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He's learned that he wants to contribute even more to the development of children, and he thinks he can do that best as a member of the Hamilton Southeastern School Board.

"That is the total reason that I would be involved in this," said Sink, 43. "I just think we have great kids in this school system." Sink is one of two candidates seeking the Fall Creek Township seat now held by Bob Keck. Rusty Allanson also is running in the May 6 election. Keck did not seek re-election.

A lifelong resident of the area, Sink has an office in Fishers as government relations director for New York-based Pfizer Inc. Though he sometimes travels on business, he can't imagine a better place to raise a family. "I've seen a lot with this school district. I've seen it grow. I've seen the kids have success, and I've seen the schools have success," he said, noting his work with the superintendent's advisory council, as a volunteer on Camp Tecumseh outings and an 11-year association with the Southeastern Program of Recreational Team Sports and its Knights football program. "With the growth and the different things coming forward, I want to be part of a group to ensure that we continue with that success and we continue to give these kids opportunities to be successful."

The "things coming" that Sink sees as potential cause for concern include property tax legislation that could reduce monies needed to accommodate growth. He acknowledged that some money may be needed for a third high school -- another issue that could fuel controversy among district residents.

"We need to be very fiscally prudent with what we do with these new schools," said Sink, who would wait to see what property tax law emerges and its effect in conjunction with expected growth before deciding if a third high school is needed.

"I don't think anybody really wants to have a massive high school with 5,000 kids in it," he adds. Whether another high school comes, Sink said more lower-level schools are needed because more kids are coming. "I don't see threats," he said of funding issues. "I see challenges. There's always challenges when there's this many people." As president and secretary of the youth league's football board, Sink is aware of a need to communicate and approach every issue "in terms of what people want."

While working to ensure facilities are adequate, he said, efforts to maintain a high level of academic success also are needed. In that regard, he wants to examine the system's grading scale. "I love HSE Schools," he said. "I think our schools are tremendous, and we put out a good product." It's a winning tradition the coach wants to help continue.

About Sink

E-mail: votefordarensink@gmail.com

Occupation: Government relations director, Pfizer Inc.

Education: B.S., Kelley School of Business, Indiana University.

Family: Wife, Rashell, and three sons, Hamilton Southeastern High School junior Craig Sink and sophomore Brandon Sink, and HSE Junior High seventh-grader Connor Sink.

Quote: "We have to support our teachers. Teachers are with these kids all day. We have great teachers here. We just have to continue to . . . bring them into this system if they want to be here. Strong teachers make strong students."