Indiana State University Professor Steve Gruenert has spoken before many school boards and provided information on school corporation climate surveys. He had some very good news for the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board Wednesday night.
“I’ve done a lot of research over the years and I’m in the company of what I believe to be the schools with the best, highest scores that I’ve ever worked with,” Dr. Gruenert said. “My challenge now is, how do you make the best better?”
The professor studied the school culture and climate of the HSE Schools in the final months of the 2016-2017 school year, including the impact of the climate on staff collaboration. Gruenert said the research shows a clear connection between a school’s culture and the level of student achievement – the better the culture, the better students will achieve.
The study was based on a survey of the school staff. A 30% return rate on those surveys is normal, which would provide enough data to compile a report. HSE Schools staff returned surveys at a rate of 70%-80%.
The level of collaboration is so high Dr, Gruenert recommends professional development should be done in-house.
“You seem to have a family here,” Dr. Gruenert told board members.
You can read the climate survey report submitted to the board at this link.
In other school board news from Wednesday night’s meeting:
–Fishers High School had a power outage a good part Monday morning, according to Superintendent Allen Bourff. School officials have been in contact with Duke Energy but no cause for the outage is known at this time.
–The 2017 President’s Champion Award will be given to Robert (Dub) and Jeanne Clark. Robert was a student of Fishers High School from 1937-1941. Jeanne served as treasurer for Hamilton Southeastern Schools from 1977-1988 and subsequently on the Board of Trustees from 1990-1998. The award will be officially presented to the couple at the Mudsock Football Game September 8th.
–The board approved a lease agreement which provides a legal framework for the school corporation to incur debt, allowing construction plans for the new elementary school on Cyntheanne Road to move forward.
— Board members received a demonstration of the new Canvas software system.
–Final action was taken approving child abuse and neglect reporting policies to incorporate changes in state law.
–The board honored members of the Hamilton Southeastern High School Boys and Girls Track Team, who won several coveted top finishes during the spring competition season.
2017 IHSAA State Champion Pole Vault — Kennedy Drish
As a sophomore last season Kennedy joined the track team for the first time. She only began pole vaulting in February and was not even varsity until May 1. Despite this, she was able to win the state meet with a vault of 12’ 0” in June after her family rescheduled their vacation.
Event Coach: Collin Gayde
2017 IHSAA State Champion 400 Relay — Olivia Burgess (9), Tierra Sydnor (10), Mia Mackenzie (11), Camille Christopher (11); Alternates – Jada Edson (11), Jessica Bray (11), Amani Dickenson (9), Sydney Thixton (9)
The 400 relay team had only won 2 races during the 2017 season and had come in second to Fishers for 3 weeks straight before pulling out the victory with perfect handoffs at the state track meet. Only 8 hundredths of a second separated 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in one of the most thrilling races of the night. The alternates were a big part of this victory as they practiced each day and gave the relay members someone to chase. They also ran on the relay during the season as other members battled injury.
Event Coach: Jennifer Hill
Head Coach: Julie Alano
2017 IHSAA State Champion 1600 meters – Gabe Fendel
Gabe Fendel, a senior, had an impressive season. Among his accolades, Gabe is the Hoosier Cross Roads Sectional Champion in the 1600 and 3200. Regional Champion in the 1600. Undefeated in both the 1600 and 3200 during indoor and outdoor track seasons.
He set a state junior-class record this spring, running the nation’s fastest 3200 time by a junior this year, became No. 5 on the all-time state list and No. 5 on the year’s U.S. high school list.
Event Coach: Joe Golden
Head Coach: Chris Swisher
