It’s been a tough year at Monroe County Community School Corp. – MCCSC is facing dozens of looming decisions, only a handful of candidates are running for the school board.  The absence of competition is surprising, despite the significant issues at stake.

Board’s Recent Challenges and Controversies

Over the past year, the MCCSC board has encountered several challenges. These includes:

• Facing backlash over a proposed high school schedule realignment
• Receiving criticism for not adequately explaining a plan to raise funds for early childhood education
• Dealing with issues related to no-bid contracts and electric buses and being called out for lack of public discussion and transparency in decision-making processes.

Additionally, the board faced scrutiny for a quick decision to buy out former Superintendent Jeff Hauswald’s contract for $229,000 in a meeting that lasted only 48 seconds, which was heavily criticized for its lack of transparency.

Current Board Members and Candidates

Four of the seven MCCSC school board seats are up for election this year. Three current board members — Erin Cooperman (District 5), Ross Grimes (District 6), and April Hennessey (District 2) — are seeking re-election, while Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer (District 4) is not running. Tiana Williams Iruoje, an Indiana University graduate with three children in MCCSC, is running unopposed to succeed Fuentes-Rohwer.

Candidate Profiles

– District 2: April Hennessey: Hennessey has not provided a statement regarding her re-election campaign.

– District 4: Tiana Williams Iruoje: Iruoje is the director of student engagement and success at Indiana University and has been involved in MCCSC schools since her children began attending. She aims to ensure innovative teaching approaches and equitable access to quality education for all students.

– District 5: Erin Cooperman: Cooperman, the current vice president of the MCCSC board, is a lecturer at the IU School of Public Health. She seeks another term to continue working towards equity and completing the goals set in the equity-focused strategic plan adopted in 2021.

– District 6: Ross Grimes: Grimes, who works in automotive software, has been involved with MCCSC since 2007. He aims to address issues like balancing the socioeconomic status of students and the impact of new housing developments on school enrollment.

Lack of Competition and Public Interest

The lack of competition in the school board election is surprising given the high-profile issues MCCSC has faced. Terry Spradlin, executive director of the Indiana School Boards Association, noted the absence of challengers for incumbents despite significant ongoing decisions, such as the search for a new superintendent.

Keri Miksza, chair of the Bloomington-based Indiana Coalition for Public Education, echoed this sentiment, finding it “odd” that more people are not running, especially considering last year’s issues. Serving on a school board is often seen as a thankless job, requiring significant time and effort with little pay and frequent public criticism.

Election and Voting Details

• Seats Up for Election: Four seats in districts 2, 4, 5, and 6.
• Term Length: Four years.
• Voting Eligibility: All registered voters in the MCCSC district can vote for candidates in each district.
• Nonpartisan Elections: Candidates do not run on a party ticket.

Future Outlook and Importance of School Boards

School boards govern districts on a broad level, selecting superintendents, approving budgets, setting goals, and overseeing physical assets. The importance of these roles cannot be overstated, as they make critical decisions about the education, safety, and well-being of future generations.

Spradlin emphasized the significance of serving on a school board, despite the challenges: “The duty is quite significant. Very little is more important.” This sentiment highlights the crucial role school boards play in shaping the future of education and community welfare.

As the MCCSC prepares for upcoming changes and challenges, the newly elected board members will need to navigate complex issues and ensure that the district continues to provide high-quality education for all students.

Conclusion

The lack of competition in the MCCSC school board elections is surprising, given the significant challenges and decisions ahead. However, the dedication of the current candidates, both incumbents and newcomer Iruoje, highlights their commitment to addressing these issues and ensuring the best possible education for all students in the district. Despite the controversies and criticisms, the upcoming election is a crucial moment for the future of MCCSC and its community.