Northwest Indiana Discussion

Here are the highlights of the meeting:

Ms. Ward was absent.

Special recognition/Presentation:

The Gavit "Ignite" group gave a presentation this evening on the groups efforts to mentor 8th graders and incoming freshman. Ignite offers tutoring, mentoring, and general help in social aspects and academics to the underclassmen.

The Gavit Academic Decathalon Team was recognized for being a state finalist.

Hammond High Art students who garnered a 1st and 2nd place in a Martin Luther King art contest, were honored this evening.

Calender:

There is a Public Work Session tentatively scheduled for Tuesday April 3, 2012 5:30pm 41 Williams Street.
The regular School Board Meetings are scheduled for Monday April 4, 2012 6pm 41 Williams Street and Monday April 30, 2012 6pm 41 Williams Street.

Public Expression 2nd Session(no speakers at 1st):

A crossing Gaurd was upset at the lack of information given to the Lafayette Elementary parents, about two alleged attempted abductions of two Lafayette students.
There were several parents and community members who spoke this evening on the Bilingual Program, and the injustices that have not been resolved. There also was again an outcry for the resignation of School Board Member Cindy Murphy. A request for a Spanish/English translator for the next School board Meeting was also relayed to the School Board. Some Bilingual supporters said they will withdraw their children from the Hammond Schools, if issues are not resolved.
There were also several members of the community who spoke up for the SCH, and in particular, the Superintendent. One community member who spoke up for the School City said that education is supposed to be a priority, and not color or ethnic background.
A speaker objected to revealing his address publicly, as requested by the School Board for all public speakers. He cited safety concerns.

My Take:

Ms. Ward has severe health issues, which have prevented her from attending the meetings lately. I would suggest that everyone keeps her in their prayers.
Congrats to the students honored this evening !!!
The School Board meeting was full again tonight. There are heartfelt feelings, and anger on both sides of the issues plagueing the SCH. The best interests of the students should be on the forefront, not political bickering, and all the other crap that is taking away from the education of our kid's.
The speaker who mentioned safety concerns pertaining to the revealing of a speakers home address has a legitamite complaint. I think this should be changed, so that the School Board knows all the information, but the general public does not. How many people will NOT speak up at a School board meeting because of this rule? I question the legality of this rule, and think that safety should be a concern when allowing people their freedom of speech.

If Hammond schools are teaching their children to speak English and offering the parents help to learn English, I don't think they need to provide a translator for school board meetings. I'm sure some concerned citizen from the community could volunteer.

There has been people at the School Board meetings, who have translated for the parents who do not speak english. They are members of the audience who volunteer to do so.

Good for them.