CROTHERSVILLE
The Crothersville Community School Corp. board of trustees will have two new members at the start of 2021.
In the Nov. 3 general election, however, only one of the races is contested.
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Chad Ord and Jerad Sporleder are on the ballot for the District 1 seat. That’s currently held by B.J. McLain, who chose not to run for re-election.
John Riley is on the ballot for the District 4 seat, but he does not have an opponent. Dale Schmelzle, the board’s current president and District 4 representative, also didn’t seek re-election.
The Tribune recently asked the two candidates in the contested race a series of five questions. Here are their answers.
Why did you decide to run for the Crothersville school board?
Ord: The reason I decided to run is the future of our children.
Sporleder: I attend board meetings and listen to no changes being done to better the school in ways that allow the school to grow. Every meeting seems to just be the same thing. The public should not have to wait to weigh in thoughts and feelings. We are making decisions without hearing any parental thought. That said, not every issue requires that, but if it involves the kids directly, we should be hearing their voice. Also, maybe if this happened more, we wouldn’t be losing kids to other schools.
What do you think you can bring to the school board?
Ord: I feel I will bring a sound judgment and a willingness to collaborate with the other board members to resolve issues along with a sincere interest in the education of our community.
Sporleder: I am originally from Jennings County but have been a Tiger parent for nine years. I believe an outside voice can always make things better when making decisions. I have no ties to the school other than my kids. I sit on the Crothersville Youth League board and made decisions for the past five years totally volunteering my time trying to better our community through our youth to help it grow. Finally, I’m just that guy that will help do anything to better any situation. I’m just that guy that believes if I do one good thing a day, then I’ve made God proud.
What’s the most pressing issue facing the school corporation at this time, and how do you plan to address it?
Ord: To me, one of the most pressing issues right now with the school corporation is the declining enrollment. There’s an astounding number of children in this district that attends other schools for multiple reasons, and it doesn’t make sense when a school like Crothersville offers the chance for students to receive an associate degree when you graduate. I believe working together with the other board members on issues and continuing to try and find new innovative ways to improve our children’s education is best.
Sporleder: Well, with COVID, there are a lot of issues, but the most disturbing issues are needing funding for teachers and being able to keep the teachers we have. Also executive decisions being made or not discussed with the school board members. We should always try to be mindful that the school board should be involved unless an emergency arises.
What are some things you would like to see the school corporation add or change?
Ord: I would like to see things such as art, music, wood shop, foreign languages, things of that nature added back in. Not all students are involved in sports, and we need to ensure that they know they are just as important to the school as those that do play sports. I would also like to see more emphasis on career introduction for students. The free early college program that Crothersville offers is a wonderful tool for students to take advantage of, but not all students will choose that path and should be given all the options available. Crothersville does offer the C4 program for students that opt out of the early college, but I would like to see it promoted just as much so all students feel they are offered the best path for them to succeed. We also need to try and figure out how we can keep teachers at Crothersville. So many teachers have left in recent years, and we have to figure out how to keep them. We have a great staff at the school, and I’m proud to say my children attend Crothersville in large part because of them. There just aren’t enough teachers, and it puts a strain on them day in and day out. Crothersville has always had a family feel to me, and we need to ensure community involvement and to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard and taken into consideration.
Sporleder: I would like to see the school corporation properly manage what we have. If that means demand becomes in need to add teachers, courses, etc., then I’m all in. If changing the handbook to better our school corporation for the better of our children’s education, I’m all in. If adding or changing anything — and let me be clear on this — in the interest or well-being of any and all children or staff, I’m all in.
How would you help the school board be fiscally responsible with taxpayers’ money?
Ord: More checks and balances. We need to ensure as a school board that we use all the resources available to us these days to maximize the taxpayers’ money. We can’t have the mindset of “That’s how we’ve always done things” when it comes to the taxpayers’ money.
Sporleder: Well, I would hope that being an honest Christian, I will be open-minded in discussing and working with fellow school board members and corporation employees, making sure we are, as they say, getting the best bang for our buck. Never wasting money where possible, we can save when spending taxpayer money. I, too, am a taxpayer and parent of three, so spending the money is very important for all of our children’s education.
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Name: Chad Ord
Age: 40
Occupation: Production control assistant section manager at Aisin Drivetrain Inc. in Crothersville
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Name: Jerad T. Sporleder
Age: 40
Occupation: Heavy equipment operator
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