Liz Chaffee

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Liz Chaffee

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Nonpartisan

Northwest Allen County Schools school board Eel River Township

Tenure

2025 - Present

Term ends

2028

Years in position

0

Predecessor

Steve Bartkus

Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Ball State University, 1992

Graduate

Indiana University Fort Wayne, 2003

Personal

Profession

Retired

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Liz Chaffee is a member of the Northwest Allen County Schools school board in Indiana, representing Eel River Township. She assumed office on January 1, 2025. Her current term ends on December 31, 2028.

Chaffee ran for election to the Northwest Allen County Schools school board to represent Eel River Township in Indiana. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Chaffee completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Liz Chaffee's career experience includes working as a human resource director and teacher. She earned a bachelor's degree from Ball State University in 1992 and a graduate degree from Indiana University Fort Wayne in 2003.

Elections

2024

See also: Northwest Allen County Schools, Indiana, elections (2024)

General election

General election for Northwest Allen County Schools school board Eel River Township

Liz Chaffee defeated Mary Dohl in the general election for Northwest Allen County Schools school board Eel River Township on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Liz Chaffee (Nonpartisan)	57.7	11,589
		Mary Dohl (Nonpartisan)	42.3	8,483

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 20,072
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Chaffee in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Liz Chaffee completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Chaffee's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Liz Chaffee. I am a newly retired NACS teacher, a mother of 4 NACS graduates as well as a brand-new Grandma! I was employed by NACS for 26 years. 25 of the most recent years I taught Kindergarten at Huntertown Elementary School. I was a teacher representative for the Huntertown PTO each year. As a parent and teacher, I had many years to help with many projects (created SCRIP program, ran Huntertown Hoops for 10 years, carnivals, cross country, movie nights, robotics club...). I was a member of the NACS Math CAAT team every year. I was a Huntertown NACEA (teachers union) representative as well as a representative who attended round table discussions at NACS Superintendents office to discuss concerns. I am still involved with the Allen Co. 4 H program. It has been over 20 years since a NACS teacher has been on the board. I believe the time is now for that to change. I feel I am the right person to join the NACS board!

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I want to help facilitate a better connection with the NACS board, teachers, staff, students, & parents. I feel communication is very important. The essence of open communication provides transparency. When you listen and discuss all sides of situations you make better choices for all involved. I have made many connections with past and current NACS teachers, staff, parents, & students. The connections I have made would allow me, while on the board, to have open communication to listen to everyone & to help give a different insight into discussions as they arise.
• While on the board I want to work to help each child have the opportunity to achieve their goals whatever that might be. Each of my 4 children that attended & graduated from NACS schools had different paths they chose to work towards their life goals. While NACS offers many great opportunities I feel there can always be advancement to provide even more and try to provide for each child. While my kids attended school, I was able to be their advocate to help them reach their potential. Now is my time to try and help provide multiple opportunities for other kids so they can decide what their goals may be.
• I not only bring my experiences and knowledge as a retired NACS teacher & a 25-year PTO parent and teacher representative I also am an active member of our community. One way is I have been involved with the Allen County 4 H program since 1999. I have volunteered in many ways over the years. I am still on the swine executive committee today. I feel all kids have to find what they enjoy doing. Some have athletics, theater, music, show choir, debate team, scholastics, and so much more they can do at school. Kids who are involved in the 4 H program develop life skills they will use for the rest of their life. 4 H provides an opportunity to develop these life skills outside of the school curriculum. I am planning to stay involved.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I want to help make it possible for each child to have multiple opportunities provided to them so they can look at and experience many options as they make their own choices and decisions.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I feel patience and being able to listen are skills I did further develop while teaching Kindergarten so many years. I feel both of these qualities would be beneficial for me to be a successful board member.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy for all to remember to be kind, be willing to listen, & be willing and able to help others find and achieve their goals to succeed in life,

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

While in High School we all watched live as the 1st teacher, Christa McAuliffe, boarded and set off to fly on the Challenger flight. Watching it explode was an experience I will never forget. I was 16 at the time.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My 1st job was at Historic Fort Wayne "The Fort" as an interpreter. I worked for them from age 15 to 21.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is "Reading Magic" by Mem Fox. This is a book I have read many times as a teacher, parent, and now as a grandparent to remind myself how important reading to children is. I give this book as a gift to new moms as often as I can. I would love to work with hospitals to somehow provide each new parent a copy.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

A school board member should be available to listen to issues and concerns. They need to always research and discuss with others so they can make the best decisions they can for all of the NACS community.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

For faculty and staff, increasing salaries is NOT the ONLY answer. Each teacher/staff member wants to be respected for all that they do each day. Many who have never taught do not understand all that is asked each day of any teacher. A teacher does not just "teach". As the state gives new directives, we need to work to help teachers & staff gain the skills they need to meet that new directive. NACS continues to be known for the high standard of education they provide daily for each child that attends any NACS school and that is accomplished by many talented & compassionate teachers. To keep current teachers & staff NACS admin & board needs to continue to work to listen to what concerns and frustrations they have and then work to alleviate those issues as well as continue to raise competitive salaries. For students, NACS needs to provide multiple opportunities for all kids to be able to have experiences so they might be able to set a goal of what they would like to do after they complete High School. For the community, I will continue to be active in community events. I will continue to volunteer with the Allen County 4 H program as it is a wonderful program that allows more kids the ability to gain skills and responsibilities outside of the school curriculum.

In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?

I do feel NACS has built an amazing program for kids wanting to attend a traditional 4 year college. They are providing many opportunities to take dual credit classes at CHS that helps them not only get college credit completed but better prepare them for the skills they will need to be successful at college. I feel NACS is making steps to better offer more opportunities to kids who do not plan to attend a traditional 4 year college. I would like to be involved in the continuation and growth of this curriculum opportunity.

Tell us your favorite joke.

What is smarter than a talking dog?

A spelling bee

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

A large part of my teaching career was time spent building relationships with parents. I also gained even more parent relationships when I was a parent volunteer with many of my kid's multiple activities. I feel I have built many long-lasting relationships with parents from all of these experiences I have had. I will continue to work to continue to build even more while on the board.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candidate

Northwest Allen County Schools school board Eel River Township

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