Clovedale School Board Candidate Bios

This is the first of three sets of biographies on the candidates for school boards in the Nov. 8 election. While the current issue features candidates for Cloverdale School Board, the candidates for North Putnam and South Putnam will be featured in upcoming issues of the Banner Graphic.

All candidates were invited to take part in submitting their biographies. Three candidates did so — in Cloverdale Township, incumbent Vivian Whitaker and challenger Aragon Gould, and in Taylor Township (Owen County), Carol Anne Pennington. Fellow Taylor Township candidate Emily Haltom did not submit.

Additionally, there are no candidates for the Jennings Township (Owen County) seat currently occupied by Arvel Hinton.

The biographies have been edited only minimally by Banner Graphic staff.

Aragon Gould - Cloverdale Township

Aragon Gould, 46, is excited and honored to be running for the Cloverdale School Board position. The son of lifelong Cloverdale residents Leo and Marcia Gould, Aragon is looking forward to serving the Cloverdale School system in helping to create the educational, social, and athletic opportunities that propelled him throughout his life.

Having grown up in Cloverdale on Lafayette Street, he was heavily involved with our community throughout his time in school. Aragon was a varsity member of the football, basketball and golf teams. He was also involved with the Putnam County 4-H club, FFA, Boy Scouts and the youth ministry at New Providence Baptist Church.

After graduating in 1994, Gould worked in a variety of industries including executive manager for a large restaurant chain, Regional Manager for U.S. Bank, before then transitioning to active services with the U.S. Army. He served in the Army overseas in Iraq from 2007 to 2008 as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and then completed his service with the U.S. Army Reserves where he was a Squad Leader and graduate of the U.S. Army’s NCO Leadership program.

Upon returning to the States, Gould settled back into the banking world once again and has quickly proven himself a valuable team member and leader. He currently works as the National Executive for Commercial Merchant Services with PNC Bank.

Along with his wife Jenny, Aragon has three biological children and one stepson, ages 22, 22, 21 and 7. His youngest, Tristan, currently attends Cloverdale Elementary school and plays on several sports teams. Gould serves as coach for Rookies football, second-grade basketball skills program and assistant coach for the eight and under baseball team. He currently holds the treasurer position for the Cloverdale Community Youth League.

Gould is running for a position on Cloverdale’s School Board as he wants to use his life’s experience to help shape the lives of his community’s children, while also being a good steward of the resources that the town provides the school. Having worked in various industries where diversity of thought is critical to the long-term success of the organization and the accomplishment of the mission, Gould is determined to bring his experiences to bear to create a place where our children can learn the foundational skills need to launch a successful life. He wants to do his part in providing our children with the best education possible, while also ensuring they have the skills and experience necessary to thrive in today’s world. He is passionate and dedicated to doing what needs to be done and understands that hard conversations will be had. It takes a village, and Gould is ready to further his part in that village.

With his skills in time management, managerial collaboration, financial stewardship, executive leadership and his experience working as a team under various high stress situations, he knows he is prepared for whatever may come up as a Cloverdale School Board member. Aragon greatly appreciates your consideration of his candidacy for this critical position.

Vivian Whitaker - Cloverdale Township

Serving the Cloverdale Community Schools as a member of the Board of Trustees is a rewarding experience for me.

My entire adult life has focused on making public education better for students. After graduating from Cloverdale High School with the class of 1968, I earned three degrees from Indiana State University: B.S. in General Science, 1972; M.S. in Science Education, 1973; and an Ed.S. in Administration and Supervision.

My professional career included teaching middle school physical science, high school chemistry, sponsoring Science Clubs and G.A.A.; coaching girls’ basketball and volleyball; being an athletic director, middle school assistant principal, middle school principal and assistant to the superintendent.

These experiences have given me a diverse perspective upon the operations of a school corporation and the responsibilities of being a board member. I am responsible to the taxpayers to provide the best possible education for all students while in the safest, healthiest facilities for all who enter the doors. To do that, we (board and superintendent) must work together to stretch the available funds without raising taxes if possible. I believe the current board has done just that.

During my time on the board, funding for public education has not kept up with the costs. You may be surprised to know that approximately 94 percent of all students in Indiana attend public schools yet the General Assembly awarded private/charter schools more than a third of its new education dollars in the last budget cycle.

It is my intention to work with legislators to ensure that public schools receive funds proportionate to enrollment.

To say that I am a proud Clover is an understatement. We have an excellent superintendent and administrative team who work hard to challenge our students. “Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow” is our goal. Teaching students how to learn is a critical skill for future success in all careers. This takes place in all classrooms regardless of grade level or subject. One of the most recent efforts in our corporation to develop children into responsible adults is the addition of “Leader in Me.” The high school is well on its way to receiving designation as a Lighthouse School ... one of very few in Indiana.

It is a distinct honor and privilege to serve the Cloverdale community as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Cloverdale Community Schools. I would appreciate your continued support as I seek reelection on Nov. 8.

Carol Anne Pennington - Taylor Township

My name is Carol Anne Pennington and I am running for the Cloverdale School Board.

I reside on a small farm in northern Owen County with my husband, Keith, and our son, Clay, who is in seventh grade at Cloverdale Middle School. I believe that my values of faith and family will allow me to offer valuable insights to decisions presented to the Cloverdale School Board.

I am an alumni of both Eminence High School and Black Hawk College. During my time at Black Hawk, I studied and received my Associate’s Degree in Agricultural Business. Throughout my years as an adult, I have served on many boards and committees, and been elected to many leadership roles. Some of such experiences being president of the Morgan County Extension Board, 16 years as the Morgan County Beef Barn superintendent, and had the opportunity to work with many young people in the 4-H association.

I have worked in the Cloverdale community for 13 years and am a member of the Olive Christian Church, located in Paragon.

My willingness to learn and natural work ethic will be an asset as an adviser and part decision maker on the school board. I believe that I can provide a realistic point of view when discussing and offer valuable insight based on my previous professional experiences.

If elected as a school board member, I believe that I can provide a valuable impact on the Cloverdale Community School system and do my best to give the children of the present and future the best experience possible.