Matt Hopp

I am a parent of two Pike students in 8th and 5th grade. I've been a resident of Pike for 20 years and lived in Indianapolis for more than 30 years. Having been a member of MSD Pike school board for the past two years, I was proud to support and work with our community in passing a referendum raising money for our educators, to support our students, and to increase security in our schools.

I'm a lifelong learner who believes that education is key for our students to be successful. I believe education looks different for each student as they work to understand what drives them. As a district, we focus on providing opportunities for all of our students with their picture of future success being unique to each. Education can't be "one size fits all".

• We need to deliver on the commitments made for the referendum. The Pike community entrusted the school district with money to further our educational goals. We can and will meet our commitments.
• We need to continue pushing the state legislature to support all students and not focus on charter schools and voucher programs. More than 25% of the state education budget is supporting schools that are not subject to the same oversight and requirements of public schools but are entrusted with public funds.
• We need to work to evaluate the new graduation requirements that begin with the class of 2029. As a parent of a student graduating in 2029, it is important that we determine how best to support him and all of our students as we navigate this significant change.

I appreciate the difficult job the state legislature needs to do in managing the state budget. I'm focused on making sure public school students are fairly represented. The move to focus on charter and voucher programs will continue to put many students at a disadvantage in terms of state resources.

My parents first and foremost. They have always set a great example for me and my siblings. They foster a safe environment in which to have discussions and disagreements and always made us understand their love was unconditional.

Simon Sinek wrote a book called The Infinite Game that focuses on understanding that business, education, society in general does not have an end. Within education we should constantly strive to remember that we need to have a long term horizon when planning for the future. We need to lead for the next 100 years not the next 100 days.

Integrity, honesty, and the ability to communicate effectively. Elected officials should strive to truly represent their entire constituency and not any special interests.

My commitment to public education and to my own kids. My consistency in being present and finding ways to help.

Represent the entire constituency that elected me and make sure to stay focused on the greater good for the needs of MSD Pike.

My kids and my family are my legacy. Doing a good job and finding joy in being a member of a vibrant community is my goal in all that I do.

I was nine years old when President Reagan was shot and also when Pope John Paul II had an assassin attempt to take his life. Both of those events made an impression on me that it is important to stand up for your beliefs.

In high school, I worked selling shoes at Kinney Shoes. It was a great opportunity to learn how to work with customers, identify needs, and make a sale that benefitted the customer.

Currently The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek.

Josh Lyman from the West Wing.

Get Along by Kenny Chesney

For me it has been my weight and finding a balance of how to maintain an ideal weight.

Provide governance of the funds entrusted to the district for running the district. Develop and approve policies that govern how our schools operate. Hire and evaluate our superintendent.

Overall, my constituents are the residents of Pike Township. Even if the families do not have students actively in Pike schools, having a strong school system benefits everyone.

The board continues to support the diverse needs of the members of our school community by focusing on funding our education goals.

In Pike, we have a very involved community. I'm involved currently with school organizations, Scouts and my church.

Good teaching is one that leaves a positive emotional impact on our students. Our educators are fantastic at connecting with students and families -- not only about the school work but about supporting their goals, dreams, and desires.

Over the next decade and beyond, the impact of STEAM programs, the impact of AI education, will be critical to make sure we're preparing our students as best we can. Helping students find the path that will best help them find success after graduation is our goal. We need to stay flexible in our approach to curriculum development.

Since the state legislature is focused more on charter and voucher programs, our district proposed and passed a referendum in May 2024. We want to continue to keep our educators pay very competitive in the Indianapolis market, we want to make sure our students are safe and secure, and we want to make sure our students are achieving to the best of their abilities.

Having the proper staff in the schools to support the mental wellbeing of our students is part of our focus on the referendum. School counselors are vital to helping students navigate growing up working closely with parents and guardians. Helping our educators and staff have a supportive work environment, make sure each knows they are valued, and provide the physical tools they need to complete their goals are a few ways we can be supportive.

How do you know when a joke is a "dad" joke? When it becomes apparent!!

None at this time.

Pike Classroom Teachers Association

An ideal learning environment will look different for each of our students. Finding what motivates and excites each student is critical to helping them find their success.

The pandemic was an uncharted journey. Our district, like most, made decisions based on the data, recommendations, and information available. Decisions were made based on the goal of best interests of the students and staff. There is always an opportunity to look back and identify things we could have done better and that process has occurred within our district.

As a parent in the district myself, being involved with student organizations, PTO/PTAs and other groups in the district is the best way to build relationships.

Identifying students interested in teaching while they are in middle school and high school, and then providing those students opportunities to lead in the classroom is a great way to recruit. Working closely with our wide range of local universities is a great avenue for bringing in new and talented educators.

Transparency and accountability are the bedrocks of our republic. School boards are mandated to operate under open door laws and the public should have, and should exercise, the right to be fully aware of what is happening in our district.