Carl Johnson
Age: 41
Profession: Architect
Family: Wife, Kristina, and four children ages 13, 11, 8 and 5
Education: Master of architecture, bachelor’s of science in architectural studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Why are you running for school board? As a father of four children in Noblesville Schools, I’m an active volunteer in many classrooms, curriculum and advisory committees, referendum campaigns and school activities. I was challenged by a number of community leaders, teachers and parents to put my passion for education and understanding of local civic leadership to good use on the school board. It would be an honor to servein this new capacity.
Why should you be elected to the school board? I’m familiar with board responsibilities and school leadership personnel through regularly attending board meetings. Hamilton County Leadership Academy, Community Advisory Council and Calendar/CurriculumCommittees have educated me on school and government working relationships. I’m invested in the success of Noblesville Schools. Next year, my freshman, seventh-, fourth- and first-graders will provide opportunities for involvement at all education levels. As an architect, I also bring unique skills to the board for addressing infrastructure challenges.
What are your goals if elected? Develop strong working relationships with the superintendent, Common Council, Chamber of Commerce and Mayor’s Office. Communicate with these leaders to create shared opportunities for success (example: joint meetings with the School Board) and direct resources to best serve the interests of our children and educators. Build on new opportunities for interaction with residents (example: Superintendent “Table Talk”) to foster a sense of community ownership in the decision-making process.
Are you for or against changing school start times? Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics indicates later start times for older students will improve their performance. I’ve observed this firsthand with our teenager. However, as a father of elementary school students, I’m concerned how this change affects younger students with our current tiered bus system. A few of us on the Calendar Committee last year suggested tabling this decision until a new superintendent tasked with implementing the change could invest more time understanding its effects and the community’s concerns. Steps are being taken in this direction, but I believe more time is needed before implementing this decision.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the district and how would you address it? Accommodating the steady student growth in Noblesville. Growth and change in our community and expanding school corporation require creative solutions from its school board for policy, funding, infrastructure, operations and staffing. School board members are in a position to build relationships with community members and local businesses to foster innovative ideas for new funding sources, infrastructure design, efficient operations and sound educational policies that attract quality educators and business development.
Kevin Kalstad
Age: 51
Profession: Small business owner
Family: Wife of 28 years, Tammy; daughter, Courtney, 27; and son, Erik, 25; and two grandchildren. Each of his children are Noblesville High School graduates.
Why are you running for school board? The community and our children need someone on the board who will serve them and listen to them. I will be available to the community. I will listen. I will serve them all. I will remember why I am there. I am a 14-year member at White River Christian Church, serving in the High School Ministry as a leader and mentor at this time. I also support and serve Noblesville Young Life and Wyldlife. I have assisted with the NHS principal selection committee and have served at the NHS Baccalaureate at White River Christian Church for several years now.
Why should you be elected to the school board? I believe my background having worked in a Fortune 500 company, nonprofits and now being a business owner have prepared me for this vital role on the board. I am fiscally conservative and will be a good steward of the taxpayer’s money. At the end of the day, it is ALL about the students.
What are your goals if elected? First, I will ensure that all the children in Noblesville Schools are served and cared for in an excellent and supportive environment. Second, I will ensure that our teachers and support staff are cared for and provided excellent tools and resources to teach and lead the district’s children. Lastly, I will ensure that the board delivers fairness, balance, transparency and accountability back to the community.
Are you for or against changing school start times? Studies have proved the value of starting older students later in the morning. My concern is that the board has not fully listened to the concerns of the community on this matter. The perception in the community is this matter, and other matters in the past, are that they are a “done deal” and nothing can change that. That protocol and perception needs to change. I will ensure that this changes. Transparency and communication is lacking in the district and I will help change that.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the district and how would you address it? There are many including increasing enrollment, reductions in state support and a large amount of debt in the district. However, I believe the greatest issue the district faces is poor communication and lack of transparency back to the community. With your vote, I will ensure this changes. It’s time for a change Noblesville. It would be an honor to serve you in this vital role.
Julia Church Kozicki
Age: 45
Profession: Attorney (legal counsel for Sigma Kappa Sorority)
Family: Husband, Jeff, and sons, J.D. (Noblesville High School sophomore) and Josh (Noblesville West Middle School eighth-grader)
Education: Noblesville High School, 1987; Indiana University, B.A. Economics Honors, 1991; Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 1994.
Why are you running for school board? I am incredibly proud of the strides Noblesville Schools has made to increase the level of achievement for all students and I am excited about (Supt.) Dr. (Beth) Niedermeyer and the fresh energy she brings to Noblesville. I am running to provide continued support to Dr. Niedermeyer and our path to excellence.
Why should you be elected to the school board? As a lifelong Noblesville resident and NHS graduate, I appreciate our history and, over the last eight years, I have developed a deep understanding of the issues that face the board as we prepare our children for college and career. I deeply appreciate the opportunity to serve our community and our children.
What are your goals if elected? My goals are to continue our efforts toward increased achievement for all students, while managing our growth in enrollment and balancing our fiscal priorities.
Are you for or against changing school start times? I support the decision to realign start times. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends middle and high schools delay the start of class to 8:30 a.m. or later because of the adolescent shift in circadian rhythms. I appreciate that this is a challenge for families and we are working to find the best possible choice, but it is what is best for kids.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the district and how would you address it? Our greatest challenge is to ensure that we maintain and enhance academic achievement for all children in an ever-growing corporation with limited resources. As a board member, I’ve spent a great deal of time working to ensure adequate facilities and resources both through the referendum process and through careful evaluation of our financial resources. I will continue to press for new ways to fund education as well as new ways to utilize the resources already available to us.
