By Anna Skinner
Dr. Nick Wahl and Dr. Allen Bourff presented the State of the Schools Sept. 14 at the OneZone Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Wahl, superintendent of Carmel Clay Schools, and Bourff, superintendent of Hamilton Southeastern Schools, highlighted multiple accomplishments of their school systems. Carmel High School has 154 clubs, 20 interscholastic competitive sports and five club sports. Wahl mentioned the recent 30th consecutive state championship for the girls swimming team, as well as CHS’s DECA team placing in the international competition.
“When I meet these students and see all these kids in our schools, it reaffirms my belief that the leaders of tomorrow are in our classrooms today,” Wahl said. “We are in good hands, so be affirmed to that.”
Wahl also mentioned that the CCS referendum passed in 2010 for a seven-year window, and that the school system is due for another referendum next year. HSE passed a referendum in the spring.
“This is the arena in which we operate and we compete for the best and the brightest, and that’s why I say we have now developed a referendum state,” Bourff said. “Carmel will be going out for a referendum, you just experienced it in Hamilton Southeastern. It’s happening throughout the state, a number of counties are seeing it, and some are successful, some are not.”
Out of CCS’s $110 million budget, 93 percent is for personnel, according to Wahl.
“That’s exactly where that money should be,” Wahl said. “In the event that the ($15 million) referendum is not successful, that is 130 teaching positions (not funded). Strong schools, strong community, strong economy.”
