Lukemeyer seeking election to Greater Jasper School Board District 3
Steve Lukemeyer is on the ballot for the District 3 seat on the Greater Jasper Consolidated School Board.
Lukemeyer’s decision to seek the office is based on several factors.
“First and foremost, I have four school-age children – a junior, freshman, seventh grader, and fifth grader,” he explained. “Needless to say, I have a very vested interest in the quality of our school system. I know what kids face every day in school. Their feedback helps me understand the challenges they face and gives me a perspective that will help me make decisions that are in the best interests of the children.”
Additionally, Lukemeyer feels that it is time for a fresh perspective on the school board.
“I think that over time, change is healthy in elected positions. I think very highly of my opponent, and I appreciate what he has done for the school corporation,” Lukemeyer said. “However, he has been on the school board for 24 years and has not had kids in the school system since he was originally elected in 1998. A lot has changed for students over that 24-year period, and I believe that it is necessary to bring a new perspective and a new analytical eye to our school board.”
He would like to hear from parents and have them become more involved in the school board meetings. Lukemeyer explained that a frustration he has had as a parent is the lack of notice regarding the school board meeting agendas. “We need to inform parents what is on the agenda for each monthly meeting so that they can attend and speak if they so desire,” he explained. “Currently, the only way a parent can find out what is on the agenda is to arrive at the meeting and pick up an agenda at the door. I have requested that each agenda be placed on the school corporation website in advance, but that request was declined. I will always welcome and encourage parents to attend school board meetings and share their opinions.”
Lukemeyer grew up in Jasper. He is a proud alumnus of Tenth Street Elementary, Jasper Middle School (when it was next to the Cabby O’Neil gym), and Jasper High School, Class of 1991. He attended Indiana University – Bloomington and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice before going to law school at Indiana University – Indianapolis, where he received a Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1999. He passed the Indiana bar exam that same year. He lived in Indianapolis and practiced law there until 2009 when he and his wife, Anita (Wibbels), decided they wanted to give their children the incredible childhood they both enjoyed in their hometown of Jasper.
After moving back, Lukemeyer realized his true passion was real estate sales. Although he still maintains his license to practice law, he chose real estate brokerage as his full-time career.
Operating his own business for the past 12 years has given Lukemeyer experience in working with a budget and monitoring spending. He says he is fiscally conservative and will be a good steward of taxpayers’ money.
He added that the teachers, staff and administrators in the Greater Jasper School Corporation are exceptional. “I have had the opportunity recently to have detailed conversations with administrators at the elementary schools, middle school, high school, and superintendent’s office,” he said. “All of them are incredibly dialed in on the needs and wants within their areas. It is important to me that I do my part in continuing to provide the support they need from the school board and hopefully help find a way to accomplish some of their ‘wants’ that will further improve the already phenomenal school system we have.”
He strongly believes education creates opportunities for all children and that the school board’s actions and decisions must always be laser-focused on the best interests of the students. Our schools need to be a safe haven for young people to tune out the noise of the world around them and be in an environment that is bountiful with opportunities to learn, to be challenged, to interact with each other, and to prepare themselves to be successful in life, he said.
Lukemeyer has served on the Board of Directors of the Jasper Chamber of Commerce, the Habitat for Humanity of Dubois County Board of Directors, the Holy Trinity Catholic School – School Council, and the Precious Blood Church Outreach Committee. He also participated in the Jasper High School Community Action Team, which was a group of local business people who met with the principal regularly to engage in discussions about a wide variety of school topics. He has also been a financial supporter of Junior Achievement and the Jasper Public Library Summer Reading Program for as long as he can remember.
Lukemeyer and his family are members of the Precious Blood Catholic Church. He and his wife have four children; Noah (16), Nate (15), Abby (12) and Ashley (11).
