Just a note in case anyone wants to know about the big money being spent on my School Board race. The campaign finance rules for school board state that you don’t have to file a report unless you receive more than $500 or spend more than $500. I’ve done neither. But, if someone wants to know the extent of my finances:
On the expenditure side, I’ve spent just under $165 on Facebook and Instagram ads.
My share of some signs showing all four of the WLEA endorsed candidates constitutes a “gift-in-kind” of $332.
My wife added the school board section onto my website which I believes falls under the category of “personal services of a volunteer who is not being compensated” and, therefore, not a contribution.
And, I used yard signs I had in my basement from 2016.
I’m a high roller.
The RDP PAC was hoping to raise $40,000 to support the campaigns of four candidates endorsed by WLEA, which included two incumbents. I know they will never raise this amount of money. I had know idea a school board election was getting heated. I just read the article in The Journal and Courier from 10/16/2020. Do they have to forfeit their seat if they do not file a report of their finances. Help me if I hear another school board candidate say they want transparency. To me it means they didn’t do to much homework before they filed for the board. Good Luck!!!!
Thanks!
I’m one of the WLEA endorsed candidates. The $332 on the four person signs was an RDP PAC expenditure. Not sure how much it raised, but I guess that’ll show up in campaign finance reports filed on Friday.
And, yes, the “transparency” campaign plank sounds good, but it could mean so many things from the reasonable to the disastrously unworkable. Usually, when someone says they want transparency, they mean that they feel like they haven’t been heard on their particular issue. I think you want a board to be responsive and communicative about its decision-making process. But you don’t want to create a dynamic where the interests of the bored and/or aggrieved end up trumping the interests of the average citizen who isn’t going to be paying attention to the school board when things are going well.
Absolutely true that no one pays attention to the school board except in times of crisis. They post the Accounts Payable Invoice Report when they put all the information right on the website. We are paying (Amy should come to Indy to do school websites you could retire early Doug ;) ) a incredible amount of money for our digital graduation and our websites. There is a Catholic Grade School that has a better web site then ours.
Well back to my original thought, with the A/P report,. information from the Indiana Gateway Reports and the contracts of the Administration and Teachers along with what the administration gives a school board member before the board meeting. A board member should have all the information (it’s great to have someone on the board that understands bonds, circuit breakers, etc) to decide if the schools are being run efficiency. Then you can get down to the fun decisions on referendums, building new schools, finding ways to help out your teachers.
I am going to run wherever my wife end up. It is amazing that school board members do not take the time to find out everything possible about their School Corporation. With the A/P report and the Extracurricular Report you know the everyday expenditures of the school corporation.
In the Covid-19 era I believe the way to win is to put signs (you have to knock on doors) on well traveled streets and the entrances of subdivisions in a citizens yard where people have to stop. and they will see the signs. So many people have no clue who to (all the crazy judges we vote for in Indy, when in doubt vote for the women) vote for in the election. So the person will say hey I saw all these signs for this candidate I will vote for them.. .If you knock on doors tell the person to pass the word. So many will be voting to pick the President the rest of the candidates are just eye candy.. I think it is all about signs or having a good first and last name. I think Doug MASON works! LOL Hmm did I forget something???? 17 days and counting! Good Luck!
I’ll bet the DOJ is watching you more than they are Trump. I hope the folks in Lafayette have the good sense to give you their support. This state really needs you.
Then you can get down to the fun decisions on referendums, building new schools, finding ways to help out your teachers, kids and young adults. Opppsss How did I forget the kids and the young adults! That’s what schools are all about!!!!