June 9, 2008

Since 1962, the City of Rensselaer has been privileged to have three appointments on the seven member board of trustees for the Rensselaer Central School Corporation. Prior to this period, our school system was known as the School City of Rensselaer, which was solely controlled by the citizens of Rensselaer.

The reorganization of 1962 joined several area townships together with the City which produced the current corporation. The composition of the representative management would compose seven members- three from the City of Rensselaer and four from the surrounding townships. These representative members were to be appointed by their appropriate ruling factions- the township trustees and the Rensselaer City Council. It was stated that if and when the population of either of the areas would significantly change , this number of representatives could become modified accordingly.

Rensselaer is one of three school corporations in Indiana that still utilize the system of appointment in selecting board members. The remaining systems have elected board members. We feel our selection system is the most beneficial in serving our needs. Some disagree.

Our theory is most families with school age children find it challenging in today’s world just coping with the normal needed expenditures without the costs of composing a political campaign. People in this category have a vested interest in how effectively our school systems are being managed and producing the proper methods of education.

The City practices a system of application and the interview process in evaluating their choice of a school board representative. The City Council’s concern is who will best represent the interests of the City, the positive condition of our school system and the interests of our taxpaying public.