For Kelly Murphy, there are several reasons why the educator has opted to throw his hat into the ring and run for the Floyd Township seat on the North Putnam School Board.
Murphy joins fellow challenger Dale Barnes to try and unseat incumbent Ron Spencer.
Murphy told The Putnam County Post his first inkling of running for school board came last year when he attended board meetings and was dismayed with what he witnessed.
"I realized how rude and disrespectful our board members and superintendent are to our parents in the community because they chose to speak their opinions regarding Covid. The pandemic brought new and challenging times for us. However, our board did not seem to care what parents thought was best for their children. The second reason being that I hear parents in our community talk about how our schools need change. They want new leadership on the school board and in our administration. They want leadership that values their opinions and hears what they have to say. The third reason being is I was asked to run. I was asked by several in the community to be the person who helps lead this new change to bring leadership to the North Putnam School Board," Murphy told The Putnam County Post.
Murphy said his role as an educator made him aware of some of the concerns he now has with the school corporation.
"I realized how low some wages in the corporation are. I also realized how some programs at North Putnam are not getting the attention they need to make them better for our students," Murphy admitted.
Those concerns are the building blocks to his campaign and in addressing what he sees are the biggest issues facing the district.
"I want higher wages for our teachers. Better paid, happier teachers make for a healthier, better learning environment. Our teachers are some of the lowest paid in the area. We need space for our athletic programs to practice. For example, our wrestling team has to practice in a cafeteria. This is unsanitary for several, obvious reasons. Some current policies need revisited and updated for the health and safety of our children. We need to listen to our community. School Boards are meant to serve the community, not the other way around. Enrollment. Too many students who live within the corporation limits attend other schools in the area. We need to do a better job keeping North Putnam residents in North Putnam Schools," Murphy said.
Why should voters cast a vote for Murphy?
"The community should vote for me because I am not the incumbent. Serving our community should be about more than just a name or who our fathers are. I have my own achievements and successes to be proud of. I pride myself on my values, honor, integrity, honesty and selfless service -- values I learned during my time in the Army, serving our country overseas in Afghanistan. I vow to be transparent with our community, to listen to their wants and needs. I don't talk out of both sides of my mouth or walk the fence on difficult decisions. I am the person they see at the softball field coaching their kids or on Friday nights watching Cougar football with friends and family. I don't do these things only in election years, I do these things year-round, because I enjoy it. I have led the youth football league for several years and now am a part of the youth softball league. I love our youth and I think they love me. I've been involved in our community as a young student myself when I attended North Putnam Schools. My roots are just as deep as the other candidates. My wife and I are both from the community, raised in North Putnam Schools just like our children are. I love working with our youth, guiding them to their own success in their young lives," Murphy said.
