As the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board of Trustees opened the July 27th meeting, Board President Julie Chambers tried to read a statement about Ashley Lansdell, a kindergarten teacher at Fall Creek Elementary School.  Ms. Chambers tried, but could only get through a few words without breaking down in grief.  Ashley Lansdell was a teacher at the school her children attend.  Ms. Chambers finally handed the statement to Superintendent Yvonne Stokes, and she read the following statement.

“It’s with a heavy heart that…I share with you the passing of one of our staff members.  As you may already know, Ashley Lansdell, a kindergarten teacher at Fall Creek Elementary, was recently involved in a very serious car accident.  Her family informed us this morning that Ashley passed away at IU Methodist Hospital, surrounded by those that loved her.  Ashley has been a part of the HSE family since 2012.  For the past ten years, she has been a beacon of light supporting students, staff, families and the greater community.  Please keep Ashley’s family, colleagues and friends in your thoughts as they cope with this difficult loss.  The HSE Crisis Response Team will be working to support students and staff during this difficult time, as we start our new school year.”

Following Dr. Stokes reading of the statement above, a moment of silence was observed.

I will only add that a Go Fund Me page continues for Ashley Lansdell’s daughter Mia.  You can find that page at this link.