April 29, 2008

Southern Wells School Board

Nottingham Township School Board
Lynn C. Fiechter
2376 E. 1000 S.
Keystone, IN 46759
(260) 346-2786
Age: 45
Family: Married to Ronda for 23 years. Seven children....two have graduated from SWHS, five are currently attending. Grades K, 4,7,10,11
Occupation: Farmer
Years on School Board: 12
I consider it a privilege and blessing to have served on the Southern Wells Board for these 12 years. Creative, conservative, well-informed school board members are important, but not as important as the people that impact our students on a daily basis…the administrators, principles, teachers, all supporting staff and right down to the person who cares enough to volunteer.
If the school can continue to employ caring, moral and qualified individuals who have a love for their students and for teaching, we should be able to serve the needs of the Southern Wells community in a positive and worthwhile way.
While quality public education is very important, I believe we must always remind ourselves that the parents are the first and most important teachers a child has. Our school needs to understand that basic fact and seek to assist (not replace) the parents in this important task.

Nottingham Township School Board
Douglas T. Klefeker
814E 900S
Keystone, IN 46759
(260) 346-2177
Age: 47
Family: My family and I are members of the Southern Wells Community Church. My wife Tammy is also a 1982 graduate of Southern Wells and is employed through Adams-Wells Special Services. We have two sons Matt a senior and Brandon a freshman at Southern Wells.
I am a 1979 graduate of Southern Wells. I have lived around the Poneto area all of my life. I was employed at Sterling Casting for 1978 to 1990 as a Maintenance Millwright; also I am a full time grain and hog farmer.
I am running for the Nottingham Township seat on the Southern Wells school board. So that voters will have a choice. I also am looking forward to working with the new Superintendent.
My goals are to bring new ideas and views to the table. To welcome open communication with staff and the Southern Wells community, and to continue with the progress on the maintenance of the school.
My previous experiences are the Wells County FSA Board, 4-H Executive Board, Southern Wells Community Church Board, and past president of the Poneto Fire Department.

Jackson Township School Board
Benjamin Morton
8494W 900S-90
Warren, IN 46792
(260) 375-2073
Age: 43
Family: Spouse: Kelly Morton, secretary for Police Dept. at Taylor University. Children: Courtney (10th grade) and Brittney (7th grade), both girls are students at Southern Wells
I have lived in Jackson Twp. my whole life. I attended and graduated from Southern Wells Schools. I am an E.M.T. for the Lutheran Hospital’s Critical Care Transport Team. I graduated from Taylor University, Upland, with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree. I have farmed alongside my father for over 30 years. I come from a family of educators and believe I can help serve my community by serving on the board.
I am running for school board because I have appreciated what the school system has done for me throughout my years there and for the quality education my two daughters are receiving from Southern Wells. I want to be able to give back to the S. Wells Community by trying to ensure this great quality education continues.
The most important duty in this office is to continue with providing our youth with all the learning opportunity possible and do this by continuing to hire great teachers, maintaining the quality curriculum and offering or student opportunities to grow and become successful after they leave Southern Wells Schools.

Jackson Township School Board
Michael L. Piqune
6060 W 625 S-90
Warren, IN 46792
(260) 375-3372
Age: 44
Family: Shelly (wife), Stacy 19, Samantha 16.
We have lived in Jackson Twp. for 20 years. I was born and raised in Jackson Twp. my entire life. I am a service technician for Mac Allister Machinery in Fort Wayne. I have been employed there for 23 years, six of those years as a Service Manager. I attended Northwestern Business College in Lima, Ohio. Graduated with an associates degree in Auto/Diesel Technology.
When I entered the race for school board, there were no other candidates. I just felt someone needed to step-up and represent the township. I feel my experience in management will be very helpful when conducting business at the board meetings.
I feel the major responsibility of the school board is to manage the resources we are given by the State and local government. Balancing the needs of the school system with those resources. Also we need to continue to improve the quality of the education our students receive, to better equip them for life after high school.
My only goal if elected, is to serve the Southern Wells School System and taxpayers to the best of my ability.