When the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools planned the last round of redistricting, estimates of how many students would be attending the new Southeastern Elementary building were off, meaning more students entered the school than had been expected. At Wednesday night’s HSE School Board meeting, leases for four portable classrooms were approved for Southeastern Elementary. The portables will be located on the north end of the building, near the staff cafeteria. It is expected the portables will be needed beginning in the 2020-2021 school year and will be in use for two full school years, until the planned new Wayne Township elementary school is completed and in operation.
In other news from the school board session:
–Cecilie Nunn, Chief Financial Officer for the school corporation, told the board the current operating referendum, approved in a 2016 vote, will be expiring in a few years. If the school board decides to keep the referendum rate as is, or proposes a change, the referendum would need to be on the ballot as part of the May primary election in 2023 and become effective in 2024. The 2016 approval of the referendum allowed HSE Schools to increase the number of teachers, generally decreased class sizes and provided funds to increase compensation for the teaching staff.
–The board was told continued construction along Lantern Road will impact access to Fishers Elementary School, but the city hopes to complete much of that work over two weekends in February, including one 3-day weekend. Those accessing the elementary will be using a gravel road for at least a few months. All work will be weather dependent, but the long term forecast appears promising.
–Executive Director of Secondary Education Matt Kegley told the board talks continue with the new Hub & Spoke operation to involve HSE students in programs related to the building trades. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Hub & Spoke is set for April 1st, Kegley said. There is also a committee looking into partnering with Purdue Polytech. There were no announcements of any agreements at this time.
–Superintendent Allen Bourff asked for a moment of silence to honor Kora Abbott, a Fishers Junior High School 8th-grade student who recently died.