Hibbard absent from New Albany-Floyd County Schools' meeting, by Erin Walden (Jeffersonville Is Our Passion)
Superintendent the favorite for Indy district position
NEW ALBANY – New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corp.'s board of trustees conducted business as usual Monday at its regular meeting, with a notable absence: Superintendent Bruce Hibbard.
Hibbard, who has been at the helm at NA-FC Schools for eight years, has been pegged as the favorite in Franklin Township Community School Corp.'s search for a superintendent. The board for the district, which is located in Indianapolis, is set to vote on Hibbard's proposed contract Tuesday night.
Many anticipated Hibbard would put in his official notice during Monday's NA-FC meeting but, instead, he simply didn't show up.
The board did not comment on his absence and moved ahead with its agenda, voting unanimously to bring soccer to its middle school students, among other things.
Hibbard may be leaving NA-FC schools, by Aprile Rickert (All Abbey Road on the River, All of the Time)
Superintendent eyes same role in Franklin Township schools
NEW ALBANY — The New Albany-Floyd County School Corp. may soon be in search of a new leader.
Current superintendent Bruce Hibbard, who's been at NA-FC for seven years, appears on the verge of being hired by the Franklin Township Community School Corp. at Indianapolis, where he would serve as superintendent.
Posted on the Franklin Township website this morning was a proposed contract with Hibbard, showing he would received a base salary of $180,000 on a contract beginning July 1. The Franklin school board is expected to vote on the contract June 13. A public hearing has been called for Monday, when the board will gather opinion on the contract and proposed hire.
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| Newspaper poll results indicate "slight" trend against Hibbard pay raise (2012). |
We think this means Dickey wants Gahan's bedmate Hibbard to keep his job, but it's such bad writing that it's hard to tell.
Can anyone translate Adamese?
Earlier today, the NAFC school board voted unanimously to "not let superintendent Bruce Hibbard's contract roll over after it expires in July 2018." He may or may not be retained by the board, but the vote is being interpreted (fairly or otherwise) as fait accompli that Hibbard's a goner. According to John Boyle of the News and Tribune, principals in attendance stood in support of Hibbard. The Floyd County Democratic Party was evasive as usual, but seemed to be suggesting solidarity with Hibbard, and at Twitter, a city employee wrote, "The NAFC School Board should be ashamed of themselves if for no other reason than the fact that they're willful morons." The passion puzzles me, so weigh in, Floyd Countians; make the arguments and educate me. What am I missing? Yea or Nay on today's action, and should Hibbard remain as superintendent? Thank you.
NA-FC superintendent's contract set to expire, by John Boyle (News and Tribune)
NA-FC board removes rollover option from Hibbard's contract in unanimous vote
NEW ALBANY — In front of a room packed with community members and school officials, the New Albany-Floyd County school board unanimously decided Monday to remove the rollover option from Superintendent Bruce Hibbard's contract.
Had the board not notified Hibbard of a decision regarding the rollover clause by June 30, his contract would have automatically extended for another year on July 1, 2018. His contract is now set to expire on that day rather than roll over.
Action Alert
New Albany Floyd County School Board set to meet tomorrow!
Recently, there's been a lot happening with our local New Albany - Floyd County School Board. In late January, the school board appointed a new member in response to the resignation of D.J. Hines. Tomorrow, the Board will vote on Superintendent Bruce Hibbard's contract, a move that may signal that the board may be moving to replace Hibbard.
We feel it imperative that the NAFC School Board be transparent in its decisions. Now is the time to take action and let your voice be heard. We're asking community leaders and citizens to attend the NAFC School Board Meeting and express their concern. Here are the meeting details:
New Albany Floyd County Consolidated School Corp. Board Meeting
Monday, February 13th @ 6:00 p.m.
2813 Grant Line Road, New Albany
It's critical that we speak out. Take action today and ensure that our school board represents the best interests of our community and our students.
Sincerely,
Your Democratic Team
NAFC school board to vote Monday on superintendent rollover, by Aprile Rickert
If approved, Bruce Hibbard would need to renegotiate in July 2018 to continue
FLOYD COUNTY — The New Albany-Flood County School Board will vote Monday on whether or not to let superintendent Bruce Hibbard's contract roll over after it expires in July 2018.
Campaigns ramp up spending in school referendum
Political action committees on both sides of a $87-million referendum for Floyd County schools have upped their organization and spending from last year after a similar attempt to improve school buildings failed by a narrow margin.
"The Families for Floyd County PAC has done things differently this time," said Michele Day, an organizer of pro-referendum PAC, which is campaigning on behalf of New Albany-Floyd County Schools. "The PAC is considerably larger than it was previously."
On the other side of the issue, a Greenville-based citizens group this year formed its own PAC, not so much to be more competitive with Families for Floyd County, but just as a safety precaution, said P.J. Moore, speaking on behalf of Preserve and Protect Floyd County. While the group spent more than last year, it's still less than a tenth of the pro-referendum PAC.
"They've doubled down. They've increased the bond. They've hired a PR firm so they can be slick about it," Moore said. "It's David versus Goliath, and Goliath is cheating."
Families for Floyd County has nearly doubled its spending over last year – which organizers at the time called a “grassroots” effort of less than $10,000 – with tens of thousands of dollars poured into mailers, signs and other advertising, records show. In contrast, Preserve and Protect Floyd County spent just under $1,800, records show.
ON THE AVENUES: It’s our big fat Hibbardendum, and Jeff Gahan is carrying the superintendent across the threshold as Metro United Way tosses rice and One Southern Indiana steals all the liquor.
New Albany Floyd County Schools tax referendum fails in Indiana primary
Voters in Floyd County rejected an $80 million plan to build two new schools and renovate three others in a special referendum on the Indiana primary ballot Tuesday. The measure was voted down with almost 55 percent of voters saying no. According to Floyd County's election returns, 5,524 ballots were cast, with 2,531 voting 'yes' and 2,993 voting 'no'.
Don't want to say the referendum is dead ... but it has gone to a farm in the country where it can run and play out the rest of its days.
Gonder said school officials didn’t actively lobby the public in support of Silver Street Elementary School when it was on the chopping block.
Now the system is wanting to build larger facilities while a school that children once could walk to has been closed, Gonder added.
“I do think that the school corporation has a strong responsibility to neighborhoods in the city,” he said.
The decision to close those schools — which was made almost five years ago — was in reaction to state funding cuts and other issues facing the system at the time, Hibbard said.
“When we closed those four schools, we didn’t need those four schools,” Hibbard said. “It was really about efficiency for the district so we could survive.”
Marohn on transportation funding: "Facing the Unknown with Courage."
... We’re locked into a transportation system that requires us to lie to ourselves about what we can know about the future and then spend huge amounts to support that lie. When we underestimate our needs, it confirms our bias for building more. When we overestimate, we can explain it away – if we are ever asked to, which we hardly ever are – by citing factors beyond our control (oil price, recession, fickle humans, etc…). This is a dumb system.
(Marohn's point) pretty well sums up the upcoming school referendum, too, in which the school corporation seeks to solidify its commitment to a driving oriented, suburban school model for the foreseeable future.
NA-FC buses already drive enough to circle the globe multiple times in less than a week. We know that's extremely costly and not sustainable. We know that children, neighborhoods, and our biosphere do better with walkable, neighborhood schools. But, when I suggest refocusing efforts on such walkable schools, I'm told I'm rehashing previous decisions.
The truth is, the current $120 million plan is the one looking backward, extending and exacerbating the misguided trends of the 50s and 60s while ignoring current and future reality. We can't afford the vehicles, roads, and fuel usage we have now, so what's the school plan? To use what's being called a rare financial opportunity to make sure we keep it that way for as long as possible.
... (Snyder) said the district’s reasoning with the .1937 rate was to anticipate some growth in the assessed valuation of properties across the county.
The DLGF came back and told them to avoid assuming any growth in the values and keep them essentially flat, slightly raising the estimated rate.
After touring the schools and reviewing the conditions in New Albany and Floyd County, I am excited to support the many improvements in store for our students in New Albany-Floyd County Schools.
“We fully support the NAFCS Referendum which will bring much needed improvements to nine area schools,” stated Sara White, President-elect of the Southern Indiana Realtors Association and managing broker for Semonin Realtors Southern Indiana.
In this era of competition for students, NAFCS is doing quite well. For the sixth consecutive school year, we have a record of number of transfer students! This provides our operating fund with over four million dollars of added revenue. Why are so many people choosing NAFCS? Our leadership team believes there is a simple answer: It’s our teachers and support staff. We have the hardest working, incredibly intelligent and most collaborative group of people working with our students. Furthermore, our entire staff embraces a model based upon results and improvement. This is why NAFCS provides our community with highly rated rigorous academic programs, championship athletic teams and world-class performing arts.
Please Vote “Yes” for NAFCS!
Just today, committed community partners Metro United Way released an endorsement of the NAFCS Referendum.
“Metro United Way’s top priorities are for our young children to arrive at kindergarten prepared to succeed and for our students to graduate on time, prepared for college, life and career. We are also know that learning environments play a large role in student success. That is why, we are hopeful that the New Albany Floyd County School referendum will be embraced by the Floyd County community on November 8th,” stated Joe Tolan, President & CEO of Metro United Way.
New Albany-Floyd schools votes on expulsion policy; Board will no longer hear appeals, by Jerod Clapp (River Ridge Revue)
(Lee Ann) Wiseheart and Superintendent Bruce Hibbard argued over the district’s posting of a vice principal position at New Albany High School and whether it gave enough opportunity for minority candidates to apply ...
... Hibbard said the issue of getting more minority employees in education is a nationwide issue, not one that’s isolated to New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated Schools. Wiseheart said she understood, but hopes the district can be a part of changing that trend.
Board member questions NAFC diversity efforts, by Kirsten Clark (C-J)
New Albany-Floyd County Schools Superintendent Bruce Hibbard came under scrutiny during a discussion Thursday night about a lack of diversity among principals, assistant principals and central office leadership in the district – which employs only one minority administrator ...
... In addition to initiating discussions in meetings, Wiseheart has taken to Twitter to express disappointment in the schools district’s minority recruiting efforts.
... At the end of the 15-minute conversation, an exchange between Hibbard and Board President Becky Gardenour became particularly heated after Gardenour called out the superintendent after she felt he had criticized another board member for missing a school event.
“I really would appreciate it if there’s not a dig if a board member doesn’t attend something, I really would appreciate (that) that would be kept out of our discussions,” she said.
“And I would also appreciate if our board doesn’t make tweets about the disappointment of the board and the superintendent,” Hibbard said. “I think that’s inappropriate. It's unethical. If you read Indiana School Boards Association ethics ... (we vote) and we move on from there. We don’t hold grudges. And yet, that’s kind of what the last year and a half has been.”
“No, that’s what it’s been for six years,” Gardenour quipped. “Alright, anything else? Alright. Meeting adjourned.”
“People had different reasons why we lost,” (Bruce) Hibbard said. “People thought it was apathy, but people also didn’t think we did a very good job of getting the word out about the question. People would go and read the question not knowing that 23 cents was falling off [the rate thanks to an expiring bond] and they were getting 20 [back on].
NA-FC referendum may get another shot, by Jerod Clapp (N and T)
It didn’t pass last time around, but the New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corp. might give a referendum another shot in 2016.
This time, they might hire some help.
At the board’s retreat at Wooded Glen in Henryville last weekend, administrators and board members discussed the possibility of hiring a political consultant to advise them on how to encourage voters to approve the measure.
Superintendent Bruce Hibbard said Brad Snyder, deputy superintendent, did what he knew to do with the campaign, but an outside company could hone their message to the county.
“We weren’t built to be politicians — we’re educators and I think we need professional help,” Hibbard said Saturday. “One of the things a professional will do is they’ll canvass our community.”
Gonder said school officials didn’t actively lobby the public in support of Silver Street Elementary School when it was on the chopping block.
Now the system is wanting to build larger facilities while a school that children once could walk to has been closed, Gonder added.
“I do think that the school corporation has a strong responsibility to neighborhoods in the city,” he said.
The decision to close those schools — which was made almost five years ago — was in reaction to state funding cuts and other issues facing the system at the time, Hibbard said.
“When we closed those four schools, we didn’t need those four schools,” Hibbard said. “It was really about efficiency for the district so we could survive.”
Marohn on transportation funding: "Facing the Unknown with Courage."
... We’re locked into a transportation system that requires us to lie to ourselves about what we can know about the future and then spend huge amounts to support that lie. When we underestimate our needs, it confirms our bias for building more. When we overestimate, we can explain it away – if we are ever asked to, which we hardly ever are – by citing factors beyond our control (oil price, recession, fickle humans, etc…). This is a dumb system.
(Marohn's point) pretty well sums up the upcoming school referendum, too, in which the school corporation seeks to solidify its commitment to a driving oriented, suburban school model for the foreseeable future.
NA-FC buses already drive enough to circle the globe multiple times in less than a week. We know that's extremely costly and not sustainable. We know that children, neighborhoods, and our biosphere do better with walkable, neighborhood schools. But, when I suggest refocusing efforts on such walkable schools, I'm told I'm rehashing previous decisions.
The truth is, the current $120 million plan is the one looking backward, extending and exacerbating the misguided trends of the 50s and 60s while ignoring current and future reality. We can't afford the vehicles, roads, and fuel usage we have now, so what's the school plan? To use what's being called a rare financial opportunity to make sure we keep it that way for as long as possible.
... (Snyder) said the district’s reasoning with the .1937 rate was to anticipate some growth in the assessed valuation of properties across the county.
The DLGF came back and told them to avoid assuming any growth in the values and keep them essentially flat, slightly raising the estimated rate.
NASH: Are we getting our money’s worth?
Over the last couple of weeks it has come to light that once again New Albany-Floyd County School Corp. superintendent was looking for a better job. During his relatively short tenure, Dr. Bruce Hibbard has on multiple occasions applied for jobs other than the one he currently has. Since his arrival here in 2009, it has become an all too familiar pattern.
High expectations for Hoosiers: Indiana planning for 2025, by Braden Lammers (N and T)
Indiana’s Chamber of Commerce has developed a long-term, comprehensive, economic development plan for the state and spent Tuesday presenting it to business and government leaders in Southeast Indiana.
Outlined in the chamber’s plan were four main goals: bring and retain talent to Indiana; create an attractive business climate for the state; create superior infrastructure in the state; and create a dynamic and creative culture in the state.
... If my household has a tough month, or year, I don’t get a bonus for being a good mom — and a working mom, who relocated back here because of the schools. No matter how much my husband and kids appreciate me, if we don’t have it, we don’t have it. Same for you and the school corporation.
Let the contract debate continue; Board members, others evaluate Superintendent Hibbard’s contract
... (Mark) Boone said though the vote appeared to be unpopular, he’s not worried about how it might affect his status as a school board member after the next election.
“I really don’t worry about that,” Boone said. “If people don’t want to re-elect me because of how I voted on something, that doesn’t matter to me. It’s not about re-election, it’s about trying to do the right thing.”
(Roger) Whaley said he thought voting in favor of a new contract with a raise was what he had to do.
“I’m satisfied that we did the right thing for the school corporation even though some members of the community don’t think we did,” Whaley said. “We will be criticized for the decision. That’s my answer to the critics.”
