GUEST COMMENTARY: Field Elementary School should house young kids

Last year, for the first time in decades, East Chicagoans were able to vote for their representatives on the School Board. In the November election, voters rejected two of the three members of that School Board -- members appointed by the current mayor.

Drive for elected Valpo school board goes online

VALPARAISO | Hoping to rekindle interest in the petition drive to change the city's School Board to an elected body, organizers are taking the campaign to the Web.

EDITORIAL: A new era begins in East Chicago

The School City of East Chicago's new elected board has been sworn in. This is a reform that is long overdue.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Sign petition to support elected Valpo School Board

Of the 293 school corporations in Indiana, 281 have elected school boards. Of the remaining 12 districts, Valparaiso Community Schools is the largest with an appointed board.

EDITORIAL: School boards should be elected

If there's one thing Valparaiso people don't want to be accused of, it's Chicago-style politics. But guess what? The two cities do have something in common after all — a school board filled with political appointees.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Valpo parents deserve an accountable school board

One myth consistently put forward when discussing the merits of an appointed versus elected school board is that an elected board would introduce politics into the educational process. It is not a question of politics, but more a question of accountability.

EDITORIAL: Council joins push for elected board

As East Chicago prepares for its first school board election, the Porter County Council has added its voice in support of requiring an elected, rather than appointed, Valparaiso School Board. It's a good call.

EDITORIAL: Let public pick Valpo school board members

Candidates for the Valparaiso School Board seeking appointment by the Valparaiso City Council said last week that having to face the voters might discourage them from running for that office. While that's interesting, it isn't a valid argument against an elected school board.

Not all board candidates want to face voters

VALPARAISO | The group circulating petitions for an elected Valparaiso School Board now hopes to wrap up the campaign at the end of July, but who would run for the job if it was elected instead of appointed?

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Be careful what you ask for

There is a movement afoot to make the Valparaiso School Board an elected board. This is a position that has long been supported by this newspaper and will continue to be supported. Why? Because it is taxpayers' money and they should have the right to elect who they want to be the steward of …

Correction: All registered voters can sign Valpo petition

Requirement clarified: A story in some Friday editions incorrectly reported a requirement for signing a petition related to the Valparaiso Community Schools board.

Elected school board drive seeks more public input

VALPARAISO | The group circulating petitions to change to an elected School Board for Valparaiso schools is taking the advice it has been giving the schools: It is seeking more public input.

Contact announced for elected Valpo School Board petition

VALPARAISO | Anyone interested in signing a petition supporting a switch to an elected School Board in Valparaiso or in helping with the petition drive can contact Kevin Cornett at electvalpoboard@yahoo.com or (219) 548-8891.

Elected school board petition drive nearing end in Valpo

VALPARAISO | Volunteers hope to gather enough signatures by mid-May to pursue a seven-member elected board for Valparaiso Community Schools.

EDITORIAL: Vote on school taxes, demand accountability

Valparaiso and Duneland officials are right to pursue plans for referendums to raise more money for the school districts, just as Crown Point has already done.

Least intervention urged at E.C. Central

EAST CHICAGO | In the eight months that he's been mayor, Anthony Copeland said he's heard more complaints about the school system than he has about the city's $15 million deficit.

EDITORIAL: Keep pushing for elected school boards

It is refreshing to see that East Chicago residents soon will have the ability to hold their elected School Board members accountable. It is one of the reforms East Chicago has needed. It is a reform Valparaiso needs as well.

EDITORIAL: Give Copeland more time for reforms

East Chicago is a historical city, but it's also a city with a nasty history when it comes to politics. Democratic voters must choose the mayoral candidate who has proved he wants to change that pattern.