Indianapolis architectural firm CSO has handled a number of building projects for Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools, and has been chosen to handle the upcoming renovation of Lantern Road Elementary.  An internal evaluation committee recommended CSO be selected among the 7 firms submitting responses to the district’s request for proposals, and the school board gave its stamp of approval.

HSE will pay CSO $640,000.  The next step is to formulate the request for proposals and put the construction project up for bids from contractors.

In other news items from Wednesday’s School Board meeting:

–The board approved upgrades to school Internet connections, using E-Rate discounts.  The improvements will be installed over the summer.  E-Rate refers to a Federal Program overseen by the FCC that provides discounts to public schools, offsetting the costs of providing Internet access with the amount of speed and reliability needed.

–The board voted for a resolution allowing the school administration to handle general obligation bonds.

–The board was briefed on some minor changes to board policies, which will be proposed for final approval at a later meeting.

–Superintendent Yvonne Stokes said the SAT assessments for juniors was given last week and the I-Read test for third-grade students is coming up soon.  She also announced that Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Nataki Pettigrew is now Dr. Pettigrew after she was awarded her PHD degree.

–The board recognized Leslie Brown, HSE Autism Specialist, and Chrissy Pogue, HSE Transition Specialist, as March is Disability Awareness Month.

–Snapshots of Success cited Geist Elementary for receiving the 2022 Cornerstone Employer Award, recognizing Physical Education Teacher Rod Sutherlin and Cafeteria Manager June Barnes. Sutherlin and Barnes work closely with HSE Transitions student Ryan McNarney.  For more, check out a video produced by the school district at this link.

–At the next board meeting April 13th, the board is expected to review the first proposed draft of the 2023-2024 & 2024-2025 School Calendars