Adams, Sauders seek district 4 seat
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
The two candidates are vying for the seat on the Warsaw Community School Corp. Board of School Trustees in Tuesday's election.
The candidates had the opportunity to speak during a "Meet the Candidates" forum at Lakeview Middle School.[[In-content Ad]]Adams, Winona Lake, is seeking the seat for the first time.
Sauders, Warsaw, is finishing a four-year term on the board that began in 2005 and previously served on the board from 1993-2002.
The candidates answered three questions submitted by the Warsaw Community Education Association, the American Association of University Women and the Times-Union.
Adams has a background of 31 years in public education as a teacher and administrator in six school corporations, along with service of 16 years in the Indiana General Assembly.
Adams served as a former chief financial officer in three major school corporations, including Warsaw, and serves as Kosciusko County treasurer and as a former state senator.
Sauders is a recently retired public school teacher with 36 years experience and served two years as principal at Silver Lake. He currently teaches at Grace College and Ball State University.
Question 1:
Sauders said to ensure that excellent teachers and administrators are teaching all students a rigorous curriculum, it is important to give teachers a performance-based evaluation so they know what they are doing wrong and know what is expected of them.
"Warsaw is too good of a school system to have mediocre teachers," Sauders said.
Adams said goals and standards should be set high, staff should be properly licensed and an ongoing evaluation must be in place for all personnel including administrators and staff.
"Board responsibility is to set policy. I would not be comfortable to micro-manage in the area of personnel," Adams said.
Question 2:
Adams said his priority is addressing classroom educational needs with simple building plans that meet basic needs such as heating, cooling, lighting, technology and safety.
"In my experience I have not found that beyond a given degree facilities contribute to a better learning environment," Adams said.
He said it is the quality of staff and what is being taught within the classroom that is paramount and that is the strength of a school and education.
Sauders said he would prioritize spending by making sure all Warsaw students have an up-to-date building to study in so they don't have to study in hallways, closets and locker rooms.
"I really think we need more than a pole barn with heating, cooling and air conditioning to teach our children," Sauders said.
Question 3:
Sauders said cutting $6 million from the budget would be difficult, but possible.
He said by delaying some of the capital projects the school could save $3 million, and money also could be saved by delaying bus replacement.
"To save $6 million you would have to work with all the administrators, department heads and parent-teacher organizations," Sauders said.
The last thing cut would be teachers, teacher aides and programs that benefit students, according to Sauders.
Adams said the 2009 budget is to be in place and set prior to if he is elected on the board.
"It is my feeling reductions are forthcoming and will need to be addressed," Adams said.
He said he is prepared to seek input from working with local and state officials
"I've had 22 years of hands-on experience and a proven track record as a chief financial officer in the construction and administration of multi-million dollar budgets," Adams said.
The candidates had the opportunity to make closing statements.
"Trust and confidence takes time to build and it can be destroyed in a moment," Adams said.
Communication is how trust is built, and he said that can be achieved through the board, administration, staff and the community.
Sauders said he has faith the board will make right decisions whether he is re-elected to serve or not.
"I'm here for one purpose and that's to serve the community, and I am happy with my record," Sauders said.
The two candidates are vying for the seat on the Warsaw Community School Corp. Board of School Trustees in Tuesday's election.
The candidates had the opportunity to speak during a "Meet the Candidates" forum at Lakeview Middle School.[[In-content Ad]]Adams, Winona Lake, is seeking the seat for the first time.
Sauders, Warsaw, is finishing a four-year term on the board that began in 2005 and previously served on the board from 1993-2002.
The candidates answered three questions submitted by the Warsaw Community Education Association, the American Association of University Women and the Times-Union.
Adams has a background of 31 years in public education as a teacher and administrator in six school corporations, along with service of 16 years in the Indiana General Assembly.
Adams served as a former chief financial officer in three major school corporations, including Warsaw, and serves as Kosciusko County treasurer and as a former state senator.
Sauders is a recently retired public school teacher with 36 years experience and served two years as principal at Silver Lake. He currently teaches at Grace College and Ball State University.
Question 1:
Sauders said to ensure that excellent teachers and administrators are teaching all students a rigorous curriculum, it is important to give teachers a performance-based evaluation so they know what they are doing wrong and know what is expected of them.
"Warsaw is too good of a school system to have mediocre teachers," Sauders said.
Adams said goals and standards should be set high, staff should be properly licensed and an ongoing evaluation must be in place for all personnel including administrators and staff.
"Board responsibility is to set policy. I would not be comfortable to micro-manage in the area of personnel," Adams said.
Question 2:
Adams said his priority is addressing classroom educational needs with simple building plans that meet basic needs such as heating, cooling, lighting, technology and safety.
"In my experience I have not found that beyond a given degree facilities contribute to a better learning environment," Adams said.
He said it is the quality of staff and what is being taught within the classroom that is paramount and that is the strength of a school and education.
Sauders said he would prioritize spending by making sure all Warsaw students have an up-to-date building to study in so they don't have to study in hallways, closets and locker rooms.
"I really think we need more than a pole barn with heating, cooling and air conditioning to teach our children," Sauders said.
Question 3:
Sauders said cutting $6 million from the budget would be difficult, but possible.
He said by delaying some of the capital projects the school could save $3 million, and money also could be saved by delaying bus replacement.
"To save $6 million you would have to work with all the administrators, department heads and parent-teacher organizations," Sauders said.
The last thing cut would be teachers, teacher aides and programs that benefit students, according to Sauders.
Adams said the 2009 budget is to be in place and set prior to if he is elected on the board.
"It is my feeling reductions are forthcoming and will need to be addressed," Adams said.
He said he is prepared to seek input from working with local and state officials
"I've had 22 years of hands-on experience and a proven track record as a chief financial officer in the construction and administration of multi-million dollar budgets," Adams said.
The candidates had the opportunity to make closing statements.
"Trust and confidence takes time to build and it can be destroyed in a moment," Adams said.
Communication is how trust is built, and he said that can be achieved through the board, administration, staff and the community.
Sauders said he has faith the board will make right decisions whether he is re-elected to serve or not.
"I'm here for one purpose and that's to serve the community, and I am happy with my record," Sauders said.
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