MCCSC board votes to pause high school schedule change plan

Laura Lane, The Herald-Times
Updated ·3 min read

Controversial scheduling changes at MCCSC's four high schools announced Friday won't happen next school year after Tuesday's school board vote to halt the plan.

Board members voted 4-3 in support of April Hennessey's motion to put the brakes on the change so there's time to study and distribute data, continue focus groups, form a citizen advisory committee and consult with the teachers' union.

Bloomington High School South student Allison Schilling fights emotions as she speaks against the proposed schedule changes during the Monroe County Community School Corporation's monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.
Bloomington High School South student Allison Schilling fights emotions as she speaks against the proposed schedule changes during the Monroe County Community School Corporation's monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.

The motion delays any changes until the 2025-2026 school year, or beyond if necessary. And the school board will vote on whether to alter the schedules, as opposed to the superintendent making the decision.

MCCSC teacher's union president Paul Farmer said the board's action may have violated an agreement that the board can't make changes, such as postponing the schedule change, without discussions with teachers' union leaders.

During a nearly five-hour-long meeting, 45 people — most of them students at Bloomington North and South high schools — took three minutes each at the microphone to decry the lack of data and transparency before the decision was made to do away with block scheduling at North and the trimester system at South.

Bloomington High School South student Jael Davis speaks against proposed schedule changes for her school. The Monroe County Community School Corp. board voted Tuesday to delay implementing the changes.
Bloomington High School South student Jael Davis speaks against proposed schedule changes for her school. The Monroe County Community School Corp. board voted Tuesday to delay implementing the changes.

Of about 120 people at the meeting, one-third were students. Some held up protest signs behind the speakers' podium as opponents, one after the other, accused Superintendent Jeff Hauswald of not caring about their concerns, making decisions in secret and disrespecting their teachers.

Despite board president Brandon Shurr's admonition that speakers' comments be "positive and constructive in nature," devoid of personal attacks, the students took aim at what they called administrative arrogance, blatant disrespect for teachers and a lack of accountability, transparency and truth.

More: How did MCCSC's high schools end up with different schedules?

Bloomington High School South student Lillith Roberts holds a sign against the proposed schedule changes during Tuesday's school board meeting. Of about 120 people who attended, about one-third were students.
Bloomington High School South student Lillith Roberts holds a sign against the proposed schedule changes during Tuesday's school board meeting. Of about 120 people who attended, about one-third were students.

"Engage in real dialogue," one demanded. "Restart this process," said another. And, "We were fooled."

"Equality is not equity," several repeated.

Bloomington High School South student Noah Torres speaks to the Monroe County Community School Corp. board against proposed schedule changes. The administration's Friday announcement has been criticized for not being transparent.
Bloomington High School South student Noah Torres speaks to the Monroe County Community School Corp. board against proposed schedule changes. The administration's Friday announcement has been criticized for not being transparent.

Pam Thrash Cocalis read a statement from a teacher who was afraid to do it herself, fearing retaliation. "You said a decision had not been made, when it 100% had."

Hennessey, who attended the meeting via Zoom, said she had been hoodwinked. "I was told, and the community was told, there was no plan."

She said the board should insist on open and transparent decision making by the MCCSC administration, "a process that is above board and builds trust instead of obliterating it."

Board members Hennessey, Erin Cooperman, Ashley Pirani, and Erin Wyatt voted for the motion. Board president Brandon Shurr and members Ross Grimes and Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer voted no, indicating during the meeting they support aligning the schedules to provide equal opportunities for all students.

Protesting: Monroe County teachers, students, parents rally against planned schools schedule change

The three said the authority for scheduling should lie with the school superintendent, not the elected board.

Hauswald acknowledged there have been issues with the scheduling situation. "I sincerely apologize for a process that's been overly messy," he said, calling the change he supports "a decision made with the best of intentions."

Monroe County Community School Corporation Superintendent Jeff Hauswald listens during Tuesday's school board meeting. He said, "I sincerely apologize for a process that's been overly messy."
Monroe County Community School Corporation Superintendent Jeff Hauswald listens during Tuesday's school board meeting. He said, "I sincerely apologize for a process that's been overly messy."

"I have overwhelming concern about how decisions are made," North sophomore Kelton O’Connell said, calling the process of quickly implementing the change "in the spirit of a dictatorship."

South junior Ronan Steele had strong words for Hauswald and the board. "You've lied to us and devalued us. You have failed to listen to us and now we demand that you do."

They did.

Midway through more than two hours of public comment, Jake Cocalis handed the superintendent and board members copies of a petition with signatures from more than 1,000 students against the schedule change.

Bloomington High School South student Jake Cocalis speaks to the school board Tuesday midway through more than two hours of public comment.
Bloomington High School South student Jake Cocalis speaks to the school board Tuesday midway through more than two hours of public comment.

At one point, administrators were lectured by an eighth grader named Casey O'Connell. "The administration has dismissed our collective voice and made us unheard," she said.

Parent Emily Reynolds said she's been an ardent volunteer and supporter of the MCCSC, but the "schedule fiasco" has her wondering if she can count on the leadership after damage to "the precious public trust of our school corporation."

Contact H-T reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com or 812-318-5967.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: MCCSC board puts brakes on Hauswald plan to align schedules