Saying the HSE Schools have emphasized Black Lives Matter, Superintendent Allen Bourff issued a new message the the district’s faculty Tuesday.
“At Hamilton Southeastern Schools, we will not debate the humanity of any individual,” Dr. Bourff wrote.
He says the intention of his original message was to provide instructional guidance in discussing the Black Lives Matter movement in the classroom.
“I understand that the impact was hurtful, and for that I apologize” wrote the HSE Schools superintendent.
“That we have families that do not wish for us to have these discussions has been made clear,” according to Dr. Bourff’s latest message. “However, we are limiting our students if we do not provide them the tools to explore a social cause, research its origin and understand its significance.”
Racial Equity Community Network (RECN) and others in the community, were critical of Dr. Bourff’s original message to the faculty, which can be found at this link.
The entire message sent to HSE faculty members Tuesday can be found below.
A written message sent to Hamilton Southeastern School faculty by Superintendent Allen Bourff about Black Lives Matter (BLM) has created a social media response and a change.org petition campaign.
In his message to the teaching staff, Dr. Bourff writes, “I have heard from a number of parents who are concerned that we are advancing the cause of Black Lives Matter movement within the country.” Dr. Bourff goes on to indicate teaching staff should treat Black Lives Matter as a political, rather than social movement.
The superintendent then goes into detail as to how he recommends teachers deal with the Black Lives Matter movement in the classroom.
“My purpose in sending the above message is to prevent one more stressful issue from distracting you from your daily mission,” Bourff wrote. You can access the entire message at this link.
So far, the response to Dr. Bourff’s message does not appear to have had his intended impact of reducing stressful issues.
Several community organizations have been gathering a response to the message. A Change.org petition drive sending the message that Black Lives Matter is not political has already begun.
The Racial Equity Community Network (RECN) issued a statement critical of the superintendent’s message to the school staff.
“We are disheartened by the statement released by Hamilton Southeastern Schools’
administration that seems to discourage HSE teachers and employees from discussing
or supporting Black Lives Matter in the classroom,” the RECN statement says. “The Black Lives Matter movement is not an extremist political group, as many white residents asserted in recent complaints to the school board and administration. The BLM movement isn’t about politics; it’s about humanity. With their statement, the administration chose to uphold white supremacy in its attempt to mischaracterize an important social justice movement.”
The RECN message goes on to say the following:
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We believe that following the superintendent’s advice would steal the rights of students to learn about the Black Lives Matter social justice movement that began as a response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer in 2013. All human rights changes in the United States of America (including all the ones cited in the superintendent’s email) started from social movements that launched policy changes. The ‘politicization’ of the Black Lives Matter movement, therefore, is not about choosing political parties, but presents a teachable moment in history for all to learn how social justice movements enter the democratic process in order to help the United States form a more perfect union.
Ultimately, communications like this are an example of systemic racism.
Our city must reckon with the fact that it continues to prove to BIPOC ( black, Indigenous and people of color) residents that Fishers is not a safe place to be their authentic selves.
HSE Schools must reckon with the fact that missteps like these prove to potential diverse candidates that this district does not provide a safe place for employees to be their authentic selves.
Research shows that attracting and retaining a diverse staff is important for representation and meeting the needs of students.
We must do better.
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So, it appears there is a group of parents pushing school administrators to treat Black Lives Matter as a political movement, and another group arguing BLM is a social movement.
A school board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 10, at 7pm. It is not known whether Superintendent Bourff or the board will be addressing this issue during that session.
Jocelyn Vare is one of two Democrats elected to the Fishers City Council in 2019. She has just completed her first year on the council, and we talked about her time so far serving on the council in this podcast, recorded February 8.
She discussed to some of the criticism leveled at her by the council leadership in her proposal for a new process to evaluate council appointments to boards and commissions. Responding to allegations she shared her proposal the day of the council meeting in January, Vare says she did not receive the list of appointments for the council vote until 24 hours prior to the meeting. She also did not receive other information requested about how many community members volunteered to serve on boards & commissions using the city Web site until just before the meeting.
Vare says she wants to be collaborative in fashioning a new council appointments process, but wants improvements to better reflect the diversity of the city.
She opposed the creation of the Fishers Health Department but did vote to fund it. When asked how she thinks the department is doing so far, she pointed out the lack of updates the council has received from the city administration. After the podcast was recorded, Councilwoman Vare messaged me to say there is a Health Department update on the agenda for the February City Council meeting.
She is not taking sides in the contested race for Hamilton County Democratic Chairman, but expects to support one of the candidates before the votes from the precinct chairs are counted.
My radio journalism career began in the early 1970s, so I have covered a large range of meetings and events during that time. A very common issue is any kind of affordable housing proposal.
I have seen many a resident objecting to such a plan look out over the governmental body conducting the public hearing and pointedly ask this question – “How would you feel if such a project was proposed in your own neighborhood?”
Well, I have such a proposal directly connected to the community in which I live. The purpose of this commentary is to explain how I feel about it and why I feel that way.
For those not familiar with the vagaries of local government, the nonprofit organization HAND, which works to provide housing for those unable to find housing affordable for them within their own communities, is proposing a housing project in a currently undeveloped area near 141st Street and Cumberland Road. The proposal includes 11 single family two-story cottage-style homes with car ports.
There will be guidelines tied to income and some other factors on who qualifies to rent these units but to be approved, but residents must have income.
The first step is to appear before the Fishers City Council for first reading, where it only takes one vote to send the proposal to the Fishers Plan Commission. This plan will require a rezoning of the area. With one vote, the project moved forward.
The plan commission is an advisory body. It holds a public hearing, takes an advisory vote, then sends the project back to the City Council for approval or denial.
That public hearing was held February 3rd. The advice from the Plan Commission was unfavorable by a vote of 8-1. There were a number of reasons given for that unfavorable vote. Let’s explore each one.
Some say the location is not good due to the density of the plans. I live in the adjacent neighborhood and our density is far greater than the Cumberland Cottages proposal.
Some argued HAND should find another location. There are not many locations available in Fishers and HAND has told me there are no location alternatives at this time.
Another reason dealt with traffic concerns. When the weather is warmer, I take a walk nearly every day in that area and cannot see any traffic problems of any significance that would be created by this HAND development.
The only Plan Commission member to vote against the unfavorable recommendation, Howard Stevenson, asked city staff what the city engineering department (the city traffic experts) had to say about this housing development. The engineers did raise some concerns (you could raise concerns about any development in Fishers these days) but in the end the engineering department did not object to this project.
Some point to two apartment projects in the works aimed at those needing affordable housing. This is true, but all the data I have seen in the many meetings I have attended the past few years show Fishers is still in much need of affordable housing. All these projects will help, but the need is so great we still have a long way to go.
HAND Executive Director Andrea Davis told the Plan Commission members that her organization has provided more than $38,000 in housing assistance to 59 residents, including 22 households, just since August of 2020. Davis also noted that over 3,200 students in the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District qualify for the free or reduced price lunch program.
One argument put forward at the plan commission meeting was that home ownership should be promoted, not rentals. The families that would populate Cumberland Cottages would not be able to qualify for a home loan based on the information from HAND, but this program could put these families in a financial position to become homeowners in the future.
Another Plan Commission member was straightforward in his reason for voting the unfavorable recommendation – he had received about 50 letters in opposition and that was enough for him.
So, as someone living in the immediate area of this Cumberland Cottage, what are my views?
Let me say right now that what I am about to express is likely not the view of most of my neighbors or my Homeowners Association (HOA). I am speaking for myself and myself only.
I find no good reason to oppose this project. HAND has an outstanding track record of building good, quality properties, managing them well and doing the proper maintenance. The projects HAND has completed have stood the test of time and are a credit to the neighborhoods in which they exist.
After reviewing all the arguments, I cannot in good conscience favor denying 11 families a chance at living in a high-quality rental community. The range in rental costs for Cumberland Cottages will be $650-$1,150 per month, according to HAND.
There is one other aspect of this that I would hope all city council members would take into consideration. Denying a rezone for an affordable housing project, for what I can only conclude are no legitimate reasons, is not a good look for our city. Yes, we have other affordable housing plans in the works, but denying this one without a good, stated reason is not a decision that will message well outside the City of Fishers.
So, the Cumberland Crossing housing proposal is adjacent to my neighborhood. I would hope the city council goes against the advice of the Fishers Plan Commission and approves the HAND development. I believe that is the right thing to do.
The Golden Globe nominations have been announced. What’s the take from the writers on Grade A Movies? Join Adam Aasen, Alec Toombs & Larry Lannan and find out in this podcast.
As Joe Weingarten bows out as Democratic county chairman, a contest has developed for head of the party in Hamilton County.
Weingarten, 76, said several weeks ago that he was not planning to seek re-election as chairman, feeling younger people should get a chance.
Weingarten
In the wake of Weingarten’s announcement, two candidates have surfaced for the chairmanship. Dayna Colbert, a Fishers party activist, will be running along with a slate of other officer candidates as reported in this newspaper earlier this week.
Weingarten is supporting Colbert.
She will be opposed by Kevin Patterson, a Carmel business analyst who organized the Carmel Democratic Club which claims 100 members. With his leadership, he sees a future for the party in Hamilton County where Republicans have been the majority party since the Civil War.
New party officers including a vice chairman, secretary and treasurer, will be selected in a county reorganization caucus March 6. This year it will be conducted by mail due to continuing health concerns.
Weingarten is considering further efforts in politics. He announced that he is considering a run for U.S. Congress in the Fifth District.
The district is currently represented by Republican Victoria Spartz of Noblesville, who won election last November and takes the seat of retiring Congresswoman Susan Brooks.
School superintendents in and around Hamilton County, including HSE Superintendent Allen Bourff, have submitted a letter to the Indiana Department of Education, with major concerns about the state’s plans fir ILEARN tests.
Here is the text of the letter, as published by my news gathering partner, the Hamilton County Reporter:
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Our school districts, like others throughout the state, are working hard to best plan for this year’s ILEARN testing requirements.
During this unprecedented year, we have found this to be a daunting task. The current testing plan would divert much needed time, attention and resources away from critical student learning needs. It would also place an excessive burden on our virtual families, which this year make up approximately 10 percent of our population.
While school districts have responded flexibly to maximize learning and safety during this challenging time, ILEARN testing requirements remain completely unchanged.
The testing plan is unreasonable and unrealistic given the current operation of schools this year.
We request consideration be given to reducing or eliminating the current requirements to allow districts to meet the academic and safety needs of students and staff.
Please consider the following:
Our districts are operating multiple learning models including in-person instruction and virtual instruction. Some of our more densely populated schools are also operating on hybrid models to maintain social distancing.
Current health department guidelines and local variables require we remain on these models through at least the end of this school year.
This means testing time must double to meet current ILEARN requirements. At a minimum, ILEARN will consume anywhere from eight to 12 days in a year where student learning has already been greatly diminished.
Factoring in additional time for makeup testing due to higher COVID absenteeism, we are not confident that ILEARN can even be completed during the testing window.
Large numbers of virtual students have refused to come to school for NWEA testing, despite multiple invitations and implementation of aggressive safety measures. We believe that most virtual learners will not come in for ILEARN, jeopardizing our ability to meet federally required 95 percent participation.
We are experiencing high absenteeism rates among licensed staff due to COVID and ILEARN administration greatly increases the number of staff needed. Due to staffing shortages, we believe we will be unable to administer ILEARN and meet even the most basic needs of operating our schools.
For virtual students, additional testing factors must be considered including: transportation, food services, facility space for social distancing, health and safety, and equipment and supplies. With the current testing plan, we will not have space to accommodate all learners.
We call on state decision makers to reconsider the current ILEARN requirements. We must preserve desperately needed instructional time, student learning, and health and safety. We simply cannot administer a testing plan that does not account for the current world in which our schools are operating today.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mike Beresford, Superintendent Carmel Clay Schools
Dr. Derek Arrowood, Superintendent Hamilton Heights Schools
Dr. Allen Bourff, Superintendent Hamilton Southeastern Schools
Dr. Beth Niedermeyer, Superintendent Noblesville Schools
Ms. Mary Roberson, Superintendent Sheridan Schools
Dr. Ryan Glaze, Superintendent Tipton Community Schools
Mr. Chris Baldwin, Interim Superintendent Westfield Washington Schools
Dr. Scott Robison, Superintendent Zionsville Community Schools
At approximately 9:43 p.m. on Thursday, Noblesville police officers were dispatched to 10738 Standish Place, Noblesville, on a report of a physical disturbance in progress. Deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department arrived on the scene first, followed shortly thereafter by Noblesville police officers.
Vu
Officers located the alleged victim outside the residence and questioned her regarding the incident. The victim reported that she had been battered inside the residence by her husband, David Robert Vu. Officers attempted to make contact with Vu, but he refused to come out of the residence.
After repeated attempts to communicate with Vu failed, the Noblesville/Westfield Police Departments’ Emergency Services Unit (ESU) was called to the scene. ESU crisis negotiators worked to establish communication with Vu to facilitate a peaceful surrender, but Vu did not cooperate with their efforts. ESU tactical officers, with a search warrant in hand, later forced entry into the residence and took Vu into custody without any injuries to him or the officers.
Based on information collected as a result of the investigation, preliminary charges have been filed. The suspect in the case was booked at the Hamilton County Jail. David Robert Vu, 25, Noblesville, was charged with the following:
Criminal Confinement, I.C. 35-42-3-3(a) (Felony 6); Domestic Battery, I.C. 35-42-2-1.3(b)(3) (Felony 6); Intimidation, I.C. 35-45-2-1(a)(1) (Class A Misdemeanor); and Interference with Reporting a Crime, I.C. 35-45-2-5(1) (Class A Misdemeanor). A charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The Noblesville Police Department thanks the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, Carmel Police Department and Noblesville Fire Department for their assistance and support.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department issued the following statement on the death of retired Deputy James Fetters:
“It is with a heavy heart, we share the passing of Retired Lieutenant, James E. Fetters. Lt. Fetters served the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office from October 1, 1979 to March 14, 2007.
“During his 27-year tenure, Lt. Fetters served on the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Snowmobile team, dive team and K-9 team. He was the first K-9 handler for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and served with a number of K-9 partners including Sonny, Sarge and Sam. Jim assisted several other Agencies with developing K-9 programs, organized a county-wide K-9 training program and was an inspiration and mentor to many K-9 handlers.
“We will always remember Jim for his years of dedicated service to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Hamilton County.”
Fetters died in a vehicle crash on Southeastern Parkway, near Isle of Man Boulevard, in Fishers Tuesday evening.
The added cost of $2 million for a fifth level would be paid for with funds received on the sale of the county parking lot south of the Judicial Center. (Rendering provided)
by
Jeff Jellison
Publisher
Hamilton County Reporter
On Wednesday, the Hamilton County Council received an update from Garmong Construction Services on the construction schedule and overall cost of a new county-owned parking garage schedule to be built at 8th and Clinton streets in Noblesville.
Current construction plans call for a four-story structure; however, after Wednesday’s meeting, council members will now consider altering those plans and building a five-story garage.
During the meeting, Hamilton County Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Steve Wood described the need for the five-story structure was due to the increasingly high volume of court cases at the Judicial Center.
The four-story structure was approved last year by council members at a cost of $9.5 million. The cost for the fifth story would add an additional $2 million dollars to the project.
The council will use $4.5 million received from the recent sale of the county parking lot located just south of the Judicial Center to offset the cost of the project.
The location of the new garage currently serves as a parking lot for county employees. Those spaces would be lost during construction of the garage. County officials say they are looking at nearby alternate sites for employee parking.
“We are considering a couple locations for employee parking,” Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt told the Reporter. “Both would require shuttle service to transport employees to the Judicial Center and the Historic Courthouse.”
Wood said he is working with Noblesville Schools and the Noblesville Boys & Girls Club to provide the employee shuttle service.
Construction on the new garage is expected to begin early this summer.
The council is expected to vote on the new proposal at its March meeting.
