Meet the Candidate: Katie Ernst, Tipp City Board of Education
Vol. III, No. 144 - A Write-In Candidate talks about the Tipp City Schools
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As our publication continues to highlight candidates running for public office here in Miami County, we look to Tipp City and meet Katie Ernst, who is making a bid to be on the Tipp City Board of Education.
The Tipp City School Board race is one that will be interesting to watch how it develops on election night. This November’s election is for three seats, but only one name will be on the ballot, there are three individuals working to get elected as write-in candidates. A safe assumption is that the top two write-in candidates will get elected to the Board of Education.
One of those three write-in candidates is Katie Ernst. Katie took the time to answer the questions we gave her. Here are her unedited responses:
What inspired you to run for school board and, how do you believe your background and experience make you a strong candidate?
Ten years ago, my husband and I moved our young family to Tipp City due to the excellent schools and walkable small town. I was inspired to run for school board when I learned that only one candidate and neither incumbent would be on the ballot. I was surprised to learn that write in candidates must file with the Board of Elections to be eligible. Over the past few years, I’ve watched how the school board can influence the district and our community. I was worried that the positive momentum of our current board might be disrupted. This concern motivated me to file as a write in candidate.
I bring two decades of leadership in professional and volunteer settings, including prior service on multiple church and non-profit boards. My experience in the military taught me the power of listening, problem solving under pressure with limited information, and the critical importance of communicating effectively. I intend to serve on the Board, with an understanding of the responsibilities and a respect for limits of my authority. My volunteer experiences on the boards of my previous churches as well as with Tippecanoe Educational Endowment serve me in understanding the role of a board member within the infrastructure of an organization.
I bring my experience as a parent in each of the buildings in our district over the past 10 years and my service volunteering with children of all abilities. I’ve served as a Destination Imagination manager/coach, science fair judge and mentor, and classroom volunteer. I support Tippecanoe athletics, specifically the cross country teams. I also serve as event staff for Miamibuc’s “I Can” Tri-athlon, an adaptive triathlon for Miami county children with disabilities. I believe in the value of a strong public school system and its ability to provide all students with enriching educational experiences in and out of the classroom, preparing those students for life and the workforce.
What is your vision for Tipp’s future and how do you plan to achieve it?
The future of Tipp City’s community is intertwined with the success of its schools. I envision students learning in the new modern, safe, and temperature-controlled PreK-8 school building on the Hyatt campus. The district’s workforce of excellent educators and staff are providing engaging and enriching experiences that prepare our children for the workforce. The new facilities and the continued educational excellence open opportunities for our current residents and attract new residents and businesses to our community. In this vision, the school board provides positive oversight and accountability for tax payers and the community. I plan to achieve this vision by working cooperatively with other school board members and the superintendent to address the district’s needs with timely, respectful problem-solving.
What do you see as the most pressing issues facing the school district today, and how would you address them?
I see three pressing issues facing the school district. The first is the construction of the PreK-8 building. I support frequent communication regarding the building features, schedule, financial accountability, and site transition updates as the project continues. Parents, students, members of the surrounding neighborhood, and community members should be supported with timely updates about the project.
The second issue is ensuring that the district continues to provide excellent education throughout this period of potential disruption caused by the construction. I would address this by not getting sidetracked by topics or concerns that might distract the attention of the board.
The third is providing oversight for the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Tipp City Schools. Our district is an early adopter of AI through the AI Academy. In my work as an engineer, I work closely with AI developers to understand the strengths and limitations of different AI approaches. I would address this by working with our superintendent to stay informed about AI use and initiatives in the district and the influence of AI on measures of student success.
What are some of the issues that you see coming to the school district’s future? How can these issues be addressed now?
A key issue that I see coming in the district’s future is the potential for changes to property taxes and funding of our schools. Funded through property taxes, our local community provides the majority of tax dollars that support the district’s operating costs. Recent moves by the Ohio state legislature indicate that changes may be coming to the school funding model. The school board will need to understand changes to funding in order to address and ensure the short and long-term financial stability of our district.
What are the leadership qualities that you believe make you unique and will make you a positive member of the School board?
I have a calm professionalism that contributes to the teamwork of an organization. I’ve worked in a variety of settings, from a fast-paced military operations center to organizing parent and church volunteers. Depending on the setting, I adapt my communication and leadership style to the group to make sure that people feel valued and heard as the organizational mission is accomplished. I am a person of honesty and integrity. As a project manager in military and civilian work settings, I’ve been trusted to manage millions of dollars and provide accountability for the funding and the work that it produces.
If you were awarded a $1 Million grant for Tipp Schools, how would you allocate the funds to address the city’s most pressing needs?
If I were awarded $1 million, I would ask for the district to stand up a committee to identify initiatives, both short and long term, that address student success. My hope is that administrators, educators, and families would work together to find and address underserved needs in our district. I also hope that the funds would be used not just to create short term interventions, but enable solutions that endure after the grant funds are spent.
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