FORTVILLE – Three incumbents and two newcomers are vying for three at-large seats on the Mt. Vernon school board.
Meghan Britt, Phil Edwards and Chad Gray are all running to retain their seats, while newcomers Jamie Kalb and Stacy Nielsen are looking to bring fresh faces to the board.
Edwards and Gray joined the board in 2020, while Britt was caucused in during the 2023-24 school year.
Following is a look at each candidate:
MEGHAN BRITT
Meghan Britt joined the school board last school year following an application and interview process to fill a seat when a previous board member stepped down.
“With my children attending our schools, my husband coaching, and our family deeply rooted in this community, I am fully invested in the well-being and success of this district,” she shared.
“Over the past year, I’ve learned so much in my role on the school board, and while there’s still more to learn, I’ve truly enjoyed the experience … It takes time to get up to speed and fully understand the responsibilities, but I’m eager to continue serving in this role and build upon the work we’ve started.”
As far as her time so far on the board, Britt said she is most proud of taking part in the grand opening of the district’s new transportation center, yet she’s also excited about the upcoming completion of the new Fortville Elementary School, which opens next school year.
“The fact that these projects are ahead of schedule and under budget is something we’re all incredibly proud of, as it’s almost unheard of in large-scale projects like these,” said Britt, who is also excited about the progress toward opening Amplify Hancock, the county’s future vocational school.
Britt said among the school board’s biggest challenges is anticipating and responding to rapid growth while maintaining the district’s unique appeal.
“Our small-town, family-centered community is something we all cherish, and as our district expands, we need to strike a careful balance between embracing growth and preserving that close-knit feel,” she shared.
“As we grow, we also must ensure that we continue to offer the best opportunities for our students while retaining and attracting top-tier staff. This will need careful planning in terms of facilities and resources, as well as providing an environment where our teachers and staff feel valued and supported,” said Britt.
“Lastly, we need to ensure that we’re creating new opportunities that prepare our students for success, whether they plan to attend college or pursue a vocational career.”
Britt said her goals for the next four years would be to focus on fostering growth, enhancing educational opportunities and building stronger community connections.
PHIL EDWARDS
Phil Edwards is seeking his second term on the school board.
“In serving on the school board the last four years I have been able to see the Mount Vernon School Corporation from the inside out, and it is a well-oiled machine,” said Edwards, heaping praise on the administrators, principals, vice principals and teachers.
“This is a great team,” he said.
He feels the district lives up to its mission to “engage, educate and empower today’s students to seize tomorrow’s opportunities,” and said “I want to continue to be a part of a team that does that.”
Among his proudest accomplishments as a school board member is passing of the referendum that allowed for building the district’s new elementary school.
“That has been an interesting process to go through from the ground up. Many decisions had to be made, and I am happy and blessed to be a part of the team that will produce a top-notch building for education, learning and relationships,” said Edwards.
He sees continued growth as one of the biggest issues facing the school district.
“As more housing is being developed, we will need more space in our schools and perhaps additional schools. It is the desire of (the corporation) for every student to get a quality education and to feel safe and secure while they are at school. The administrative team has taken great measures in assuring that happens,” he said.
Edwards said his goals remain the same as they were the first time he ran for a school board seat four years ago — to encourage and support the corporation as well as the families that send their kids there.
“I will strive to be authentic, community driven and transparent,” he shared.
CHAD GRAY
Chad Gray was also elected to the Mt. Vernon School board in 2019, and is seeking his second term.
“The school district has made a lot of progress during the last four years and I want to continue the momentum over the next four years,” he said. “I believe that we have supported staff and students well and I want to continue to be a part of that moving forward.”
Gray said the district has made great strides in academic programming and behavioral supports for students, and passing a referendum has allowed for far more competitive wages for staff as well as additional staff to support students.
“We have improved our salary and benefits for teachers which has improved our teacher retention rate,” shared Gray. “With the upcoming opening of the new Fortville Elementary School, we have positioned ourselves to allow room for continued growth in our enrollment.”
He sees managing growth as the biggest issue facing the school district.
“As a rapidly growing district, it is a challenge to make sure that we are making plans to accommodate the growth but not acting prematurely and putting ourselves at financial risk. Additionally, continuing to adapt to changes in state funding initiatives is always a challenge,” he shared.
If re-elected, his main goal would be to see the school district’s new strategic plan executed successfully.
“I believe it is our responsibility to leave things in a position for our successors to succeed,” he said. “I believe that we have done that well in the last four years and I look forward to continuing the process for the next four years.”
JAMIE KALB
Jamie Kalb is running her first political race this year, but said she has spent 15 years in education as an award-winning teacher.
“Education is still a passion of mine. I often find myself talking with neighbors and friends about school and the challenges they face,” said Kalb, a local small business owner.
“These conversations have demonstrated that while I’m not in the classroom, I’m not done with education. After numerous discussions with my husband, his encouragement has helped me to step out of my comfort zone and run for school board,” she said.
While she feels the school district “has done an excellent job maintaining its small-town feel and demonstrating a strong commitment to our students,” she wants to help the school board navigate the continued growth ahead.
“With the rapid growth our community has experienced, we face new challenges ahead. We must strive to preserve that small-town atmosphere while adapting to our expanding population,” said Kalb.
“We must find ways to provide our students with diverse career development and post-high school opportunities while facing budget challenges. By working together, we can create pathways that prepare our students for success in their future endeavors.”
Kalb said he biggest goal is to help provide high-quality education for all students.
“I envision a district where every student has access to the resources and support, they need to thrive academically and personally. By fostering an environment that encourages learning, creativity and critical thinking, we can empower our students to become engaged and responsible citizens who positively contribute to our community and society as a whole,” she said.
“My aspirations focus on ensuring that our students are well-prepared for their futures, equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing world. Ultimately, this commitment to excellence in education will benefit not only our students but also our community, as we cultivate the next generation of leaders and innovators.”
STACY NIELSEN
Stacy Nielsen is also seeking her first political office.
She currently serves as Director of Administration and Deputy Trustee for Vernon Township, which is an appointed position.
Nielsen said she was motivated to run for school board by her deep love for the community.
“In 2019, our family made the transition to Mt. Vernon schools from (Hamilton Southeastern) schools, seeking a smaller, academically rigorous and welcoming community where our three children could thrive and our family could be actively involved,” she said.
“We found exactly what we were looking for, and more. Mt. Vernon schools represent an incredible community of families, teachers, staff, coaches and administrators dedicated to the well-being and success of every student,” Nielsen shared.
With the district facing tremendous growth, she said she was inspired to run for a school board seat to positively impact the future of the district for both current and future families.
“In my role with the township, I have gained valuable experience in financial oversight, budget development, human resources and policy creation,” said Nielsen, who played a role in the bonding and construction of the new McCordsville fire station which opened in 2023.
“I believe my background equips me to ask informed questions and guide responsible decision-making for the district, ensuring we continue to foster an environment where every student can succeed,” she said.
Nielsen sees future growth as the number one issue facing the school district.
“Student enrollment is projected to grow by nearly 25% by 2033. To navigate this growth successfully, the district must focus on prudent financial management and thoughtful construction and renovation projects, all while prioritizing support for every student,” she shared.
“Plans that not only accommodate this growth but also preserve the strong sense of community that has been the foundation of our district will be essential for our future success.”
If elected Nielsen said she would be open to new ideas, consistently responsive to parents, staff, students and the wider community, and would encourage open dialogue to promote continuous improvement across the district. She said she would also strive to create an environment where students, parents, teachers and staff feel welcomed and valued as part of the Mt. Vernon family.
“I am committed to supporting the district’s efforts to enhance staff recruitment and retention through competitive compensation and benefits, as well as initiatives that elevate staff and teacher voices. Additionally, I will support the focus on increasing student learning by promoting college and career programming that offers pathways to success for all learners, while maintaining fiscal responsibility,” she shared.
