Wednesday was the first Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board meeting with Dr. Yvonne Stokes as the new superintendent.  Dr. Stokes officially started the job on July 1st.

Her first board meeting also happened to be the same day the state of Indiana announced ILearn test results, which show a lowering of scores state-wide, and according to state education officials, is largely due to the pandemic.

She did what she described as a “data dig” on the test results released by the state.

About 345 schools were listed on the ISTEP listings for high schools.  HSE’s two high schools were in the top 3% of all the districts tested, according to Dr. Stokes, including all schools, not just the public school sector.

For the ILearn test results, the HSE District was in the top 10% in Math, English and Language Arts, including schools of all sizes, including private schools.

Stokes says the results were good, but there is always room for growth.  “I am competitive when it comes to academic excellence,” said Dr. Stokes.

The new superintendent also talked about assuming the superintendent’s job.

“I want to thank (the) HSE School Board and the community, district staff and, of course, our students, for the opportunity to serve in the role of superintendent,” Dr. Stokes said at the board meeting.

She also thanked the many people sending her cards and flowers as she starts the superintendent position.

“I’m excited about all of the words of inspiration as I started this new journey,” Stokes told the local community.

She promises to listen and try to understand, even if there is disagreement in the end.

Dr. Stokes says she is working with the district staff and a consultant in planning what she describes as a listening and learning tour, going out into the community and hearing from people in the school district, both internal and external.