Top of the Morning, Top of the Class!

So, without anyone's permission, I and two other board members visited Gambold Preparatory HS today. And we were blown away. Seriously. I know that are a lot of ticked off people and some just concerned people regarding the location of this school. But let's face it. These are our kids. I would drive twice as far if I had to. But actually, it only took me about 20 minutes to get there today.

The school is meant to fill the need for our CFI, Sidener, and Montessori students entering H.S. Many of these kids have left the district to attend Herron, North Central, private, or they simply move. So the idea of meeting their needs came up at a retreat a few years ago. The building happened to be available and recently renovated.

I will go ahead and share my opinion and feel of this school, but if you are a parent of a potential student and you don't get in there yourself, you are missing the opportunity to make an informed decision on your child's best options. Every school is not for every child, but make sure you know all your choices.

First of all, I called the school as I left my house to give them a heads up that we were dropping by. I was welcomed over the phone and we felt that welcome again when we entered the building. We strolled the halls, looked at the walls, and met a few staff members. Then we ran into the principal, Mr. O'Day. He's a wee bit Irish with a genuine smile and a handshake that might just hurt a little. The staff was dressed in a very professional manner, and today was a special day and all the men had matching bright blue ties and the women lovely orange scarves. It was obvious within minutes that this school had become a team in just 5 days. Mr. O'Day was kind enough to show us around and answer any questions.

There are so many things I loved about this school and though I want to share them with you, please know that I am no substitute for the passionate teachers and staff that have created these brilliant ideas.

I love the sports options. I never even asked about the traditional sports because I was too intrigued with croquet, cricket, rowing, and possibly sailing. Yep. Pretty awesome.

I also love the schedule. THey have a 45 minute lunch. This will allow time for special programs and presentations, or time to form study groups. I also loved the no fast food pact. No fast food in the building. Not students. Not staff.

I did have a moment of concern. As we were leaving the library (which feels so cozy and airy) I saw a bulletin board with "BANNED BOOKS" across the top. I got a lump in my throat. There, on the board, were titles of book and the reasons they were banned. I wasn't going to fight for the titles of Twilight or The Hunger Games. I mean, I love the books, but you may be the same person if you never read them. But when I saw To Kill A Mockingbird, and Catcher in the Rye.....well, I decided I had to say something. I politely told Mr. O'Day that I needed to pick a fight with him. I asked if he banned these books. He told me these books are the top banned books because of material that deals with racism, language, sex, and so on. He said they have been put in jail. After a close look I saw the book titles did look like they had lines dran over them like a jail cell. Then he said that the students could release them from jail simply by reading them. He is challenging these kids. Challenging to decide for themselves. And to teach them that there are times to question what everyone else is saying is wrong. From that moment on, I was sold.

We enjoyed talking with the staff (staff that was hand picked by Mr. O'Day). I loved seeing their excitement regarding the school. I can not wait to visit again in a couple months and see the progress and talk to the students.

I wish all principals had the authority to choose their staff and be able to search country wide for the best of the best.

Anyway, thank you to the warm welcome we received and the time Mr. O'Day and his staff took to chat with us. It was a wonderful experience.

Budget

Tonight the Board voted to advertise the budget. You can find the info here:



http://www.budget.ips.k12.in.us/index.php?id=12106


Tomorrow I am heading to Gambold, where the new IPS HS program is located. I am actually meeting a few other board members there as well, we are just interested in looking at the school, a quick tour, and just an overall visit. I am looking forward to it.

We have a full week next week. A private hearing, a resource meeting on Tuesday,policy meeting on Wednesday, and a Design Overview meeting on Thursday.

The budget will be voted on on August 20th. The last two years I voted against the budget. The first year I did so because of the way the process was handled. Last year I did so because of the amount of poor choices I have seen IPS make on where to spend money.
To be honest, this year I have not read the budget. The last two years I have read the budget in its entirety. This year, I have been so busy and overwhelmed with the issues here at home. But I will read it before the vote.

I hope everyone is having a good start to the year. And though I know staff has been told not to speak to board members, I do enjoy hearing from people. And I hope anyone who needs to, feels comfortable contacting me.

Back to work

After two and a half weeks away, I am returning to work tomorrow. I can't say that I am looking forward to it or that I am ready. Because I am neither.

Just to update everyone, my father-n-law died in a very bad car accident. He was in Ohio at the time. We have made several trips back and forth since the accident taking care of things. My husband and I have also planned the service, with the help of friends and family. It's been exhausting on many, many levels.
What many did not know, is that his sister, my husbands aunt, was in the car with him. After being in a coma for two weeks, her children made the difficult but selfless decision to let her go. We lost her on Thursday.

This has been the most awful time, and I appreciate the kind words that I have received. It has meant a lot. I know that I need to return to work tomorrow full force, as it is also the first day of school. And I promise I will do my best, but I am very scared of how it will go.

Tomorrow, August 6th, there will be a Legislative Committee meeting at 5:30. And on Tuesday there will be a meeting to approve advertising the Budget. I am unsure of the time for that meeting.

I am eager to get back into the groove of life and work. I am looking forward to visiting schools again. I hope for a good year for everyone. Be safe, look for school children, drive slow.

First Day of School....

A Great Loss

A wanted to share with everyone an update in my life.

My family has suffered a very sad and tragic loss. My Father-n-law, Doug Roof, was in a car accident on Thursday and he did not survive.
I decided to blog about this loss because to me, he was so relevant to IPS and the IPS School Board.

Years ago Doug ran for the IPS Board, he lost to Stephen Hyatt. And at another time he interviewed to fill an empty seat between elections, and at that time Marianna Zaphiriou was chosen.

He was also my biggest supporter. I spent many, many hours and nights around the kitchen table talking to him about my goal of winning a seat. You see, we have shared a home with Doug for the last 6 years. He was a member of our immediate family. Doug was the first person to pull out his checkbook and donate to my campaign. He also worked for 10 hours the day of the election handing out my flyer. He did all this from his wheelchair.

Doug would watch every meeting. Seriously, every meeting. He would usually be waiting for me at the kitchen table to talk about what had happened, who said what, and so on.

During this difficult time I will not be blogging, attending meetings, or answering emails. I hope you all understand. There is so much to do in so little time.

Please keep us in your thoughts as we go forward with our lives.

Quick Update

Just a quick IPS update. So, last month IPS approved the contract for Voyager. Today we need to approve it again. I haven't quite figured out why, except we were given bum info the first time around. Now we are voting to use the Job Funds (first I have heard of it). This money could be used for teachers or nurses! Dr. WHite wants to use 4.5 million dollares of this grant to pay for this contract. We vote tonight.

Quiet July

July is a fairly quiet month for the IPS board. During this month we do not hold committee meetings. We still have other meetings. Two this week. One is the Budget Work Session and the other was an Executive Session.

We will still have a Briefing Session on July 17th. An Action Session on the 24th, and a Delegation Session on the 23rd (if anyone signs up).

July for me personally, is not quiet. I love, I mean LOVE my summers with my kiddos. This heat has put a damper on some of our plans, but we are out there doing something everyday.

As a parent and a board member I think I have a look into some of the struggles of our parents. And I have to say, I am pretty lucky. However, I still have to go out and spend a few hours in a dressing room trying on uniforms. This year I have three kids. It's not a pretty sight. My youngest is so tiny I can barely find school uniforms in toddler size, and my oldest, well, she wants to wear them a little small.
I have to go to Walmart or Target on load up on supplies. I have yet to do this, but backpacks and lunch boxes are bought and ready.
I hope everyone is having a great summer. I love the fact that I can stay home with the kids and enjoy this time with them. I know not everyone can.

School starts on August 6th and that is fast approaching.


On another note, I was chosen to chair a committee this year. I will be heading the Educational committee.


Also, you may have read in the Indy Star that one of our long time board members has decided to not run this year. I wish this person the best, but I have no reservations in saying that I look forward to the possible changes this retirement could bring.


Enjoy your summer.

Musical Chairs

And the winners are....


IPS Board President is Michael Brown

Vice President is Marainna Zaphiriou

Secretary is Elizabeth Gore.

Wow. Congrats.


IF these decisions were made with the motto "Children First", then that list would look different. On Jan. 1st there is the potential for new board members. Up to 4 new board members.
Here's what that could look like.

Mike Brown - 14 yrs experience, numerous postions as president and other committee chairs

Annie Roof - 2 1/2 yrs experience, never a chairperson, never even led a committee.

Samantha Adir White- 2 1/2 yrs experinece, never a chairperson, never even led a committee.

New person #1

New person #2

New person #3

New Person #4


So, someone else is going to HAVE to step up and lead with no experience under their belt. WHY? WHy would this be the right decision?

I said it tonight, and I will say it again. THese seats have been hijacked, and anyone who opposes the Superintendent will not be allowed to sit in them. We were all elected and chosen by the people, why are only 4 members in charge?

Well, it's over and done with. Only six months until the next round of musical chairs.