School board

School Board Member, Whitley County Consolidated Schools

District Columbia City

Vote for: 2
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 4
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The school board sets policy, hires the superintendent and adopts the budget for Whitley County Consolidated Schools.

Candidates Compare by issue

Chris Miller

Republican

The gist

Pledges to listen to teachers and parents before decidingIn office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Chris

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Pledges to listen to teachers and parents before deciding
Letter to the editor: The best school board meetings don't happen n the board room
Public statement · The Post & Mail (Columbia City) · Sep 10, 2026 · thepostandmail.com
“Over the past year, I've made it a priority to listen before forming opinions.”

Stephanie (Porter) Wilson

Republican

The gist

Pledges to hear all sides, keeping students at the center
Opposes keeping school practices only out of tradition
Supports trusting administrators while still asking questions

More about Stephanie

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Pledges to hear all sides, keeping students at the center
Stephanie Wilson For WCCS School Board (campaign Facebook page)
Candidate social media · Stephanie Wilson For WCCS School Board · facebook.com
“I believe a school board member has to be willing to listen to all sides while keeping students at the center of the conversation.”
Opposes keeping school practices only out of tradition
Stephanie Wilson For WCCS School Board: post on free speech and the campaign
Candidate social media · Stephanie Wilson For WCCS School Board · facebook.com
“I do not believe in accepting the status quo simply because "that's how it's always been done."”
Supports trusting administrators while still asking questions
Stephanie Wilson For WCCS School Board (campaign Facebook page)
Candidate social media · Stephanie Wilson For WCCS School Board · facebook.com
“But trust doesn't mean we stop asking questions.”

Bryan Smethers

Independent

Retirement plan document writer

The gist

Supports public schools as places that bring people together
Pledges to keep district finances stable amid tax changes
Pledges to keep students at the center of decisions

More about Bryan

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Supports public schools as places that bring people together
Bryan Smethers for WCCS School Board - Columbia City: letter to the Whitley County Patriots candidate forum
Candidate social media · Bryan Smethers for WCCS School Board - Columbia City · facebook.com
“I believe deeply in the role our public schools play in bringing people together.”
Pledges to keep district finances stable amid tax changes
Bryan Smethers for WCCS School Board - Columbia City: letter to the Whitley County Patriots candidate forum
Candidate social media · Bryan Smethers for WCCS School Board - Columbia City · facebook.com
“I want to help our district navigate these issues responsibly, maintain financial stability, and preserve the programs that prepare students for life after graduation.”
Pledges to keep students at the center of decisions
Bryan Smethers for WCCS School Board - Columbia City: letter to the Whitley County Patriots candidate forum
Candidate social media · Bryan Smethers for WCCS School Board - Columbia City · facebook.com
“My commitment is to keep students at the center of every decision.”

Katherine (Kate) Method

RepublicanIncumbent

WCCS school board member

The gist

Pledges open board business and community town halls
Co-hosted a town hall opening WCCS finances to taxpayers

More about Katherine

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Pledges open board business and community town halls
Kate Method for WCCS School Board: post on the March 10 town hall
Candidate social media · Kate Method for WCCS School Board · facebook.com
“Believing school business should be conducted openly whenever possible to build trust with the community. … Hosting community town halls to encourage open dialogue between parents, the School Board, and administration.”
Co-hosted a town hall opening WCCS finances to taxpayers
Kate Method for WCCS School Board: post on the March 10 town hall
Candidate social media · Kate Method for WCCS School Board · facebook.com
“open our books to the taxpayers through a town hall at the Whitley County Patriots meeting.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 2 issues covered in this race.