On the job

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By Beth Taylor

Getting to know Dr. Allen Bourff, the new Hamilton Southeastern Schools superintendent

Dr. Allen Bourff began his new job as the superintendent for the Hamilton Southeastern school district in January. Current in Fishers sat down with Bourff to find out how his experience in other districts will help him lead HSE.

Q: Why did you want the job? What appealed to you about becoming the new Hamilton Southeastern Schools superintendent?

A: Personally, it was an opportunity to expand the range of my career experiences. Previously, I had been a rural district, in an urban district, but this is a chance to be working with what’s still classified as a suburban school district. This district has its own unique characteristics, and it provided me with a chance to expand my own experiences. On a very personal note, it was an opportunity to be within 10 minutes of two granddaughters. My family lives in central Indiana. I’ve also done so much work in Indianapolis, that I welcomed the opportunity to be in one of the schools near Marion County, so I can have greater participation in some of the decision making that takes places in the center of Indiana.

Q: How has your previous experience prepared you for the challenges facing HSE?

A: I think every district has its unique set of challenges. What I have seen as the center-most ingredient in problem solving has been to bring people around the challenge. That’s exactly what we’re doing regarding the funding formula. As time goes on, as similar challenges face us, the strategy is going to be similar as well–to enlist the assistance of people who are committed to the organization. And that’s what I’ve done in previous districts.

Q: How will you work with legislators to address the state funding formula?

A: We will work very closely. Todd Huston and I have been talking about the timing of some of our efforts. He and Mike Reuter (Chief Financial Officer for HSE) and I will come around the budget release to find out what our strategies will be. Until I became the HSE superintendent, I wasn’t aware of the depth of the funding problem. For example, literacy test instruments should be in the hands of every kindergarten through fourth-grade teacher. We are providing one for each grade level by the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation. If not for the foundation, the teachers wouldn’t have this important tool. We’re seeing curriculum being purchased by the foundation. When I began to study the patchwork of remedies that Mike Reuter has had to put together over the years, I was flabbergasted.

Q: Have you had experience with redistricting? What did you think of the way in which HSE handled the most recent redistricting changes?

A: I think it was handled beautifully. I have dealt with redistricting. The difficulty happens in the fall, when the plan is executed, because problems can crop up in ways you haven’t anticipated. I have nothing but compliments. The timing was also good so that plans could be well thought through. Communication pieces are being put in place, and the schools are setting up transition and welcome nights.

Q: What are your thoughts on the way ISTEP has been handled?

A: I’m all in favor of whatever compromise can be worked out between the Governor’s office and the Department of Education. I know that they both have the best interest of the students in mind, but they’ve come at it from very different angles.

The Governor has heard all the complaints about the number of hours dedicated to testing this school year, but the DOE is working diligently to meet federal guidelines. It’s compliance versus the concerns of parents. I don’t want to seem derisive of either, because I think they are all working in a rapidly changing environment. If the requirement is that we need to test according to what we’ve been given, then let us do that. We were prepared, even though the requirements were voluminous this year. We were trying minimize the daily experience for our students. Our greatest block of time was a couple hours in any given day. If they are going to change it, I urge them to do it quickly. Let us know, and we’ll make it work.

Sidebar: First impressions: My overall impression is so positive in that student engagement is rich and pervasive. What do you look for in student engagement? You look for students who are leaning forward as they are listening to teachers. Students are intent on work in front of them, and group work is focused on content. That’s what I’ve been observing in K-12, whether it’s in an art classroom or a second-grade classroom. We’re so fortunate to have parent participation at such a high level. It’s beyond the bake sale.

About Dr. Allen Bourff

Hometown: Kokomo

Education: Indiana University. Began career as a high school English teacher

Family: Wife, Melissa; Sons, Nicholas and Nathaniel; Four grandchildren

Vacations: We like to take long weekends and go to Broadway. We take in the shows and enjoy New York. We also enjoy road trips, especially to the Great Lakes.

 


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