After months of delay, the 2018-2019 school letter grades were finally released by the Indiana Department of Education this week, with the results almost identical to the previous year’s.
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A bill that aims to strengthen the rights of professional firefighters was advanced Monday by the Indiana House of Representatives. House Bill 1015 would extend to full-time firefighters the same protections that the General Assembly put in place for police officers last year, according to the bill’s author, Representative Jim Pressel.
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The Culver Community Schools Corporation is a step closer to letting students take religious education classes for credit. Last year, the Indiana General Assembly approved an update to state law that lets public secondary schools award academic credit for religious instruction offered by a church or similar organization, if the school board adopts a policy allowing it.
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While concerns about ILEARN results continue to hold up the release of the state’s school letter grades for the 2018-2019 school year, the separate federal accountability ratings are now available.
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The Culver Community Schools Corporation may soon allow students to take religious education classes for credit, following a recent change in state law.
Continue readingLocal school officials are anticipating a few education-related bills in the upcoming legislative session. Plymouth School Superintendent Andy Hartley told the school board last week that he’s met with some legislators, and he offered board members some predictions.
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The Plymouth School Board will finish preparing for the end of the year tonight. A resolution letting the corporation treasurer pre-write checks for pending 2019 invoices and transfer money to balance out the accounts will be up for the board’s approval. Board members will also schedule their first meeting in 2020.
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Low ILEARN scores are drawing concerns from state officials. The Indiana Department of Education says that across the state, the 2019 ILEARN showed a drop in achievement levels, compared to the old ISTEP test.
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Uncontrolled flooding along the Kankakee River may soon be a thing of the past, according to State Representative Doug Gutwein. He’s the author of recently-passed House Bill 1270, which he says will fix the river.
Continue readingPlymouth school officials are working to maintain a positive outlook, despite the failure of last week’s property tax referendum. It would have raised taxes by up to 19 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, to help with “student safety initiatives, mental health support and programs, and attracting and retaining teachers.”
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A bill to restructure the Kankakee River Basin Commission is headed to the governor for final approval.
House Enrolled Act 1270 would cut the number of members from 24 down to nine, but it would also impose a funding mechanism to pay for the new entity.
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State lawmakers don’t understand the challenges facing Marshall County schools. That’s according to Plymouth Education Association President Laura Kruyer.
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Local school officials are preparing for possible changes in bus safety laws. Culver Community Schools Superintendent Karen Shuman says Senate Bill 2 would have an impact on her school corporation.
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A bill to restructure the Kankakee River Basin Commission is advancing in the Indiana General Assembly. House Bill 1270 authored by State Representative Doug Gutwein of Francesville would cut the number of members from 24 down to nine.
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Indiana’s food banks were recently given $300,000 from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Locally, the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, which serves Marshall, Starke, and four other counties, was given just over $36,000. Food Finders Food Bank, whose 16-county territory includes Pulaski and Fulton counties, has gotten nearly $29,000.
As state lawmakers prepare to convene for a special session Monday, local school officials are keeping an eye on proposed legislation that could set a precedent for school funding issues.
Plymouth school administrators are among those weighing in on proposed changes to school accountability standards. During Tuesday’s school board meeting, Superintendent Andy Hartley reported that the State Board of Education is still working on its new accountability rules. “A few of us were up in South Bend testifying before the state board,” he said. “They had a hearing up there, they did some regional hearings – just providing our feedback and comments, as well as many other educators and citizens from the area.”
Local school administrators continue to keep an eye on the state legislative session. Plymouth School Superintendent Andy Hartley updated the school board Tuesday on a few bills making their way through the Indiana General Assembly.
Hoosiers looking for the opportunity to buy alcohol 7 days a week will have to wait for a few more legislative steps to be taken before anything is finalized. According to the Indiana General Assembly Senate Calendar, the bill regarding Sunday alcohol carryout sales for will come before the full Senate on second reading today.
Senate Bill 1, authored by Republican State Senator Ron Alting, would allow package liquor, grocery, convenience and drug stores to sell alcoholic beverages for carryout on Sunday from noon until 8 p.m. It would also permit restaurants that satisfy the carryout requirements to sell alcoholic beverages on Sunday. Continue reading
A local lawmaker’s bill to crack down on child pornography is on its way to the Indiana House of Representatives. Sen. Randy Head’s measure to strengthen penalties for child pornography crimes passed the Senate unanimously on Monday. Continue reading
