Warsaw Community Schools’ Board of Trustees candidates finalize their paperwork for the next election. From left are WCS Board Member Matt Deuel, WCS School Board Vice-President Randy Polston, and Mallika Klingaman.

Text and Photos
By Patrick Webb
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Three Warsaw residents registered Tuesday, May 21, to run for election and re-election for Warsaw Community Schools’ Board of Trustees at the Kosciusko County Justice Building.

Two incumbents, WCS School Board Vice President Randy Polston and WCS Board Member Matt Deuel, filed to run for re-election. Mallika Klingaman filed to run for the seat Elle Turley will vacate when her second term ends.

According to Polston, each term for the school board is four years.

Each candidate shared about why they were filing to run for the school board.

“An unbelievable privilege” — Matt Deuel

Matt Deuel

Deuel said being on the WCS school board is “an unbelievable privilege.” 

“We have an amazing community and serving these last few years, I’ve learned a lot and I’ve had an opportunity to really dig in and understand what’s happening in our schools,” said Deuel.

Deuel’s first term started Jan. 1, 2020, shortly before action was taken by the U.S. in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He described the time with the school board during the pandemic as “challenging.”

Deuel said each school board member serves on subcommittees.

“One of the committees I serve on is communications,” said Deuel, where he works with WCS Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert and WCS Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships Krista Polston.

“I’m really excited about the growth that we’ve seen over the last couple of years,” said Deuel. He mentioned ParentSquare, “our new communications system to parents get into place.”

Deuel added he wanted to continue to lean into communication practices to “best keep parents and teachers connected and informed.”

“We live in an incredible community and I believe that our school system is truly a special place in our state and our country,” said Deuel.

“I still have gas in my tank” — Randy Polston

Randy Polston

Polston, if reelected, will have his last term on the school board due to term limits.

Polston said he ran for the school board after he retired in 2011 following a 34-year career as a teacher, because he wanted to give back to the community.

“So even at this age I still have gas in my tank and I want the voters to know that,” said Polston. “I’m excited for another four years, just to give back and pour into the kids in this community, to impact the lives of these children from kindergarten all the way to seniors.”

Polston shared he used his experience as a teacher on the school board and said the board members “poured into each other under (Hoffert’s) leadership, to talk through challenges, whether that be behind the scenes or in a public meeting.”

Polston shared the decisions the board makes are based on what’s best for the kids, and they work with parents who may disagree to reach common agreements.

“Further the mission that’s already in place” — Mallika Klingaman

Mallika Klingaman

Klingaman has three children who are students at WCS. She said if she’s elected she aims to “further the mission that’s already in place, which is of academic excellence and equipping children to have all the resources possible to equip them to go to the next level.”

Klinagaman said resources for students includes career training and several career paths available at WCS. She added she was impressed at how the school system invested in academic development of students and the resources available.

Klingaman shared about volunteering she’s done with WCS. She’s currently the co-president of the Edgewood Middle School Parent Teacher’s Organization and an officer with the Jefferson Elementary School PTO. Klingaman has also volunteered as a reading volunteer and board member for Boomerang Backpacks, which helps to provide food for elementary age students in need.

“I just like to be very involved and support our teachers, staff, as well as my children,” said Klingaman.

All three candidates will be on the ballot Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Three WCS school board candidates pose after filing their paperwork to run for the school board. In the front from left are Mallika Klingaman and WCS School Board member Matt Deuel. In the rear, center, is WCS School Board Vice President Randy Polston.