Wilson reappointed to Greencastle School Board

For the last four years, Ed Wilson has learned about the innerworks of the Greencastle School District. 

He will have another term to learn even more, as Greencastle Township Trustee Steve Butts appointed Wilson back to the school board Thursday night. Wilson and challenger Scott Bieniek were the only two candidates to be interviewed by the township board and the decision to appoint Wilson was unanimous.  

Wilson said he hoped his experience played a role in the decision. 

"I would hope so. I've had four years to do this. The first two years were kind of rocky. A lot of COVID decisions were made and not a lot of school decisions were made. The last couple years, we've worked on the buildings and teacher salaries," Wilson said. 

Wilson said it is his goal the school board will be able to work on several items in the future. 

Over the last few months, there has been a lot of discussion from parents and residents pertaining to the culture from inside the Greencastle School District, something Wilson said will always exist.

"You'll always have scrutiny and folks that are upset. This is a great country we live in where you are able to voice your concerns and dislike with things in the community. There are procedures that need to be followed when it's done. As long as those procedures are done, we can try to fix those problems. I'm open to hearing people when they have concerns," Wilson said. 

Candidates field variety of questions from Township Board

Both Wilson and Bieniek had an opportunity to make their case and fielded questions from township board members Marilyn Clearwaters, Mary Jane Monnett and Karen Ambler, as well as Butts. With the exception of a question the late start on Monday mornings, the two candidates were not asked the same questions, which ranged from if one candidate attended church, thoughts on board members not having children attend schools within the district and how concerns from parents should be addressed. 

Bieniek touched on his experiences as an attorney both in Greencastle and for Herman Cain's presidential campaign, as well as being a father with children in the Greencastle school district. 

"If I am doing my math correctly, I will have children in the Greencastle School Corporation for the next 15 years and in two years when the little one starts, I will have children in four of the five buildings. The Greencastle community is such a great one to raise a family," Bieniek said. 

Bieniek was asked his thoughts on someone being on the board that didn't have children in the schools. 

"I think it's important for boards to have a mix that represents everybody," he said. 

Bieniek said he felt it was important for the district to not hire strictly based on who looks good on paper. 

"We have to get past the idea we have to hire the best person on paper because the best person on paper may not be the right person for our school or community. What I mean by that is we want people that are going to be invested in Putnam County, have that community spirit, that want to be here and aren't using that job or that position to go somewhere else. I want people that are going to be at the basketball game on Friday nights and are going to coach youth sports because mentorship doesn't just happen in the school building, it occurs in the community," Bieniek said. 

Wilson, on the other hand, was asked how things have gone the last four years and noted it had been busy, pointing to navigating through COVID and building projects. 

As for what he would like to see improve, Wilson said there are several things. 

"There's always all kinds of things you'd like to have changed. There are communication issues within the schools we are working on. There is a lot of maintenance that needs to be done that has fallen to the wayside that we are seeing the results of that. I'd like to see us continue with teacher salaries and keeping people happy and here," Wilson said. 

Wilson touched on the new science labs that have been constructed inside Greencastle High School, stating it has been nice to see those offered.

He was asked his thoughts on students graduating high school early and if that has an impact financially on the district. 

"Or funding is based on student enrollment at a certain time of the year. We are okay there. We also offer programs like JAG to take care of that, as well. We have FFA that we are offering and we are giving students more options and support for what they want to do with their lives after high school," Wilson said.  

Late Start Monday discussed by candidates

On the topic of late starts on Monday, Bieniek said the late starts doesn't necessarily impact his family. 

"We have a lot of single parents. We have a lot of folks that work in factories in town. Crown and Heartland can't shut the line down because three or four people have to get their kids on a school bus 30 minutes later. For that reason alone, is why that has been a thorn in my side since my kids have been in school. It is a tremendous disservice to our families and children that we serve," Bieniek said. 

While late start Monday doesn't impact his family, Bieniek did admit he was not pleased with learning a study hall period is not mandatory. 

"I learned for the first time that the high school schedules Tuesday through Friday, just adds a study hall in the morning. The normal school day starts on late start Monday and there is an extra study hall Tuesday through Thursday. The guidance counselor said if you don't want to be there, don't come to school until 8:45. For four days a week, they just skip a period of class. No attendance taken, no tardies given. What are we doing? That's educational time. We are certifying that to the state that is educational time and we have guidance counselors telling parents if your kid doesn't want to come, have a driver's license and don't need a bus to get here, we will see them at 8:45. I would like to see that changed," Bieniek said. 

Wilson said he has heard both sides of the argument when it comes to the late start Monday. 

"I have mixed feelings either way. I listen to the teachers and the staff and I listen to the students and parents. I understand why they do the late Monday starts so they can have time to organize things in the schools. They also have power hours and study halls. I really like that. I understand the parent's concerns about if their students are going late on Mondays, will that cause them to be late for work or cause transportation issues. I totally understand the argument on both sides. It's a shame it causes a stress on parents. That's horrible, but I understand from a school standpoint why they do it, too," Wilson said.