Dr. Yvonne Stokes was named the new superintendent of Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools at a special meeting Thursday night. The vote was 5-2, with Brad Boyer and Suzanne Thomas voting no.
Board President Janet Pritchett described Dr. Stokes as “a talented educator who for the last three years has served as assistant superintendent for the School Town of Munster.” She also spent time as assistant superintendent at Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS).
“Please don’t fret about academic excellence,” Stokes told the board. “Let’s keep the main thing the main thing. We’re here to make sure that our students have academic excellence. I will make sure that continues to happen.”
Stokes openly discussed how she went through a divorce that resulted in the filing of personal bankruptcy, on the advice of her attorneys.
“I did what I had to do to take care of my children,” Stokes told the board. “I tell you this because if there is one thing you will know about me is that I’m resilient.”
“Our children thrive in our schools when they understand their value, know they are loved and supported and are inspired to excel in all facets of their lives” Stokes said in a school district news release. “Transforming learning and life outcomes for students through education, equity and excellence requires an all-hands-on-deck approach by ALL of us. It takes me, it takes you, it takes all of us! I look forward to listening to, learning from and supporting our Hamilton Southeastern Schools family.”
The local group organized over the nondiscrimination policy debate in the spring of 2019, HSEqual, praised the selection of Dr. Stokes, saying she “is student centered, encourages collaboration, and has a strong background working with diverse stakeholders.” HSEqual thanked the school board “for seeking community input during the preselection process and taking that feedback to heart. We are confident you’ve made a great choice.”
A newly formed group, Fishers One, had argued the board should delay the superintendent selection process. Roughly 10-15 people demonstrated outside the administration building advocating Fishers One’s position.
In a statement issued after the vote, Fishers One listed some concerns, but added – “We expect the best from all of our education and civic leaders and look forward to partnering with Dr. Stokes to ensure our priorities for HSE Schools are fully met in 2021 and beyond.”
