<p>A pair of candidates want to make a difference in Clark-Pleasant schools by joining the school board.</p><p>David Thompson and Justin Kloer are running for one spot representing Pleasant Township on the board, and the winner will replace Curtis Harris, who is not running for reelection.</p><p>Thompson, who taught at Clark-Pleasant Middle School for 39 years, decided to throw his hat in the ring because he wanted to continue to have an impact, even in retirement, he said.</p><p>“I thought I could contribute even more. I really don’t have an agenda," Thompson said. "I’d like to see Clark-Pleasant continuing to control the COVID-19 pandemic, and I think I could do a good job representing the students and teachers.”</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]<p>Administrators at Clark-Pleasant made a wise decision, allowing parents and guardians to decide between in-person and virtual school, he said.</p><p>Thompson said he is not well versed on the redistricting process, for which hundreds of elementary school students will be moved to new schools next year as Clark-Pleasant opens Worthsville Elementary School.</p><p>“That’s interesting to see how that’s going to work,” he said.</p><p>A priority of his is making sure students are financially literate by the time they graduate high school, Thompson said in a written response.</p><p>“We need to prepare all students to be financially responsible adults,” he said.</p><p>If elected to the school board, his experience in the classroom will help him make smart decisions, he said.</p><p>“I’m experienced with the way the school system works and I’ve been involved with committees and groups that have helped determine policies,” Thompson said. “I think that would be an advantage for me.”</p><p>Those committees include the Indiana State Teachers Association and National Education Association, both of which he is a lifetime member of.</p><p>Kloer, like Thompson, is making his first run at a school board spot. He was motivated by recent events.</p><p>“The increased challenges the schools are facing, the coronavirus and parents having to adapt to teaching at home and safety in classrooms,” Kloer said of his motivation to run for school board. “(That, along with) a continued push for changes involving standardized testing and social justice, and I feel like schools are under a great deal of pressure to adapt.”</p><p>Before moving to Greenwood — within the Clark-Pleasant school district boundaries — 15 years ago, Kloer worked at Monroe County schools, serving as a substitute teacher and a paraprofessional educator.</p><p>A decrease in standardized testing would benefit students, Kloer said.</p><p>“I would like to see less emphasis on standardized testing. There’s been lost ground on instruction. I’d like less interference in the classroom for teachers,” Kloer said. </p><p>Standardized testing decisions are made by state lawmakers and education officials. </p><p>Having schools open, with the option for parents and guardians to keep their children virtual, is the optimal strategy, Kloer said.</p><p>“I want to see the schools open. I know ultimately, a lot of families can’t give children the same quality of education at home. There’s a lot of questions about what’s safe and not safe. I’m in favor of reopening as safely as possible," he said. "It needs to be parents’ and families’ choice to go electronic or in a school setting. If they’re at home, I want to see the school district do everything possible to make sure parents are successful.”</p><p>Kloer also supported the decision by voters and school officials to raise taxes in a referendum to fund the Clark-Pleasant Police Department, which opened last year. </p><p>“I am absolutely in favor of it,” he said. “I would rather be in a position where we don’t have to ask ourselves if we’ve done enough for children.”</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="The Thompson File" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>Name: David Thompson</p><p>Residence: Whiteland</p><p>Family: Wife, Susan; two children</p><p>Occupation: Retired teacher</p><p>Educational background: Kokomo High School; Indiana State University for bachelor’s and master’s degrees</p><p>Political experience: None</p>[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title="The Kloer file" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>Name: Justin Kloer</p><p>Residence: Greenwood</p><p>Family: Wife, Inna</p><p>Occupation: Integrations and data manager</p><p>Educational background: The Indiana Academy; Indiana University; University of Indianapolis</p><p>Past political experience: incoming precinct committeeperson; 2019 candidate for Greenwood City Council</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
