Endorsements

After much consideration, attending a candidate forum, and talking with candidates, I support Amy Austin, Maria Koliantz, George Lyle, and David Purpura for WL School Board. I truly believe these are the candidates that are going to continue to support our schools and community, promote diversity, as well as improve unity among board members.

Amy brings experience to the board as a board member and parent as well as a 20 year career in government contracting.

These candidates have been involved in so many ways, for so many years, throughout our school-community and I’m thankful for their willingness to run for West Lafayette School Board!

As a resident of this school district, a parent of three WLCSC students,  and a teacher at West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School for the past twenty-three years, I am completely invested in the success of our kids and our schools. I believe we’re a unique school system, which means we need school board members who understand that the secret of our success is our willingness to work together. 

As a parent of two children and an educator at West Lafayette Community School Corporation, I fully support Amy Austin as a school board candidate. She has proven to be a highly-effective leader in our community, and I wholeheartedly trust her judgement and decision-making capabilities. Mrs. Austin has the skills that are necessary to ensure that our children are receiving the best education possible.

Amy Austin has integrity, compassion, and the right attitude about what it takes to be a school board member. She is an experienced financial manager who has also developed good relations with our legislative contacts. I trust Amy to always put the welfare of our students and schools ahead of any personal agenda.

I have known Amy for over a decade, both inside the walls of the elementary school, and outside in the West Lafayette community. As her friend and a WL teacher, I was ecstatic when she ran and was elected to the school board in 2020. I knew back then that Amy was the perfect person to help our schools continue to grow, improve, and thrive. She stands on the firm foundation that every student deserves to be met at their level and supported to reach their highest potential. Amy knows that in order for this to occur, she must listen to, and work closely with, those that are on the front line of the educational process. She doesn’t just think with her own perspective in mind and instead looks at the bigger picture. Amy is willing to notice when things need improvement and reach out to those who are the experts and have more knowledge than herself. She listens to all, seeks to understand all, and works for the whole school community, not just those whose opinions match her own.

I am confident that Amy Austin will continue her exemplary work on the school board if reelected. I fully trust her with not only my future as a West Lafayette teacher, but also the educational future of our five children. They need someone who is them-focused, from the smallest to the tallest, from the highly able to the special needs, from the quietest to the loudest, and all those in between and combined. Amy is their voice, our voice, on the school board.

We are retired West Side teachers who dedicated our professional careers to this community. West Lafayette and its schools remain essential to us. That is why we need a collaborative, well-functioning School Board that will help us maintain the high quality of our schools. We believe that incumbent Amy Austin, Maria Koliantz, George Lyle, and David Purpura are best qualified to achieve this goal. We strongly endorse these four candidates for election on November 5.

Amy I am behind you 100%. You can quote me.

I am proud to endorse Amy Austin for re-election to the WL school board because she is committed to protecting traditional public schools and the stellar educational opportunities for West Lafayette Community Schools.

Amy Austin is a clear example of leadership within WLCSC. I have known Amy for more than 10 years–as a community member, parent, volunteer, friend, and board member. I trust Amy to make the decisions that are best for my daughter as a WL student and for me as a public educator. As a school counselor, I know Amy focuses on the whole child, and promotes wellness for our kids. I support Amy Austin for re-election as a WLCSC board member.

Amy Austin is a clear choice to be re-elected for the West Lafayette School Board. As a former West Lafayette parent, teacher, coach and administrator, I understand on many levels the importance of a supportive, collaborative board that helps make our school community an amazing place. Amy understands the value of considering a variety of perspectives while always upholding the standard of excellence our schools represent. She listens to her stakeholders, teachers and building administrators to make informed decisions as a board member. I felt supported and respected because she trusted me to do my job. Even though I have moved on to a new job, I still live in the West Lafayette community and care that our schools continue to be one of the best educational experiences for kids in the state. Amy is someone who will work tirelessly to make this happen. She embodies RDP in its most truest sense and she has my complete and enthusiastic support.

As a West Lafayette parent, teacher, and community member, I am excited to support Amy Austin’s reelection to the school board. Amy is committed to continuing to learn how to best serve the students and staff of our WLCSC schools. She regularly attends board member training sessions and integrates these best practices into her leadership of the WL school board. Amy listens to and values the experiences of our professional educators. She understands the importance of letting the professionals do their jobs and has never tried to micromanage what happens in our schools and classrooms. With Amy Austin’s continued leadership on the school board, we can ensure an outstanding educational experience for ALL our students.

Over many years of service as both a teacher and administrator in WLCSC, Amy Austin is among the very best board members that I have known. Most recently I have been impressed with her professional approach as board president. Amy will ask tough questions, but always speaks and acts with great respect for all voices in the school community. Amy is an effective member and president because she guides the board to fulfill its central purpose to develop relevant district policies and work effectively with the district administration. Mrs. Austin has consistently improved as a member by participating in ISBA school board trainings and has developed relationships at the state level with the IDOE and legislature, none of it required, but all beneficial to WLCSC. I endorse Mrs. Austin’s desire to continue to serve WLCSC students, families, and staff. She is in it for the right reasons and our great schools will continue to thrive with Amy’s continued service on the board.

As an educator and mom of a special education student, I fully support Amy Austin. Amy is an ally to parents, a child-focused leader, and an active volunteer in our community. She’s what is right in educational leadership.

I am writing to endorse Amy Austin for her continued role with the West Lafayette School Board. Having known Amy for over a decade, I can attest to her unwavering commitment to the well-being and success of the children and families in her district. Amy consistently demonstrates dedication to the best interests of students. Her professionalism and kindness are evident in every interaction, and she is always the first to lend a helping hand to those in need. Her genuine compassion makes her an invaluable asset to our community. As a parent and a school counselor, I am proud to support Amy and her continued service to the West Lafayette Schools.

I’ve had the pleasure of working directly with Amy Austin the last 4 years as a Member of the West Lafayette Community School Corporation Board of Trustees. Amy has been deeply committed to our schools and our children for 15 years. She started as a volunteer and leader for our Parent Council at our Intermediate School. Amy joined our School Board nearly 4 years ago and her contributions have moved our district progressively forward in an ever-changing landscape. Over the last year she has provided steadfast leadership as Board President. Above all, she’s a public servant who has invested her heart and mind into our Schools and our Children. She understands the role of the Board, and her Trust and Commitment are felt by our Staff, Students and Parents. There is no one more experienced, qualified and capable. That is why I’m supporting Amy Austin for reelection to The West Lafayette School Corporation Board of Trustees.

Amy Austin is widely regarded as an outstanding and hard-working board member and board president. She serves the West Lafayette community for the right reason – to better the quality public education available to our students – while being a voice of reason for all families. She has a sterling relationship with Superintendent Greiner, his administrative team and key state legislators. There is nothing self-serving about Amy, and we need her on the board to ensure that our school corporation continues to thrive. She has my full endorsement.