GREENFIELD — The decision of a three-term incumbent to not seek re-election has set up a two-man race to replace her on the Greenfield-Central School Board.
Longtime board member Retta Livengood decided not to run for re-election this fall. Her District 3 post is being contested by Greenfield businessman Mark Lozier and retired science teacher John Rihm.
District 3 includes the southwest portion of the G-C school district.
Rihm is a newcomer to politics but believes his experience in the classroom — he taught for Greenfield-Central schools for 42 years before retiring in June — will make him an important voice on the board. He says he understands the difficulties teachers face and can offer that perspective during important talks with the administration.
Lozier says his business experience will be an asset to the board. If the school district is like a business, he reasons, the school board is like a board of directors. It helps set a vision and make decisions on how to best move forward, he said.
Though their backgrounds differ, Lozier and Rihm agree school safety is among their top goals going forward, and they promise to help further the good work the district has already done to ensure students feel safe at school. They say they are seeking a spot on the board not to further any political career but to give back to their community.
Here is more information of each candidate’s views, in their own words:
Why are you running for office?
Lozier: I am running for office because I believe that our children are our future. My faith tells me that it’s my duty to serve as an elected official and to be a voice for the parents and the taxpayers that no longer have students in Greenfield-Central Schools. My ability to communicate effectively with people of all different backgrounds serves me well. I’m a servant leader and believe in a process in which each person feels empowered and heard.
Rihm: I taught at Greenfield-Central High School for 42 years and have a passion to provide the best for our young people. I wish to continue to be involved in the education of the young people in this community, to help make a good school a better school.
What makes you a qualified candidate for the position?
Lozier: I have over 40 years of executive-level business leadership. I believe that this experience will allow me to serve our educational community in assisting the administration with establishing effective and efficient structure, ensuring fiscally conservative responsibility, accountability and providing an advocate type of leadership for our students and administration.
Rihm: My experiences have helped me understand the school curriculum, the school budgetary process and an understanding of the Indiana Department of Education in the areas of testing, standards and curriculum; lived in Greenfield and taught for 42 years at Greenfield-Central High School; department chair for science for 20 years; 20 years on the Principal’s Leadership Team; adjunct faculty instructor for 32 years with Ivy Tech Community College in Business computer technology; master teacher for Project Lead the Way (PLTW) in Engineering and started the PLTW Biomedical program at Greenfield-Central High School; manager for Riley Park Pool for 25 years.
What are your top three goals, if elected?
Lozier: 1. I will evaluate, review and/or establish school safety/security policies, procedures and efficiencies to ensure that our children have a safe learning environment. 2. Accounting review to ensure that accounts are accurate and properly maintained. 3. Assist the administration with establishing an educational environment that will increase the overall graduation rate of those enrolled at Greenfield-Central High School.
Rihm: 1. My overall goal is to work with the school and community to continue to make Greenfield-Central Community Schools the best we can for the young people of our community. In other words, I want to make a good school system even better. 2. Work with the administration and teachers to develop in-service programs to provide general education teachers with strategies to work with special needs students as teachers are being asked more and more to work with those students. 3. Work to develop strategies to attract the best educators that we can.
What do you believe is the most pressing issue facing schools today?
Lozier: There just isn’t one major issue; there are small issues that need to be addressed before they become major issues. School safety is an important issue; increasing the school enrollment; improving the staff morale; living up to transparency with my own personal open door; increasing the school’s graduation rate; and improve communication with parents.
Rihm: Student safety. Find the best ways to keep our students safe and yet maintain an inviting environment to the community.