Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Superintendent Allen Bourff and Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness have held discussions on the possibility of creating a local certification process for preschools.  During a school board work session Tuesday morning, Dr. Bourff described the talks with the mayor.

“(Assistant HSE Superintendent) Jan (Combs) and I met with Scott Fadness months ago  and flew the idea of, if Fishers, as a community, is really wanting to produce the best or provide the very best experience for any kid who grows up here, then there ought to be an emphasis on certifying all the preschools,” Bourff said.  “So that we understand, when we have the children who come to us in kindergarten, that they’ve had the particular level of quality experience in preschool.”

Dr. Bourff said the HSE School District would like to be partners with the preschools. Administrators estimate that there are about 150 preschools within the school corporation boundaries, if all of them, even the small preschool operations held in homes, are counted.

HSE schools would be unable to provide preschool services to all children in the school corporation boundaries and Dr. Bourff said the local school district has no interest in putting private preschools out of business.

Although there is no indication any certification process will be implemented anytime soon, Dr, Bourff told the board Mayor Fadness “has not said no” to the idea.