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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, January 31st, 2024.
In today’s feature report, Big Talk producer Michael Glab speaks with Publisher of the Limestone Post Ron Eid and Board President Becky Hill about the state of local news, nonprofit journalism and what the future will look like for the online magazine. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Looking Ahead” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Community School Corporation
On January 23rd, several parents, staff and community members attended the Monroe County Community School Corporation board meeting to express their opinions about the elementary school consolidation plan proposed by district superintendent Jeff Hauswauld this past December.
Hauswauld’s proposal suggested two potential mergers with the goal of balancing the socioeconomic status within the school district.
The first would combine Templeton Elementary and Childs Elementary students, where Childs Elementary would house pre-k to second grade and Templeton Elementary would house third grade to sixth grade.
The second would combine University Elementary and Fairview Elementary students, where University Elementary would house pre-k to third grade and Fairview Elementary would house fourth grade to sixth grade.
Parent to two Templeton Elementary students and spouse to a Templeton Elementary teacher, Colleen Rose spoke for the proposal, briefly discussing the differences in test scores, socioeconomic status and P-T-O funding between Templeton and Childs elementary.
Community member Nathaniel Grow spoke out against the proposal, highlighting disparities between the schools chosen and not chosen for consolidation, and explaining that the problem at hand needed more analysis, explanation and discussion among the community.
MCCSC Board Assistant Secretary Ashley Pirani reassured members that the board has been transparent with them and recognized that change takes time.
Board Member Brandon Shurr moved to add conversations about consolidating Childs and Templeton Elementary and county-wide redistricting to the March agenda. In the meantime, board members agreed to release parent forums, teacher forums, and an online question portal to encourage conversations about the topics amongst the community.
The next MCCSC board meeting will be held on February 27th.
Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
During the January 22nd meeting of the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission, the commissioners heard three contract proposals for renovations to the city’s Showers-West building. This is the next step in an initiative to relocate police and fire headquarters to city hall. City attorney Larry Allen walked through the resolutions before the commission, and noted that some of the current tenants are not keen to move out early.
Commission Member John West asked about how the transition to the new mayoral administration has impacted the project. Allen responded.
Corporation Counsel Margie Rice followed up on the points made by Allen saying that some tenants are ready to move out while at least a half a dozen others prefer to stay.
Commission Member Deborah Myerson asked for more information on the status of current tenants. West also says he would appreciate more information in order for the commission to make an informed decision. Rice said that she can prepare a more comprehensive list of tenants by their February meeting.
The first three resolutions were approved on the condition that lease agreements would be included in meeting minutes. The final resolution was pushed back to a later date. The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission will meet again for its regular session on February 5th.
Ellettsville Town Council
The Ellettsville Town Council met on January 22nd to discuss a new initiative, Ordinance 2024-02, a plan for implementing a new e-commerce utilities platform to pay bills and transfer funds online.
Council member William Ellis asked if the platform would allow residents to pay their utility bills online with their bank information. Deputy clerk Noelle Conyer responded affirmatively, saying that the platform would make it easier for customers to set up and track payments. The town is already paying for most of the services required for the platform.
The council ultimately decided to table Ordinance 2024-02 until their next meeting.
Next, the council discussed approving the hiring of two new employees for the Department of Public Works.
The first position, called Labor 1, is an existing position that needs to be filled. The second, Labor 2, is a new position without currently authorized funds budgeted towards its salary. Town Manager Mike Farmer clarified that the first-year salary for Labor 2 was planned to be covered by the current DNR Next Level Trails grant.
Farmer further explained that after the grant runs out, the recent increase in water rates is supposed to cover the salary for Labor 2 in the future.
Farmer requested that the funds for Labor 2 be authorized by the clerk’s office to proceed with the hiring process. The council approved the hire of Labor 1 and approved permission to hire Labor 2 while salary funding is pending authorization.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on February 5th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Big Talk producer Michael Glab speaks with Publisher of the Limestone Post Ron Eid and Board President Becky Hill about the state of local news, nonprofit journalism and what the future of the magazine will look like for the online magazine. We turn to host and producer of Big Talk, Michael Glab, for more.
Up next, “Looking Ahead” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kelsey Pease, Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Michael Glab.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
