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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 30th, 2024.
Later in the program, demonstrators gathered at Dunn Meadow to protest Indiana University’s financial relationship with Israel amid its war on Palestine. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines.
Monroe County Community School Corporation
During public comment at the Monroe County Community School Corporation Board Meeting on April 23rd, parents spoke in opposition to the resolution to merge Templeton and Child’s Elementary Schools.
Katey Buress spoke, saying that some parents are worried that students with an Individualized Education Plan are not going to be supported during the merger.
M-C-C-S-C English Teacher and Member of the Monroe County Education Assembly, or the M-C-E-A, the teacher’s union Paul Rhodes spoke on the amendment to Bylaw 135 and expressed support for reinstating the Union’s ability to discuss with employers during the decision making process.
The board voted on an amendment to Bylaw 135, to Meet and Confer for School Employees Exclusive Representatives and Discussion Rights.
Board President April Hennessey said this was a difficult decision to make, but that she will vote yes on the amendment to support the teacher’s union.
Board Member Erin Cooperman touched on the policy that prohibits teachers from speaking directly to the board.
Hennessey explained that the reason teachers are not allowed to speak directly to the board is to empower the union, but that the board is open to discussing this policy more in the future.
Board Member Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer added that the policy is to ensure that the board gives the teachers the opportunity to democratically come to a decision, rather than hearing from a handful of teachers.
The board voted to amend Bylaw 135 with a vote of 5-1, the amendment passed.
Next, the board voted to approve the merger between Child’s Elementary and Templeton Elementary schools.
Superintendent Jeff Hauswald answered some questions that the board has had about the merger.
The board voted to approve the resolution to converge the two elementary schools, with Board Member Ross Grimes abstaining.
The next Monroe County Community School Corporation Board Meeting will be held on May 21st.
Protests Continue Monday at Dunn Meadow
On Monday, demonstrators gathered at Dunn Meadow to protest Indiana University’s financial relationship with Israel amid its war on Palestine. Spokesperson for the IU Divestment Coalition Bryce Greene spoke to the crowd into a megaphone.
Then, Jeffrey Isaac, professor in political science at IU, brought up the vote of no confidence against IU President Pamela Whitten calling it “unprecedented.” He called out Whitten’s approach to the situation.
Matthew Rodriguez, a graduate student at Indiana University, addressed the police presence at the Dunn Meadow protest.
Protesters say they will continue their efforts until their demands are met. According to the IU Divestment Coalition’s Instagram, their demands include: the end of the university’s partnership with the Crane Naval Base, the resignation of IU administrators Pamela Whitten, Rahul Shrivastav, and Carrie Docherty, financial transparency and divestment from Israel and adherence to BDS, which stands for ‘boycott, divestment and sanctions.’
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We now turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Cindy Beaulé and Kade Young.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
