During January’s Board of Education meeting, attorney Libby Roberts, swore in new member Collin Fultz. Fultz was chosen to replace Dr. Steve Maple,a beloved board member for 24 years. Dr. Maple submitted his resignation late last year after he and his wife decided to move out of the district to be closer to their grandchildren. District residency is required for all Board members.

After conducting a month-long search, the Board interviewed three candidates and selected Fultz to fill the vacancy. Fultz, who attended Henry Burkhart, Perry Meridian Middle and Perry Meridian High, is also a graduate of Purdue University. He and his wife, Jenny, have two children. Although his two kids are not yet in kindergarten, Fultz is an active volunteer in our schools.

Since returning to Perry Township in 2014 after living in New Hampshire for roughly four years, Fultz has been supporting Perry Meridian High’s Cyber Blue team– a club that’s close to his heart because he was once a member. Fultz is also a volunteer at Abraham Lincoln Elementary. For one hour each Wednesday, he and four high school students lead a STEM enrichment program in Mrs. Linda Simmons’ fourth grade class. These STEM-related activities are a perfect fit for Fultz who work at FIRST, an organization that inspires young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators.

Fultz says that spending time inside the classroom has opened his eyes to some of the challenges facing teachers and shown him opportunities to make an even greater impact on the students’ future. His term will end December 2018, and he will have the option to run for the position during the November general election.

Board members have also elected officers for the new year. During a unanimous vote, Ed Denning was voted president, Emily Hartman was elected vice president, and former President Ken Mertz was voted secretary.