Viewpoint: P-H-M school board candidate is 'just a Dad trying to make a difference'

My name is James Turnwald and I am running for the Penn-Harris-Madison school board.

In December 2021, I was appointed to the P-H-M school board to fill a vacancy. I am excited by the opportunity to ensure that the school district serves the needs of all students, regardless of their abilities and backgrounds.

This wasn't something I imagined doing but I felt called to serve. The reason I am running is that my wife and I have four daughters with anticipated P-H-M graduation years of 2031, 2033, 2037 and 2040. So, to put it simply, I'm just a Dad trying to make a difference! I have a very personal and vested interest in ensuring that P-H-M continues to provide an excellence in education to all children for decades to come.

Throughout my childhood, I was deeply involved in scouting with the Boy Scouts of America. In 2002, I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Scouting is an integral part of who I am that prepared me to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader while instilling important values. One of those values is to leave a place better than you found it.

It is a profoundly simple saying but it applies to everything you do. Whether it’s picking up all the trash at your campsite even if it wasn’t yours; smiling and saying hello to a stranger; improving the business we work for, the home we live in; or just how we improve our community.

Leaving a place better than you found it, has motivated me throughout my life to serve my community in a multitude of ways. A few of which I would love to share with you.

⋅ Volunteer board member of Michiana Down Syndromefrom 2016-2022.

⋅ Since 2017, every Monday I deliver meals to local seniors in the West End of Mishawaka through Meals on Wheels.

⋅ Since 2018, I have served on the board of the Potawatomi Zoo.

⋅ Member of the 2018 class of Michiana Forty Under 40.

⋅ Member of South Bend Rotary.

Also, in my day job, I’m the executive director of the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG). For those not familiar with MACOG, we are a regional planning organization focusing on studying and resolving interlocal issues for four counties (St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall and Kosciusko) plus 35 cities and towns. We focus on topics like transportation, infrastructure, community development and sustainability.

I oversee a staff of 20 full-time and eight part-time professionals to assure comprehensive, cooperative and continuing policies, plans and processes are developed that reflect the current and future needs of the region. I have the pleasure of working with our board of directors, which is comprised of 18 elected officials and 2 INDOT representatives. My work experience provides a strong understanding of government finance, grant-writing, fundraising and attention to detail aptitudes. My ability to work well with others and leadership experience all make for a strong foundation for school board.

Throughout my history, you will see that the things that are important to my family, to my kids, to my community, I want to help make sure that they get better. This is why I feel called to serve and with my broad range of experiences, I believe I can contribute to the P-H-M school board.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Visit www.jamesturnwald.com for more information.

James Turnwald is a candidate for the Penn Township seat on the P-H-M school board.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Candidate for Penn-Harris-Madison school board on why he wants to serve.