Northwest Indiana Discussion

Here are the highlights of the meeting:

All board members were present.

Special Presentation:

The area of the Career Center that houses the Industrial Maintainance/Welding Program will be remodeled and updated. There will be new booths, filters, repainting, and other upgrades and repairs done. The projected finish date is 2013. The total estimated cost is $250,000.

Public Expression 1st Session:

Mr. Patrick O'Rourke, Teachers Union President, thanked the board and Dr. Watkins for their support on the recent death of Mr. O'Rourke's brother. Mr. O'Rourke also expressed his unhappiness about the 90% of the new teachers hired last year, that had to be let go because of budget restraints. He said that he hoped that some of the 90% could be retained.

Consent Agenda:

There was a modification made to item 13, which was the authorization for the reimbursement of expenses for board member Cindy Murphy to attend the Indiana Department Of Education recognition of Hammond High School on June 28th in Indianapolis. It was changed to reflect the reimbursement of all board members who wish to attend this honorable presentation for Hammond High, not just Cindy Murphy.

Calender:
There will be a Public Work Session for NEOLA(board policy) on Monday July 2, 2012 5:30pm 41 Williams Street.
The regular board meetings for July are as follows: Wednesday July 11, 2012 5:30pm 41 Williams Street. Monday July 23, 2012 5:30pm 41 Williams Street.

Public Expression 2nd Session:

Mrs. Irene Medoza voiced her concerns about the alleged ongoing problems in the SCH. She cited her concerns about the crime watch meetings held in the Hammond Schools. She says they should be publicized more. She said that during a recent prayer vigil, that a banner was removed at the request of SCH, and that is a possible conflict of religious freedom. She said she supports a Latino Teacher from Hammond High, who is allegedly being harassed for his activism. She was concerned about the billing practice of student fee's. She wondered if the last minute fee's thrown on the bill to parents are legitamate. She was concerned that it appears that Morton is getting a good chunk of the SCH monies, and other schools are not getting their fair share. She also told Dr. Watkins that this is not Nazi Germany, and that people should not be targeted because of their ethnic or racial background.

My take:

The remodeling of the Industrial Instruction area of the Career Center is a necessiity for the safety of the students.
90% of the new Teachers being let go is absolutely appalling. How can you attract quality Educators to the SCH, when you present termination numbers like this?
Gee, I wish I could go down to Indy for the presentation/Honor for Hammond High. I think this is WONDERFULL !!!
Mrs. Mendoza, and many other concerned parents and community members, have regularly been voicing their concerns about the alleged ongoing problems. When is the resolution of these problems going to happen?

Thank Tiger! Were there any administrators laid-off? New hires of adm.? I remember the article in the times a few weeks ago where they hired someone. I just wonder if the cuts are only for teachers?

This next school year lay offs will no longer be based on years but principals will make the decision. Not sure what criteria...probably evaluations!

POLITICS!

You are probably right about that!

No admin layoffs. Peggy Harrington retired from her position as the head of bilingual. Mr. Harris, the Dean Of Students at Hammond High, resigned. The lay-offs are all Teachers. 90% of the Teachers hired 1 year ago were given the pink slip. The SCH cites the reduction in the number of students and budget cuts. From what I understand, the SCH lost only 115 students to the charter school. 115 does not equate the massive layoffs. As for the budget cuts, IMO, they need to cut the fluff, not the Teachers. From the input I received at the school level, from students and others, 40% of the new hires last year, that are now out the door, deserved to be out the door. The other 60% were doing an excellant job, and should have been retained. Some resigned before they got their pink slip.
This is all politics. O'Rourke said that he hoped SOME of the Teachers will be called back.

It is not what you know, but WHO you know.

Thanks Tiger! No doubt that Peggy Harrington resignation was due to the problems in bilingual department.
I wonder how many students SCH lost to people moving or going to Munster? I know several Hammond kids that pay to go to Munster.
They should cut adm. too. not just aides and teachers. I didn't hear of any janitorial cuts, or transportation cuts . Seems like the cuts were at the greatest impact to student learning and not adult comfort! Why do you need two adm. at every elementary school.

It is a very top heavy administration. FYI, the SCH just hired a new Director Of Business Finance, a Ms. Alicia Pritchett(sp). She was introduced at the meeting. I have heard rumors of a few admins leaving, but we will have to wait and see. Almost all of the aids were let go, but that happens every year.