With early voting already started and the general election on Nov. 5, contested school board candidates were asked to respond to four questions.
Today’s responses are from Warsaw School Board candidates Randy Polston and Emerson Poort.
1. What is your background and why do you think you will be a good fit for the Warsaw School Board?
Poort: First and foremost, I am a parent of children currently enrolled in the Warsaw Community Schools system. While I respect the experiences and contributions of all candidates, I believe that first-hand involvement in our schools is critical for understanding the day-to-day realities faced by families and students. This allows for informed decisions that reflect the needs of our community.
I am 45 years old, was born and raised in Warsaw graduating from WCHS in 1998. I graduated from The Miller College of Business at Ball State University with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 2003.
After college, I began working in risk management for an independent insurance agency and have now been in the business for 21+ years. I am a partner with the Agency having specialized in high-risk, high-hazard commercial property in South Florida along with general commercial and personal insurance locally and throughout the country.
I believe I will be a good fit for the board:
-Due to my extensive background in risk management, which includes important skills such as the ability to negotiate contracts, problem solving to find the most economical and comprehensive solution and the ability to work cohesively with others to meet the objectives of the company.
I have two children in the school system which is critically important. It is often very easy to make difficult decisions that only affect others; “do as I say, not as I do.” During Covid, this is exactly what my opponent did. When a board member has vested interest, you then will have the ability to properly evaluate the advantages/disadvantages while taking all other factors into consideration to make the appropriate decision/policy based on a well-rounded decision-making process.
Polston: I have been an elementary teacher for nine years, an elementary principal for 25 years and served on our school board for 12 years. I have been blessed to serve our students and staff for 46 years. During my time in these roles, I worked directly with students, families and staff, addressing challenges and supporting educational success. I love our schools, teachers, staff and community. I was a parent of two children that grew up and graduated in our school system and now a grandparent of two grandkids in our system. I understand what is going on in our schools.

    Randy Polston
  

Additionally, as the former executive director of Combined Community Services (CCS) I collaborated with community organizations to provide vital resources to those in need. This dual background in education and community service uniquely positions me to contribute to the School Board. My goal is to foster collaboration and ensure our schools provide a supportive environment for students, teachers and families.
2. What do you think the purpose of the school board should be?
Poort: The Warsaw Community Schools mission statement is to inspire and equip all students which is illustrated by my campaign principles which are: educate, protect and serve our children.
Educate: Education is a key component in every child’s life. It is imperative for the school system to provide all necessary tools to ensure each student is given an opportunity to succeed.
Protect: The School System must be very diligent and pro-active in the various areas of protection because protection encompasses many important areas which include;
Protection from themselves, students, parents/family – physical and psychological, exterior threats (hardening all infrastructure), political and societal threats/influences.
Serve: Serving our students through our teachers, substitute teachers, coaches, librarians, faculty, administration, parents/family, transportation, food service, custodians, volunteers, school resource officers (SROs).
The school system must provide the most competitive compensation and benefit package to ensure the school system is an attractive option for new teachers while also focusing on teacher retention. Further, that this compensation and benefit package extends to all school employees/faculty, from top to bottom. We are only as strong as the individuals who are part of the school system therefore it is vitally important that the Warsaw School Corporation provides the proper incentive package to everyone.
Polston: The primary purpose of the school board should be to work closely with Dr. Hoffert to provide direction and support to ensure that our schools are offering a high-quality education to all students. This involves setting clear policies, overseeing the district’s budget and making informed decisions that align with the community’s values and educational goals.
The school board should also act as a bridge between the community and the school district, fostering open communication and transparency. Ultimately, our goal should be to create an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We need to work together preparing them for success beyond their school years, preparing them for their future goals and career goals.
3. What do you think the school corporation has done well or poorly in the last five years?

    Emerson Poort
  

Poort: The School Corporation has done well in the following:
Opportunities – The school corporation has given the students a lot of different opportunities. Just recently the school corporation hosted an Empowering Women Through Careers Workship (N.E.W. – Nontraditional Employment for Women). This workshop empowers the women who attended. Further, the Dual Language Immersion concentration is an excellent opportunity for the students.
Orthopedic/Med-Tech Industry – Continuing a strong partnership with the Orthopedic/Med-Tech industry is critically important because this industry has a diversified workforce which aligns with the interest of many students.
The school corporation poorly managed the following:
Covid – It is my belief that although this was a difficult time, that there could be been more of a common-sense approach. Mr. Polston voted for masks which did not represent the majority of our district nor did it align with common sense principles. Other school systems were able to navigate through the Covid time without a mask mandate and this alone was a catastrophic failure on his part. To this day, my daughter, who was diagnosed with selective mutism, is still traumatized about the time when she was forced to wear a mask and “couldn’t breathe” but lacked the ability to speak out. She is one of many children within the community who struggled every day with the mask mandate which was forced upon them. One of the most important responsibilities is to protect our children, the students. This frustrates me even more knowing that my opponent has been in the education system for a majority of his life but yet failed the children of our community during one of the most trying times in their lives. It is time for new a leader, one that will lead by example.
Polston: In the last five years, I believe the school corporation has done a great job in its efforts to provide innovative learning opportunities, maintain a high standard of education and continued our relationships with our local police department and sheriff’s department. I have served on our county’s School Safety Committee to build our plans to be proactive.
There have been significant advancements in integrating technology into the classroom which has enhanced both teaching and learning experiences.
We’ve made important strides in supporting mental health and ensuring resources are allocated across the district. Moving forward, I believe we should build on these efforts by continuing to enhance mental health resources for students and staff and ensure that funding is equitably distributed to all schools in the district.
4. If elected to the board, are there any issues you would like the school board to work on?
Poort: Education – It is imperative for the school board to evolve and grow to ensure that the students are able to achieve success with best and most up to date resources/opportunities.
Employee Compensation and Benefits – Maintaining a competitive edge is the foundation to a successful school corporation therefore the school board must explore all options to ensure that all employees are properly compensated. Further, I would like to acknowledge that many faculty have other jobs (a second or third job). Therefore it is my intention, if elected, to compile, maintain and then periodically update the other jobs of the faculty. This information can then be used as a referral source which will further support all employees of the school corporation. The community can then hire our teachers/staff/faculty to further support them.
Food Service – The school corporation must provide quality, nutritious and locally-sourced food.
Political and societal threats/influences – In today’s world, outside interference can cloud the judgement of students/faculty which deflects from the corporate mission therefore it is imperative to understand and manage these issues so they are not a deterrent in learning and educating.
I invite community members to join me in this mission to prioritize the well-being and education of all students in Warsaw. I look forward to engaging with residents, listening to their concerns, and building a brighter future for the next generation. For more information about me you can visit the Emerson Poort for Warsaw School Board, District 4 page at www.VotePoort.com
Polston: Advancing safety and mental health support will continue to be a top priority. It’s essential that students have access to the resources and services they need to navigate challenges both inside and outside the classroom. I also plan to continue collaborating with the School Safety Team. Part of this commitment is regularly reviewing and updating safety plans to maintain a secure environment for students and staff. Additionally, I’m committed to the continuous assessment of school facilities. Safe and secure buildings ensure that students feel supported and ready to learn.