Students in the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District will continue virtual learning at all grade levels through January 15, 2021, following a Tuesday morning vote by the HSE School Board.  The vote was 6-1, with Amanda Shera casting the lone no vote.

There are a handful of students with special challenges spending some time in school based on their specific development plans, but most students will remain all-virtual through at least January 15, 2021.

Superintendent Allen Bourff told the board the current COVID positivity rate, based on numbers provided by the Fishers Health Department, is 16.5%.  As the pandemic started, schools were to be closed at a 5% positivity rate, later revised at 10%.  Dr. Bourff described the local health department data as “startling numbers.”

Administrators told the board that 130 teachers were absent on Tuesday, December 2nd (the day of this board meeting).  The normal teacher absentee rate is 4%-5% – 130 absent is a rate of about 10%.

There was a long board member discussion about a motion made by Janet Pritchett, seconded by Julie Chambers, to go along with the superintendent’s recommendation to have virtual classes through January 15.  The board will then reevaluate the situation at the January 13 meeting, which just happens to be the first meeting for the new board members.  There will be at least 2 new members of the board, Suzanne Thomas and Sarah Parks-Reece.  Sarah Donsbach won her Delaware Township race by 20 votes, but incumbent Amanda Shera has requested a recount.

The main reason in-person classes cannot be held, particularly at the lower grades. is the lack of substitute teachers.  Dr. Bourff told the board there are 166 people in the process of applying as subs in the HSE District.

Comments by Amanda Shera resulted in a sharp discussion among some board members at this session.  The audio link to that discussion can be accessed below.