fund
2009	*762.50	$5,192,994
2010	742.00	$5,189,410
2011	721.50	$5,048,329

*Kindergarten students for purposes of the State count as .5. Thus, if you have 53 kindergarten students the State equates this with an ADM of 26.50.

As shown above Caston will receive $3,584 less in 2010 than in 2009 and then in 2011 will receive $141,081 less than in 2010. Although funding is being decreased, some costs such as utilities and health insurance continue to increase. The situation is compounded by salary increases. These are only some of the increased costs that can be expected.

An excellent editorial explaining how many urban and rural schools with declining enrollments will be affected will be found here. It also explains why cutting expenditures is not always as simple as one might assume.

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"Mission Statement - Caston School Corporation is committed to providing each student with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to function as tomorrow's exceptional citizens. Teachers, administrators, staff, and the at-large community are dedicated to seeing that the students develop to their full academic, vocational, and personal potential in order that they may take pride in themselves, their accomplishments, and their school. It is our goal that each individual at Caston School Corporation will do his/her utmost to teach, assist, counsel, and encourage one another in making our school the best center for a lifetime of learning."
(Policy # 2105)