About 40 students trekked through the cold, wet and dreary night to learn where Democratic candidate for Congress Barry Welsh stands on issues such as education.
"I'm a firm believer in public education," Welsh said. "I believe public education is the springboard that allows some to jump-start themselves into opportunity."
Public education provides opportunity to students that do not have the means to succeed otherwise, Welsh said.
Incumbent Mike Pence, Welsh's opponent, has cut student grant money even though interest rates on student loans are high, which makes it more expensive for students to attend college, Welsh said.
A Ball State University alumnus and teacher at New Palestine for four years, Welsh is running for Congress to fight for public education. He said teaching is one of the most undervalued professions.
"Public school teachers should be among the highest professional paid opportunities that you can have," he said.
The room, filled with both education and non-education majors, erupted in applause.
Welsh's stance on various issues is listed below.
The concept of full-day kindergarten is a positive change in education, he said. The educational programs of the U.S. are not as rigorous as other industrialized nations and subsequently American students struggle to compete in the workplace. The instigation of full-day kindergarten would eventually level the playing field between American and international students, he said.
"We've come a long way in many things but we've let many crucial things slip through the cracks and education is one of those things," Welsh said.
The No Child Left Behind Act was a great concept and program, but it became an "unfunded mandate," Welsh said. Teachers began teaching only the test material and not teaching the student, which is not productive for the educational system, he said.
Voting methods also need to be addressed, Welsh said. He feels that a receipt should be issued to both the voter and the polling place after a ballot is cast. Ideally this would reduce or eliminate voter fraud, he said.
Arts are important in education, Welsh said. While basic education classes such as math, english and science are still needed, he said the U.S. cannot afford to lose the creativity fostered through both visual and performance arts.
"You are the thinkers," Welsh said. "George W. Bush likes to get up there and go ... I'm the decider ... he's not the decider, you're the decider. Each and every one of you is a decider; don't let anybody take the power away from you."
A supporter of change, Welsh differentiates himself from Pence by saying that Pence is his party's candidate whereas Welsh is the people's candidate.
At this point, Welsh is pleased with his standing in the polls, he said.
"We're a lot closer than where we thought we'd be," he said.
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