The Paper of Miami County - Nov. 2, 2022

Former Miami County resident charged with Delphi murders

By Amy Graham-McCarty nreditor@hoosiermediagroup.com

Oct. 28, 2022, will be the day Carroll County remembers as “the day.”

On that day, Richard Allen, 50, of Delphi was officially charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, 2,086 days since the two young girls’ bodies were found near the Monon High Bridge in Delphi. On Feb. 13, 2017, Williams and German went missing while walking on a trail near the bridge. On Feb. 14, 2017, their bodies were discovered.

“There are many dates in a lifetime that you are gonna remember,” Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland said during press conference on Monday, Oct. 31, “the dates your children were born, the date you were married, the date you buy a first house, the date Abby and Libby went missing.

“One of those dates was last Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. At that time, we gathered evidence to for mulate a (probable cause affidavit) that was sub mitted to the court and a judge did find probable cause for the arrest of Richard Allen. He has been charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of Abigail Williams and Liberty German.”

Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter was emotional as he approached the podi um.

“I do not want there to be any ambiguity or

confusion about what I am going to say,” Carter said. “Today is not a day to celebrate, but the arrest of Richard M. Allen of Delphi on two counts of mur der is sure a major step in leading to the conclusion in this long-term and complex investigation.”

Allen was a licensed pharmacy tech who worked at the Delphi CVS store. A 1991 graduate of North Miami High School, he once lived in Mexico, Indiana. In Delphi, he lived just .7 miles from Delphi Community Middle School where Williams and German attended school, and just 1.7 miles from where police say he allegedly instruct ed the girls to go “down the hill.”

In speaking to the families of the victims, as well as law enforcement who worked the case Carter said, “I know that today’s announcement will not diminish your resolve and I hope that you have found just a little bit of peace.”

Carter and McLeland, remained tight lipped on the details of the case and what led them to Allen.

“While I know you are all expecting final details today concerning this arrest, today is not that day – today’s not that day,” Carter said. “This investigation is far from complete, and we will not jeopardize its integrity by releasing doc uments or information before the appropriate time.

“We in law enforcement cannot and you should never allow us to talk about what we think con cerning facts, but rather discuss and share at the

Abigail Williams

Liberty German

A Snapchat photo of Abigail Williams by Liberty German on the Monon Trail bridge the day the two girls were murdered. Photos provided

Richard Allen

potential/current Peru Community School board members. Election Day is Nov. 8, 2022.

Delphi continued from

right time what it is we know.”

McLeland asked the community to continue to submit information to the tip lines, which he said would remain open, about not only Allen, but “about any other person that you may have.”

“This investiga tion is still very on going,” he said.

Because of the na ture of the case, all court documents have been sealed.

“I have been very clear to everybody that per the court order we cannot talk about the evi dence that is in the probable cause, or the evidence that is in the charging in formation,” he said. “Right now, is not that day. Today is

about Abby and Libby and focusing on them.”

McLeland said there would be a court hearing re garding unsealing the probable cause and charging infor mation at a later date. Allen ap peared for an initial hearing on Friday, Oct. 28, in Carroll County Superior Court. He entered

an initial plea of not guilty. He was moved from Carroll County Jail to the White County Jail where he is being held in isolation until he is moved to a state facility. Po lice say transfer ring him to a state facility is for his own safety.

Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby thanked

Have a birthday, anniversary, engagement or wedding announcement? Send it to: mboswell@thepaperofmiami.com

God for justice for German and Williams.

“I believe in a God of justice and right eousness,” he said. “Today I believe that the same God has provide us with justice for Abby and Libby.

“I earnestly thank those who prayed for this moment in time. We now move forward through

the Indiana crimi nal justice system, allowing the system to provide its due diligence and process, and provid ing that the justice that is owed Abby and Libby, their families, and this community.”

Williams and Ger man touched the life of Carter, who said he would be forever linked to the

Community Calendar

Now – Nov. 16

Parkview United Methodist Church is having their annual Mincemeat and Pie sale. Mincemeat quarts are $12. Apple, Apple Crumb, Mincemeat Pies are pre-order only and are $12 each. Call Maureen Cook at 765-473-6706 to place orders. Pick up will be Nov. 17 between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 4 & 5

Nov. 4 – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Nostalgic North Pole Christ mas Market Nov. 5 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Nostalgic North Pole Christ mas Market – Both days, Christmas store flip – pine, hot chocolate, ginger bread, peppermint lattes, live music and more.

Nov. 5 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. –Holiday Craft Show – 4-H Fairground Project Building, 1029 N. 200 W., Peru. For information concerning booth space, contact Kathy Kline @ 765-4314342.

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. –Fish and Tenderloin Dinner at Pipe Creek Township Volunteer Fire De partment, 339 W. Pearl Street, Bunker Hill. The meal in cludes fish, tender loins, baked beans, applesauce. Dine in or carry out is avail able. Free will dona tions. Fire and EMS protection provided to: Washington, Pipe Creek, Clay, Deer Creek Town ships, and the town of Bunker Hill.

Nov. 8

families.

“What we all ex perienced proves that together there is nothing that we cannot do, but more important giving of ourselves, all of us, matters more than what we could ever receive,” he said.

“Abby and Libby, though in death, have had a profound effect on so many of us on how we live,

4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. –The Main Street United Methodist Church will have a Chicken Noodle Dinner, 81 West Main Street, Peru. This will be a drivethru dinner only. Enter from the park ing lot from Third Street. It is $12 per person. Tickets are available in the church office or at the door the day of the event. For more information, call 765-472-3323.

Nov. 12

10 a.m. to 11 p.m. –Fall Festival – Town Hall building, Bunker Hill. Fundraiser. The public is welcome. There will be music, food, and fun. Mili tary, First Respon ders, Police, EMT’s and vendors will be there.

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Obituaries

John Joseph Cress, 82, of Peru, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at Dukes Memorial Hospital.

John was born in Peru, Indiana, July 20, 1940, to Cecil B. and Isa B. (See) Cress. Shortly after John graduated high school in 1958, he joined the United States Navy, where he proudly served his country until his retirement in May of 1981. In his spare time, he thoroughly enjoyed doing yard work.

John is survived by a son, John Joseph Cress, Jr., and several other children and grand children; as well as a brother, Jerry Cress, of Peru, Indiana, and sisters Joyce De gunya, Peru, Indi ana, and Carol Snyder of Michigan.

He was preceded in

death by his par ents, two sons, Patrick Proctor, and Jack Cress, one daughter Helena Cress and two broth ers, James J. “Jim” Cress, and Bud Cress.

Visitation was held Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at FlowersLeedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru, Indiana. A funeral service followed at 11 a.m. with Pastor Mark Elliott and Pastor Tony Winter officiating. Burial took place at EverRest Memorial Park Cemetery in Logans port, Indiana. Mili tary service was

provided by the Miami County Mili tary Rites Team.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contribu tions may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene Food Pantry, 331 West Sixth Street, Peru, Indiana.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Fu neral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.Flower sLeedyAllen.com.

United Way of Miami County to participate in ‘Giving Tuesday,’ Nov. 29

United Way’s Giving Tuesday will be Nov. 29, at the Community Resource Center, 13 East Main Street, Peru, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

United Way of Miami County has a goal to raise $10,000 in a single day to help lever age funds for Buddy Bags,

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Li brary, and home lessness initiatives. NIP SCO is providing a matching 1:1 grant of $5,000. To donate to this year’s Giving Tuesday, stop by

United Way at the office, or make contact by mail or go online @ www.uwmiamip.o rg. Credit Cards are accepted. For more infor mation, call 765473-4240 and ask for Debi Wallick.

If a loved one has passed away, let your funeral home know you would like to have the obituary published in The Paper of Miami County

Dreana Sparks, 33, passed away peacefully, Oct. 21, 2022, in Carmel. She was born Aug. 25, 1989, in Daytona Beach, Fla., to mother, Donna Sparks and was raised in Peru.

Described as sweet-natured, down-to-earth, and full of laugh ter, Dreana was a friend to every person she met.

She had a conta gious smile and a kind heart. She is remembered for her joyful laugh and her beautiful singing voice.

Dreana was a great listener, and she took pride in building commu nity, whether it was by attending the Peru Circus or performing in Clowes Hall.

At Butler Uni

versity as a stu dent in the Jor dan College of Fine Arts, Dreana was ac tively involved in the university music program, including wind ensemble, jazz band, university choir, marching band, and basket ball band. She was additionally involved in Kappa Psi, a co-ed music fraternity that provided service to the music ensembles at the university.

During her time at Peru High School, she was a drum major in

the Peru High School Marching Band and a proud member of the Peru Circus Festi val Band.

Dreana was an active member of the band pro gram, the swing choir, the Team Miami County Youth Leadership program, and the Peru Mayor’s Youth Council.

Dreana is pre ceded in death by her grandfather, Earl L. Winters, and uncle, Steven E. Winters.

Survivors in clude the love of her life, Perry Reid of Carmel; mother, Donna Sparks of Peru; sister, Patricia Stith (Dan); niece, Abigail VinopalMusall (Jordan); nephew, Austin Vinopal (fiancé, Hope) of Wabash;

grandmother, Waunitta Win ters; uncle, Richard Winters (Cindy); aunts, Beth Landis (Jeff) and Amy Hoeke sema (Jay) of Peru; as well as dearly loved cousins and close friends, Alexa Muse (Dan) of Cambridge, Mass., and Christopher Sterner of Raleigh, N.C.

A prayer serv ice and celebra tion of Dreana's Life will take place Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Salem Chris tian Church, 531 East 500 South, Peru.

Bussell Family

Funerals is privi leged to assist the family in arrangements.

Peru man found dead in Howard County Jail cell

A Peru man died while being held in the Howard County jail Fri day, Oct. 28.

According to the Howard County Sher iff’s Office, Rick A. Bar tel, 51, was found unconscious and unre sponsive in his cell at around 11:30 a.m.

Medical staff as well as corrections staff pro vided Bartel with med ical aid until paramedics arrived. Bartel was transported to a Kokomo hospital and later pronounced dead.

While a toxicology test is still pending, the Howard County Coro ner announced Monday there were no indica tions of foul play found.

The case remains

John Joseph Cress, 82 Dreana Sparks, 33

Police Reports

Miami County Sheriff’s Department

Oct. 21

Officers at S U.S. 31 and S Bus. 31, Peru assisted Indi ana State Police Officers with a possibly impaired driver.

The front door to a clubhouse at 1863 S Strawtown Pike, Peru Municipal Golf Course, Peru was insecure. Offi cers were unable to make contact with the key holder.

Officers re sponded to the area of 103 E Sycamore St, Con

verse, for a med ical call. A female subject injured herself while she was trying to climb over a fence. All checked okay.

A suspicious per son was reported at 45011 Little Rock CT, Peru. Investi gators spoke to both parties. The knife sharpener stated he was prac ticing throwing knives and he did n’t see the com plainant until he had let go of the

knife. He also stated he had no intention to harm or intimidate any one. The com plainant said she didn’t feel that she was targeted and did not feel he had committed any crimes, but she did want him checked out.

Someone in a pickup truck with a car trailer at 6475 E 25 S, Peru struck his wooden fence. The subject was unknown. For record only.

Officers spoke with a female at 501 W 10th St, Lot 2, Hi N Dri Court,

Peru who had re portedly called Bowen Center while threatening suicide. She de nied these accusa tions and said she had just gotten home from a den tist appointment. She then pro ceeded to take her phone out and pro duce her phone call history. Inves tigators observed two personal con tact calls on this day, both not in volving Bowen Center. The female assured officers she was not suici dal and had no idea why the Bowen Center would get such a phone call.

A complainant at 4768 W 450 N, Peru reported a strange vehicle at an aban doned home. This was unable to be

located.

A hit and run was reported at Lovers Lane and Nickle Point Trl, Peru. Officers were unable to lo cate the other vehi cle.

A traffic accident with injuries was reported at 823 W Riverside Dr, Peru. Male was trans

ported to Dukes for a medical eval uation. Report taken for operat ing while intoxi cated.

Domestic distur bance was re ported at 1127 Barksdale Ave, Peru. Father disci plined his daugh ter. Nothing criminal took

place.

A car vs. deer crash was re ported at E 1300 N and N St. Rd. 19, Macy. A state re port was com pleted.

A suspicious package or item was reported at 2578 W 400 S, Peru.

Sports

Lady Braves team finishes 23rd at state Sports Schedule

Finishing off an historic sea son, the Ma conaquah girls cross country team placed 23rd at the IHSAA Cross Country State Finals, Sat urday, Oct. 29, at La Vern Gibson Championship XC Course in Terre Haute.

Junior Abby Jor dan led the Lady Braves with a 67th place finish out of 204 run ners with a time of 19:39.3.

Freshman Zoie Laber wasn’t far behind in 85th place with a

time of 19:53.2.

Sophomore Lucy Loshnowsky crossed the fin ish line in 164th place with a time of 21:02.8.

Freshman Chloe Jordan finished in 177 with a time of 21:22.4.

Sophomore Samantha Jones claimed 190th place in 21:44.5. Fellow sopho more Aubrey McLain placed 197th with a time of 22:38.3.

Sophomore Kaytlin Moeller finished in 204th place with a time of 25:43.8.

North Miami

Nov. 4

6 p.m. – Girls Jun ior Varsity Basket ball at South Newton High School.

7:30 – Girls Varsity Basketball at South Newton High School.

Nov. 5

4 p.m. – Girls Jun ior Varsity Basket ball vs. North White High School – Home

5:30 p.m. – Girls Varsity Basketball

vs. North White High School –Home

Nov. 8 6 p.m. – Girls Jun ior Varsity Basket ball vs. Western High School –Home 7:15 p.m. – Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Western High

School – Home Nov. 9 5 p.m. – Boys Sixth Grade Basketball vs. Columbia Sixth Grade Academy/Logans port (White) –Home (Middle School)

Maconaquah

Nothing on sched ule until Nov. 12 Peru

Nov. 4 6 p.m. – Girls Jun ior Varsity Basket ball at Oak Hill High School. 7:30 p.m. – Girls Varsity Basketball at Oak Hill High School.

Nov. 5 8 a.m. – Seventh and Eighth Grade Boys Basketball at Logansport Junior High School. Tour nament.

Nov. 8 6:15 p.m. – Girls Junior Varsity Bas ketball vs Caston Jr/Sr High School –Home

7:45 p.m. – Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Caston Jr/Sr High School –Home

2022 All Miami County football selections

Player of the year - Austin Smith of North Miami

Coach of the YearTyler Campbell of Maconaquah.

Defensive player of the year - Alex Ross of Peru

Offensive player of the year –Braxton Birner of Maconaquah

Special-teams player of the year - Nick Kiefer of Peru

First team of fense:

QB - Braxton Birner of Ma conaquah

RB - Austin Smith of North Miami

RB - Bradyn Fennell of North Miami

RB - Alex Ross of Peru

REC - A. J. Kelly

Tiger Tennis claims awards

By Colin Quin

2022 All-State Honorable Men tion Team Singles Ian Potts – 11 Ben Beckman – 12

2022 All-District Teams; District 3 Ian Potts – 11 Ben Beckman – 12

Final District Ranking – Peru 5th

2022 Boys’ AllState Academic Team is Peru. As selected by the Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Associa tion from nomina tions made by member coaches.

of Maconaquah

REC - Fuddy Kyle of Ma conaquah

REC - Kalb Shel ton of Ma conaquah

REC - Braxton Strong of Peru

OL - Liam Lan caster of Peru

OL - Isaac Ire land of North Miami

OL - Brayden Hovermale of North Miami.

OL - Cody Miller of Ma conaquah

OL - Jacob Isley

of Maconaquah

Place kickerBenjaman Beck man of Peru

First team de fense

DL - Josh Watkins of Peru

DL - Braxton Strong of Peru

DL - Isaac Ire land of North Miami

DL - Wyatt Wood of Maconaquah

DL - Austin Ringeisen of Ma conaquah

LB - Ethan Far nell of Ma conaquah

LB - Gavin Nethercutt of Ma conaquah

LB - Grant Wil dermuth of North Miami

LB - Bradyn Fennell of North Miami

LB - Matt Roettger of Peru

LB - Alex Ross of Peru

DB - Kaleb Shel ton of Ma conaquah

DB - Austin Smith of North Miami

Punter - Kevin Nord of Ma conaquah

Police continued from

Officers re sponded to the area of 140 W Commerce St, Macy. Talked to the individual and he said that a coworker was there going through the work vehicle. The indi vidual went out to speak with the coworker and the coworker wasn’t acting right. A welfare check was done on the sub ject.

A report of loud individuals in the area was taken at 38042 DOW CT, Peru.

thing about a food stamp card. He was told to have a good night and of ficers would talk to him later.

A death notifica tion was made at 893 W St. Rd. 218, Bunker Hill for Huntington County.

An injured deer was off the road way at W 900 N and N Old Route 31, Macy. The deer was shot one time with a deer shot gun. A kill permit was issued to Rod ney Correll.

reported at 2455 W Third St, Mexico Community Building, Mexico.

A report of a tree across the roadway was taken at N 700 E & E 1200 N, Roann. Tree was removed by area residents, but power service was interrupted. REMC was con tacted to check power lines in the area.

500 S, Peru. All checked okay.

Oct. 23

An unknown medical emer gency was re ported at 1755 N Lancer St, After burner’s, Peru. The victim re fused to cooperate in any way.

ported at 4278 N St. Rd. 19, Peru. A state crash report was completed.

Oct. 22

An intoxicated male subject at Converse Border men Park, Con verse, called in to ramble on to a po lice officer some

An elderly fe male was found unconscious at 4673 S 625 E, Mis sissinewa Camp ground, Spillway, Peru. Medical as sistance was given.

A car vs. deer traffic accident with damage was

A car vs. deer crash with dam age was reported at 3279 E St. Rd. 18, Kokomo. No injuries were re ported.

A suspicious package or item was reported at Foreman Dr. and W Matador St, Dollar General, Peru.

A suspicious ve hicle was re ported at 1675 W

A protective order violation was reported at 95 E Harrison St, Denver.

A suspicious ve hicle was re ported at 2171 W Broadway St, Bunker Hill. Offi cers did not locate the video.

An animal prob lem was reported at 2125 S 300 E, Peru.

A car vs. deer crash was re

A caller at 3349 E 850 N, Denver located a doe stuck in a fence. The doe was cut from the fence, but the animal was too badly in jured to stand. The doe was dis patched and a pos session permit was given to Gary Gambrell.

Domestic distur bance was re ported at 4119 W Barberry Ln, Peru.

A single vehicle accident with in juries was re ported at E St. Rd. 124 and S 300 E, Peru.

An unconscious person was re ported at W 1500 N & N 100 W, Akron. Indiana

State Police was assisted with an operating while intoxicated inves tigation. Male subject resisted and was detained. Male subject was then transported to Dukes and began kicking in a car computer and making threats while driving to Dukes. Male was left in custody of Indi ana State Police at Dukes Memorial Hospital.

A report of a possible alterca tion was deter mined to be an angry female at 2512 Kelly Ave, Peru venting about her mal functioning auto mobile. No action was taken.

Officers at 3207 N 190 W, Peru spoke to a male subject who is the

respondent to a protective order. The male re ported that the pe titioner of the order kept con tacting him. The male was told to ignore the com munication, docu ment them and present them to the issuing court.

Officers at 1302 Donaldson Ave, Peru took a report of a residential entry. This is an ongoing investiga tion.

Reports of mul tiple shots fired in the area of 14578 N Macy Millark Rd, Macy was taken. No damage or injuries were reported. The per son who fired the shots has been identified, at tempts to speak to the individual have been unsuc cessful.

The upcoming election, Nov. 8, in cludes voting for the Peru Commu nity School board. The following can didates submitted answers to ques tions.

Each question will be followed by an answer from each candidate, in alphabetical order.

Briefly tell us why you are run ning/re-running for the PCS Board of Trustees. Please include service to both school and community in your response.

Tommie BeattieI really felt like it was time for me to step up and be come a more effec tive citizen. I want to be able to help make decisions that will help our students. I want to be there for inno vative ideas. I am not saying there is anything wrong with current ad ministration, how ever, there is nothing wrong with fresh ideas. There are so many people in our com munity that can not tell you who our school board members are, sim ply because they are not visible. I make it to as many events as possible to make myself visible. If I am vis ible, I can be avail able to answer, or get answers to, questions people have. We have some really criti cal issues coming at us very soon. We also have some important person nel to replace, and facilities to up grade. All to make our school corpo ration better equipped for our students.

Jarrod Ellis - I’m running for school

Peru School board candidates Q & A

board member again because I be lieve the children come first and teachers and staff come second. I want to make sure all the schools are safe for each and every student.

Teachers are the backbone of Peru Community Schools, and they deserve to be taken care of. I have enjoyed my first 4 years on the board. There were many tough deci sions my first term and there are many more tough decisions to come. Before I was on the board, I worked with the kids through the PHS band program.

Seeing the work ings from within have given me strengths that will be valuable to the school board. My first 3 years on the school board, I was Arts Collection Advisory Rep. I also play drums with the Peru Cir cus Festival Band and am one of their directors.

David Hoover - I am running for school board to be come more in volved in serving in the community. I have two chil dren that attend Peru Community Schools and one of my children got behind in school due to the pan demic. If it wasn't for the help of the teachers and aids, he would not have gotten caught back up. Due to this I wanted to become involved to help support the chil dren and teachers to get the best out comes for our com munity. I want to help with all as pects including budgeting to make

sure we are fis cally sound, to keep everyone safe, to retain our teachers, and use the best curricu lum for the use of our teachers.

Brittany JusticeI have worked with children since the age of 19. As the years went on and I moved from pri vate childcare to public education I realized my voice needed to be “louder” in order to make a differ ence. Decisions being made were based more off of numbers and polit ical agenda than the interest of stu dent education and staff produc tivity. There must be balance and common sense in decision making.

Charles WagnerI am running once again for PCS school board pri marily because I have three, going on five, grandchil dren in the PCS system. Yes, I have an agenda. I want PCS to be the best possible facility with the finest teaching staff and educational out comes that can be achieved. PCS has the lowest student to teacher ratio, has led the region in dual credits, has the highest num ber of kinder garten students in the county, main tains positive stu dent and staff climate and cul ture, has continu ally scored higher in I-LEARN and IREAD percent ages.

PCS has a 4-3 board. The out come of any elec tion could change the direction and outcomes of this system.

Describe your three top objec tives if elected/reelected.

Tommie BeattieWhen I hear objec tives, I think agen das. I have stated from the begin ning that I have no agendas and have no vendettas to set tle with anyone. Throughout this campaign, I have had the pleasure to speak to so many people that have concerns when it comes to educa tion. I honestly do not think it would be fair to rank them in a top three. Each one is important, and each one deserves equal attention. I guess if I had to objectify anything, I would say it would be to ask questions that peo ple have. There is nothing wrong with asking and asking does not mean anything is wrong with the process.

Jarrod Ellis - My top objective is the hiring of our next superintendent. We need someone that’s been in this position and has a proven track record. Second, ap propriate funding for staff and de partments. I be lieve the staff need to be paid what they are worth. I

also believe de partments should have the financial support of the school board. Third, we need to maintain build ings with preven tative maintenance. We don’t need to take on projects that would stress the fi nancial resources of the corporation. I would advocate for continued in vestment in proj ects that would positively impact the greatest num ber of students in the corporation.

David HooverThe top issues I see facing Peru Community Schools currently are: Targeting at risk students and supporting them. Preparing our stu dents for their post graduate endeav ors whether that is college or the work force. This would include increasing I Learn and SAT scores. Hiring and retaining teachers.

Brittany JusticeOur first duty should be educat ing our children for their future in dependent success, as they are the fu ture of America. Their future suc cess should always be the top issue at hand, but I think above that is stu dent and staff safety, something that unfortunately comes up far too often these days. Another top issue is how bond money will be spent. It needs to be divided as fairly as possible be

tween the many areas that need renovation. For ex ample, just to name a few, our athletes need the appropriate re sources to play pridefully, our food staff need the ap propriate re sources to fuel our students, renova tions are needed to accommodate ever changing and in creasing traffic to and from Elm wood. Increasingly bothersome is the availability to hire new and retain current teachers and staff. We need to be at our best to entice new hires and retain current staff. We are noth ing without our staff.

Charles WagnerThree top objec tives:

a. Teacher re cruitment should be a top priority of PCS, Indiana, and the nation. This, of course, involves salary and bene fits. However, the employment of top principals, direc tors, and the su perintendent makes this hap pen. The school board cannot go out and recruit employees. As part of policy, the board approves their de cisions. But, the future of our edu cation means the responsible treat ment of all school employees.

b. The school needs to educate the entire child, not just with ath letics, but also with music, art, and a vast array of

academic opportu nities. Our own po lice force provides protection and ad ditional mentoring for all students. My personal hope is that all graduat ing students will be ready for em ployment that will support a house hold or to continue higher education for sustainable, paying jobs. It is a cruel world out there without this proper foundation, our graduates will be in a sink or swim situation.

Public schools are the heart and soul of a commu nity.

c. Facilities up keep is necessary for the comfort of our students and staff. While, unfor tunately the PCS needs far exceeds the funds avail able, I wish to con tinue to “roll over” bonds as they are paid off. Thus, pri ority improve ments can be made without a large scale, and unpopu lar referendum, and without rais ing the tax rate. Both elementary schools have up dated playgrounds and some H-Vac system. Some fu ture improve ments include sports facility up grades, are antici pated. The school board already has a rather thick book of potential projects. There will be plenty of discussions be tween teachers, ad ministrators, and

board before the selection of proj ects some to fruition. Without this planned financial practice, future improvements will be either im possible or ex traordinary more expensive. Board members who say now is not the time are an anath ema to reasonable campus improve ments and repair. I hope that we can achieve reason able goals without hearing the word “triage” con stantly repeated.

What do you see as the future role of public education in our society?

Tommie Beattie - I feel we are going to see the trend of home ed ucation and vir tual education

grow stronger. As a school corpora tion we have to sell our abilities. We have to show people we care and can educate their most prized possessions prop erly. We have to prove to them that we are going to prepare their child for life. We have the responsi bility to each and every parent to show them we have their best in terests at heart.

Jarrod Ellis - I believe public ed ucation is the backbone of our society. Peru is a great example of public education. We offer students a wide range of educational op portunities in cluding earning dual credits, Heartland trade school, and many others.

David Hoover - I see public educa tion as a tool to assist students in succeeding in life after primary ed ucation whether that be college or the workforce.

Brittany Justice - Long since past are the days of Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. Public education is SO much more than that now.

Our teachers and staff are doing a great deal more than just teaching these days. We are helping to raise and mold these children in a much more in volved manner than ever before, mental support, behavioral sup port, nutritional support, the list goes on. They are reliant on PCS to ready them for their future as a

whole, not just college ready.

Charles Wagner - Speaking as a re alist, I see no role for public educa tion in our soci ety, unless the public chooses wisely. I am sur prised Betsy De Voss got no further than she did, but now the Supreme Court is in the pocket of private/religious education. A slip of the vote in 2022 or 2024 can erase the progress pub lic education has made and en hance a flurry of anti-public educa tion bills. It is up to you, the voter, to make this allimportant deci sion. Could the future be bleak or bright as I hope it will be bright for my grandchildren and their chil dren? Will you choose wisely?

What is your position regard ing vouchers? Do you believe that public money should be spent on pri vate and reli gious schools and why?

Tommie Beattie - This seems to have been a hot topic or for the last few years. I struggle a great deal agreeing that government money should be used for private tuition. As a par ent you have the choice to send your child to any school you wish, but I feel if you choose private, then you should be responsible for that tuition. Pub lic schools are not privileged with the donors and other funding that private schools receive.

Jarrod Ellis - I do not like vouch ers. I believe pri vate and religious schools should not be receiving money from the state. Many great corporations have lost too many stu dents to voucher schools. Public schools need all the money they can get.

David HooverVouchers were made to make all schools work harder for better education for the students. I believe that we should

work for the best educational op portunities for our students but I do not believe it should come out of public funds thus taking away from public edu cation.

Brittany Justice - As much as I love that students that couldn’t oth erwise afford the tuition to have the opportunity to learn and grow at PCS, it must be regulated. We cannot let school vouchers be turned into a tool for competition between schools to get the highest enrollment num bers. We cannot be offering every possible opportu nity to our com munity if we are spending dollars on pulling enroll ment numbers from areas that pay taxes to an other district.

Charles Wagner - In the 1790s, my ancestors fled a theocratic gov ernment in Ger many, stopped briefly in the Netherlands which was run by Betsy DeVoss’ church. The First

Amendment is very important to me. Freedom of religion often means freedom of and from religion. I feel I have no business impos ing my religion upon you and es pecially the gov ernment has absolutely no right imposing some minority theocracy upon me or my chil dren, or my grandchildren. No, I do not be lieve public money should be used to fund pri vate schools which are often used to avoid mi norities and lower social eco nomic students. Private money should never be used for such un democratic pur poses. Public money should be used to “promote the gen eral Welfare, and secure the Bless ings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity…” States that spend the least amount on public educa tion rank high in social ills and low in social ameni ties.