By Nick Poust
The Carmel Clay School Board met Oct. 24 to discuss the 2017 budget, the bus replacement plan and other proposals and to congratulate Carmel High School’s 52 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.
What happened: The board adopted the 2017 budget, the Capital Projects Fund plan and the 12-Year Bus Replacement Plan. In addition, the board approved a resolution appropriating $1.25 million to the general fund and $350,000 to the referendum fund.
What it means: The appropriations are largely due to additional expenses from early 2016, including a payment made in February for retroactive pay for teachers and the delayed reception of the performance grant. The additional appropriations will not affect the tax rate.
What’s next: The resolutions will be submitted to the state for approval.
What happened: Carmel High School recognized the school’s 52 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists to open the board meeting. Forty-four of the students were present, and they received a certificate.
What it means: There are 1.5 million high school students who are National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists from 22,000 high schools across the nation. Of those 1.5 million, 16,000 are chosen as finalists. Carmel High School’s representation is in the top 1 percent.
What’s next: For the next round of consideration, students will write essays about their goals, and the college board will factor their transcripts into the process.
What happened: Board Member Tricia Hackett expressed concerns regarding legislative priorities that were put forth during the Indiana School Boards Association’s Fall Regional Meeting Oct. 13.
What it means: Hackett expressed concerns about charter school funding increases at the federal level, an expansion of the state voucher program without any clear evidence of its effectiveness, and the predicative legislative proposals to implement educational savings accounts. The latter would be a way to fund public and private education, Hackett said.
What’s next: The Carmel Clay Schools Legislative Priorities have been sent to local government representatives for consideration. Hackett said meetings with the representatives will take place over the next two weeks. Meetings have already been scheduled with Luke Kenley of District 20, Donna Schaibley of District 24 and Jerry Torr of District 39.
