Concerned Parents of Rossville Schools

Concerned Parents of Rossville Schools This page is paid for and managed by Concerned Parents and not endorsed by any sitting or school board candidate.

11/21/2024

The election board determined that Joe Hufford, Julia Mink, and Jentry Pendleton did in fact violate the laws in how they ran their campaigns. They have been ordered to pay a fine.

The case will now be reviewed by the prosecutor for determination of other charges. To be honest, regardless of the decision by the prosecutor, the facts remain the same. The prosecutor does not press charges for everything that he sees as they have limited resources.

Joe Hufford and Jentry Pendleton broke the law and won the election. These are the facts for these board members that govern our school.

11/07/2024

Double Write-In

Two Counties

Dead Tie

The Pendleton/Blackburn question continues! The latest information is that the race will be determined after the provisional votes come in on Friday.

There are many questions still lingering, but until we have answers, we'll just wait to see who will be serving for the next 4 years in the Ross 1 seat!

11/01/2024

Rules need to be followed, yet it's common for us to see the sitting board members ignore the rules.

The flyer that candidates are given when registering at the Clerk's Office gives little space for misunderstanding the rules. That is an irresponsible excuse for a school board member to have. He might as well have said, "I didn't read the flyer you gave me with the rules." (Picture of the flier is in the comments)

We appreciate local news covering this issue.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/hckvKomgHJPLXKfK/

11/01/2024

The questions have been asked and answered by 5 of the 6 candidates running for Rossville School Board. Mrs Pendleton was emailed the questions yet chose to not participate.

Throughout the questions you can see information that the sitting board members didn't attempt to verify. Reasons we do or don't do things, yet the reasons don't match the guidelines given by the state.

Many of these questions were asked throughout the last year and received no response. At most, "I'll look into that and get back to you." Yet those phone calls or emails never came.

Please keep this in mind while voting. Mrs Pendleton didn't bother to answer questions the community wanted to know. Mr Hufford and Mrs Mink gave incorrect information when it comes to state guidelines.

This is the track record of your current board of education.

Blackburn: In healthcare, just like in education, there are strict standards for restraints. Anyone acting outside of th...
11/01/2024

Blackburn: In healthcare, just like in education, there are strict standards for restraints. Anyone acting outside of those strict standards should be removed while a full and objective investigation occurs. Just as we wouldn’t allow a healthcare provider back to patient care if investigation finds abuse in the form of inappropriate restraint, staff should not be permitted back into a school around children for the same. I think an important aspect after the staff decision would be to take a look at what our policies and procedures are. Were they followed? Often, we cannot see the gaps in policies and procedures until something happens that shows them to us. It is a chance to ask questions and improve. How does our policy compare with the latest State requirements? How can we better support staff so that students AND staff stay safe? Are there newer training opportunities available? The smartest thing a Board can do is admit when they are not the experts and seek input from those with expertise and experience. We have community members and professionals with expertise in therapeutic holds and de-escalation. The Board should be encouraging those experts to come and share publicly at a board meeting or be a part of a special committee. This is how we create not just decisions about the staff and incident that happened, but a culture of improvement that is in the best interest of everyone.

Hufford: In general, it is never ever appropriate to put a student in a chokehold. If a student is out of control, there are specific restraint techniques that teachers and staff are trained on how to use to appropriately restrain an out of control student and a chokehold is not one of those techniques. There are always exceptions. For example, if a student had a bomb strapped to their chest, was wielding a machete, or an assault rifle ANY Use of force, including deadly, would be appropriate in order to save the lives of fellow students. As a current board member, I can tell you that if an administrator were to inappropriately put a student in a chokehold it would result in an immediate referral to the Indiana State Police and Indiana child protective services, as well as termination of their contract or employment with the school.

Michael: First, I acknowledge the state outlines detailed statutes and requirements for
restraint and seclusion. Staff that use an inappropriate restraint on a student should be placed on immediate leave pending an investigation. That investigation should include outside entities in order to be objective. The investigation should include any staff member involved in the restraint. I think it is important for the Board to review all items, including video from the school, interviews, and outside investigation reports to make an informed decision. The current Board, in a closed executive session with only a handful of community members, indicated they had not reviewed all items, including the school video footage, or performed a full investigation. The current Board President stated in his recent radio interview that the Board knew and believed the restraint had been inappropriate and used this to support an early contract termination. However, if they believed this to be true, and the staff member was a safety threat large enough to end a contract early, then why would they allow the staff member back in the building in a role of authority for months? It is no wonder the community was divided and confused, as both cannot be true at once: too dangerous to complete a contract, but safe enough to return to our students for months. I believe it is the Board’s responsibility to thoroughly do their due diligence, investigate fully, and take prompt action in the best interest of student and staff safety.
CPI/TCI training is also key for everyone in the building that works with students who may have a violent outbust. This is needed for the safety of all staff and students.

Mink: All staff members should be trained in CPI (Crisis Prevention and Intervention). This is a non-violent intervention system that teaches educators and other staff how to de-escalate students who are dysregulated and how to intervene using appropriate means before ever putting a student in any type of restraint. Restraints are no longer taught in CPI training and should not be used with students. Staff should be required to have this training upon being hired.

Rothrock: I have elementary-aged children, and admittedly do not have much
knowledge on the situation this question appears to reference. I can only answer with what my expectation would be as a Board member if something like this were to happen, and I was serving on the Board. First, a “chokehold” would not be an appropriate way to restrain a child. Anyone accused of doing this would need to be removed from the school right away until a full investigation could be completed. The findings of the investigations would allow the Board to determine what action to take next. I do not believe someone who an investigation shows acted dangerously should be allowed to return to the school. Any incident is a chance to review policies, like the restraint and seclusion policy, to see if it needs updated to keep everyone safe. That would be a policy discussion that should happen at a public meeting.

Blackburn: Other districts have found ways to offer participation with one class, why are we requiring so much more? Inc...
10/31/2024

Blackburn: Other districts have found ways to offer participation with one class, why are we requiring so much more? Including local homeschool children in our extracurricular offerings can only benefit all children and families involved.

Hufford: This is mostly an issue of funding. I believe it is unfair for the district to have to provide resources when we may not have received any state funding due to the families choice to homeschool their child. It is not fair to our taxpayers and families who have committed full-time enrollment for their children. The ISHAA also has strict guidelines on athletic participation regarding enrollment and attendance. We are currently exploring the possibility of providing these activities for students enrolled in our virtual program. The district is working with the Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) to develop a draft policy for consideration that would allow students participating in Rossville’s virtual education program to engage in classes and extracurricular activities. This approach ensures that resources remain appropriately allocated while expanding our educational programs' student opportunities.

Michael: It does appear other districts require enrollment in 1-2 classes. Requiring more than the minimum for participation at RCSD is the equivalent of forcing homeschool families to choose a traditional public education. The reality is allowing local homeschool children to enroll in the minimum required classes and participate in our extracurriculars adds to the social experience of the homeschool students AND Rossville students.

Mink: As a School Board member, I understand the desire of some families who homeschool their children to have access to certain classes or extracurricular activities offered by our school district. While we value the importance of providing opportunities for all students in our community, significant considerations must be addressed when examining our policy on homeschooled students’ participation in district programs.
The school board is not the sole decision maker in this. The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has set up specific requirements for athletic participation. This would include guidelines on enrollment as well as attendance that would deem them to be eligible. As a partial attendance, we may also not be eligible for state funding for said student.
This creates an inequitable situation for the district and our local taxpayers. It is not fair to our families who have committed to the district full-time, or to our taxpayers who support the school through property taxes, to use district resources to support students who are not enrolled in the corporation. Additionally, our facilities and class sizes must be managed carefully. Allowing a homeschooled student to take a class could mean that an enrolled student misses out on an opportunity due to space restrictions.
The possibility of providing these activities for students enrolled in our virtual program is being explored. The district is working with the Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) to develop a draft policy for consideration that would allow students participating in Rossville’s virtual education program to engage in classes and extracurricular activities. This approach ensures that resources remain appropriately allocated while expanding our educational programs' student opportunities. Again, this needs to be worked out to benefit all involved.
The Board’s policy will prioritize fairness, financial responsibility, and resource management, ensuring that our district’s services benefit our entire school community.

Rothrock: We should not be forcing homeschool families to enroll their kids for
anything more than the minimum needed to allow them to be a part of what RCSD has to offer outside of the school day.

Blackburn: The goal is student graduation. For some students, that could mean an alternative school setting. Partnering ...
10/30/2024

Blackburn: The goal is student graduation. For some students, that could mean an alternative school setting. Partnering with other schools who could provide an alternative setting can only improve the potential for graduation for students who may fall through the cracks in a traditional setting.

Hufford: I do support school choice. 187 students have chosen Rossville over their home district even though they must provide their own transportation. It is my understanding that partnering with The Crossing could cost the school out of pocket dollars to fund that students program. I am not in favor of allocating out of pocket resources to other schools. Parents are free to choose to send their child to The Crossing but we should not have to pay additional funding negatively impacting the resources of our students for that choice.

Michael: I cannot see a disadvantage. It is offering opportunities to students in-need or who are struggling in our traditional schools to reach the same basic level of education needed to function as an adult. There are several options locally that could be explored. The goal is the success of the student, not only if they can fit into the mold in a traditional setting.

Mink: I believe every child deserves to have an educational environment that best meets their own individual needs. In Indiana, the state has already provided a mechanism that allows families to choose educational programs that best serve their children. Through this program, students can attend schools like The Crossing, and the funding the state provides follows the student to their chosen program. This system empowers parents to make decisions that are in the best interest of their child’s education without placing additional financial strain on the home district.
When considering a partnership or agreement with The Crossing or similar programs, it’s important to weigh the impact on the overall school district. While I support families having access to alternative educational opportunities, entering into a direct partnership with an external program like The Crossing would burden the district, as the cost to partner with such programs is sometimes higher than the state funding the district receives per student. This means that if we were to enter into such an agreement, it could negatively impact the resources available to support our students and staff.
Our current practice allows Rossville to focus on delivering a high-quality education to all students while supporting families who choose alternative programs that better meet their child's needs.

Rothrock: We need to partner with alternative schools for those kids who may need it.

Blackburn: There should not be a ban on classic American literature.Hufford: We currently have a policy on book selectio...
10/29/2024

Blackburn: There should not be a ban on classic American literature.

Hufford: We currently have a policy on book selection and removal and ensures that educational materials are chosen thoughtfully and responsibly. The Board policy (Policy 5051) recognizes the rights of teachers, librarians, and administrators to select books and other instructional materials that reflect current educational trends while making them available to students. This policy emphasizes the importance of selecting materials based on their educational value, interest, and enlightenment for all students. Books are not excluded based on the race, nationality, political, or religious values of the author, nor due to their style or language. Instead, the focus is on providing a balanced collection that presents diverse points of view and addresses current issues at international, national, and local levels. Regarding removing books, the policy outlines a structured procedure involving discussions with the school librarian and building principal. If concerns are not resolved, a formal review by a committee—including a media professional, a classroom teacher, and a parent—is conducted. The committee evaluates the material as a whole, considering whether it meets the legal definition of being obscene or harmful to minors.

If further review is needed, the matter can be appealed to the Board, where a final
decision is made at a public meeting.
I support this policy as it respects academic freedom, values diverse perspectives, and
includes a thorough review process that engages the community while safeguarding
students’ rights to access various educational resources.

Michael: We should be empowering staff to explore adding to the literature in their curriculum, not restricting what literature they can use.

Mink: As a member of the Board of Education, I believe our current policy on book selection and removal is effective and ensures that educational materials are chosen thoughtfully and responsibly. The Board policy (Policy 5051) recognizes the rights of teachers, librarians, and administrators to select books and other instructional materials that reflect current educational trends while making them available to students. I would lean toward supporting their teaching methods and the books they have chosen. Having said that, I would hope common sense would be present in these selections. When talking “classic” American literature? That’s a pretty broad list. Some find opposition nowadays that didn’t before.
This policy emphasizes the importance of selecting materials based on their educational value, interest, and enlightenment for all students. Books are not excluded based on the race, nationality, political, or religious values of the author, nor due to their style or language. Instead, the focus is on providing a balanced collection that presents diverse points of view and addresses current issues at international, national, and local levels.
Regarding removing books, the policy outlines a structured procedure involving discussions with the school librarian and building principal. If concerns are not resolved, a formal review by a committee—including a media professional, a classroom teacher, and a parent—is conducted. The committee evaluates the material as a whole, considering whether it meets the legal definition of being obscene or harmful to minors. If further review is needed, the matter can be appealed to the Board, where a final decision is made at a public meeting.
I’ve personally read MANY of the books now seen on the proposed banned list. I’m not sure why particularly. I support the policy as it respects academic freedom, values diverse perspectives, and includes a thorough review process that engages the community while safeguarding students’ rights to access various educational resources.

Rothrock: I do not agree with a ban on literature.

Blackburn: First, what a blessing to have staff to stay with the district so long! If the staff member brought this conc...
10/29/2024

Blackburn: First, what a blessing to have staff to stay with the district so long! If the staff member brought this concern to the Board, the Board would need to meet about the staff member’s situation, consult with state and federal statutes (including the National Labor Relations Board) to ensure the Board is acting in a way that is supported legally. If the employee is owed accrued time, they should receive it.

Hufford: We commend the employee for choosing not to use their sick days as they were intended and not for something other than being sick or ill. The outsourced company not only offered them employees immediate sick time but also offered a bonus which would be of greater value than unused sick days. The corporation pays unused vacation time but not unused sick days if an employee ends their employment. It is important to understand that state law would require the district to “forward fund” these expenses if our policy were to change. This would require tens of thousands of dollars be basically held in escrow to cover sick pay liabilities. It is common business practice that unused sick pay is not paid out at end of employment.

Michael: If they have earned the leave pay, then they should be paid. Especially in the case of a staff member who dedicated decades to serving our district and students.

Mink: Do I feel it’s fair? I guess it would depend on the circumstances and what all that entails. When there is an external service provider within the school, it is typically not the function of the board to interfere with the day-to-day operations of the district nor the decisions made by said external service provider. I understand the employee resigned and was not terminated. So in the case of a resignation, I would say it was fair. I’ve been the recipient of same. I also didn’t think fair, but that’s the way it worked. Its all about aligning state law with the corporation practice.
Given the length of service and dedication to the district, I understand that this may feel unfair. Still, the Board has to balance the district's financial resources to benefit all employees. If the corporation were to offer payouts for unused sick days, it would reduce the funds available to support salaries, benefits, and other resources contributing to the well-being of the entire staff.
The Board’s priority is to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and in accordance with both district policies and state regulations. While we value the contributions and commitment of all staff members, these policies are in place to ensure financial sustainability and equity for everyone within the district.

Rothrock: I would need to understand more about the specific situation before stating my opinion. This is an example of why it is important for follow up and investigation when something is brought to the Board. If the result is that the staff member is owed, then the right thing to do is make sure they are paid. If the result is that they are not owed, then the why should be explained fully.

Blackburn: As a healthcare professional, I know mental health matters. I need to hear from staff regarding the support t...
10/28/2024

Blackburn: As a healthcare professional, I know mental health matters. I need to hear from staff regarding the support they need so that I can be a staunch advocate for their mental and physical health.

Hufford: In the past year we have provided teachers with requested time to focus on school improvement. I have had many conversations regarding our support for our teachers encouraging them and thanking them for their service to our community. I am committed to providing emotional and physical support to our teachers in order to create a healthier and more positive environment for everyone.

Michael: I cannot even fathom what teachers face, which is why we need to hear from them. I admire teaching staff for doing what most could not every single day. Creating solutions without first understanding what those on the front lines of education need is not really creating solutions.

Mink: I believe a first step to ensuring a healthy body and mind is to make sure we maintain a positive and supportive environment. This hopefully allows them the ability to perform at their best. Over the last year, the morale of the district has been negatively impacted by a small but vocal group of parents who have targeted teachers as well as other professionals within the district. This has been challenging for the staff and we are proactively addressing this issue.
When teachers feel targeted or undervalued, as we saw this past spring when they made a compassionate request for time to focus on school improvement, we must stand by our educators as a Board. During this time, the Board, administration, and fellow teachers reached out to these staff members to offer comfort and to express the immense value they bring to the children and community they serve. Furthermore, when the same group directed their negativity towards other professionals, including our school nurse, calling them incompetent, we took the time to provide reassurance and publicly recognize them for their dedication and competence.
Moving forward, the continued support for the staff, I believe, will lead to a more positive school atmosphere where hopefully, the teachers feel appreciated and valued. Clear communications by all stakeholders help in showing support for all affiliated with Rossville Consolidated School District. I also hope we can advocate for initiatives that recognize the hard work of our educators so they feel they have a stronger voice and a more evident presence.
I am committed to providing emotional and practical support to our educators to create a healthier and more positive environment for everyone.

Rothrock: I have an immediate family member who is a teacher in another district. I have learned a lot from her about what teachers face. I think the best people to tell the Board what they need for support are the teachers and staff. I’d like to learn more about how we can support them mentally and physically.

Blackburn: I am familiar with understanding and navigating Indiana codes as it relates to the nursing profession and Nur...
10/28/2024

Blackburn: I am familiar with understanding and navigating Indiana codes as it relates to the nursing profession and Nurse Practice Act. I am able to navigate the same Indiana Administrative Codes as it relates to education. I am also not afraid to seek out additional understanding from expert sources to ensure full understanding.

Hufford: I am familiar with several aspects of educational law including, but not limited to, Open Door policies, employee and student due process, public records requirements, and funding for school projects. While I am not an expert I am willing to seek professional assistance when needed. Several resources are available to me including the Indiana School Board Association general counsel and the schools attorney whenever legal questions arise. Having those relationships has proven to be invaluable enabling us to make informed decisions in the districts best interest while maintaining our legal and ethical obligations.

Michael: I have experience working with school districts on annual inventory, which is an important part of budget creation. I have learned a lot about Indiana education statutes, and am willing to utilize resources to continue to learn as statues constantly evolve and change.

Mink: I’m still learning everytime. I don’t know everything but I do have a working knowledge of several different elements pertaining to Indiana Educational Law. There are things such as employee and student due process such as we just discussed above, public records requirements and legal frameworks for funding school projects. I know if I encounter anything I’m unfamiliar with, I have resources at hand to ask. I would be the first to admit, I am not an expert in everything “Indiana Educational Law”. In the past, we have utilized legal counsel especially when dealing with specific areas. School construction projects or special education are two examples.

Rothrock: I have learned a lot during my campaign. I feel confident in my ability to find information, ask questions, and get additional information when needed.

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