Northwest Indiana Discussion

Here are the highlights of the meeting:

All board members were present, as were at least 2 armed police officers. There was a packed house this evening.

Unfinished business:

The parking lot issue at Clark was addressed this evening. There had previously been complaints about accidents and near misses in and out of the parking lot. Signs are posted for directional purposes, but the city alley adjacent to the parking lot appears to cause some of the problems, besides the motorists ignoring the "do not enter" signs, and other directional and warning signs.

Consent Agenda:

The first part of item 12 was pulled, but the second part was retained and passed. The second item was for board member Cindy Murphy to attend a workshop for planning a referendum.

Calender:

Executive(private) Session Wednesday February 15, 2012
Public Work Session for Unfinished Business Tuesday February 28, 2012 6pm
Regular Board Meeting Monday February 27, 2012 6pm

All of these meetings will be at 41 Williams Street.


Public Expression 2nd Session(no speakers at the 1st)

Several staff, parents, and members of the community, all associated with the Bilingual Program at the Area Career Center, spoke up at the meeting this evening, about the reported cuts in pay, personnel, and other issues concerning the Bilingual Program at the ACC. The diversity issues in the SCH were also a concern for some of the speakers.

My take:

Workshop on referendums??? HUMM, are they planning on trying to stick it in our wallets again???
As for the problems with the Bilingual Program at the ACC, if the rumors and accusations have any grain of salt to them, this is a serious problem. Reportedly, these Teachers in the Bilingual Program are not represented by the Teachers Union, but are on their own. Reportedly, they have been told their pay would be cut by 30-50%. This is outrageous. almost all the attendees at the meeting this evening were there in support of the Bilingual Program and Staff. Why were there armed police there???