Community member questions asked of the East Allen County Schools board during its board meeting Tuesday surrounded disagreement about the direction of the district, a topic hotly debated at the board’s previous meeting.
The board declined to answer some of the questions, including its plan for continued support of five high schools, during the board meeting because of time constraints, previous lengthy discussions on many of the questions asked and its policy against engaging in question and answer sessions with the community during board meetings.
But board vice president Stephen Terry, who expressed strong opinions about the board and district’s treatment of the Harding area at the previous meeting, said it is important the board begin discussing what’s next since the district’s referendum was denied by voters.
He said he’s talked to many members of the Harding community who are dissatisfied with their school options and are choosing to send their kids to schools outside of the district.
“How do you get students back that have made other choices?” Terry asked the board.
Board member Janice Witte said she believed the district’s new curriculum, which will be implemented district wide this school year will bring students back because EACS will be educating students to higher standards.
Superintendent Karyle Green said the administration has continued discussions with the New Haven community, including Mayor Terry McDonald, about the schools in New Haven, one of the areas that would have been addressed with the referendum.
Also during the Tuesday meeting, the board approved several administrative changes in EACS.
The district’s director of instruction and student support Britt Magneson has resigned. Green thanked Magneson for her work with the district and wished her luck as she moves on to work out of the region.
Doug Pickett was approved as the new principal at New Haven Middle School. He previously served as an assistant principal.
David Myers will replace Patricia Meadows as the athletic director at New Haven High School. Meadows will become an assistant principal at New Haven Middle.
