TIPTON – The impact of declining enrollment and how to retain teachers were topics discussed by three people who interviewed Monday night for an open seat on the Tipton School Board.
The board wants to fill the seat vacated by Amber Rodibaugh last month. Rodibaugh’s position was up for re-election this year, but no one filed to run.
Rodibaugh resigned a month before her term expired so the board could appoint someone by the end of the year.
Having someone in the seat by early 2025 will allow them to participate in the Indiana School Board Association’s new member orientation.
This is the second time in as many months that the board has interviewed candidates for an open seat.
Those who interviewed Monday were Brandon Cloud, Kimberly Fague and Matt Higginbotham. Applicants must reside in Madison Township.
The board asked similar questions to last month, including what the candidates thought were the school district’s best qualities, its biggest challenges and how they handle confidentiality and criticism.
Cloud is a school administrator at Hamilton Southeastern Schools. He is director of Fishers Academy, which provides juniors and seniors with additional help and employment opportunities.
Cloud’s children attend Tipton schools.
“I think there’s a tremendous amount of excitement in the Tipton schools right now, and to be honest, I want to be a part of that,” he said.
Cloud said declining enrollment is probably the district’s biggest problem, while the best thing Tipton schools have to offer is the sense of community.
He noted the 303 students who live within school boundaries but do not attend, according to data from the Indiana Department of Education.
Cloud said he has spoken to some of these families and their reasons vary, although homeschooling is a common answer. It led Cloud to wonder if part of the reason is faith-based and whether embracing religious classes during free time could be a way to get families to send children to Tipton schools.
The freed up time for religious education allows students to leave school for a maximum of 120 minutes per week for religious education. This type of education takes place outside the school grounds and is privately funded. The most common versions are Christian and Bible-based.
Kimberly Fague describes herself as a team and class mom. Her children attend Tipton schools; she has a massage therapy practice in town.
Fague is deeply involved in the groups and athletics in which her children participate.
“I think I have a very strong community base and people who trust me,” she said.
Fague said her experience as the mother of a special education student would be valuable as a board member.
Matt Higginbotham interviewed last. He is the Street Commissioner for the City of Carmel. His wife works for Tipton schools.
Higginbotham ran against Rodibaugh in 2019, saying he was interested in serving on the school board for a few years.
Retaining teachers and creating a culture that teachers want to be a part of should be a focus for the school district, he said.
“I think we’ve lost some really good teachers due to circumstances, whether it’s benefits, salaries, things like that or lack of housing in the community,” Higginbotham said. “It’s not necessarily a school problem, but I think some creative thinking needs to be done to retain quality teachers.”
And that’s where a good culture comes into play. Higginbotham said his wife has passed up other job opportunities because of her connection to the local community.
Declining enrollment and a loss of teachers are not problems unique to Tipton schools. It’s a national trend for rural schools.
Fewer students means less funding, which goes to teacher salaries.
Superintendent Ryan Glaze told the Tribune earlier this fall that several teaching positions were left unfilled to save money and provide competitive salaries.
Staff reduction through attrition is also a trend among rural schools.
The Tipton School Board is expected to appoint one of the three interviewed Monday at its next meeting, Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Meetings will be held in the Community Room, 817 S. Main St., Tipton. They will also be streamed live on Tipton Community School Corporation’s YouTube page.
