Hebron school board reorganizes

HEBRON | Re-elected Boone Township school board members David Molchan and Peter Blank were sworn in at the group’s meeting Tuesday evening.

Board member also elected Molchan as board president, Jerry Fieser as vice president, and Blank as secretary and appointed Beverly Hindes as treasurer for the corporation.

The board accepted monetary donations from parents Nathaniel Weaver and Raymond Rodriquez, to be used to purchase books in the classrooms.

Board Superintendent George Letz said the district, through its Title II Part A grant, has hired consultant Schauna Findlay. Findlay, formerly with the Indiana Department of Education, will help students become familiar with the types of questions found on the new state assessments exams. Letz said Findlay will also review curriculum, assessments, and activities district teachers will use to “get students ready.”

“We have a lot of work to do,” said Letz. “It’s a whole new ballgame coming down the road.”

Hebron Elementary School principal James Martin said Findlay is also helping the school with the adoption of reading texts for the classroom and that computer keyboarding will soon be introduced at the kindergarten level.

Letz reported that he and the school principals and Hebron police have studied school security policies and procedures “since the tragedy in Connecticut.”

“We’re reviewing our whole plan we developed years ago, and we will continue to do that and continue to make recommendations to the board any changes we think appropriate,” said Letz. “We’re just looking at everything, all our processes and everything we do to provide safety.”

Letz mentioned that both the Hebron police and Porter County police intend to establish a stronger presence at the schools.

Fieser said that although having armed officers at the schools is controversial, he would be comfortable with the idea.

“I wouldn’t have a problem with an officer being at every school,” said Fieser. “I think it would make the students feel safer.”

Board member Donald Fry stressed that all visitors should have a visitor pass and all employees should be trained to question those who do not.

“We need to let people know that everyone here wants the school to be secure for the kids,” said Fry. “Child security is everybody’s job.”