Ludy, Thomas take on Vormohr (4/20/04)

The Jay School Board District 1 incumbent will face a challenge from two other candidates in the May 4 school board election.

J. Frank Vormohr is completing his first term on the school board, and will face Max C. Ludy Jr. and Don Thomas in his re-election bid.

Vormohr, 45, is a 1977 graduate of Jay County High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Indiana Central/University of Indianapolis and a doctorate from the Indiana University School of Medicine. He has run Vormohr Medical Center since 1988.

He and his wife Marcie have five children, Joseph, Cori, Anne, Sok and Luke. The family resides at 715 W. Seventh St., Portland.

Vormohr is a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Portland and the Knights of Columbus.

Ludy, 50, graduated from Portland High School in 1971, Taylor University in 1975 and Indiana University Law School in 1979. He has been a practicing attorney since 1979, and has served as chief public defender in Jay County since 2002.

Ludy and his wife Sheri have two sons, Joshua and Kyle, and two grandchildren. The Ludys reside at 234 E. Main St., Portland.

He is affiliated with the Jay County Baseball Club, Indiana Officials Association, Indiana State Wrestling Association, United States Wrestling Officials Association, Jay County Bar Association and Jay Lodge 87.

Thomas, 34, who graduated from JCHS in 1987, has worked at Tyson Foods-Mexican Original in Portland for three years. He and his wife Lisa have two children, Brooke and Evan. The family resides at 627 S. Bridge St., Portland.

The Thomases attend the Family Worship Center in Portland.

In addition to serving one term on the school board, Vormohr also served as county coroner for four years. Ludy made two unsuccessful bids for county prosecutor in 1982 and 1994. Thomas served on the Jay County Council from 2000 to 2002 after being appointed to fill a vacancy left by former Councilman Jim Johnson. He also ran unsuccessfully for county commissioner and assessor and Portland City Council.

Vormohr, Ludy and Thomas recently agreed to answer questions from The Commercial Review about their candidacy and school corporation issues. Their answers follow.

What prompted your decision to run for school board?

Vormohr — I decided to run for a second term on the school board after a lot of soul searching. The current board has worked very hard to balance the budget under what I consider extreme pressure from the State of Indiana. We had to make many difficult decisions, but we were still able to keep all schools open, remodeled parts of several schools and build a new middle school. We still have work to do, and I do not feel I have completed all of these tasks.

Ludy — In January and early February, there was not a lot of interest being expressed in filling the school board position for District 1. Frank Vormohr had stated, publicly and privately, that he was not going to run. Some school teacher friends of mine were concerned about several issues with the current administration and thought I might be able to help with those issues as a member of the board. Also, my youngest son will be a freshman next year, and I am concerned with the quality of education he will receive.

Thomas — I like to be involved with things that are greater than any one person. It also seemed that no one was really interested in running. I found that to be disturbing. What is to happen to these young people if adults don't stand up to the challenge? Helping those who will lead our young people in the right direction is paramount.

What personal qualifications do you bring to the job as a school board member?

Vormohr — Experience from a very trying, difficult last four years of being a school board member. I have gained a lot of experience from just being present at town gatherings when we considered closing schools to teacher contracts to making decisions regarding the discipline of children. All humbling experiences.

Ludy — I make my living dealing with legal problems on a daily basis. Some of those problems are simple, and some are very complex. My position has required that I deal with many of the children who are in the school system, teachers, special education personnel, parents and administrators. My educational background has allowed me to continually learn and adapt, which are qualities I believe would be important to have as a member of the school board.

Thomas — I asked Mark Barnett how things were going now that I was off the county council, and he smiled and said, "It's a lot quieter now." Wow! What a compliment! So I would say digging in and saying my peace would be my best asset. I'm not afraid to stand my ground on issues, and I'm not afraid to admit when I'm wrong.

Philosophically, what do you believe the role of the school board should be?

Vormohr — To make policy, enforce policy and to aid and support the superintendent in any way I can.

Ludy — The school board is to make decisions as to the general conduct of the schools, and is responsible for selecting the school superintendent. The school board is to set general policies and not engage in the day-to-day management of the schools. However, the school board, by law, has the responsibility to oversee school purchases, construction, maintenance, new construction, budgeting and taxing, personnel matters and student discipline.

Thomas — I don't think a good board should micro-manage those they hire to be leaders. We should have a clear goal and objective for the administrators to work toward. We should have people in place who are a lot wiser than I to deal with the challenges of running a great school corporation. However, we need to remember we are also the mouthpiece for those we represent!

If you could change one thing about Jay Schools what would it be?

Vormohr — I love Jay County, and I cannot imagine living anywhere else. I wish our children could have all the advantages of say a Carmel student. But I don't think that's realistic, and it also comes with its own set of problems. I just wish we did not have to struggle so much with money issues.

Ludy — In a system as large as the Jay County School Corporation, it is very difficult to choose one item to change. However, in talking to parents, teachers and students, I believe that one of the most positive changes we could make would be to work on reducing the number of students per teacher. I believe the data from the Indiana Department of Education on each of the Jay County schools also shows that a reduction in the teacher/students ration would be a good thing.

Thomas — I think we have a wonderful school system. I would like to see more energy spent on awareness programs. Not just programs that show us what's wrong, but programs that show young people positive possibilities!

All through life these young people will be faced with choices they haven't even thought of yet. So programs that encourage children and young people to expand their thinking! Because knowledge opens up possibilities, and possibilities open up the world!

If you could preserve one thing about Jay Schools what would it be?

Vormohr — Friendliness. A great place to be in school, to live and to prepare for the future.

Ludy — The most important asset of the Jay School Corporation is its personnel. I think the turnover rate of employees in the school system is too high — the average experience level of teachers at Jay County High School is actually less in 2003-2004 than it was in 1994-1995. I think the school board should strive to preserve the corporation's employees on a long term basis, while being ever mindful of the budget problems.

Thomas — Pride. I always felt proud to be from Jay County High. Maybe it was a security blanket for this once shy young man. But we have a close knit set of teachers, young people and parents. Here at Jay County, young people get a sense of belonging and identity. This makes for a great sense of security in a time when nothing seems to last.[[In-content Ad]]