Dr. Allen Bourff told faculty to treat it as a political issue and not a social issue. Author: Dustin Grove Updated: 6:10 AM EST February 12, 2021
FISHERS, Ind. The superintendent of Hamilton Southeastern Schools is taking heat for a letter issuing guidance to teachers on how to teach about the Black Lives Matter movement. I have heard from a number of parents who are concerned that we are advancing the cause of Black Lives Matter, a political movement within the country, wrote Dr. Allen Bourff. They contend that their children are being indoctrinated rather than taught . and that this effort has been a distraction from the academic purpose of school.
First published Jan. 14 in Chalkbeat Indiana, a nonprofit news organization covering public education. Sign up for newsletter here.
Federal investigators are examining whether Indiana has failed to provide appropriate special education services through remote learning during the pandemic.
The U.S. Department of Educationâs Office for Civil Rights opened the investigation this week because of multiple complaints filed with the state that schoolsâ virtual learning plans did not include individualized services for students with disabilities. At least three other similar investigations were opened this week across the country.
Indiana Education Secretary Katie Jenner, who took office this week, said sheâs seeking more information about the special education complaints that have been filed. In a statement, she added that she will âprovide every available support to help our districts and schools meet the needs of Indianaâs special education students.â
The U.S. Department of Educationâs Office of Civil Rights is investigating the Indiana Department of Education over what it called, in a letter sent Tuesday to Education Secretary Katie Jenner, âdisturbing reportsâ that the state denied students with disabilities equal access to education during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under federal law, schools are required to provide a âfree appropriate public educationâ to each qualified student with a disability.
In its letter, OCR said it was concerned that Indiana had failed to do so and was âparticularly troubledâ by reports that parents of disabled students in Indiana schools have filed multiple complaints with IDOE alleging that students were forced by local school districts into âone size fits allâ remote learning programs, instead of individualized programs designed to meet the need laid out in their Individualized Education Plans or 504 Plans. Qualifying students with disabilities are guarante
What we know about the superintendent searches at HSE and Westfield Washington MJ Slaby, Indianapolis Star
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Two Hamilton County school districts are starting a search for the next leader.
Hamilton Southeastern Schools Superintendent Allen Bourff and Westfield Washington Superintendent Sherry Grate both announced their upcoming retirements within weeks of each other last month, prompting a search in both districts.
At HSE and Westfield, the boards have already started the search process, however, both searches will likely begin in earnest in the new year once new board members are sworn in.
In Westfield, the five-member school board will have two new members, Carl (Mike) Steele and Jimmy Cox, who ousted incumbents Duane Lutz and Amy Pictor, the board president, respectively, in the November election.