Brownstown Town Council interviewed three candidates last Wednesday during a public meeting as potential replacements for a Brownstown Central Community School Corporation’s board of trustee’ seat that will soon be vacated.

Scott Shade will leave the school board on June 30. He joined the board on Feb. 25, 2013, as a replacement for longtime board member Lawrence “Jack” Montgomery who had recently passed away. The seat is one of two representing the town of Brownstown. Those seats are appointed by the town council.

The town council will likely make a decision on a replacement at the next council meeting which is 6 p.m. Monday.

The three candidates are Gregory Hutcheson, Sharon Markel and Scott E. Butt.

Council asked each candidate a series of questions during a separate 30 minute interview.

Gregory Hutcheson:

Hutcheson graduated from Brownstown Central High School and then spent 22 years in the military in various positions. During his time in the military he traveled to more than 120 different countries and when he retired from the military, he worked for the U.S. Department of Defense as a strategic planner for six years responsible for logistics.

After leaving that position, he has worked with Duke Energy as a Construction Project Manager for the last 10 years, overseeing projects that range from $1 million to $10 million.

Why are you running for this position?

“I want to be a good solid voice for this community. I could bring good decision making to the board the experience that I have to help with question that I may have an expertise in.”

What is a major issue that you see within the district currently?

“I think we have a good school system as it is right now, but I think we can improve on the STEM. It’s a big deal for kids these days who are trying to seek a higher education and I believe we could expand upon it.”

Do you have concerns about the decrease in enrollment of 176 kids over a four-year period?

“I would have to do a deep dive into what is causing that. What is pulling our students away? Expanding the STEM and trade services could bring more students in. Long-term, I feel that with today’s current policies with the border we have a challenge that may be coming down the road that deals with immigration. Your cities that have designed themselves as sanctuary cities are flooding with immigration right now and it’s overwhelming. I think that should be a concern we should look at when we receive that trickle-down-effect down the road. If the school corporation isn’t thinking about what its going to take to sustain and educate people with English as a second language, we should starting thinking about that now.”

How would you work with others on the school board?

“I know a lot of the board members and have a great relationship with them. A working relationship I think I can fulfill very easily. If they are very set on something that I disagree with then you have to find a way to find common ground.

Is school safety a concern or something that could be improved upon?

“There is always a potential for risk and communication of those risks could be better. I bring a unique experience with my military background as far as safety goes if someone were to have questions, they could draw on my experience.”

How would you handle conflict?

“Listen to what they have to say and let them be passionate. Put myself in their shoes and then start working with the administration of what we have to do going forward. Always follow-up going forward.”

What is one unique skill set you bring?

“I bring monetary and budgetary decision making and that is a huge part of this position. I don’t want to be in a position where I am increasing cost to the public. Communication is also a skill of mine. If you are not communicating you are not going to have all the right answers or information.”

What does a successful school corporation look like?

“Its an environment where students are learning, the parents are glad to have their students attending the school and its got a sense of pride. I believe we are there, we can always be better.”

Sharon Markel:

Markel has more than 18 years of experience as an educator in the public schools systems. With a masters in administration from Oakland City University, she believes it further enhances her ability to better the school system. She has been married to her husband Drew Markel for 19 years and has three children. She taught third-grade at Crothersville Community Schools for 15 years before transferring to Scott County School District 1 to teach first grade for three years.

“As a mother and former teacher, I hold a personal stake in the success of our schools,” she said. “It’s that passion that drives me to give back to our community serving as a school board member.”

Why did you leave teaching?

“It wasn’t the sole reason I left, but I was tired with some of things teachers were dealing with and not having access to help. Hopefully, we can find some ways to get some more help for teachers because I have seen that side.”

Do you have thoughts on how to bring more kids to Brownstown with the recent decline in enrollment?

“I think a big part would be to get a better presence on social media and highlight those programs that Brownstown has. Being a Brownstown alumnus, we have an awesome culture and the community is so supportive.”

Is school safety a concern or something that could be improved upon?

“Safety is super important. I did some school shooting training through the school, and I think all that stuff is super helpful. To get some type of training for the staff would be amazing because when you are put in that situation you think you would know what to do, but sometimes you don’t.”

How would you handle conflict?

“I will listen to what their concerns are and if they are valid concerns, we will try to address them the best we can. I’ll listen even though I might not necessarily agree with you but lets talk about it and come up with a solution.”

What is something that can be done to prevent teachers from quitting?

“Speaking from my experience is to make sure they are getting some support. I had to deal with so many different ability levels in the same class so getting some support for the teachers would be great. Mental health support for teachers would also be great.”

Scott Butt:

Brownstown resident of 56 years and owner of Family Drug in Brownstown and Seymour. Butt said he had some extra time and felt like giving back.

“I feel good about the town and the community so, I want to give back,” he said.

What is one unique skill set you bring?

“I have good common sense and have made good decisions throughout my life. We use common sense at the drug store often and it can be applied at the school board.”

What is a major issue that you see within the district currently?

“I don’t have an agenda going into this. I will learn as I go and help with any knowledge I can provide with my business background.”

What does a successful school corporation look like?

“It’s making sure the kids get their education because that is what they are there for. Not for the athletics, but to learn something.”

How would you handle conflict?

“Upset people do not scare me. I will listen to everything they want to talk about and then assess the situation.”

Any thoughts on the decline in enrollment?

“Could be a number of things. I think a lot of it has to do with athletics and kids are leaving for those reasons to have more time on the court. I don’t think academics is the draw. Maybe bullying is another reason why kids are leaving.”