During January’s board meeting, attorney Libby Roberts swore in new member Collin Fultz, who was chosen to replace Dr. Steve Maple, a beloved board member for 24 years. Dr. Maple submitted his resignation late last year after he and his wife decided to move out of the district to be closer to their grandchildren. District residency is required for all board members.
After conducting a monthlong search, the board interviewed three candidates and selected Fultz to fill the vacancy. Fultz, who attended Burkhart Elementary, Perry Meridian Middle and Perry Meridian High, is a graduate of Purdue. He and his wife, Jenny, have two children. Although his two kids are not yet in kindergarten, Fultz is an active volunteer in our schools.
Since returning to Perry Township in 2014 after living in New Hampshire for roughly four years, Fultz has been supporting Perry Meridian High’s Cyber Blue team – a club that’s close to his heart because he was once a member.
He is also a volunteer at Lincoln Elementary. For one hour each Wednesday he and four high school students lead a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) enrichment program in Mrs. Linda Simmons’ fourth-grade class. These activities are a perfect fit for Fultz, who works at FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an organization that inspires young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators.
He says spending time inside the classroom has opened his eyes to some of the challenges facing teachers and shown him opportunities to make an even greater impact on the students’ future. His term will end in December, and he will have the option to run for the position during the November general election.
Board members have also elected officers for the new year. During a unanimous vote, Ed Denning was voted president, Emily Hartman vice president and former President Ken Mertz was voted secretary.
The start of a new year always marks a fresh start in various areas of our lives. We look forward to seeing all of the exciting changes that lie ahead for our district, including our growing enrollment and expansion of our sixth-grade academies and middle schools.
Cheers to the new year!