CHRISTOPHER (Chris) McNEW

My name is Christopher (Chris) McNew.  You are invited to browse this page to learn more about me, what I stand for, and why I am running for our school board.  I am running as an INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE, not associated with any political party.

I humbly ask for your vote for Tipton Community School Corporation School Board.  PLEASE VOTE ON OR BEFORE November 3rd!

My Time In Education, & A Little About Me and My Family:

I was born a Tipton resident in 1970.  I attended Country Charm Nursery School (Charlotte Grayson and Sherry Woods teachers) and Lincoln Elementary School.  When my mom married my step-father, we moved to Cicero where I attended Hamilton Heights Jr High School (Walnut Grove) and Hamilton Heights High School (Arcadia).  One of the highlights was becoming friends with Ryan White, his mom Jeanne and his sister Andrea. I was asked to be a teacher's assistant in Ryan's science classes (Biology I and Physical Science) so that I could instruct lessons missed and help him make up work when he was absent. During my college years at Indiana University Kokomo studying education, I was able to do some practicum work at my old home, Lincoln Elementary School.  Some of those teachers whom I had just a few years before helped me to learn how to teach effectively.  I also had the opportunity to substitute teach at Lincoln, Jefferson Elementary as well as Tipton High School.  During the summer of 1992, I was hired to be the Elementary Science and Health Instructor and Coordinator.  My responsibilities included teaching the High Ability classes daily, instructing enrichment classes in gen ed classes in grades K-5, reworking along with a representative from every grade level our elementary science and health curriculum that became a model for elementary classrooms, planning field trips and guest speakers, and building from nearly scratch a school inventory of science and health materials and equipment.  I also spent time coaching volleyball at TMS and 4th and 5th grade intramurals.

I served on the TCSC Board of Education from 2019-2022.  I certainly learned more about school finance, governance and leadership during those four years.

I have two children, Caiden (a 2026 THS graduate) and Allan who will be a senior at THS.  I'm proud that my children have attended TCSC their entire school careers.  If I thought I could provide them a better education than they could have received at Tipton, I would have made sure they got it!  They are the highlight of my life.

I am a huge sports fan (Colts, Pacers, Fever and Cubs).  I had Pacers season tickets for many years with fifth grade teachers, Mr. Millett and Mr. Borders.  The three of us took fifth graders to different professional sporting events over the years.  Mr. Millett and I helped to bring Boomer, the Pacers mascot, to the elementary as an end of the year celebration that all students attended.

I have been involved with the Tipton County Pork Festival for 12 years.  This is another way that I give back to the community that I love being a part of.

My family enjoys attending performances at Beef and Boards.  We have seen many outstanding performances and eat very well on show nights!

My family are huge animal lovers!  Our the years we have had many pets in our family, including our current feline family members Wilma and Peachy! We support the Tipton County Humane Society.

I have attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cicero since I converted to Catholicism in 1985.  My children attended PRE-classes (Sunday School for elementary school students), attend mass with me weekly. This is our home church.

My Vision For TCSC:

I am a believer that Tipton Community School Corporation should offer students the highest quality education possible.  Tipton has a positive reputation around the state for its academic, co-curricular and athletic programs, and that must continue.  I have heard from people all around Indiana that Tipton students represent their communities exceptionally well. (Tipton PRIDE!) From the football field and softball diamond to band and academic performances, two qualities that I hear very often that our students display are sportsmanship and respect.

Our elementary school lays the foundation that the other two schools build upon and create a love of learning.  The middle school and high school continue that tradition, preparing our students for whatever lies beyond graduation while instilling critical thinking skills and a love of lifelong learning.

I believe that our community supports public education.  Citizens of TCSC, from all walks of life and across socioeconomic spectrums, want our students to receive a top notch education.  In the 2020's, the core academics are as important as ever and we should continue to excel delivering those for our students.  To be well rounded, we have to offer more than the basics and we do.  I do not want to see one single program (academic, athletic, club or the arts) cut or eliminated.  Being a student at Tipton is something to be proud of.  Receiving a diploma from Tipton has always shown employers, colleges, the military, and trade schools that a well rounded student succeeded here. THAT NEEDS TO CONTINUE!  As good as we are, we can always be better!  As administrators (building level, central administration and Board) we should be doing everything that we can do to offer opportunities that are challenging and rewarding for our students while being financially responsible.  We should be good stewards of taxpayer money.  Education costs money!  Good, high quality education is not cheap!  However, we can not afford to take that financial responsibility lightly.