The Fishers Chamber of Commerce has had a long tradition of inviting the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Superintendent to provide an annual “State of the Schools” speech at a chamber luncheon meeting. With the merger of the Carmel and Fishers Chambers of Commerce into one organization labeled “OneZone,” the question was raised about how to handle the annual “state of the city” and “state of the school” events. We now have our answers.
Mayor Jim Brainard will have his State of the City address to the chamber membership in October. Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness will deliver his State of the City speech early next year, most likely in February.
The State of the Schools event was a combined one, held at the Oak Hill Mansion, as a luncheon event on September 16th. Carmel Superintendent Nicholas Wahl and HSE Superintendent Allen Bourff presented a joint program, with each of them taking turns, speaking about education.
Since this news blog is aimed at Fishers, I will concentrate on Dr. Bourff’s part. He began by talking about the College and Career Academies now in operation this school year at each high school. He called the academies a “game changer” in instruction and learning. After only a few weeks of opening, Bourff said they have changed the way students and teachers approach education.
The connection with Launch Fishers is one Dr. Bourff highlighted. A “boot camp” was held for high school students by Launch, and several students changed their plans for what they plan to do after school as a result of that experience.
“Just like Carmel….we provide a community for our students very supportive of education,” Dr. Bourff said. “It’s probably one of the richest education environments that you will find across the nation.”
Bourff thanked Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness for his support, as well as local members of the Indiana General Assembly, in passing a budget increasing per pupil state funding for HSE School students. However, even with the increase, Bourff says HSE Schools per pupil funding is still below the state average. “We narrowed it, but there’s still a gap,” said Bourff.
The HSE superintendent cited a recent poll taken in the Fishers area showing support for local schools. “Good schools are important for good economies,” Bourff said.
Allen Bourff was introduced by Fishers Junior High student Ray Gao, who won a national competition to meet with famed investor Warren Buffet.
