A fair amount of research points to the value of consistent leadership in bolstering school district achievement. Fort Wayne Community Schools has enjoyed that consistency in the superintendent’s office for seven years. And for the past four years, FWCS has benefited from the oversight of a school board united in its goals to “achieve and maintain academic excellence, engage parents and the community and operate with fiscal responsibility, integrity and effectiveness.”

In supporting the re-election of at-large board members Mark GiaQuinta and Pamela Martin-Diaz, voters can support the consistency that appears to be advancing those goals. Voters will choose two at-large representatives.

GiaQuinta, as board president, can be a lightning rod for school board critics. He is sometimes dismissive of views counter to his own, but he has pushed board engagement, and district accomplishments have caught the attention of education officials far beyond Fort Wayne.

The FWCS board does not spend meeting time discussing milk bids or athletic coaching assignments. It presses administrators for details on broad curriculum initiatives, the effectiveness of community/school partnerships and other measurable standards.

GiaQuinta, a Fort Wayne attorney and former City Council member, has strong political instincts that serve the board well, ensuring that the state’s second-largest district is not dismissed by Indianapolis policymakers as a failing urban district. His relationship with Superintendent Wendy Robinson is not always smooth, but their mutual respect and determined approach to making FWCS the strongest district possible make it a productive one.

GiaQuinta points to the failed $500 million building project as a learning experience, one that will inform the process once the economy heals.

“We will be the driver of the next plan,” he insists. “If you look at our goals, you will see the building project in each one of them.”

Martin-Diaz, manager of the Shawnee branch of the Allen County Public Library, takes a much more measured approach in board service, but she is no less passionate or committed to the district’s mission. She’s a strong advocate for public schools and early childhood education and clearly votes with the best interests of students in mind, sometimes breaking with the board majority.

“I have a concern that we have disparate offerings at the middle schools,” Martin-Diaz said. “That doesn’t sit right with me.”

Martin-Diaz probably shows more appreciation for community opinion in decisions than any other board member. She follows former board member Geoff Paddock’s example of attending as many school events as possible, and she is a strong supporter of FWCS teachers and staff.

The 10-candidate field also includes Lisa Olinger, wife of former board member Jon Olinger. She is a strong candidate in her own right – a former teacher and education technology consultant. She’s supportive of FWCS’ choice program and the LEAD program, while asking good questions about the effect of turnaround efforts on other district schools. If not for the opportunity voters have to choose experienced leaders, Lisa Olinger would be a good pick.

Other candidates are Mary G. Barrand, Richard Cline, Evert Hendrik Mol, Eldon Schoch, Joy Smith, Michelle Tribolet and James Albert Widmeyer.

Thursday:

Allen County offices